It is genuinely difficult to get across just what variety there was back in the early through mid-80s. We think we have a lot now, and we do, but it's a lot of the same.  But, what do I know? I know I only spent 46 years of my life gaming at the expense of everything  and several years running a bricks and mortar game store,  putting games even befoe my grandfather's funeral. So, I guess that makes me a fair weather gamer, but I'll put me neck on the line and say that categorically, there was not only more variety, but there was more being put out by gamers themselves, who, as Jon Peterson also repeatedly makes clear, if my opinion is inavlid to you , were pleased if somone played or used something they typed up and Xeroxed, doubly so if they made a little money to support their hobby. Now, the amateur press such as it is, is geared towards making the next big thing, and that's all that matters. The simple joy of sharing their enthusiasm is not enough.  I confess, I ...

 Well, it's been a while since I posted, mainly due to a punishing mix of hot weather, long working days and the triple whammy effect of having an unexpected £3500 vet's bill for Canine Unit 7 who, has had to have a major op' to remove and repair a lackof thereafter a cruciate ligament, her second such opearation and one which is very demanding in terms of care and recovery - taking as it does 8-12 weeks od pretty draconian oversight, which when the dog in question is a Scottie, is made doubly difficult, given their stubborn and anti-establisment disposition (somewhat like your correspondent, some may say).  Just over two weeks in, and CU7 does seem to be doing well  So, gaming has been a bit of a back burner topic, although I have been busy in putting together the last great project, before I truly cease with the wargames acquisitions and just spend time gaming and money on other cheaper things such as narcotics and hookers. It's really an odd sensation to realise that...

 Well, the first units out of 1800-2000 Victrix 28mmRomans & Celts are starting to arrive in the game room from the Memsahib's basing desk I'm getting quite excited about it all

  But, in Liverpool, was the Golden Temple, the Taj Mahal, the Melnibone of the North for gamers - the actual (cue echoing voice) GAMES OF LIVERPOOOOOOOL!  There was, back then more to life than what later became the Lead Triangle, with the exception of Tabletop Games, which I will not have a bad word said about because the irascible Bob Connor, was another of those Gentleman Gamers we just don't see anymore. Many a kid left his store with a few more models than they thought they could afford, but by god he was grumpy, and the shop was a passive smoker's wet dream. Ah me... But back to the Big Sleazy that was Liverpool.  Games Of Liverpool, took a monthly full page advert in White Dwarf, and boy did they cram it full of stuff. They used such a small font, that you needed a magnifying glass to read the advert. But it was worth it. They stocked stuff that even the Sheffield GW, which before the great purging, was so full of games that it took about a week of day...

    The odd thing about my early years, was that despite the fact that my parents were overly strict and overbearing control freaks in the rest of my life, when it came to gaming, because I was mixing with improving and wholseome characters, I got a lot of freedom.  Ask to go into town when here was some kind of minor Left Wing/CND protest and I would be confined to barracks, but ask to travel 30-100 miles on a quest for games, and that was OK, as long as I let my parents know by publuc phone, when I had arrived and when I was returning home, laden down with booty which even the original Games Workshop could not provide. For a short day out, we would go  by bus or train , to  Doncaster which had The Stamp Corner, ostensibly a philatelic supplies specialist, but which also stocked Minifigs and Hinchcliffe figures and the entire range of Osprey books, which was amazingly useful when it came to Christmas and birthday, as my father worked in Doncaster and, worked wi...

 I really don't think that beyond the 45+ age bracket now, we will see traditional wargames template continue. Now, I do like the odd skirmish game, but for me, as someone who grew up on war films on Saturday & Sunday nights, reading, no osmotically absorbing, accounts of heroic battles, sweeping offensives and grim last stands by a few brave men in the face of thousands of opposition. And to be honest, that's the way I've always rolled, both as a club and stay at home gamer. I also think that there's a sweet spot for terrain, a point at where it's believable but not overdone. Hell, if I want super detail, I'll build another model railway or maybe start collectin vintage William Britains model gardens (look them up, they were great fun, even if you had to keep schtumm about them because back in the day, a boy building a model garden was obviously a closet homosexual in the eyes of his peers). Speaking of Britains, my generation made use of their wonderful 1:...