"Warhammer" shops
Author
Discussion

Wacky Racer

Original Poster:

41,390 posts

277 months

Thursday 14th October 2010
quotequote all
OK,

Is it just me, but I really can't see the appeal of "Warhammer"...just seems to be a load of young spotty geeks moving painted figures around on a board in a shop when they should be better employed washing their dad's car at home.......

I can and do appreciate the care and skill that has gone into painting the men....that is excellent to be fair.....

Am I missing something?....scratchchin

Last time I went into a shop to watch a game, minding my own business, I was thrown out because I was spoiling the players "concentration"...biggrin

elster

17,517 posts

240 months

Thursday 14th October 2010
quotequote all
You went into the shop?!!

Every time I have walked by, I feel so much better about my self. Knowing I am never going to be that much of a nerdy anorak.

anonymous-user

84 months

Thursday 14th October 2010
quotequote all
Wacky Racer said:
OK,

Is it just me, but I really can't see the appeal of "Warhammer"...just seems to be a load of young spotty geeks moving painted figures around on a board in a shop when they should be better employed washing their dad's car at home.......

I can and do appreciate the care and skill that has gone into painting the men....that is excellent to be fair.....

Am I missing something?....scratchchin

Last time I went into a shop to watch a game, minding my own business, I was thrown out because I was spoiling the players "concentration"...biggrin
'to watch a game' yeah right, of course you were, you just happened to be near a warhammer shop and just so happened to go inside? Sounds like you're a closet warhammer fan to me, just admit to ithehe

Silverbullet767

11,343 posts

236 months

Thursday 14th October 2010
quotequote all
I don't know how they kind of shops can survive in the locations they are in.

And it's not just young folk either, you get the sad older '40 year old virgin' types too.

prand

6,244 posts

226 months

Thursday 14th October 2010
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Less of the anoraks, I always thought this was the place people with platform boots and ankle length leather jackets live.

cazzer

8,883 posts

278 months

Thursday 14th October 2010
quotequote all
Just think of it as chess with knobs on.

The shops on the other hand are populated by Butlins Redcoat failures for staff. The customers are either 12 or wearing a long coat, miserable expression and very very large boots.

The game is good to play though. (Ancients is better, no magic)

plasticpig

12,932 posts

255 months

Thursday 14th October 2010
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Nuclearsquash

1,329 posts

292 months

Thursday 14th October 2010
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Pistonheads - Stereotypes matter

ShadownINja

80,136 posts

312 months

Thursday 14th October 2010
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Warhammer threads are like buses...

funkyrobot

18,789 posts

258 months

Thursday 14th October 2010
quotequote all
I've dabbled in the painting of some of these figures, but have never actually been interested in playing the game itself.

I've been to the shops a few times when I've wanted to buy some figures or paints etc. Usually you get harassed and quizzed about what sort of figure you are wanting to paint, what sort of army you are building etc etc. Some of the people that go in there are indeed freaky.

I did witness a funny argument once between two nerds. One chap had apparently cheated in the process of killing one of the other chap's figures (something to do with armour spells or something). It got quite heated with a lot of whining and moaning in a nerd fashion. It would have been a funny slap fest if it came to blows.

I've also seen a member of staff walking around with a can of air freshener. The smell of BO and unwashed body parts made the shop stink. He quite openly sprayed it infront of some of the offenders. smile

If I do ever pop in the shops (something I haven't done for years now) I try to avoid taking my fiancee in with me. I don't think that the nerdy virgins could cope with any extra Estrogen in the air! smile

markbigears

2,485 posts

299 months

Thursday 14th October 2010
quotequote all
my 5 year old wanted a look when we passed on in bluewater ..... found it very hard not to burst out laughing at the 30 something playing a game. Oh, and you have to pay to play too! I didn't ask it was on a sign.....honest

cazzer

8,883 posts

278 months

Thursday 14th October 2010
quotequote all
I've played in Warhammer tournaments.
(Ancients not fantasy)

Won the team world chapionships a few years ago

My missus used to play too.
She used to almost get a by on some games as "playing against a live girl" wasn't in some of the players realm of experience.

But as someone previously said, thats stereotyping at it's best.
A lot of the older blokes who play (particularly ancients) enjoy the historical research and the strategy involved.

But there is the odd one that really does smell.

TTwiggy

11,884 posts

234 months

Thursday 14th October 2010
quotequote all
I played waaaaay back in the day, when it were all 'Fantasy Role Play' around here.

