Stand To at Shildon is my most local show, and offers me the best opportunity to try and put together a game to display to the public. Now I've always wanted to be able to say I've ran a game at a show, and come the end of my hobby days I want to be able to say to myself 'Yes, I actually did put on a game.'

I made the decision after Stand To 2015 that I would endeavour to put together a game for the 2016 show, and have mentioned this intention to a couple of people. One of the ideas that came about was attempting a public friendly, non-wargamers, display - This being available to the Shildon show due to the event being hosted at a National Railway Museum site, where members of the public interact with the wargame show while visiting.

What it is that I'd be trying to achieve is a table-top display, showing off a fairly decent representation of a game put together as-if by a relative novice of the hobby.

Now I don't mean to say I'd be making a half-baked attempt, but instead of trying to recreate a prize worthy display game of exquisitely painted miniatures and highly detailed modelled terrain, I'd be looking at producing something the average man (which, if I'm honest, is a description that I fall into) could achieve with a little time and patience.

So the question I now need to ask myself - and I'd like to also put it out there to those reading this - How would I go about producing such a game?

I have several ideas that I would use to complement the display: Printed information sheets with pictures; A photo album showing the construction stages of the game; A number of large 40mm miniatures attached to a piece of wood, in a row, showing the painting stages to explain how I went about painting each smaller miniature used in the game. These ideas I believe would help members of the public, and newer gamers, to understand our hobby better. To see how such a game was created, and how much effort goes into putting on displays or games. I suppose what I'm looking at producing would be something that you used to see put on in public libraries or town halls, small displays attempting to educate and garner interest and to maybe bring new recruits into the ranks of our military gaming world.

Now I've waffled on a bit, and I don't want to bore. So what do you all think? Suggestions and feedback, please.

One last thing I'd like to say, is that I believe any such game should be modelled on an actual historical period, preferably one that has a British/English involvement (so hopefully the public will actually have heard of the event). That it should be in 28mm (to help those with poorer eyesight to enjoy the display). And that it should be representing a conflict, or period, pre-Twentieth Century (so it should, hopefully, not offend any person who lost relatives or were effected by the hostilities depicted).

Thank you for reading this, and hopefully giving your support.

Roy Williamson  

[I know I should really be saying to use 10mm scale figures (when posting on this forum), and to do so would be probably cheaper and easier to paint. But in this case, with what I'm hoping to achieve, I'm looking at using 28mm scale this time around.]

How many figures are you thinking of? If you're trying to hook new punters then a smaller game may be more effective, with simple terrain. That would suggest using only a few troop types, you're also talking pre-mechanised if you wish to avoid potential distress.

     * There's the good old faithful Viking raid. Being up north, how about Stamford Bridge/Fulford Gate?
     * You could transport that to the age of Drake and a raid on a Spanish town in the Carib.
     * Something Medieval would go well. There's the plate and lance mob (Agincourt et al) but there's also the Stephen/Matilda conflict, the perfidies of King John.
     * Again catching the Northern theme, there the Reivers through to the '45.

Could you turn the photos into a display and have it scrolling on a screen? Actually, it would be simple to create a presentation that allowed punters to find out about the bits they were interested in (painting, history of the battle etc) Be pleased to help there.

How about having some unpainted figures lying around too?




     

Roy,

Having just done something very similar myself in 6mm, and got very positive responses, I'd say don't dismiss 10mm. The mass battle effect you can achieve with smaller scales can impress non-wargamers too, most of whom may be familiar with larger 'toy soldiers' but don't realize that 6mm or 10mm exist.

Since it's at the National Railway Museum, would an obvious thing be to include a railway?

The Crimean War gives you a British military railway at Balaclava - not until after the famous Light Brigade episode, but it's there for the battle of the Chernaya in 1855. That's mainly Sardinians and French vs Russians but there are British gunners there (and British cavalry too, but staying well out of harm's way).

Alternatively, since you want Brit-o-centric, I suppose you'd be looking at some colonial or Boer War episode. A Boer War skirmish with a train involved?

