Salute 2010 - thoughts?

[Thargor]

This was my first Salute.  I went with a list of games that I wanted to see/ take part in and a list of traders that I wanted to buy from/ check out.  I only played 1 game - it wasn't on my list.  I bought everything on my list that was there and more stuff that wasn't on my list.  I got to bump into some old friends that were there.  All in all a good day out.

It cost me £25 to travel to and from the event which seemed okay.  If it had been a 2 day event, I would have had to pay for accomodation, which would have seriously impacted on the amount I had for figures.  The flip side is that I would have had time to join in those other games that I wanted to check out how to play.

Although most shows in the UK seem to be single day, there are 2 day-ers out there, including Colours at Newbury.

[former user]

as a general thought

I agree with @WC that 2 days is exhausting and more expensive
but I prefer not being in a hurry and being able to take my time and maybe join a participation game, AND most of all meeting all the others in the evening and maybe have a game with them too when all the visitors are gone.

Most of the time when i attended conventions I was involved in presenting a game, so it was exhausting anyway

[Captain Blood]

I go primarily to shop and look.

To shop, because it's the best chance of getting different figures and accessories all in one place, and to look and be inspired by serious eye-candy quality games.

Unfortunately, on both counts, I was a bit disappointed this year. Several of the companies I wanted to buy from weren't there this year (which I had worked out in advance to be fair). And there seemed far fewer really exceptional display games (although there were several), and unfortunately, a fair few games of a pretty basic quality which I personally don't think meet the standard which should be required for the UK's flagship wargaming event.

[rob_the_robgoblin]

Same as every year, good enough that I buy stuff and the show where all my gaming buddies are.

Basically, if I can chat to AA in person, I'm happy.

Didn't really meet up with anyone, Overlord pointed me in the direction of Captain Blood and Westphalia Chris, but you seemed deep in conversation. I'd also pissed off my girlfriend enough already with talking to various people for an hour or two each!

I did memorise my to buy list, and got most of it. I spoke to everyone I *needed* to.

Hopefully next time, I can stop and chat to more of you. Maybe the LAF needs to run an Atlantis game at one of these shows, one of these days? 

[janner]

OF COURSE (not!)

Once I again I snatched defeat from the jaws of victory 

It was good to meet you too.

I didn't see much of the show, let alone do much shopping. I missed all the interesting looking games too.

If you didn't win, then who did. It can't have been me as I kept changing sides!

[Johnny_Hawkwind]

That was my first Salute and after Triples last year I do feel it was more about the demo and the sales than the playing of games.

I did get a demo of Secrets of the Third Reich early on and spent a fortune so I suppose I had the best of both worlds.

A Steam Tank from Ironclad has got me wanting to do some VSF though, reading GASLIGHT at the moment unless something else comes up.

[Malamute]

If you didn't win, then who did. It can't have been me as I kept changing sides!

It must have been the Viking re-enactor who kept stopping by...

[OSHIROmodels]

It must have been the Viking re-enactor who kept stopping by...

Never do that again !!!

 

cheers

James

[Malamute]

Never do that again !!!

 

cheers

James

Apparently he'll be there for longer next year....

[OSHIROmodels]

It's funny but every time he came over he started talking to my wife and occasionally looked at me in a scared sort of way...

Funny that 

cheers

James

[Thunderchicken]

Apparently he'll be there for longer next year....

You told me you gave him Jimbibbly's address and phone number............ and you said not to tell anyone. Oops.     

[OSHIROmodels]

You told me you gave him Jimbibbly's address and phone number............ and you said not to tell anyone. Oops.     

Whatever     

cheers

James

[janner]

It's funny but every time he came over he started talking to my wife and occasionally looked at me in a scared sort of way...

Funny that 

cheers

James

That wasn't fear - it was berserker fury.

[Tomsche]

I shopped a lot on Salute, shoved Richard Branson out of my way at the entrance to the ExCel and looked a lot (outside in the sun) to the participants of the marathon 

Anyways, this Salute DID confirm the status of the wargamer in the greater scheme of things.  At the entrance you had a lot of youngsters hanging round on the terrace.  Halfway the hallway you had the average family with kids for a marathon... and right before the end of the hallway and start of demolition works, the `average gamer type` lurks with his toy soldiers.

Wargaming: the nirvana or the end of the line?  YOU decide 

[Hammers]

...shoved Richard Branson out of my way at the entrance to the ExCel

Bugger'd got it coming, I am sure. I did not know he is a wargamer.