Used to enjoy painting the figures and got quite good at it. But like most childish pursuits, I eventually put it to one side.

Did pop into one of the shops a few years back for nostalgia reasons and was quickly pounced on by the staff who clearly clocked me as 'wealthier than the usual clientele' - they failed to make a sale however.

Fun, for what it is/was

Nuclearsquash

1,329 posts

292 months

Thursday 14th October 2010
quotequote all
I'll bite then.

I collect and paint Warhammer stuff.

I really don't see what the issue is, and why it attracts so much derision, no one mocks Eric Mc or Dr Gn for their aircraft modelling, and this is not much different. It's just a tactical war game set in a sci-fi or fantasy setting. There are aother wargames out their around WW2 or ancient warfare. Games Workshop just happens to have a noticeable high street presence (which is part of what makes it a successful wholly British company).

It does attract a few weirdy beardy types, but don't most interests. We all know that bloke who has an unhealthy obsession with cars of certain types, who smells a bit funny.

And just to break that stereotype, I'm a well adjusted normal bloke, who has a girlfriend, and a social life, who has very good personal hygiene.

There really is no need to mock the people who find it interesting, if it's not your cup of team just move along and mark it down as part of lifes rich tapestry.

Edited by Nuclearsquash on Thursday 14th October 15:49

Bullett

11,185 posts

214 months

Thursday 14th October 2010
quotequote all
What makes this any more geeky than playing computer games?

In many ways it's better, you meet real people, get outside and you develop physical skills (modeling/painting) plus you need the read the books and understand the rules including basic maths, logical reasoning and tactical planning. No tutorials or computers working stuff out for you.



oOTomOo

594 posts

221 months

Thursday 14th October 2010
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Used to play.. when I were a lad, when I say play, I used to enjoy painting the models. This was before I discovered masturbation.

Anyway, never smelt anything like a Games work..shop before or after, absolutley reek, stale BO by the boat loads. Anyone who's not been in before I highly recommend you go in on a Saturday afternoon and do a lap - if you can.

Burnham

3,668 posts

289 months

Thursday 14th October 2010
quotequote all
oOTomOo said:
This was before I discovered masturbation.
BRILLIANT!

Steamer

14,191 posts

243 months

Thursday 14th October 2010
quotequote all
Wacky Racer said:
Last time I went into a shop to watch a game, minding my own business, I was thrown out because I was spoiling the players "concentration"...biggrin
rofl

Even the WarHammer crowd won't accept you!?

...Try AV club.

plasticpig

12,932 posts

255 months

Thursday 14th October 2010
quotequote all
cazzer said:
I've played in Warhammer tournaments.
(Ancients not fantasy)

Won the team world chapionships a few years ago

My missus used to play too.
She used to almost get a by on some games as "playing against a live girl" wasn't in some of the players realm of experience.

But as someone previously said, thats stereotyping at it's best.
A lot of the older blokes who play (particularly ancients) enjoy the historical research and the strategy involved.

But there is the odd one that really does smell.
Interesting. I hadn't realised Games Workshop had extended into that arena. I used to play 15mm ancients using WRG rules in the 80's.

Wacky Racer

Original Poster:

41,390 posts

277 months

Thursday 14th October 2010
quotequote all
Nuclearsquash said:
I'll bite then.

I collect and paint Warhammer stuff.

I really don't see what the issue is, and why it attracts so much derision, no one mocks Eric Mc or Dr Gn for their aircraft modelling, and this is not much different. It's just a tactical war game set in a sci-fi or fantasy setting. There are aother wargames out their around WW2 or ancient warfare. Games Workshop just happens to have a noticeable high street presence (which is part of what makes it a successful wholly British company).

It does attract a few weirdy beardy types, but don't most interests. We all know that bloke who has an unhealthy obsession with cars of certain types, who smells a bit funny.

And just to break that stereotype, I'm a well adjusted normal bloke, who has a girlfriend, and a social life, who has very good personal hygiene.

There really is no need to mock the people who find it interesting, if it's not your cup of team just move along and mark it down as part of lifes rich tapestry.
Just for the record, I wasn't mocking the game, just saying I couldn't see the appeal in it, but if you enjoy it that's great. I dare say when you get into it there is the tactical element, this is what I was trying to find out when I was given my marching orders....hehe


In fact, just round the corner from me is a forty odd year old policeman who's garage is chock a block with the stuff.


It does amaze me however, how the shops keep going with all their expensive rent and rates in prime locations