Tag: Experience

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Rediscovering the Amazing Benefits of Warhammer 40K

When I was in school, one of my favorite pastimes was playing Warhammer 40K. The thrill of painting miniatures and taking them into battle with my friends are memories I always cherish. Life moved on, and like many hobbies from our youth, my 40K collection was boxed up and stored away. Recently, however, my son has discovered the game, and his enthusiasm has reignited my passion for it. Returning to Warhammer 40K has not only brought back fond memories but also reminded me of the many benefits this game offers, both for young players like my son and for those of us (oldies)who are reconnecting with it.

Creativity and Artistic Expression

One of the most rewarding aspects of Warhammer 40K is the opportunity for creativity. Of course, assembling and painting miniatures allows players to express themselves artistically, experimenting with color schemes, customizing models, and even creating their own unique chapters or factions. I’ve never really thought of myself as creative, until my wife pointed out the imagination and innovation that I put into the hobby.

  • For Kids: For my son, painting his first Space Marine was an exercise in patience and creativity. It was a chance for him to explore his artistic side and take pride in creating something with his own hands.
  • For Adults: Returning to painting after so many years has been incredibly satisfying. It’s a meditative process that lets me unwind and focus on something tangible. Plus, it’s a great way to bond with my son as we share tips and admire each other’s work.

Strategic Thinking and Problem-Solving

Warhammer 40K is as much about strategy as it is about creativity. Every game requires players to think critically about their tactics, anticipate their opponent’s moves, and make decisions that will impact the outcome of the battle.

  • For Kids: My son is learning valuable skills in strategic thinking and problem-solving. Interestingly, he’s discovering that winning isn’t just about having the biggest army. Rather, it’s about making smart decisions, understanding the strengths and weaknesses of his units, and planning several steps ahead.
  • For Adults: Revisiting the tactical side of the game has been a great mental workout. It’s reminded me of how much fun it is to engage in deep strategic planning, where every move counts and adapting to unexpected situations can turn the tide of a battle.

Social Interaction and Community

Warhammer 40K isn’t just a game you play alone; it’s a social hobby that brings people together. Whether it’s meeting up with friends for a game, attending tournaments, or participating in online communities, Warhammer 40K fosters a sense of camaraderie and shared interest.

  • For Kids: My son has started making new friends through the game, connecting with others who share his enthusiasm. It’s been great to see him engage with a community that encourages sportsmanship, respect, and friendly competition.
  • For Adults: Re-entering the Warhammer 40K community has been like reuniting with old friends. The shared passion for the game creates an instant connection, whether with fellow hobbyists from years ago or new players just starting their journey.

Learning and Immersion in Rich Lore

The Warhammer 40K universe is vast and filled with deep lore that has captivated players for decades. The game isn’t just about battles on the tabletop; it’s about the stories and histories that give context to those battles.

  • For Kids: My son has become engrossed in the lore, reading up on the history of the factions, their motivations, and the epic battles that shape the Warhammer 40K universe. It’s sparked his interest in storytelling and history, showing how games can inspire a love for learning.
  • For Adults: Rediscovering the lore has been like diving back into a beloved book series. The depth of the Warhammer 40K universe never ceases to amaze me, and it’s a joy to explore it with my son, discussing our favorite characters and story arcs.
Considering the next move! Spoiler: I lost this game.

Patience, Discipline, and Achievement

Building an army, painting miniatures, and learning the rules of Warhammer 40K require patience and discipline. The sense of achievement that comes with completing a project or mastering a new strategy is incredibly rewarding.

  • For Kids: My son is learning the value of patience and perseverance. Every finished model and every well-played game are milestones that boost his confidence and show him the benefits of hard work.
  • For Adults: For me, the discipline of the hobby has been a welcome change of pace. It’s a reminder that some of the best things in life take time and effort, and the sense of accomplishment that comes with it is well worth the investment.

A Hobby for All Ages

Warhammer 40K is more than just a game; it’s a lifelong hobby that offers endless opportunities for personal growth. Watching my son discover the joys of Warhammer 40K has been a reminder of why I loved the game so much in the first place. Whether you’re a new player or someone rediscovering the hobby after years away, Warhammer 40K has something to offer everyone. I’m hoping to use this experience to explore how tabletop wargames of this sort can be used to provide experiential learning down the track. Much like I did with megagames earlier in the year.

