What does a hobby cost?

Ever met one of those vocal few who think the GW hobby is a rip-off? Overpriced? Not “worth the money”? Yeah, me too, they’re everywhere. Well here’s what I think to some of the most oft-heard complaints.

“GW only brings out new versions of the rules, supplements and miniatures so everybody has to buy them all over again.”

Let’s be clear, you go to GW to buy their products, they do not come knocking at your door armed with pitchforks and card readers. GW can not make anybody buy anything they don’t want to. They must legally stop at taking your wallet out your pocket for you.

If you like Warhammer 40,000 5^th Edition and are happy to play it for the rest of your days, nobody is going to confiscate your rulebook and make you buy 6^th. If your friends move on, one might assume it’s because they wanted to.

Similarly for miniatures, there is no rule that states you must have the latest version of a model, only that it be representative of the game entity. You can use your old favourites for as long as you like. If your friends refuse to play you unless you use the newest miniatures available, don’t blame GW, find some new friends.

“GW is too expensive,” “the price increases are too steep,” “I can’t afford it.”

The first rule of business tells me none of these complaints are valid. Any product is only worth what a sufficient number of people are willing to pay for it. What it means is, if I were selling pies, I could either sell ten pies for £10 each to make £100, or I could sell a hundred pies for £1 each to make the same amount. In the first case, I’d never sell a pie for £10 as there’s too much competition out there with other types of pie costing much less. In the second case, I’d go out of business because I’m making far too many pies for the money I’m getting back. I really only have one choice, to sell the pies for what people are willing to pay.

In any case, I will know what people are willing to pay by monitoring sales. If you buy a new release you are saying, “I think this is worth what you’re asking for, here’s my money.” GW are watching the tills, just like I would be in my pie shops, and they see you and everybody else saying the same thing, by taking out your wallet, and that informs their future pricing decisions. Price increases reflect what people are willing to pay. They reflect what you’re doing or not doing at the till. If you find yourself buying things against your will, you have a lack of self discipline. Grow up.

“GW stuff costs so much more today than it used to.”

Yes, it does, and so does a loaf of bread. When I was fifteen, in 1995, I put together a 3000pt. Orc and Goblin army over two or three years. I did this with the meager funds afforded by my Sunday morning paper round, for which I was paid £5 once a week. If I’d put £5 in my bank account back then and left it untouched until now, I would today find I had around £10. Interest rates are applied to make sure that alongside inflation the money you save continues to be worth what it was when it was put in, relative to everything else in the economy. This means, if GW merchandise cost the same today as it did in 1995, relatively speaking, then what I used to buy back then for £5 should cost around £10 today.

So, in 1995, as a skint and spotty paperboy, I put together my army by purchasing the little £5 plastic boxed sets. Ten Orcs cost me £5 (that’s 50p each in 1995, equivalent to £1 each in 2010), and they all looked the same, and half of them were archers which I didn’t need or want. I followed Nigel Stillman’s advice, buying one box per week and painting them as I did so, not buying more if the previous batch was not finished. Today in 2010, I can buy 19 plastic Orcs in a variety of poses for £18, have spare parts left over, and not be stuck with a regiment of archers that couldn’t hit the broadside of a balsa wood barn. At 94p each in 2010, this is exactly what they should cost. Actually, it’s better, because I have bits left over and actually get to make use of all the Orcs in the box thanks to the new multi-part kits, I can equip them how I like.

Shame on the younger generation if they cannot raise an army without complaint, and shame on the older generation if their memory is so short they’ve forgotten the horror of identically posed plastic boxed sets.

“I can’t afford it.”

No matter the circumstances, when somebody says they can’t afford something, it means they have other priorities. Those priorities can be genuinely more important, or simply a matter of choice. Maybe it’s a new addition to the family; a baby to look after, the cost of going to university or maybe even looking after a sick family member. Nobody would prioritise their hobby over any of the above, let alone complain about it.

There are other reasons somebody may give for not being able to afford the hobby. Break down what the complaining individual spends their money on and, pending any genuinely higher priorities such as those listed above, I wager you will find some of the following on their list; magazines, music, take-away coffee, cable television, cinema tickets, video games, clothes, gadgets, gym membership, and for the older moaners (who we have already established should be over the moon with their plastic gargoyles), quite likely beer, or cigarettes, or both. I know. How do they afford it?

