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Thread: Finding true love with Wings of Glory

  1. #1

    Default Finding true love with Wings of Glory

    I'm coming up on my four year anniversary of owning Wings of Glory. Started with a WWI duel pack back in the spring of 2014. It was the first tabletop miniatures game I'd gotten into as an adult and parent, and four years on, it's still easily my favorite!

    My oldest son (who has just become a teenager last week!) has some physical ailments that preclude him from being able to participate fully in sports and the other types of physical play most young boys enjoy. So, as a concerned parent, I sought some other activities where he could experience some of the mental and emotional positives of sports and competition - commitment, accomplishment, etc. - without being held back by his physical challenges.

    Miniatures gaming has filled part of that niche, and Wings of Glory was where we started. My son's background in WoG also made him very competent in both X-Wing and Star Wars Armada, to the point that he's even won small store tournaments in each - against experienced adult opponents!

    In that same time, I have found my own miniature gaming interest mushroom to the point that it's become one of my primary hobbies. Thanks to a wonderful local gaming group, I've gotten exposure to a wide range of miniatures gaming systems, too numerous to list here. Some I've liked quite a bit, others not so much, but overall, my knowledge and expertise with miniature games has grown tremendously since four years ago.

    After that exposure, I view Wings of Glory with an even deeper appreciation than before. It truly is a fantastic game and activity, easy to introduce to both new as well as experienced gamers, and something that still easily surpasses all our other game systems combined in "laughs per hour"... possibly my most important stat when it comes to gaming satisfaction.

    I've even managed to wrangle nearly all of my local gaming group into at least giving a WoG game (or three) a try, and some of them are now getting small collections of their own started.

    Maybe I'm just getting old and sentimental (bah, who am I kidding, there's no "maybe" about it), but I've realized that playing WoG, or just looking at the miniatures, or even merely thinking about the system causes me to be filled with light and joy. There's just something special about this game, and I don't even know if I need to try to express it in words, as I'm sure many here can relate.

    Anyways, no big point to this post other than to express my recognition that Wings of Glory has become a truly special thing in my life. I've splashed out rather heavily in an extensive collection, but it's one I see having forever, and considering the joy it brings me, it's probably one of my best "self help" investments to date.

    Just wanted to share.

  2. #2

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    Indeed! Glad to hear it's wonderfull for you two too!

  3. #3

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    Been playing with toy soldiers for almost 50 years, Done it all and painted mountains of figs ( really, was into 15mm Napoleonics and WRG 7th ancients). Biggest plus for me with this game is the ease of set up, playability, and learning curve. You can walk into a store with the 2 plane starter and have someone playing in 10 minutes with little to no set up or take down. Heck, Even my wife plays now and then (sigh...gotta let her win more often so she will keep playing). Glad to hear your boy is doing so well in the hobby, we always need new recruits.

  4. #4

  5. #5

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    I also started amassing my now considerable collection 4 years ago this month.
    I have spent many hours enjoying my investment and look forward to many more.

  6. #6

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    It is good to read of your experiences, Steve, and especially how it helped your son.

  7. #7

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    I'll drink to that Steve

    "He is wise who watches"

  8. #8

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    Quote Originally Posted by flash View Post
    I'll drink to that Steve
    Meetoo!
    Bravo Steve, you hit the point and see where the game shines!
    <img src=http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/image.php?type=sigpic&userid=2554&dateline=1409073309 border=0 alt= />
    "We do not stop playing when we get old, but we get old when we stop playing."

  9. #9

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    Sounds like a really great outcome.
    Run for your life - there are stupid people everywhere!

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  11. #11

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    i feel the same about the game. every time i play or deal with some aspect of it i get a feeling of enjoyment. while ive really enjoyed other games in the past ive not felt anything like this with any other game. recently i was able to introduce a friend to the game who seems to have somewhat the same feeling judging by his rapid and pervasive acquisition of aircraft for it.

  12. #12

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    Thank you for sharing your experiences, Steve!

    I share your appreciation of -- and affection for -- this wonderful little game, and the people that I have come into contact with. I don't know what it is about this game, but it seems to bring out the best in people.