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An Unexpected Lesson from Running Call of Cthulhu

As an avid tabletop RPG enthusiast I’ve enjoyed running various campaigns and oneshots over the years. Of course, there are always lessons to be learned from most sessions. However, one recent experience with my Call of Cthulhu campaign taught me more about teamwork and leadership than I ever expected.

The Game Begins

About a year ago our group, a tight-knit collection of friends, decided to embark on a Call of Cthulhu campaign. The game, known for its intense and often disturbing horror themes, seemed like an exciting challenge. something significantly different to the sprawling multi-year Dungeons & Dragons campaign I had been running. As the Game Master (GM), I was responsible for weaving a narrative that would keep everyone engaged and on the edge of their seats.

Initially, everything went smoothly. We had some incredible characters, backstories, and a dark, mysterious plot that promised endless thrills. I was excited to run “A Time to Harvest” a campaign designed for those new to Call of Cthulhu. Everything was set. However, what I didn’t anticipate was how the horror themes would affect each player differently.

A Surprising Revelation

While the campaign was moving along we had some amazing roleplaying, unsettling moments and that gradual decline of the characters that the game invokes. To my mind the campaign was going exactly as it was meant to. One morning, mid-campaign, one of our players messaged me privately. They confessed that the horror elements were not sitting well with them and that they were struggling to enjoy the sessions. This revelation came as a massive surprise. In my enthusiasm to create an immersive experience, I had overlooked the importance of checking in with my players to ensure everyone was comfortable with the content. this was particularly important given the horror themes explored in the game.

A Moment of Reevaluation

After the initial shock subsided I contacted the other players. This moment forced us as a group to reevaluate why we were playing. We realized that the core of our enjoyment came from playing together as a team, not necessarily from the specific themes of the game. It was very cleat that our primary goal was to have fun, build stories, and spend quality time together.

With this new understanding, we collectively decided to shift our campaign to something more suitable for everyone. The decision was unanimous and surprisingly easy to make. The group’s willingness to adapt and support each other made the outcome even sweeter. We transitioned to a different narrative, ensuring that all members were comfortable and engaged.

The Power of Regular Check-ins

Reflecting on this experience, I recognized a critical mistake I had made both as a leader and GM: I hadn’t conducted regular check-ins with my players. In the rush to progress the story, I neglected to pause and ask how everyone was feeling about the themes and direction of the game. This oversight highlighted the importance of regular feedback and communication, not just in gaming but in any team setting. I had written about this very subject in the past, but failed spectacularly to heed my own advice.

Lessons for Leadership

The parallels between running a roleplaying campaign and leading a team in the workforce are striking. In both scenarios, regular check-ins are crucial for maintaining a healthy, productive, and positive environment. This is something I do weekly with my direct team in my role of General Manager. Having a regular opportunity to catch up with your team and understand their needs is crucial. You can celebrate wins, discuss strategy and any issues in a timely manner. So it seems odd that I missed doing it at the gaming table. Here are a few key takeaways from my Call of Cthulhu experience:

  1. Prioritize Communication: Just as I should have checked in with my players, leaders should regularly communicate with their team members. This helps to identify any discomforts, misunderstandings, or issues early on.
  2. Adaptability is Key: Being willing to change course for the benefit of the group is essential. In our game, shifting the campaign’s theme ensured continued enjoyment. In the workplace, adapting strategies based on feedback can lead to higher employee satisfaction, engagement and productivity.
  3. Focus on Common Goals: Our group’s enjoyment stemmed from our camaraderie. Similarly, in a professional setting, understanding and focusing on shared goals can unify a team and drive collective success.
  4. Create a Safe Space for Feedback: Encouraging open and honest feedback without fear of reprisal is crucial. It allows team members to express their concerns and contribute to a more inclusive and supportive environment.

Final thoughts

This experience running a Call of Cthulhu campaign was a hard lesson in the importance of regular check-ins and adaptability in leadership. If we hadn’t adapted as a team, the group may not have survived! Whether you’re leading a group of adventurers through a fictional world or managing a team in the real world, the principles remain the same. Prioritize communication, be adaptable, focus on shared goals, and create a safe space for feedback. By doing so, you can ensure that everyone is comfortable, engaged, and working towards common success.

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Echoes of Xenos: Did it Work?

Now that the dust has settled on the Echoes of Xenos event that I ran last month, I want to take some time to think about whether it worked or not. Was it a success and what lessons did I learn. Importantly did the format support or encourage emergent play. To understand the event setup and planning visit my previous post on the subject here.