Anyway, best of luck with your project, whatever you decide to do.

Chris

Is it heresy to mention that Irregular Miniatures have a 6mm scale Crimean train? Scroll to foot of page:
http://www.irregularminiatures.co.uk/indexes/6mmindex.htm

Quote from: Chris Pringle on 30 October 2015, 05:15:53 PM
Is it heresy to mention that Irregular Miniatures have a 6mm scale Crimean train?

Yes Nobby chew this man's coat.....

IanS 

Lion Rampant gives a good, quick game, easy to pick up rules. Could set a game in the North very easily.
Or going with the train theme, how about a wild west train robbery.

It depends on your timescale. More figures and terrain take time...
The one thing I can't stand when walking round a show is 28mm zombie/vampire/cowboys.
Pick a period, something colourful, and go for the it. Mexico and the old west are great for train raiding games too...
US shows run participation rather than demo as they want people to try rules, rather than some UK demo games where the players are so interested in their own demo game or not interested and off for a wander to be bothered with the crowds.
Also, think about your attire and personal hygiene as I have seen some people wearing costumes that no way for their body frame, and historically would have seen them thrown out of their unit for being unfit. Stay smart, be friendly, take your time to talk.

As far as combat goes, keep it simple, spending ten minutes diving into a rule book for minutiae kills it for participants.
Tring many years ago did the underwater fight scene from Thunderball, their hand-to-hand combat system was scissors/paper/stone!

Above all, have fun!

Quote from: ianrs54 on 30 October 2015, 06:06:46 PM
Yes Nobby chew this man's coat.....

IanS 

Yeth Marth-ter

I think the idea of showing the stages to producing the figures and the terrain is a really good idea.

Lots of people like the craft side of the hobby just as much (or more) than the gaming side.

Having in progress stages of figures and or terrain would be very useful. With figures you can start with the bag/blister/sprue to show how they come. Some of my relatives were surprised that the figures, the bases, the paints etc all come from different suppliers.

Some really good ideas there

I particularly like the idea of showing the stages of painting & terrain building

The train link would also be very good

Make sure you allow plenty of time for the preparation and play at least one practise game beforehand

Based on my experience with demo games you will enjoy the experience

AS the nastiest member of the "Friendliest Game" team at "Joy of 6", the following will I hope help.

1) Talk to the audience.
2) have flyers to hand out
3) Allow punters to play at least a small part.
4) Make it look pretty

As to suggestions - Lion Rampant would look nice. If you are going small scale (6 or 10mm) then put multiple figures on the bases. You could look at the battle of Hexham from WOTR if you go down this route.

IanS

Quote from: mad lemmey on 30 October 2015, 06:26:11 PM
As far as combat goes, keep it simple, spending ten minutes diving into a rule book for minutiae kills it for participants.
Tring many years ago did the underwater fight scene from Thunderball, their hand-to-hand combat system was scissors/paper/stone!

Above all, have fun!

Yes if your at that point its time to tell the punter to throw an die than make the result up. One that encourages them and or improves the game. Ie if this punter is beating the crap out of all the participants is time for an unfortunate happening to his force if is rolls anything from 1-6 on a D6 .

While the  train theme would be good considering the venue it adds much more to the making and presenting of the scenery.  Especially as some of those viewing may well be Train Set nuts that think nothing of spending 6 months preparing a single model for a display.

I went to railway club display of an HO OO (1/72nd) display and one of the founder members had a made a delightful cottage with clematis climing up the walls, and  a note on the didplsy said the person concerned had cut EACH leaf out individually and stuck it on taking 6 Months on the Clematis alone. ( I think he needed to get a life) 

Agincourt could be a fun one, with the recent hexa-centennial and all.  Or Rorke's Drift has the potential to be a decent choice, the guys from Warlord Games did a writeup on their 1:1 replay that might be worth checking out, you could probably get a pretty close to 1:1 scale going pretty cheaply in 10mm with some fudging and unit recycling on the Zulus' part.

