HMGS / Pacific Southwest

Archive for April, 2011

These are some pictures taken by Micheal Verity at the “Spring Campaign”

 

 

Economic times are hard on us all and war gamers are not exempt. One of our members is fighting back by opening a painting service. He is HMGS/PSW member, Bengal Club founder,  friend of many of us and can be trusted to get you your mini’s on time,  and in tip top “Bristol” fashion! No need to ship them off to some far away land to be painted by a chained pygmy who only last week was painting flowers on pots…. Have someone who really knows what a “Scottish Highlander” really looks like paint yours! Col. Winky is taking orders for Historical-Fantasy-Sci/Fi in all scales. Colonial’s a specialty! I’ve seen his work and its A-OK! Call Jerry Kegley at 818-675-5399 or email him at colwinky@aol.com

The HMGS/PSW “Spring Campaign” was held last weekend (April 15th,16th,17th)and was another success with 3 full days of great games. OK, Friday was not technically a “full day”, but we did have the largest attendance in anyone’s memory for a Friday with close to 30 people in attendance and 6 full game tables going till midnight! Check your Six, ACW 15mm, Napoleonic’s, and even “Full

Thrust” space battle for those inclined to some “what if history”. The large asteroid in the center with the base built into it “kicked” around my back yard for years before finding its way to the game table!

R.J. Galati from down South brought the Navel portion of his “Guadalcanal” WWII mega game up. RJ is a pretty inventive gamer and most could learn a thing or two from some of his conversions.

 

 

Friday night Jeff McArthur brought out a nice American Civil war setup to showcase his soon to be published rules for the period. Jeff said “Dave, Clarke and I had a

fun game with a couple new players, Ryan and Pete.  It was the Battle of Bull Run.  Dave and Clarke (our youngest HMGS/PSW member at 7?)  pushed

their way across the bridges, then force marched their way to the hills where they lined up before the enemy and pounded them.  You’ll notice some Confederates facing the opposite direction. Notwithstanding the slaughter, the other two guys seemed to have fun and it appears they’ll want to stay in the hobby.” Thats what we want to hear Jeff! “New Gamers” that go away from the table with a positive experience. To often in the past “newbies” were used as “cannon fodder” by gamers looking for a quick victory. This left many would be Historical Gamers with a bad taste in their mouths! Thanks for giving these guys a positive experience, did they join HMGS/PSW?

Let us know the names of the rules Jeff and we will get a link up for you!

Friday also saw lots of folks show up to help setup, thanks all! Rick Brown and Michael Verity brought some snacks for the workers and later believe it or not we had a beautiful women gamer show up and distribute sandwiches! Yes I got a picture since I knew most of you would never believe it! Fridays session was quite nice with the very relaxed atmosphere of a “club” night.

Saturday was huge and had people and games showing up from the minute the doors opened at 8am! Final tally on Saturday was over 70 people! All the tables were full all day and evening. Several games were moved or canceled because of other games going long—our apologies to the GMs of the other games, but most were fine as they were playing in the extended games. We had 4 vendors and lots of flea market action. Steve Luckey of the War House in Long Beach Donated $80 dollars worth of Prizes to the convention! Other vendors also donated to the prize pool. Prizes go to the great GM’s to reward their efforts in bringing great games to us! When you look at some of these game please stop and think about all the time, effort, and money, these people have put into these games and brought them out for all of us to enjoy…. take a moment and thank them!

 

We are quickly reaching our goal of busting out of the Boy Scouts hall as a venue and looking for larger venues to hold our conventions. More on that in the future.

This convention saw the return by “popular” demand of several games that have been run at previous HMGS/PSW conventions. The “Dogs of War”—long time HMGS/PSW members and top game masters—brought “Shanghai 1930” out and it looked and played better than ever (I even managed to play for afew hours commanding the US Marines, fighting Chinese river pirates and burning opium laden junks while trying to find Amelia Earhart).

The setup was HUGE—8′ x 16′ and covered with more buildings, scenery, and figures than any five other games! Truly “Historicon” quality! This type of game is

great for conventions as it encourages repeat attendance since people know they are going to have a great time and a quality game from seasoned game masters. The repeat running of a game like this allows for “honing and fine tuning” to make playing it even more fun and smooth. Hats off to the “Dogs”: Tim Daun, Chris Snell, Chris Vivo, Galen Yee, Dave Dandridge, and Joe Nachio (hope I did not miss anyone). “Shanghi 1930” was a past convention “Centurion” award winner and while it could not win again this time, the “Dogs of War” were awarded one of our first awards for “Dedication to the Hobby”—an award that we have named after our late convention manager Alex Webster.

I would like to make a point here about games like this and history. Many would point out that this in NOT a “historical” game and granted it is not. It is however a great game built by combining real historical places, troops, weapons, and situations, into a game that appeals to people other than hard core historical players and introduces them in a very friendly way to historical gaming. Look at many video games out there they also “wrap” real history into a “playable” world of their vision. These type of games allow us to compete with that. It also bring the “old Salts” into contact with the “young Turks” and that is good for us all!

