It's time for the customary annual review if Gaming activities!
GOAL: was $1800 for the year, so I went over by 50%. The biggest reason for that was the unplanned acquisition of Bill McHugh's painted Chariot Wars armies. Aside from those figures, a relatively low percentage of the budget was spent on figures until the year end sales!
Painting:
Previous years: 2,857 in 2017, 3,717 in 2017, 3,320 in 2016, 2,235 in 2015
1) Once again, the lead for a large Macedonian Army I picked up several years ago is high on the list. Perhaps I should plan to run a game with them; A game with TTS at HAVOC in April or at Historicon might be a viable target. The slightest of progress!
2) Add the elite companies and an early Legere unit to flesh out an early Imperial French "Division" of 5 units in Biciorne/side plumed shakos for the Legere. I have more than enough lead on hand for a second such "Division" as well. done; need some more lead from Old Glory to do the rest of the second Division in Bicorne
3) Paint some of the backlog of Great Italian Wars troops. Play testing daft versions of TTS, 2nd edition, if Simon proceeds with same, could provide some needed incentive there! Epic fail!
4) Start work on the ECW reinforcements I bought a year ago, with an eye towards running Soggy Bottom with FK&P. Done!
5) Avoid starting any new projects! Fair; the McHugh figures are an expansion of existing forces, and I am slowly adding unpainted lead for a small Colonial Afrika project.
Games:
4th Quarter: 2 Play test games for Vauban's Wars
3rd Quarter 8
2nd Quarter: 4
1st Quarter: Nil
TOTAL 2019: 14 games
Previous years: 11 in 2018, 10 in 2017, 12 in 2016, 9 in 2015
GOAL: was 12 games, so that target was exceeded for the first time.
Blogging:
There were 84 posts in 2019, down a little again, but still about a post every 3 - 4 days, which is goal. Probably lower in part due to lower painting production!
Rules:
worked with Simon to develop a long overdue Hussite army list for To the Strongest. Some assistance with play testing Eric's Vauban's Wars, and proof reading various editions of Brent's Field of Battle, 3rd edition. Tried none of the intended new rules sets, however!
Expenses:
October 2019
Adolfo Ramos flags 20.12, Sergeants $28 (preorder TSAF newest edition)
November 2019
Acheson Creations 81.60 (assorted scenics, esp gabions)
Foundry 255.75 (French Line infantry, Austrian Cuirassiers, Austrian Generals and Limbers, some Colonial items)
December 2019
Brigade Games 176.91 (French Generals and other French Napoleonic odds and ends, Fortress cannon, Colonial items, General d' Armee)
4th Quarter Total: $562.47 (I just couldn't resist those year end sales, could I?)
3rd Quarter Total: $748.66
2nd Quarter Total: $782.27
1st Quarter Totals: $590.89
TOTAL 2019: $2,684.49
2nd Quarter Total: $782.27
1st Quarter Totals: $590.89
TOTAL 2019: $2,684.49
Previous years: $2,671 in 2018, $2.906 in 2017, $1,679 in 2016, $2,235 in 2015
GOAL: was $1800 for the year, so I went over by 50%. The biggest reason for that was the unplanned acquisition of Bill McHugh's painted Chariot Wars armies. Aside from those figures, a relatively low percentage of the budget was spent on figures until the year end sales!
I generally use Delta Ceramcoat craft paints, but you get the idea...
Painting:
October 2019
54 Austrian Line Infantry, 120 points
November 2019
36 Austrian Line, 18 Early French Ligne, 120 points
December 2019
18 French Early Legere, 24 Macedonian Phalangites, 6 Siege Cannon, 150 pts
4th Quarter Total: 390 pts (plus a LOT of terrain!)
54 Austrian Line Infantry, 120 points
November 2019
36 Austrian Line, 18 Early French Ligne, 120 points
December 2019
18 French Early Legere, 24 Macedonian Phalangites, 6 Siege Cannon, 150 pts
4th Quarter Total: 390 pts (plus a LOT of terrain!)
3rd Quarter Total: 195 points
2nd Quarter Total: 561 points
2nd Quarter Total: 561 points
1st Quarter Total: 795 pts
TOTAL 2019: 1,941 - lowest in the past 5 years, BUT I did a LOT of terrain in 2019!
TOTAL 2019: 1,941 - lowest in the past 5 years, BUT I did a LOT of terrain in 2019!
Previous years: 2,857 in 2017, 3,717 in 2017, 3,320 in 2016, 2,235 in 2015
2019 Painting breakdown:
Thus ECW figures made up almost 50% of the painting output, driven by my plans to run Soggy Bottom multiple times, which I did Even with that, Napoleonic output still was the largest slice, with some of that driven by the planned Tyrolean Revolt games.
GOALS: from p[lanning post a year ago, were:
2) Add the elite companies and an early Legere unit to flesh out an early Imperial French "Division" of 5 units in Biciorne/side plumed shakos for the Legere. I have more than enough lead on hand for a second such "Division" as well. done; need some more lead from Old Glory to do the rest of the second Division in Bicorne
3) Paint some of the backlog of Great Italian Wars troops. Play testing daft versions of TTS, 2nd edition, if Simon proceeds with same, could provide some needed incentive there! Epic fail!
4) Start work on the ECW reinforcements I bought a year ago, with an eye towards running Soggy Bottom with FK&P. Done!
5) Avoid starting any new projects! Fair; the McHugh figures are an expansion of existing forces, and I am slowly adding unpainted lead for a small Colonial Afrika project.
4th Quarter: 2 Play test games for Vauban's Wars
3rd Quarter 8
2nd Quarter: 4
1st Quarter: Nil
TOTAL 2019: 14 games
Previous years: 11 in 2018, 10 in 2017, 12 in 2016, 9 in 2015
GOAL: was 12 games, so that target was exceeded for the first time.