  13. #13

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    Quote Originally Posted by fast.git View Post
    Thank you for sharing your experiences, Steve!

    I share your appreciation of -- and affection for -- this wonderful little game, and the people that I have come into contact with. I don't know what it is about this game, but it seems to bring out the best in people.
    You put it so eloquently, Chris!
    <img src=http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/image.php?type=sigpic&userid=2554&dateline=1409073309 border=0 alt= />
    "We do not stop playing when we get old, but we get old when we stop playing."

  14. #14

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    Quote Originally Posted by fast.git View Post
    I don't know what it is about this game, but it seems to bring out the best in people.
    It certainly does! Many games focus on a competitive encounter, and while WoG certainly provides that, it's balanced against the certainty of knowing that, no matter what you do, ultimately luck has a big influence, too. So if you lose... well, it's probably as much the cards or chits' fault as anything. And if you win? Ahh, it was pure skill!

    That tension between skill and chance creates some magical blend of positivity, where you can feel as though you've always got an opportunity to win, and an interesting choice to make, and the possibility of coming back from being down. And when you lose, you get the feeling that next time it can - and quite likely will - be the other way around. Not many games can offer that, certainly not with the sort of elegant simplicity that Wings does.

    Thanks all for the kind words. And the great community here - an accurate reflection of the game.

  15. #15

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    Thanks so much to all of you. Working on this game may be sometimes tiring, facing problems in production or distribution may be frustrating, hearing complaints from player who are unsatisfacted by the final outcome may be... well, it may be anything, who cares. Reading such comments, or even having the luck to meet some of you here and there to share a game session or a chat over a glass of wine, makes any effort worth. Thanks again, really!

  16. #16

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    I sit at home, drink my beer and the wife is happy. She knows where I am at, what I am doing, staying out of trouble and enjoying life. That's what counts.

  17. #17

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    Quote Originally Posted by Angiolillo View Post
    Thanks so much to all of you. Working on this game may be sometimes tiring, facing problems in production or distribution may be frustrating, hearing complaints from player who are unsatisfacted by the final outcome may be... well, it may be anything, who cares. Reading such comments, or even having the luck to meet some of you here and there to share a game session or a chat over a glass of wine, makes any effort worth. Thanks again, really!
    And thank you, Andrea, for this wonderful game and helping it keep growing all these years. You are omnipresent online in supporting the game, and it's a unique and wonderful experience to have the ability to directly interact with one of a game's designers. Thank you for not getting dissuaded by those expressing discontent, and for always putting a positive energy into your engagements here. It's just one more part of what makes Wings of Glory so special.

  18. #18

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    Quote Originally Posted by BobP View Post
    I sit at home, drink my beer and the wife is happy. She knows where I am at, what I am doing, staying out of trouble and enjoying life. That's what counts.
    The only difference between you and me Bob is the drink.

    [wine]
    <img src=http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/image.php?type=sigpic&userid=2554&dateline=1409073309 border=0 alt= />
    "We do not stop playing when we get old, but we get old when we stop playing."

  19. #19

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    I just add that complaints are legit, alas, more often that I'd like. It was not a rant against them!

  20. #20

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    Quote Originally Posted by Angiolillo View Post
    I just add that complaints are legit, alas, more often that I'd like. It was not a rant against them!
    Consider any negatives as Constructive criticism.

  21. #21

    Setarius's Avatar May you forever fly in blue skies
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    Steve, I'm glad you found a way for your son to express himself and you an enjoyable hobby.
    Yes this is a very easy game to set up and tear down. I just wish I had your luck with the local gaming stores and gamers that you have. In my area if you aren't playing some form of Magic your not gaming, even the local X-wing tables have disappeared from the store.
    Congratulations and keep up the great work.

  22. #22

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    Dale, my local gaming stores have not carried any Wings of Glory product for a long time now. I believe the last time I saw anything related to WoG was back in 2014 or so, when (if I remember correctly) there was a WWII RAP pack on the shelf.