We all have a limited amount of spare cash, it’s called disposable income. It’s what’s left after your bills and other priorities. Whether you are a paperboy earning £12 a week and with no responsibilities to speak of, or an adult working full-time with or without a family to support, we all have some amount of money spare. We may all have a different amount of money spare, but we all get to choose how we spend it (no pitchforks here!). Similarly, how much you spend on video games, cinema tickets, and lunches and coffee, is also your own decision. That’s right, what you decide to spend your money on first, is your decision. If you are buying video games, cinema tickets and a caramel latte every other morning of the month and then finding that you can’t afford your hobby, it’s because you’ve chosen to spend your disposable income on other things.

We’ve already established that GW costs the average hobbyist the same as or less than it did fifteen years ago, relatively speaking, and that nobody can force you to buy anything you don’t want to, and pending any obviously higher priorities that you would never dream of shirking or complaining about, we are left with it being entirely your own decision what you can and can not afford. Stinks when it’s so simple, doesn’t it?

I enjoy painting wonderfully sculpted models in a variety of clever and creative ways. I take great pride in seeing my painting and modeling skills slowly improve over time. I enjoy playing exciting, memorable tabletop games with my friends. We enjoy the occasional supplement that comes along and breathes fresh life into our games from time to time, and we welcome the constant progress GW is making with their kits, miniatures, tools and paints. They are forever finding new and exciting ways to give us the things we enjoy so much for an ever affordable price, and long may they do so.

In summary, what does this hobby cost? The answer is, what you can afford, and what you decide to spend on it. It's as simple as that. To a fifteen year old paperboy, maybe it has to cost £20 per month. Me, I spend around £50 per month. Others I am sure spend a lot more.

-Scott

Can't start a fire without a spark

          This is probably the most iconic 40k image going and the one that started it all off for me back in '90, even now I'm captivated by it and the minds that lead to inspire it, such a rich and full background of an entire Universe, one that now exists in the minds of so many 40k fans. It's a living work of art that is sustained and expanded by our passion for the hobby. Haunting to think that so many people have a hand in the creation, of galaxy so massive that not one person has a whole picture every event taken place within it, perhaps our desires to seek out the unknown is the real fuel behind this wonder, the 40k universe doesn't rely on technology to explore it, or a new more powerful telescope to find other planets that may sustain life, nothing is holding us back. It assumes so much, but places no restraints on us as it's explorers we are free to delve into it's mysteries, it's expanse, it's wonders, limited only by our imagination and should our imaginations fall short others are there to continue the journey, as we do not travel alone.

My first White Dwarf (the first and only time my sister ever lent me money, well I was only 10!) and the incredible story by William King that caught my imagination all those years ago.

- Ollie

Games Day/Golden Demon 2010, Birmingham, UK

So, Simon and I recently went to our first Games Day/Golden Demon event here in the UK. Ollie could not be with us to share the occasion, but he was with us in spirit I’m sure (many times during the day I’m sure I heard a kettle boil!). Why exactly we decided to visit the event for the first time in twenty years of being in the hobby; I hope to talk about in later posts.

It was inspiring, and encouraging, to see so many people coming together to enjoy the social and creative sides of the hobby. How many of those I brushed shoulders with spend their time back home sat in darkened rooms ranting on web forums about the wording of the latest rulebook, I don’t know, but I like to think that crowd stayed at home. Actually, maybe they should come along, they might learn something.

Many other sites, blogs, and White Dwarf itself, will review the event as a whole much better than I am capable of or inclined to, so I’ll just leave you with my two most memorable moments.

Firstly, speaking to the Perry twins about sculpting will be my fondest memory of the day. They were so friendly and approachable, it was no problem to remember all the things I’ve wondered about and struggled with while trying my hand at sculpting figures of my own. All attempts so far have ended in disaster for me, but I learned a lot in the brief ten minutes I managed to hold off the crowd to talk to them. Simon even got their autographs!

Secondly, the GD cabinets blew my mind. The quality and diversity of entries was stunning. I don’t know about you, but when I look at quality painting in photograph form, the lighting and stark white background can blow the miniature out of all reality, making it seem unreal and untouchable. Seeing these miniatures upfront in no way diminishes their impact, but I do find when they’re there in front of you it’s easier to believe if you try hard enough, and love painting enough, then maybe one day you could paint something to match it. Arwen took my breath away (Silver – LOTRSM). She will haunt me.

