Cold Wars 2023 Convention Recap

This weekend, the Historical Miniatures Gaming Society staged Cold Wars 2023, their first of three annual conventions. We're recapping just a small fraction of the hundreds of games on display in case you missed the show. And judging by the attendance...a lot of you missed the show (including most of the guys in our own club). Greg and Zach do some investigative work to ask why so many attendees, game master, and vendors sat this one out. We have some theories....

But of course, for those of us who did attend, Cold Wars was a great time to catch up with old friends and check out some truly excellent historical wargames. Join us for the March 2023 recap at Valley Forge, PA!

For a full length version of HMGS President John Hollier's interview, track down our podcast Little Wars FM everywhere podcasts can be found. Our Patreon supporters will get early access next week, but in April the full interview will be publicly available.

[EryxUK]

As a non-historical wargamer I'm always impressed (nay jealous) with the table layouts and productions. Fantasy and Sci-Fi war games just never get such good looking tables.

[jonathanliberatore]

You guys are so dedicated to the hobby and seem so organized, I love it, can't wait for the interview!

[haroldmorgan]

HAHMGS Border Wars Con (KC Mo) - Reduced people there and fewer vendors in Holiday Inn with multiple games in 7 gaming sessions ( 2 Fri/4 Sat/ 1 Sun) - convention wargaming is an OLDSTER Hobby who die off and the young play video games !!

[DeePsix]

My guess is Recession + Venue + Adepticon = lower attendance. I appreciate you guys give constructive feedback to HMGS.

[ChalkInTheLand]

I remember discovering the existence of these tabletop war games as a 10 year old. I was HOOKED. A better way to put it would be I was OBSESSED. I asked for mini game figures for Christmas and my birthdays. Didn't matter if they were historical battle games or trolls and goblins from fantasy games. I played with them the way I wanted. Loved them. Although I really wish I knew about the games the pieces were intended for and got into the while table top scene. These games still fascinate me

[vincentgregory]

I appreciate the honest discourse about the venue. I can see how it'd make or break a convention to a certain point. Great vid as always! :)

[CZtuner]

Here, in the UK, I attended the Beach Head 2023 wargaming convention, held at the Bournemouth International Centre on the secoond weekend of February. It was packed.

On both days, I was hosting (along with my son) a participation game of "Hunting The Tiger", which is the demonstrator for the Panzergranate WW2 rules system. One player operates the Tiger tank, while the other players operate 4 to 5 Shermans (of various types) and attempt to hunt down & nail the Tiger. The Tiger killing player becomes the Tiger player for the next game. We played nine quite interesting games of this, observing a lot of interesting tactics, including the use of smoke, over the weekend.

[robertdelaney]

I understand not liking a venue but I wouldn't think of a game convention as a trip to Hawaii. There for the games. I put on a monthly games in my game barn where I have to make a 45 minute round trip between games to get food for everyone. No one stops coming because of the venue.

[studyhistory]

Huge shout out to HMGS and the volunteers. We Pastimes on the Square had a decent show but it is a far cry from the past. As vendors what we heard over and over was the dislike of the venue. How about the Hershey area for Cold Wars? It is the off season so pricing is reasonable. Transportation network is great and no city traffic. Tons of hotels in the area. Large convention site with hotel. Lots of shopping and kids activities in the area. Once again thank you to all the HMGS staff and volunteers without you there is no convention.

[GreyhawkGrognard]

In terms of the food service, something I've seen at some shows which was very successful is inviting food trucks to the site. Especially for those venues he mentioned that didn't want to provide food service, that could be a solution.

[jameswhite]

As someone who has to travel from the west coast, the locations of the HMGS shows make it difficult to attend. Flying is 2 hops generally, then a drive, plus limited hotels (if you don't stay at the main hotel).

Compared to Adepticon ... Chicago ... easy 1 hop flight, tons of hotel options, etc.

[steveholmes]

Sad to hear of the lower attendance.
I'm posting from the UK, where our shows are a little different (typically smaller one-day events, but rather more of them).
Vendors and organisers report that attendance hasn't yet recovered since our Covid lockdown.
Trends suggested things would pick up over 2023, but recession ... 😞

Keep calm and carry on guys.
Ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

[masonicrat]

This was a very well produced video, most hobby videos lack this level of production values. BZ

[sterlingmoose]

Great review! Valley Forge, been once wouldn't rush back, didn't go this time. The venue did nothing for our group, too spread out, no real epicenter, getting to the vender/Wally's area was a trek, on-site food was meh etc etc. John Hollier raises some excellent points. The Host is our ideal venue and checks all the boxes from John's list, but obviously you'll never please everybody.

[martynkelly]

All the negative things absolutely need to be talked about. But you do a great job in the video of capturing some of the positive parts of the show - some great games and the people who were there seemed to be having a fantastic time. The impromptu interview with Ed Miller of DelVal Gamers was an excellent addition to the video. Thanks for doing the video.

[andrewwilson]

I agree with your comments on the convention site and member participation. I did not care for the site and did not attend. Also, time was a factor this year. Keep up the great work on Little Wars TV!!

[captainnolan]

After reading most of the comments below, it occurred to me that someone with a wargaming YouTube channel might want to do some research and locate the various wargaming clubs around the nation (no doubt beginning locally) and then doing a show every month [or every other month], promoting those clubs and giving them some publicity, so that gamers in each area can find a club and get involved in the hobby, and so that those who are new to an area or new to the hobby can figure out how to connect with other like-minded folks.

[johnjankowski]

One possibility is that this is the first Cold Wars since 2020. People may have found other local cons or simply readjusted to having only two cons a year (Historicon and Fall Inn).

[oldschoolfrp]

Eutaw Springs and the Alamo? I am sorry i missed this one.
There are a lot of smart, capable people in this hobby and I’m certain we can make some positive plans for the future. At minimum, I’m in a place now where I can plan to travel more and participate in events.

[scootergsp]

Not specific to this particular organization; but something that could be undertaken by miniature gaming clubs and organizations would be to volunteer to run events at more general tabletop game conventions.

I have been running various tabletop board, card, miniature and roleplaying games at regional conventions for many years. These organizers are always looking for people to fill slots on the schedule and will generally be open to almost anything within reason.

Some of the larger conventions will even dedicated entire ballrooms to miniature games when there are enough on schedule.
I have seen a number of historical games alongside the sci-fi and fantasy miniature games and in my observation everyone gets along quite well. And most onlookers are very impressed with the quality of detail in the historical table setups.

In summary, if historical (as well sci-fi and fantasy) miniature gamers were to broaden the range of events they attend, they will generate more exposure among gamers at-large and could very well bring new blood into the hobby.