It might sound goofy, but it could be good to get a bit of pre-made terrain in as well, so folks can see that they don't have to be hyper skilled with crafts to play a nice looking game.  Terrain building can seem kinda intimidating at first, fun as it is.

Speaking of fun, remember to have it yourself!   

I'm running this topic over on another forum, so I'll copy out my recent reply on here. I've pasted and saved all you replies, and will read and comment to them next. Thank you 

QuoteI have been looking at what's available, period and figure -wise, and then I've found myself having to veto certain things due to politics, religion or some other issue that could raise a concern should a member of the public take issue.

If depicting the Victorian British Army then somebody could cry out that there's an issue of promoting British Imperialism or racism, for instance. Showing something to the general public where the Red-coated Brits are shooting black Africans (Zulus) or the subjugation of the different religious groups in India or Afghanistan (Mutiny etc or Afghan campaigns) could create problems.

No doubt these aren't concerns that effect normal wargaming shows, but with Shildon being a 'wargames fair' open to the general public (who will be the majority of visitors) I feel that possibly I should make these considerations. As I don't want the hobby to be viewed as glorifying conflict.

This years games were Cowboys (Hollywood has sanitised this period to being family friendly), Eastern European Renaissance (a subject that isn't going to concern visitors, especially as the game was so well presented) and Romans against Celts (Everyone knows of the Romans and, again, they've become a subject safe to recreate in public).

I do have an idea. And it is a safe subject. Thank you Walt Disney Pictures! Although it could be argued that the game isn't a 'classical' wargame in the sense of a green cloth with trees and hills, and ranks of soldiers marching forward in martial lines.

But, you can't have everything.

Quote from: fsn on 30 October 2015, 05:00:19 PM
How many figures are you thinking of? If you're trying to hook new punters then a smaller game may be more effective, with simple terrain. That would suggest using only a few troop types, you're also talking pre-mechanised if you wish to avoid potential distress.

     * There's the good old faithful Viking raid. Being up north, how about Stamford Bridge/Fulford Gate?
     * You could transport that to the age of Drake and a raid on a Spanish town in the Carib.
     * Something Medieval would go well. There's the plate and lance mob (Agincourt et al) but there's also the Stephen/Matilda conflict, the perfidies of King John.
     * Again catching the Northern theme, there the Reivers through to the '45.

Could you turn the photos into a display and have it scrolling on a screen? Actually, it would be simple to create a presentation that allowed punters to find out about the bits they were interested in (painting, history of the battle etc) Be pleased to help there.

How about having some unpainted figures lying around too?

I've vetoed anything with England versus Scotland. The potential for argument being my concern.
The scrolling display would be beyond my technological logistics, and I would require electricity (I could run it off the battery power of a laptop, but I bet the thing would die on me half-way through the show). Also, it would mean having to take an electrical device and guarding it during the day. I do like this idea, though.
The unpainted figures is a definite inclusion to my plans. Thank you.

Quote from: Chris Pringle on 30 October 2015, 05:03:42 PM
Roy,

Having just done something very similar myself in 6mm, and got very positive responses, I'd say don't dismiss 10mm. The mass battle effect you can achieve with smaller scales can impress non-wargamers too, most of whom may be familiar with larger 'toy soldiers' but don't realize that 6mm or 10mm exist.

Since it's at the National Railway Museum, would an obvious thing be to include a railway?

The Crimean War gives you a British military railway at Balaclava - not until after the famous Light Brigade episode, but it's there for the battle of the Chernaya in 1855. That's mainly Sardinians and French vs Russians but there are British gunners there (and British cavalry too, but staying well out of harm's way).

Alternatively, since you want Brit-o-centric, I suppose you'd be looking at some colonial or Boer War episode. A Boer War skirmish with a train involved?

Anyway, best of luck with your project, whatever you decide to do.

