Brandon Twp – To hobbyist Ben Peterson, librarian at the Brandon Township Library, the sci-fi world of Warhammer is more than just a table-top game.
The miniature ‘gaming? hobby has been a 20 year craft of sportsmanship, strategy, and lifelong relationships.
‘The story that is behind the game is the strategy,? Peterson said. ‘There are books with stories behind the games, and rules for each, but more importantly the social interaction, sportsmanship, and courtesy is really the key.?
On Saturday, Jan. 10 the Brandon Library hosted a Gaming Day gala to introduce players to the gaming stories as well as provide a learning place for area teens to set up their elaborately diverse playing fields.
‘The games are great because they stress teamwork and a bit of friendly competition too,? said hobbyist and instructor Matthew Robertson.
Together Robertson and Peterson, gaming partners, have been learning the art of simple strategic competition since they were in their early teens.
Peterson said Robertson traveled to Brandon from St. Louis, Mich. to teach area teens the finer techniques of both playing the game as well as tips on how to assemble the playing pieces.
Each intricately designed game and playing field is surrounded, and played out, based on books and stories that accompany the game category selection.
While Warhammer 40K is a science fiction theme of unrealistic warfare using command squads of dwarf warriors, Humanity Emperors, foot troops, tanks, steel World War I legion fighters, Iron Guards, and British pith-helmeted soldiers, the world of collectible miniatures is as vast as the limitless imagination generated by the accompanying narrative.
Reynolds Gable, gaming supply resource representative for Games Workshop said while Warhammer is a futuristic game, there are games which cover all eras of history, such as World War I and II, the Civil and Revolutionary wars, comic book hero style games, and recently, sports collectibles.
‘Essentially each major portion of history,? said Gable.
Gable said while teens are fast becoming hobbyists, the gaming world is a community in itself, not only about the game but about building strategy skills and relationships. The Game Workshop store that Gable represents at 12 Oaks II sees more than 200 people of all interests and ages per month.
Pleased with more than 50 area teens showing up at the library for its first gaming event, Peterson said he plans to schedule more table games in the future.
‘There is much more to life than video games,? Peterson quipped.