-scott

So why 'Brithammer'?

     Is this some reference to a neo Nazi league devoted to every ones favorite non powered tool, well no. It's more a reference to what Warhammer/40k have evolved into over it's existence, with the introduction of tournaments which leads to competitive play, lets face it, were not the most competitive nation in the world, we fleet between any events a Brit might win faster then it takes to boil a kettle, and in our infinite wisdom we came up with the term hobby, something we can enjoy that doesn't require us to win. Now don't get me wrong being competitive isn't a bad thing, I'm sure we've all had a blast at a magic tournament, or attempted to grind our way to high warlord, but in these cases the formats have very definite rules, they are structured in such a way that you are supposed to to get as much as you can out of them through theory crafting, meta gaming etc. But Warhammer/40k is a more gentle beast, it relies on social interaction, lets face it most of the people you will be facing in a game will be your friends. Game I think is the key word here, it is a game of course in all it's forms, but more then this it's a hobby, crushing the heads of your opponents is only a small part of the whole experience,
painting/converting/themes/background stories/memorable moments and so on, all these things make up to the hobby but they don't come in boxes, you can't find them cheap on eBay they come from interacting with other people, sharing war stories over a tea and a bourbon, how often do you have a chat after with someone you have lolfacerolled in warsong gulch, or killed with a raging goblin/hatred combo on turn two? Sure you win the game but was it a challenge? Did you enjoy it? Did your opponent enjoy it for that matter?

          If we crush all those who oppose us, were soon going to run out of people to play, nobody likes to lose all the time, I'm not saying you should throw a game or two just to keep your opponents interests alive, but perhaps destroying them with the uber list from hell every game isn't the best way either, variety is key in a game like warhammer/40k you have a whole universe of ideas to play with, plus anything you can think up on top of that, as someone said recently and I quote 'It's not chess, it's Warhammer'.

- Ollie

Just when I think I'm out..

          So the guys are off to Games Day (Without me!) Our plan was to go along and see what new things lay in store for our favorite hobby, but the build up to actually going has raised some questions for us about this hobby of ours and to really think about what keeps bringing us back to it even after a good 20 years.

          And so before I know it I'm 30 years old living in a man cave, with a greek girlfriend who'd rather live in Denmark, a swedish cat that never writes, a job that offers alot of time to think and a geek beacon burning brighter then ever. I'd be lying if I said the transition from a normal functioning member of sociaty to a stuble cultivating, stat reciting nerd was a long process, best part of an afternoon infact (tho some turn faster). But here I am again, older, wiser, hairer and loving the hobby that has been part of my life on and off over the last 20 years and just as excited as that day I ventured into a game shop and brought my first blister pack.

          Now we haven't been playing/painting solidly for the last 20 years, as real life seems to get in the way once in a while, interests fade but never seem to die out completely, first it was lack of money as a child, then going out with ya mates, then not wanting to admit to your girlfriend your a geek, or it's a new job/travelling/moving/warcraft but every once in a while fires reignite you have an army book in your hand and one less zero on your bank statement.

          So what keeps bringing us back, is it because more women play and we think we have a chance of getting laid....err, perhaps it's the 'new' edition and have finally honed the definitive set of rules....hmmm, Is it the sheer value for money.....weeell, then it must be that staff member who see you has a human being and wants you to walk out of his store with what you really need...k. Of course all these things are annoying, nobody like paying more for stuff and lets face it, it is going to seem like more money, HELLO you haven't played in 5 years, things change, name one thing that didn't go up in price over the last 5 years (yep even chomps went up) it's not news that people in shops are going to try and sell you stuff you don't need and things get reinvented, reworked, revamped, caked in advertisement jargon and thrown back in to circulation in an effort snare a new punter, this is the way of things and is not unique to our hobby alone, but hey I'm preaching to the converted, as we all know these things are glossed over, promises to the misses forgotten, mates blown out, food supplies dwindle, sick days rocket as soon as we pick up that shiny new codex and remember the future.

         
Welcome to Brithammer.

- Ollie