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The internet has been a positive boon for me since otherwise I simply wouldn't wargame due to knowing exactly 0 opponents. Now I have many. ...As for video games, I balance my enjoyment of both video games and wargames pretty well I believe.
I wouldn't sweat it. The kids'll be alright. Whatever form the games may take, painting miniatures is something which will always have a certain appeal to children of all ages.
I think the best question is when do we start gaming the cyber warfare of today and how do we scratchbuild it?
So, especially for the younger folk, are movies still motivating you (new movies, not old movies)?
I can see how the movies of the past might better inspire one to wargame because they tended to focus on the heroic and valiant. There was a clear idea of good vs evil and patriotism and pride. I know it was often less realistic at times and glorified conflict but I prefer that to the purposeless and horrible antihero stuff of many modern movies. I think that is why Star Wars is so effective in stimulating the game market it harkens back to the grand heroic idea of fighting to save the overcome evil and save the day.
I think it's a combination of most younger wargamers being Games Workshop focused and confirmation bias.I'm in my mid-20s and most wargamers that I know of don't use forums as much.In fact, if you want to "connect with the kids" (and preferably influence them towards historical wargaming / non-GW stuff), I run a wargaming Discord which I've linked in this thread: http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=105101.msg1307664#msg1307664We've got 95 members and most (probably near all) are below 30.
Or post on reddit, If you can tolerate..well, reddit.
Reddit's non-GW wargaming communities are very dead.