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Miniature wargames
No231, August 2002
Miniature Wargames is one of the big two magazines for wargamers in the UK, and it is interesting to compare peoples views about each. It seems the wargames Illustrated tends to catch the eye more, with it's excellent colour photography, and highest quality figures and terrain. Miniature wargames in contrast has pictures of a different league. Still good, but not premiership.
But eyefodder is not what it is all about, and more and more gamers that I speak to are turning to Miniature Wargames for the written content. Somehow the articles seem to be more attractive to the gamer, designed to help you recreate the battles described in its pages. Additional features such as campaign maps with hexagonal overlays are a great idea and very very useful for those planning a campaign.
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Interestingly the letters page tends to contain correspondence about wargames, or uniforms or tactics, rather than the seemingly endless prattling of a pretentious few who seem feel it their duty to fill Wargames Illustrated with their own prejudiced views on fantasy/ competition games/ shows/ etc, etc, etc. Perhaps this illustrates a dichotomy amongst the wargamers and the market for each magazine.
To be honest in the past I preferred Wargames Illustrated as my magazine of choice, now I read both with equal enjoyment, but Miniature Wargames more often for pure wargaming content.
Issue No231, has a varied content, including a nice little article by John Barratt about Henry VIII's invasion of France, and which attempts to propose some wargaming options for what was really a military non event (the real action being in Northumberland....watch out for a future article on Flodden in Random Shots). A lively Letter Page, excellent book reviews, and a lively honest and thought provoking report on Salute from Chris Scott. Stuart Asquith presents an article on the Battle of Lansdown Hill, one of my personal favourite ECW actions. There is a really useful article on Blenheim, from A J Martins, including orders of battle, and points to ponder about the battle.
Bob Loade and Steve Bankhead conclude their description of the action at Mockern, with nice pics from Richard Ellis. A campaign map of Syria, a fire and Fury scenario by Steve Smith, ultra modern action in Chechnya from Jim Webster, a full future wars sci-fi scenario from Jonathon Aird, and a beginners guide to World war II on the Eastern Front by Gary Mitchell. Not to mention all the other regular features and advertising. In all a varied and interesting issue of a, excellent magazine. A bargain at £3.20.
JOS
