"It's just a game." you've heard it, I've heard it...you may have even said it once or twice. Honestly, the phrase reminds me of the girls in High School Phys. Ed class that were unwilling to give 100%. When they would fail to even try to dig a ball on the volleyball court and receive a glare from their teammates they would defend their inaction with "it's just a game.". The phrase uttered within earshot of General Oadius is like nails on a chalkboard, it's like a shovel scraping sandy asphault. I cannot stand those words put in that order and with that meaning. I especially don't like them when they are used with regard to Warhammer 40,000.
I'll tell you why, but before I do, I must preface everything from my point of view. You may or may not believe in astrology, but I was born under the Chinese Astrological sign of the Dragon, more importantly the Fire Dragon. In more traditional western astrology I am an Aries. I am an only child. I was in Gifted and Talented at school and tested in the 99% percentile of every standardized test I ever took, up to adulthood. I am gifted in physical aspects of my life as well, like snowmobiling, snowboarding, martial arts and golf. So all that being said I am a bit headstrong, stubborn, ultra-competitive, sore losing and compulsive. I am not however completely insensitive to other people's feelings, nor do I play unfairly. So now that my weaknesses are bared for your vivisection, I will continue my explanation of my hatred for the phrase "It's just a game." when used to describe Warhammer 40,000.
Myself, in all modesty cannot use the word "just" to describe ANY aspect of Warhammer 40,000...much less the entire game system. Warhammer 40,000 played properly is a way of life. There are sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo many rules that no "just" player has learned all of them properly. No "just" player has taken the time to build 2000 points worth of models to a WYSIWYG standard. No "just" player has taken the time to PAINT 2000 points worth of WYSIWYG models. No "just" games have that many rules, No "just" games require that much work with your hands(cutting, filing, filling, gluing). No "just" game requires that much painting(priming, basing, inking, details, blending, highlights, washing and basing). No "just" game requires all those steps to be repeated when a player decides on even trying on a new team.. "Just" think about it for a moment. The difference between a game like Chess, that is perceived as the very zentih of mental activity, and Warhammer 40,000 is the difference between a slingshot and a Intercontinental Ballistic Missile containing multiple thermonuclear warheads. Within that difference, that divide, is where my repulsion at the phrase "it's just a game" resides. It is within that vast ocean of complexity and intensity that I live. And having resigned myself to live in such an obscure place, I have decided to at least grace myself with the dignity of not having done so for "just a game".
So the next time you blurt out those words used in that horrible arrangement "It's just a game.", think about the insult you do to yourself and to your fellow 40k generals. Just a rant from General Oadius...TILL NEXT TIME...PLAY WELL, ROLL BETTER!
I'll tell you why, but before I do, I must preface everything from my point of view. You may or may not believe in astrology, but I was born under the Chinese Astrological sign of the Dragon, more importantly the Fire Dragon. In more traditional western astrology I am an Aries. I am an only child. I was in Gifted and Talented at school and tested in the 99% percentile of every standardized test I ever took, up to adulthood. I am gifted in physical aspects of my life as well, like snowmobiling, snowboarding, martial arts and golf. So all that being said I am a bit headstrong, stubborn, ultra-competitive, sore losing and compulsive. I am not however completely insensitive to other people's feelings, nor do I play unfairly. So now that my weaknesses are bared for your vivisection, I will continue my explanation of my hatred for the phrase "It's just a game." when used to describe Warhammer 40,000.
Myself, in all modesty cannot use the word "just" to describe ANY aspect of Warhammer 40,000...much less the entire game system. Warhammer 40,000 played properly is a way of life. There are sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo many rules that no "just" player has learned all of them properly. No "just" player has taken the time to build 2000 points worth of models to a WYSIWYG standard. No "just" player has taken the time to PAINT 2000 points worth of WYSIWYG models. No "just" games have that many rules, No "just" games require that much work with your hands(cutting, filing, filling, gluing). No "just" game requires that much painting(priming, basing, inking, details, blending, highlights, washing and basing). No "just" game requires all those steps to be repeated when a player decides on even trying on a new team.. "Just" think about it for a moment. The difference between a game like Chess, that is perceived as the very zentih of mental activity, and Warhammer 40,000 is the difference between a slingshot and a Intercontinental Ballistic Missile containing multiple thermonuclear warheads. Within that difference, that divide, is where my repulsion at the phrase "it's just a game" resides. It is within that vast ocean of complexity and intensity that I live. And having resigned myself to live in such an obscure place, I have decided to at least grace myself with the dignity of not having done so for "just a game".
So the next time you blurt out those words used in that horrible arrangement "It's just a game.", think about the insult you do to yourself and to your fellow 40k generals. Just a rant from General Oadius...TILL NEXT TIME...PLAY WELL, ROLL BETTER!
thought twice about saying "Just" a rant from G.O.... LOL!
ReplyDeleteI believe General Oadius has hit the nail on the head. Anyone who does not pack the gear to BRING IT when they play 40k, should stay home with their wives so they can sew quilts, drink tea, and bitch about how "it's just a game, why do they even play with their little plastic men. If you want to point fingers about pre measuring, playing the rules incorrectly, and go as far as to physically assault a beautifully Painted objective marker cause ur suck flyer can't land.....then please do not waste my time by throwing a tantrum at the end of my third turn and try to make yourself feel better about the beatdown you just received by saying " its just a game". You may want to curl in a the fetal position in the corner when I shoot you a look of eternal annoyance.
ReplyDelete