Politics in Wargaming Groups

[throwsFireball]

I don't know if anyone else has noticed it, but there's been a definite trend to get some sort of politics involved in some of the wargaming groups (especially online wargaming groups). Gender politics, racial politics, politic politics, all sorts of identity politics etc.

As an example, a few Facebook groups I'm a member of have had people post junky clickbait articles like "Why are there no female space marines" and the like, whilst others have been doing stuff like banning people for not saying how horrible and awful the Nazis were when they post pictures of their Germans for Flames of War.

For me, this sort of identity politics has caused a lot of damage to both roleplaying games and video games and just seems to be a way for some people to ruin something that other people enjoy to make them feel better about themselves.

How about you guys? How do you feel about this attempt at bringing politics into wargaming?

[TheBlackCrane]

From an intellectual perspective it's an interesting topic, but on the whole I'd say generally leave it right out, can only go one way.

If one is going to judge who one's friends are, or co-hobbyists, or even who one engages with on a hobby forum, then it'll end up a very short list! I link to think we're all mature enough to recognise the politics within the history we game, and leave it there.

After all, it's a lovely sunny day, and there's LPL painting to be done 

[Sir_Theo]

Politics and religion are best left to appropriate fora, which might sound strange if you are playing a game set in a conflict such as the second world war, or the Crusades! I do think that I you are historical gaming then you need to garner an understanding of the various issues the periods you are gaming throw up, but probably only discuss those if and when appropriate to do so.

[Westfalia Chris]

Politics are not supposed to be in focus on the LAF, either. Please take a moment to re-familiarise yourselves with the respective rulings:

http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=16293.0

TL,DR: lockity-lock.