2012 wrap up!

From BGG, I posted this there: Wargamers, Grognards, dearest OCD types, and Arm Chair Generals, as the year draws to a close and you look back upon your 12 months of wargaming did you achieve your objectives?

1.Did you perhaps read all you desired on the topics your games covered?

2.Did you achieve your buying goals? Or exceed them?

3.Were those loved but un-played titles final sold?

4.Were the rules books read, annotated, summarized, discussed and marked up?

5.Did you punch the games you desired or settle for something shorter and simpler?

6.Did the counter clipping metrics meet your expectations?

7.Did you max out on your sessions of your favorite games?

8.Was that monster started and played?

9.Did you teach someone(s) new to play a war game or (re)introduce someone to the hobby?

10.Are you satisfied with your thumb count on BGG for the year?

11.Are you satisfied with 2012’s goal achievements that you set for your self? Share your thoughts on 2012.

My take: For me 2012 was a tumultuous year personally with a lot of major personal, fiscal and family issues. So far tho, thank goodness the year appears to be ending on an upswing, with some clarity for the future.

1. Did you perhaps read all you desired on the topics your games covered? I read several wonderful books, and found many others thanks to recommendations from BGGers! Thanks BGG community. Sadly tho I did not read all that I desired, and I dont think I can ever read all that I desire!!

2. Did you achieve your buying goals? Or exceed them? Ouch….this possibly was a year of gluttony. I had a major purge in November to get my collection down to 150 titles…..but opportunistic buying saw that surge back to 170+ The good news is I hope to sell 18 titles in the new year ( by the way what is the best time of year to sell?)

3. Were those loved but un-played titles final sold? No…..

4. Were the rules books read, annotated, summarized, discussed and marked up? I read a tonne of rules this year, from Battle for Moscow (second edition) to Case Blue. The Napoleon Brigade System, more LNL stuff, SPI titles from Fulda Gap to Operation Typhoon and then Victory in the West system rules too, (Iron Tide, Cobra etc).

5.Did you punch the games you desired or settle for something shorter and simpler? This year saw lots of play early in the year and thru the summer, but the last few months I have lacked the discipline to get turns done. So certain games were left unplayed and unpunched that I really wanted to experience or experience more. In particular World at War: Into the Breach, only received 2 plays, and whilst I played a lot of Lock ‘n Load: Heroes of the Gap, i did not have the chance to experience all of the new releases and scenarios hoped for.

6.Did the counter clipping metrics meet your expectations? Yikes the advent of clipping in my life is a surprise. I always thought that was crazy, and I was never very good at it. with the new Oregon clipper…wow, life has changed. I have clipped this year alone since Jun or July up to 3,000 counters. GBII, most of the LNL series I own, PanzerGruppe Guderian, WaW etc etc….even RAF got the clippers…..unplayed but clipped!

7. Did you max out on your sessions of your favorite games? Sadly no! BUT the # of session played of games in total this year was a new high both in terms of Face to Face and Solo play.

8. Was that long desired monster started and played? The desire to solo a true monster is something I have to do for some perverse. This year while not a “monster per se” Playing The Blitzkrieg Legend: The Battle for France, 1940 campaign was the largest that was able to be played. In fact a 2nd campaign should be done before years end.

9.Did you teach someone(s) new to play a war game or (re)introduce someone to the hobby? This was a surprise for me. I have thoroughly enjoyed playing via vassal and face to face teaching new players or experienced players how to learn a given system. Most of that effort went into simpler games such as World at War: Into the Breach & . Although it was only 5-6 people I am glad that they now are still playing and enjoying games, despite my half arsed efforts to instruct or coach.

10. Are you satisfied with your thumb count on BGG for the year? Tongue in check question.

11.Are you satisfied with 2012’s goal achievements that you set for your self? This year I set out to play a huge raft of games and series. Blindly underestiamting the effort required. GBOH TCS SCS OCS NBS Victory in the West LNL WaW + attempt one offs and smaller (less titles)series or games, such as Jena 20, AVL/AVD, No Retreat. I did indeed play all of the above, plus a few others.

This year the crown in my achievements was learning OCS well enough not to be angry at myself for messing up “important” elements of the game. Learning that TCS is best played alone, and not to be fussed over LOS. LOL!!!

Enjoying a new way to engage with GBOH with linked campaigns has added new life to what was becoming a chore to play. Becoming familiar enough to muddle my way thru teaching someone to play WaW or LNL was a highlight of my experiences.

So far this year if I have kept all the stats (kinda sorta) right, There are a 115 logged plays of games. 90% of those have posted AARS on them,archive link or at least taken some image and shots to remind me of the experience or to generate narrative on The BigBoard Blog.

One aspect of gaming I enjoy is creating new ways to interact with community, in any manner, via facebook, online play, making videos, engaging players to become the General via Play by Poll PbPstyle play or taking feedback via posts and comments.

Thanks to all the geekbuddies, blog follers and over 600 people who follow the communities on Facebook.

The added depth, insights from players and feedback help to keep the motivation high to persevere with a prickly situation or a tough rule book.

[EDIT INSERT] Thank especially to those people who have contributed images, shared BGG after action reviews and allowed me to post repost and edit their works.  This blog would be that much less interesting with out it.

So thanks again. I hope that 2012 was a positive experience for you, I trust 2013 will be a great year also. Keep Rolling, your Number Will Come Up Eventually!!

Best Kevin