Thought I'd drop in with my own 20 years observation.
20 years ago I discovered Steel Panthers World at War. It was my first encounter with digital wargaming. I must admit, it was not something I took to willingly. I'm a cardboard butcher at heart. But the similarity of Steel Panthers to ASL was so incredible. All the fun of ASL, none of the paging through the manual to argue over -1 modifier for some obscure situation.
I completely went all-in with Steel Panthers World at War over at the then-new Matrix Games forums. Likely spent as much time there, as most gamers of 2020 spend online with some MMO title.
The www was still fresh and new, forums were still 'the thing', Facebook didn't exist, and YouTube, not sure it was much of anything either. But all things evolve. I kinda wandered off around 2005, and by 2007 I was mostly gone from online wargaming. And nothing is forever. Well, mostly. Wargamer's forums evolved. I don't think Armchair general is quite dead, yet. The ASL forums of Gamesquad are still alive. But my ability to care didn't quite make it out of 2010.
I never stopped buying wargames though. Which allowed me to keep my hand in so to speak at Matrix Games and here at Slitherine. I'm glad they merged.
I like games from both companies equally. And I sure have a lot of them. Wish I played them more
I have experienced a lot of life in 20 years. The last 8, hmm not what I expected 20 years ago
I've seen one too many forums, for topics I thought I couldn't possibly have a problem with, defy me, and become a problem all the same.
Humans, they will always surprise you
20 years later, and Slitherine Group is the only place on the internet I care about. They provide me my wargames (which are not sold on shelves in the local gaming retail locations), and they do a splendid job of it too. I tend to spend my time mainly over at Matrix Games forums, but, it could be here just as easily.
And I participate on the forums here and there for one main reason. Gentlemen. Yes, you old farts, you grogs, you DO manage to act like real men. And you are likely smiling "Are you sure you have the right guys here Bunny?" But, yes, you guys ARE a well-behaved bunch. Ok, I will give credit where credit is due. Since Matrix Games and Slitherine realized politics and mosh pit forums were a bad idea, the community has improved a great deal. So a salute to the staff for keeping us on the path.
A while ago, been a bit of time now, I was pleased to be informed by Ian, that someone had bought me a download of Strategic Command 3 I call the title that. It's the offering that went on sale at Matrix Games. Well, it's where I saw it first. That still touches me. A wonderful act by a nice man. Don't know who did it. That and my treatment, in general, are what I appreciate. Not easy to admit to being a woman, on a 99.9% male-dominated hobby.
The last straw happened the other day with my Hearthstone game. I've uninstalled it. They mucked with the experience. So my morning gaming experience is open.
I'm likely diving into wargaming with renewed interest. My partner isn't a morning person, so I can get some wargaming in easy in my mornings.
That, and I might get chatty over here again as well.
I'm glad of the blokes that hang out here and at Matrix Games forums. Yer well behaved. There have to be more females here other than me, but I can understand if you don't wish to admit it. There is unruly out there in wargaming, but it isn't here.
