Back in the day the gateway game that got me into the hobby was playing two The Sword and the Flame rules games in a single sitting. I was hooked.
Do we have a single gateway game that we can agree on? No. I think there are some good gateway games for certain periods. I wish I could say I've played all these games, but based on what I know about these rules, I think they fit as current gateway games.
WWII
- Bolt Action
- Cruel Seas
- What a Tanker!
Ancients
- DBA
Colonial
- The Sword and The Flame
- Black Seas
This is a small list, but all you need is any good gateway historical miniature game to get you hooked.
I think certain publishers are focused on gateway games such as Warlord Games and Osprey, which is good. They makes for good rules to use at conventions. Also, skirmish games make for the best type of gateway games and shows that you don't have paint up hundreds of figures to get into the hobby. Save the big games for later.
I'm sure you have ideas for gateway games as well. I'd like to read your ideas in the comments below.
My first thought is One Hour Wargames by Neil Thomas--lots of rules, very easily grasped, covering many periods. I also very highly recommend Bob Cordery's series of books on his Portable Wargame wars--again, many periods covered in an easy-to-grasp manner; an added bonus is that very few figures are required to have a very good game. Finally, Don Featherstone's many books are easily obtained used, or as reprints. They are almost guaranteed to get anyone hooked!
ReplyDeleteBest regards,
Chris Johnson
Nice ones. I was thinking it also has to be easy for the new gamer to buy the rules. I remember buying The Sword and The Flame in the gaming store right after playing the rules. Somehow must have got money from my parents since this was before I had a part-time job.
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