Chris

Yes, the inclusion of something with a Steam engine had been a idea that I'd originally had, and could be something that I really should consider.
The Crimean War is certainly something worth considering, and if the show was at Catterick Garrison then there's plenty of local street names named after locations and battles. Also, the Green Howards link is there.

Quote from: Bodvoc on 30 October 2015, 06:19:24 PM
Lion Rampant gives a good, quick game, easy to pick up rules. Could set a game in the North very easily.
Or going with the train theme, how about a wild west train robbery.

Lion Rampant is an idea that I've given serious consideration too. Price and figure -wise it looks perfectly suited. Also, I really like how the rules work.
The period is public friendly. Everyone's heard of knights in shining armour. And, if the Norman's could be shoehorned in, there's the links with Richmond and Durham castles and others.

Quote from: paulr on 30 October 2015, 11:41:59 PM
Some really good ideas there

I particularly like the idea of showing the stages of painting & terrain building

The train link would also be very good

Make sure you allow plenty of time for the preparation and play at least one practise game beforehand

Based on my experience with demo games you will enjoy the experience

Yes, I'm hoping to get the game 'made' asap and played out as soon as can be. I'd rather it be completed by March (including multiple playtests) than be rushing around at the last minute.

Quote from: ianrs54 on 31 October 2015, 07:11:34 AM
AS the nastiest member of the "Friendliest Game" team at "Joy of 6", the following will I hope help.

1) Talk to the audience.
2) have flyers to hand out
3) Allow punters to play at least a small part.
4) Make it look pretty

As to suggestions - Lion Rampant would look nice. If you are going small scale (6 or 10mm) then put multiple figures on the bases. You could look at the battle of Hexham from WOTR if you go down this route.

IanS

I agree with your points and, hopefully I'll remember, to include them in what I do.

Quote from: Just a few Orcs on 31 October 2015, 06:51:56 PM
Yes if your at that point its time to tell the punter to throw an die than make the result up. One that encourages them and or improves the game. Ie if this punter is beating the crap out of all the participants is time for an unfortunate happening to his force if is rolls anything from 1-6 on a D6 .

While the  train theme would be good considering the venue it adds much more to the making and presenting of the scenery.  Especially as some of those viewing may well be Train Set nuts that think nothing of spending 6 months preparing a single model for a display.

I went to railway club display of an HO OO (1/72nd) display and one of the founder members had a made a delightful cottage with clematis climing up the walls, and  a note on the didplsy said the person concerned had cut EACH leaf out individually and stuck it on taking 6 Months on the Clematis alone. ( I think he needed to get a life) 

To be honest with you, I don't think it will be a participation. There's not enough gamers there at the show, to be honest, and the tourists visiting the museum have generally just been happy to wander around and look. Though if it is them to be a demo game that will require at least two players.

My idea for steam engines was for ACW naval. Mainly as I've already got the models. But, naval stuff isn't most people's cup of tea.

Quote from: 3AcresAndATau on 01 November 2015, 04:16:11 AM
Agincourt could be a fun one, with the recent hexa-centennial and all.  Or Rorke's Drift has the potential to be a decent choice, the guys from Warlord Games did a writeup on their 1:1 replay that might be worth checking out, you could probably get a pretty close to 1:1 scale going pretty cheaply in 10mm with some fudging and unit recycling on the Zulus' part.

It might sound goofy, but it could be good to get a bit of pre-made terrain in as well, so folks can see that they don't have to be hyper skilled with crafts to play a nice looking game.  Terrain building can seem kinda intimidating at first, fun as it is.

Speaking of fun, remember to have it yourself!   

Agincourt using Perry 28mm plastics and Lion Rampant rules would be a cost-friendly option. Pre-made terrain is certainly an option (I'm Blog Master to Colonel Bill's Wargames Depot, apparently - well, that's what Stu introduces me as) so I'm sure I could lay my hands on some appropriate 4Ground MDF kit to use. Showing what's available to the public/novice would also fit the bill of what I'd like to create, so I'll have to really think about this.

###

Thank you for your input everyone. It's much appreciated.