    Aerodrome Accessories has been one of my main sources of WoG planes, as has eBay and Miniature Market. My local shops don't even know that it exists, for the most part.

    My local gaming group is decidedly focused on sci-fi and fantasy and were VERY reluctant to get involved in a historical game of any variety. It took quite a long time - 3+ years - for the game to catch on at all with the local group, but they are all fans now. I give small bite-sized historical tidbits which help set the theme, and last spring ran a Bloody April historical campaign which I have subsequently been told is one of the most successful campaigns the group has ever run, but for the most part I focus on the fun of gameplay above all else. I provide the planes, the balanced scenarios, etc.

    For me, it's fun - but I mention it just to affirm that it doesn't "just happen" - it takes work!

  23. #23

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    Steve that was a really nice story especially about how it has helped your son become an important part of the community of gamers. I am wondering if there should be more of a push to introduce the game to other different kids too so that maybe they too can find something that takes their interest.Not sure how this could be accomplished though.

  24. #24

    matt56's Avatar May you forever fly in blue skies.
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    Steve, I have to say that I know completely where you are coming from - your joy of the game mirrors mine. Although my connection to the game differs from yours a tad, it is more in line than not. I remember looking at Wings of War miniatures in my local gaming store and thinking about getting into it six years ago - there was a yellow balloon/Nieuport sitting on the shelf for the l o n g e s t time, and I simply didn't go for it...

    Then a dear friend of ours (my local model group) died; he was a fighter pilot and we three (me, and rhodie80 and the BigBlueWhale) always thought he would love the game - and so the three of us jumped into Wings and there's been no looking back! Between the Dawn Patrol at the Air Force Museum and Buckeye Gamers in Flight and their Origins shenannigans, we are totally into the game.

    And yours and others' comments about the collegiality of the game are correct - there are lots of unique personalities involved in our games, but everyone is able (most of the time) to bury his idiosyncracies while we're gaming. And everyone enjoys the time spent together.

    You and Chris and others have been very eloquent extolling the virtues of this lovely game, and Andrea's chiming in with a mature understanding of gamers and their foibles adds to the delight of the game we all enjoy. This forum is indeed a wonderful place to share and communicate and involve oneself - thank you for putting a resolute thumb on the pulse of what makes this an awesome place to spend one's time...

    Always the best,
    Matt

  25. #25

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    Quote Originally Posted by matt56 View Post
    ... This forum is indeed a wonderful place to share and communicate and involve oneself ...
    That says it all in a nutshell.


    Like you. Matt, i saw the models in the store back in 2011 and 2012 but did not know anything at all about how the game worked so just looked at them, wondering how the WW II planes and WW I planes went together. Then in 2013 a friend up in BC showed me how WGF worked on his kitchen table with just one or two planes each. I liked the simplicity, and a couple of months later spent a VISA gift card on a Dual Pack and some additional aircraft. I was lucky that there were still quite a few planes for sale in the store.

    I didn't realize I had got in just before everything went nuts and to fill in some holes cost lots.

    At least I did get the DH.2s and some Eindeckers (but not Immelmann) before they became virtually extinct.

    Long story short, I just spent a day off playing Mission 18 of Over the Trenches - The Bitter End.
    I can't think of a better way to spend a day (other than playing against friends, but that's few and far between)
    I look forward to checking the forum several times a day. (It was painful when the site was down recently.)

    Now to go see if there are any new posts since I started this ramble ....

  26. #26

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    Quote Originally Posted by Angiolillo View Post
    Thanks so much to all of you. Working on this game may be sometimes tiring, facing problems in production or distribution may be frustrating, hearing complaints from player who are unsatisfacted by the final outcome may be... well, it may be anything, who cares. Reading such comments, or even having the luck to meet some of you here and there to share a game session or a chat over a glass of wine, makes any effort worth. Thanks again, really!


    i can imagine it can get pretty tiresome. you have to mix the business aspect into your experience and not just sit back and enjoy the fun gaming aspect. so thank you, and all those on the business end that bring this wonderful endeavor to market for all of us to enjoy. we literally couldnt have our fun if not for you!!!

    one thing to remember about the criticisms. unlike many other games, its like criticism coming from family holding great affection. we just want what we perceive as best for the game, to make a better game. and like the proverbial too many cooks in the kitchen, have 1001 different ways we think that will be lol! but, at the end of the day its from a place of affection for the game.