This new award is called “The Webster” and is in the same style as the “Centurion” award but portrays a Viking. Several of us have been developing this award since a few conventions ago when we presented an award to Adam Hammer for his consistent running of games at conventions, his positive attitude, and willingness to help HMGS/PSW in any way he can. Adam has been waiting for me to get his award to him, and I was very happy to present one of the first two “Websters” given out and see him receive a big round of applause. We think these will be a yearly award.

 

The “Bengal Club” also brought a past convention favorite: “Stalag 9 and the search for the SturmFrappenZooter” with a 28mm German prison camp complete with guard towers, barbed wire, and roving guard dogs! This is another spectacular looking game that attracts players as soon as it is setup (who made that terrain?). This is another great event displaying several important features for a great convention game: easy setup, simple rules, visual appeal, and fast play; not only does it keep all players active but allows for several sessions to be played in a single 6 hour time block. John Denny, Matt Denny, Mike Estey, and Bill Witthans of the “Bengal Club” put this one together. Another past “Centurion” award winner!

Steve Reid, George Paler, and Gary Archer once again kept the skies over the convention humming with WWII aircraft flying in multiple sessions of “Check Your Six” yet another past “Centurion” winner. Steve’s table was full all weekend with players flying dozens of beautiful WWII model planes. Steve and George are work horses running non-stop games all three days! There are many ways to qualify for an “outstanding game” terrain need not be part of it!

 

Michael Verity ran a big beautiful 25mm Napoleonic game as well as provided lots of beautiful terrain for Harold Hildebrand’s great looking, 16 foot long Warhammer Bncients Battle battle featuring Roman landing craft! By the way Harold, you picked up a “Centurion” for your efforts but in the confusion I did not get a chance to award it before you were gone. It will be presented at the next convention along with your dealer dollars!

 

I was quite busy along with your other officers (Harmon, Dave, and Matt)taking care of convention stuff so I missed a lot of what was happening elsewhere on the convention floor. I ran two and a half games at the convention, more than I should ever have. I ran “Full Thrust” both Friday and Saturday nights and Samurai 15mm Battles in the Age of War on Sunday.

Sunday saw Jesse Boyens and I face off against his dad Robert Boyens and master of all things Japanese Doug Kendrick for the battle. My exhaustion showed quickly and my die rolling for once failed me as I dragged Jesse down with me to a sad defeat at the hands of our opponents—seppuku for lunch. Now how 1/2 a game you ask? Yes, I brought the “Wings of War” Saturday to run but just managed to set it out on the table before becoming to busy running the front desk. Before long people were asking if they could play, and much to my relief and joy they set it up and ran it themselves!

 

The Great HMGS/PSW food team once again came through with great eats at great prices! This convention we added “pre-made” sa

ndwiches from Santoro’s Deli to augment the great cooked Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, and Polish Sausage sandwiches from the kitchen! Hats off to Skip

Gardella, Little Dove, Mark Deliduka, Chris Beilby, and any others I missed in

there! The “Polish” dog was yummy.

Steve Phenow,  Michael Verity, and company were seen running a American Revolutionary War  game in 15mm on the opposite end of the hall. The terrain was quite nice with some innovative fields made from old pants! There were many other games run but I was not able to get particulars—we need a roving reporter! If any of you have more picture please sign on here and post them! It is pretty easy. Feel free to call an officer if you need help!

That evening, we had our traditional HMGS/PSW meeting (we asked for a show of hands to approve moving the time up to 5pm as it fit the schedule better) the meeting was about 45 minutes with several topics discussed. We had a vote to confirm my appointment of Dave Dandridge as our “new” convention manager (replacing Alex Webster)—it was unanimous. The minutes of this meeting will soon be available on our website.

 

Saturday night was full of more great gaming once again going full throttle until midnight!

 

Sunday saw Adam Hammer do a Flames of War in the Desert game; Bob Siegel ran a Field of Glory game with Bob Parrish. Bill Witthans ran 15mm Samurai battles, Steve Reid continued Check your Six rounds, Harold Hildebrand ran the giant Warhammer Ancients battle, Chris Lundgren and Aaron Jamison put on a “Leviathans” demo, a Wings of War game, and finally I believe I saw Warhammer 40K by David Solis….or was I dreaming? These guys are faily new members of the HMGS/PSW group but are quickly becoming a force for good in the group as they are bringing and running many of the “crossover” games we need to attract new players into the “historical” world. Chris has been way more active then many of us in contributing to the website…what’s up with that are we going to let this “new” guy beat us at our own game come on guys post something!

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday saw many more games than I have listed, I just was to busy to see them all and now I’m too tired to remember them. I encourage those of you who do remember—and maybe even have pictures—to post something on our HMGS/PSW website. It does not have to be long or detailed; even your thoughts and impressions would be great!

 

All in all, a great convention enjoyed by everyone. Things are indeed going strong for HMGS/PSW and our goal of promoting and expanding Historical Miniatures Gaming in the Pacific South West!

 

Bill Witthans

President HMGS/PSW

661-816-7991