Joy of Six 2019

A truly wonderful visit to Sheffield for the Joy of Six 2019 last Sunday. I can't put my finger on why this show felt so different, but it did! Maybe because everyone there was of a similar mindset. Our hobby is in a real golden age where we have never had so much choice, but with that comes more and more dilution and diversity as gamers choose their own preferred version of what this hobby is. 

Years ago, if you played Ancients, you most likely played WRG. If you played WW2, maybe WRG 1925-50 or latterly Rapid Fire. ACW? Probably Fire and Fury from the mid 90's onwards.

Now though there are dozens of rules sets, in every period imaginable, with figures ranges from 2mm and up for your chosen period. So, the coming together of people with a love of one scale in particular for me is the primary factor. Yes, the games ran from Biblical to Modern, from rioting Brexiteers to the snow covered planet of Hoth, but the one linking factor for all of the games was 6mm. 

I took quite a few pictures, but not as mnay as I'd like, and not in any sort of order. Must try better next time.

This was an excellent Vimeiro game from Kevan Baker and chums. He took the time to explain the scenario, lay out and aims of the refight, for which I was most appreciative. 

 Didn't get details of this one, I'm afraid, but it was a Great Northern War set up and looked splendid.

 A XXX corps dash up Hells Highway towards Son bridge. South London Warlords put this on using mainly GHQ kit. Looked amazing and I think really highlights the problems XXX corps had trying to charge up a single highway

 I was sad not to get more details of this game or who ran it because it looked wonderful. From a glance it was Pirates and a small seaside community about to be paid a visit.

 Qadesh using Big Battle DBA. Again, I didn't get back to this game to discuss progress or the incentive behind the game. Lovely though!

 Award for most bonkers game of the show (...and quite possibly the most bonkers game I have ever seen) was this. Brexit, the Riot years. The aim for one side was to escort the PM from Westminster to Buckingham Palace to hand in her resignation and then to No' 10 to collect her things and fly off into the sunset. Unfortunately there mobs of looters and rioters in her way, and the tabloid press were present to record it all. The 3 gents playing the game were well into it and it looked great fun. Used the old Riot! rules from Matthew Hartley and available from Irregualr Miniatures.

 A new manufacturer of 6mm scenery whom I forgot to take the name of...zoom in on the picture and you will make it out. Absolutely gorgeous stuff here. I nearly went back and got the church which was only £8! Great value.

 Nick Overland playing Target Saigon, 1975 and the last days of the Vietnam War. I tihnk they were using something like Sabre Squadron for rules. This was in the early stages as the White Star forces made their way from the jungle towards what looked to be a heavily defended village with lots of NVA in attendance.

 This game intrigued me, put on as it was by Gripping Beast. Not sure on the forces, but Martin and Andy were explainign that it is the big battle variant on Swordpoint. Looked very nice and engaging.

I'd like to award this game the Gods Own Scale Silver. James billed this game as Jaco (Bite) sized Culloden. I was very taken with the game, the presentation and the overall feel for the whole thing. The mat was custom made by Tiny Wargames, I believe at a cost that made my eyes water! But, lovely and again, I was sorry that I didn't get back to take a closer look.

 A new company to me from Poland, GM Boardgames. They are producing 3D printed figures and were ahowing off Franco Prussian and ACW. I think that the cloth is from Cigar Box. Their figures looked excellent and whoever painted moustaches on the Franco Prussian War cavalry needs to be applauded.

 A very nice Normandy breakout game from the Mailed Fist using Iron Cross rules. A lot of the scenery came from GS Miniature Workshop. They produce those woods with a lift off canopy, allowing troops to be hidden inside them. Very nice!

 For many, the piece de resistance. Per Broden's Poltava. a 16' x 5' extravaganza. There are plenty of pictures across the webs of this. Check it out.

 6mm RCW from MAD gamers. I had a nice chat with Trevor at the end showing me how they had sourced all of the figures required for this project. Jolly good!

 Walt at Commission Figurines produced a spectacular Volley and Bayonet game set in 1813 and using his own MDF figures. These have to be seen so be believed. Incredible work from Walt.

 I didn't take as many pictures of this as I'd have liked. Robert Dunlop put on the Eastern front WW1 battle of Gnila Lipa (silent G!). Had a lovely chat with Robert. He and his games have been a huge influence on my own desire to put on Thiepval at the Joy of Six next year.

 More of Per's wonderful game, hopefully showing the detail he put into the presentation of the game.

Time ran away with me on the day. I can't remember the last time I stayed until the very end of a show. I attended both seminars which were great, but occupied 2 hours of the 6 hours of the show, so next year may give one of them a miss. I particulary enjoyed bumping into Neil Shuck and Mike Hobbs from the Meeples and Miniatures podcast and having a chat which led to an invite on their show. We recorded last night and the show should be out sometime next week. Purchases amounted to another British Divsion for the Thiepval game plus...an Austrian Napoleonic division to join my co-conspirator in gaming on his plans to refight the 1809 campaign. 

I've painted the first unit up in double quick time. Not too bad I think using the Windsor and Newton Nut Brown as my magic wash.

No pictures, but Dr Mike Salwey was in attendance as usual with his painting clinic. Fascinating to hear his thoughts on Contrast. I think the browns will work wonders on ACW Rebs!

So, Joy of Six recieves a 10/10  (or 6/6 as someone mentioned on Twitter!) and also a Gods Own Scale Special Award for Best Show of the year so far. Well done to Peter and his army of yellow shirt helpers for putting it all together to allow the customer to have such a great day.

I've also dug out some Heroics and Ros ACW gifted to me by Jeff Davis a good few yeras ago. Can't decide whether to rebase these for Altar of Freedom or just keep them as a nostalgia collection. The figures whilst beautifully painted in the main are tiny dating back to the early 1980's when Jeff painted them. On thge one hand there is enough here to refight most of the major engagements of the
ACW, on the other the sculpts don't really stand up to the modern likes of Rapier and Baccus.

I'll decide shortly!

More soon...