  27. #27

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    The challenge of balancing business vs hobby (when you work in a hobby industry) is very real.

    My passion for aviation extends to radio controlled aircraft, and specifically, aerobatic slope gliders flown off of cliffs, hills and mountains. A good friend of mine is a manufacturer and knowing him has given me a view "behind the curtain" of what it can be like to turn your passion into your business. He's been very successful, and loves the challenge of building his business, but it does change the nature of his engagement with the hobby. It's no longer just going out to "go fly," but rather to test, refine, or perhaps provide tech support to a customer "in the field." Not bad, but very different than the carefree reality I get to experience when I go out to the slopes to fly. He does seem to really enjoy it, though - for those with the right spirit, an entrepreneurial career is the realization of many ambitions and dreams, and it probably doesn't feel "like work" in the same way that it might for the stereotypical "cubicle dweller."

    But there's that - making your hobby your business - and then there's Andrea's engagement in supporting WoG essentially across the entire internet, for years. I'm sure none of us knows how much time he devotes to us - the big "us", anyone playing or even interested in the game - but it must be significant. He's seemingly everywhere, all the time, always with some helpful intercession or another, answering questions, providing context, telling the story of the game. I don't believe I've ever seen him get involved in a flame war - a temptation I'm sure many of us have fallen prey to if we've spent any significant time online. He's a treasure and testament to what a truly passionate person is capable of realizing in the world. I'm inspired and awed by the commitment.

  28. #28

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    Quote Originally Posted by surfimp View Post
    The challenge of balancing business vs hobby (when you work in a hobby industry) is very real.

    My passion for aviation extends to radio controlled aircraft, and specifically, aerobatic slope gliders flown off of cliffs, hills and mountains. A good friend of mine is a manufacturer and knowing him has given me a view "behind the curtain" of what it can be like to turn your passion into your business. He's been very successful, and loves the challenge of building his business, but it does change the nature of his engagement with the hobby. It's no longer just going out to "go fly," but rather to test, refine, or perhaps provide tech support to a customer "in the field." Not bad, but very different than the carefree reality I get to experience when I go out to the slopes to fly. He does seem to really enjoy it, though - for those with the right spirit, an entrepreneurial career is the realization of many ambitions and dreams, and it probably doesn't feel "like work" in the same way that it might for the stereotypical "cubicle dweller."

    But there's that - making your hobby your business - and then there's Andrea's engagement in supporting WoG essentially across the entire internet, for years. I'm sure none of us knows how much time he devotes to us - the big "us", anyone playing or even interested in the game - but it must be significant. He's seemingly everywhere, all the time, always with some helpful intercession or another, answering questions, providing context, telling the story of the game. I don't believe I've ever seen him get involved in a flame war - a temptation I'm sure many of us have fallen prey to if we've spent any significant time online. He's a treasure and testament to what a truly passionate person is capable of realizing in the world. I'm inspired and awed by the commitment.
    Again great comments Steve & I know Andrea is always available to help & comment on our problems & does his very best to add to our enjoyment of this wonderful game.

  29. #29

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    Speaking of love... you've got to be slightly head-over-heels to splash out for a starter set that's nearly 10 years old, don't you?

    Click image for larger version. 

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    When I (rarely) see these planes come up on the 3rd party sites, the prices are through the roof. This set wasn't cheap, but considering what each individual plane in these rare schemes can be worth, it felt like a deal.

    Of course, I have no intention to ever sell these, rather I was completely stoked for the chance to add them to the collection. They'll be on the table soon - where they belong!!

  30. #30

    Smile

    Great catch Steve!
    I was most fortunate to win that set in one of the Lend Lease raffles & I do treasure it especially for the Galland Me109, Wildcat & Spitfire all of which I "lusted" over for years.



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