Blogging:
There were 84 posts in 2019, down a little again, but still about a post every 3 - 4 days, which is goal. Probably lower in part due to lower painting production!
Rules:
worked with Simon to develop a long overdue Hussite army list for To the Strongest. Some assistance with play testing Eric's Vauban's Wars, and proof reading various editions of Brent's Field of Battle, 3rd edition. Tried none of the intended new rules sets, however!
Another very respectable year on the hobby front, Peter. You seem to have established a rhythm on all facets of the hobby that lend consistency and reproducibility to your efforts.
ReplyDeleteWell done for 2019!
Thanks, Jon. I seem to specialize in consistently going over budget, LOL! This year was subpar for painting production, but I really did a lot of terrain work, so I have no regrets there.
DeleteDiversified and interesting stuffs, great year!
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it. The ECW were the chief diversification, especially considering that I hadn't painted more than a handful of new ECW figures since the late 1970's otherwise!
DeleteI think the Tyrol collection was my favorite from you this year. Great work as always Peter!
ReplyDeleteAlthough mostly completed in 2018, they saw lots of use in 2019. I would agree with you - a very different part of the Napoleonic Wars for sure!
DeleteAt least a few Tirolese will have to appear in the 1809 Campaign in a Day!
Being one of the Inhabers, I kinda favored this project too!
DeleteIndeed! :-)
DeleteAgreed, consider the money not spent on frivolities and diversions while you are hunkered down at the paint table.
DeleteNon-opportunity non-costs! :-)
Delete"Honey, look at all the money I am saving by painting and nopt taking you out to dinner!"
That looks like a very productive year in all aspects Peter. It is quite striking how consistent your expenditure has been across the last few years, even if you did exceed your budget.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lawrence. I hop that my painting output goes up in 202.
DeleteIf I could paint half as much as you have and if you play half as many games as I have we would both have a great 2020 !! :-)
ReplyDeleteVery true, my friend! :-)
DeleteWith you now being retired and me still working 60+ hours a week, I think it is more likely that you might achieve that goal than I!
Wow, very impressed with the level of detail, especially of expenses, how many of us really know this stuff? Analysis of the numbers can be interesting - for example expenditure = $2684.49, number of Games = 14, therefore Cost per game = $191.75..? But of course the actual games are not the sole reward, I'm sure the painting and terrain-building etc are a large part of the motivation in themselves. Not sure how you'd put a 'value' on that! Thanks anyway, quite thought-provoking.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, David! It was my freind Tim, who gave me the idea to track my expenditures. I include anything hobby related like paints, basing and other materials, storage items specifically for my gaming stuff (a significant item the past several years!), shelves, spray primer, etc, etc, and especially the cost of attending conventions. I find it helpful t\o know how much I am spending and where it gets spent. It does provide some motivation for restraint as well... at least at times! Cost per game isn't really that unreasonable if you compared it with attending a sporting event, theater, or even going out to eat with 4 people. Of course, more games played would be the biggest way to decrease the cost per game... right?!
ReplyDeleteAs David mentions, for those of us deriving pleasure from the act of painting, time spent painting ought to be an added variable if you want to compute cost on a per unit basis. For me, valuing the entire endeavor makes wargaming a frugal hobby.
DeleteI completely agree; I enjoy the time painting, planning and purchasing armies, doing terrain items, designing scenarios, writing rules, and even doing army lists!
DeleteImpressive. I never keep a record of my spending on my beautiful obsession. Its best not to,and strangely I dont keep a record of my painting which probably explains why I keep finding painted units I didnt know I had. So well done with your disciplined approach.
ReplyDeleteI have tracked the units I paint, and all the troops I have since I started the hobby in the late 1960's, originally in spiral bound notebooks. I do need to complete a census of my Renaissance troops, though, as that is incomplete. Tracking expenses is relatively new, but I find it helpful. Posting it here on the blog ensures my wife will never see it, LOL! In fairness, she has never complained about my expenditures, which I can certainly afford.
DeleteI couldn't agree more! thanks again!
ReplyDeleteGreat minds, and all that, David! :-)
DeleteA fine total of painting and gaming, nicely done and Happy New Year Peter! All the best for the year ahead. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, mark, and all the best to you for 202 as well!
DeleteYour summaries remind me of how immense are the resources we pour into the hobby for a handful of games -- but man, are they worth it. Love the blog and the inspiration (and ideas to steal for my own blog) it provides. Happy Gaming in 2020.
ReplyDeleteObviously, I agree! :-) It is toughest when starting out, when there is a big investment of time and resources and not enough to game with. An intro set like Neil Thomas's 1 hour wargames is a great thing at that stage (and certainly not limited to that).
DeleteThanks for the kind words; I feel the same about your blog, Todd!
Fabulous summary, I must have a shot at that myself.
ReplyDeleteAll the best for your 2020 projects
Cheers
Matt
Thanks, Matt. At least you can claim them as a business expense?! :-)
DeleteSeems like you've had another good year! You couldn't turn down the chariot wars army now could you?!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
I could have, but it was the personal connection that sold me on them. I haven't posted anything on the rest of that purchase as yet...
Delete>>I generally use Delta Ceramcoat craft paints...
ReplyDeleteAha, another person who uses craft acrylics! I use them as well, (although in my case, I use Decoart Americana"). I find them much better value for money than paint brands like Vallejo.
I think a lot of us use craft paint. I use Vallejo acrylic metallics, but almost no other "miniatures" paints. I have bottles that are well over 20 years old... as evidenced by the disintegration of the plastic of some of the battle tops!
Delete