War and Pieces

M: Anything else going on?
Me: Oh I've been snookered into playing Warhammer
M: Warhammer ... Warhammer ... sounds vaguely familiar
Me: tabletop miniatures
look it up in wikipedia
M: Oh, one of those things where you spend two hours setting up the pieces and another six knocking them down? :)
Me: yeah
'cept they are shorter battles too
I'm looking forward to the model making and painting
so I can spend time doing crafts with the wife and the kids
M: Awww. That's an awfully familial attitude for a Warhammer player to take.
Me: lol
most of the people I'd be playing with are married with kids
M: So you have to paint a whole army before you can play?
Me: no
you just have to have the models built
there are tournametns that require fully painted armies
but most people don't care so long as you have the units put together
I intend to put the models together and then take my time with the painting
M: Doubtless the need to construct an army before engaging in battle is supposed to remind the player of the huge expense and human cost of fomenting war.
Me: like Starcraft
and in Warhammer humans are only 2 of the dozen or so available armies
M: Yes, but Starcraft is very commander-in-chief. You just sit back in a comfy chair, push buttons, and armies are created for you.
Me: oh I see your point
well Warhammer has the hobby aspect of painting and model creation
and many people just get into the game to paint and put models together
M: Oh, it's not a serious point. Just trying to turn a hobby into social commentary. :)
Me: Is it any worse then chess?
its certainly more involved
and expensive
but it develops many more skill sets
M: Oh, chess is the worst. It encourages viewing people as mindless pawns and killing of horses.
Me: lol
M: No wonder the ASPCA holds its annual chessboard bonfires.
Me: well I suppose on that point Warhammer is worse
becuase the models are much more realistic
even if some of them are cartoonish
M: Uh-oh ... I see there's a Warhammer Online, too.
Me: one oneline game at a time is enough