So, what’s the verdict?

Did the Players have Fun?

The primary objective of any event should be the enjoyment of the players. Did they have a good time? Discussions with everyone afterwards indicated that they did. The 1 vs 1 battles and leaderboard added a sense of competition and the secret objectives added a level of uncertainty that kept players on their toes. Additionally we made sure that everyone played different opponents each round giving variety throughout. The group was very tolerant and there wasn’t much in the way of overly competitive behavior.

The only time in the event that fun may have reduced was during the last multiplayer battle, where the set up favored some players over others. The ensuing chaos saw some players have less to do than others which was an unforeseen planning error. I will talk about the last part of the event later.

Having a small break between sessions where players could discuss outcomes was a good way to create space and a bit of banter in the group. This is definitely something to keep in mind when planning for the next one.

A power cut towards the end had us all playing by candlelight which really added to the atmosphere. But of course this was a happy coincidence!

A couple of location boards with clues, objectives and secret objectives ready for play

Was Emergent Play A Factor?

Unfortunately there was minimal emergent play occurring during the event. Interaction between the players was kept at the table and the storyline did not really feature very strongly. One player was attempting to make alliances and forge the narrative, however the others did not really engage in that aspect of the event.

The most emergent play occurred in the final scenario when one player (my son) went on the rampage. The other players figured he had been corrupted by chaos and teamed up to take him out. This was never a part of the original storyline, but worked really well as part of the finale.

Looking back, the faction set up and motivations of each group did not encourage as much of an emerging story as I hoped. There are a few things I would do differently next time, which I will discuss below.

A 1v1 battle in full swing

The Grande Finale – Not as Planned

I had meant to set up the finale to be a multiplayer scramble for survival. All were competing for one macguffin (held by the leading faction) whilst being hunted by Xenos (alien) abominations. This was meant to facilitate a tense rush to escape, not knowing who to trust. Unfortunately, the xenos threat was never as threatening as I’d hoped. Resulting in players hanging back. NOt the energetic frenzy I’d hoped for. In an effort to add some action my sons faction went on the rampage effectively knocking two players out early in the game resulting in a less engaging experience for them both.

With the xenos threat neutralized and most players down to one agent we called the last battle. Not the epic finale I had hope for.

So, what could be changed to make this finale more grande? Firstly, have more of an external threat that impacts the players from the get go. This would have forced factions to work together. It would have created tension as factions helped each other, not quite knowing if they were going to be betrayed. It would also have prevented the chaotic infighting that started right from the get go. This could have taken the form of a swarm of low level aliens encroaching on the players in numbers that could not be defeated alone. In turn this would drive the agents towards the greater threats of the abominations.

Secondly, all the factions deployed in the same area creating the immediate potential for infighting. Deploying factions further apart would have removed this consequence letting players position tactically before the action commenced. Additionally, this would give players a greater sense of agency that I feel the original setup perhaps removed.

Player briefings and warbands ready to go

Increasing Emergent Play

Now that the game is over I think there are some clear ways that I could improve emergent play next time round.

Firstly, grouping players into factions will encourage interaction and cooperation immediately. By its very nature the increased interaction will allow emergent play to appear. Additionally, grouping players in teams or alliances creates a safer space to be creative. It’s always more fun doing this together, rather than trying to figure it out on your own.

Secondly, the scenario needs clearer factions. This is particularly true when you have players whop are not versed in the lore of your world. In this instance I love the murky world of the 40K Inquisitorial agents. But the lack of clarity makes it difficult for players to engage form a position of strength. Instead, having factions with clear goals and archetypes make them easier to engage with.

In this event all the players were gunning for the same objective making alliances difficult to form. Next time I would give every faction a different objective, but make sure they cross over. That way negotiations and alliances would become more important and emergent play more likely to appear.

Lastly, the players need a clearer reason to interact and ally with each other. A powerful external threat would neatly enhance this. In this event having a powerful alien species threatening everyone equally would force players to work together despite being enemies. Giving players the choice of allying with their enemy or facing annihilation can create some interesting negotiations and outcomes.

Final Thoughts on Echoes of Xenos

Despite not quite working as planned Echoes of Xenos was a fun event. While emergent play didn’t form as much as I’d hoped there were some very clear takeaways for the next event. I cant wait!