If asked what circumstances and enjoyment a miniature of something lifelike could be used, the vast majority of the general populace would answer something to do with dollhouses. While dollhouses and their associated intricately built and designed furniture is one use for tiny versions of real life, they are not the only option. A dollhouse is largely seen as a feminine past time which is traditionally associated with little girls – but what about the little boys?

The answer is simple, as the world of toy making and manufacturing are well aware that boys may be interested in the world of miniature, but shy awake from the girlish connotations of a dollhouse. For young boys, their miniature world lies in what is known as war gaming.

War gaming is essentially small figures from military battles, which are then used to recreate famous battles or just create new ones. As with so many things, while being viewed as a primarily childish pursuit of time, many adults love the thrill of war gaming as well as the artistic chance of painting and decorating war-game figures. It is therefore an activity that can thrill both father and son, and is enduringly popular even despite the world of electronic gadgets seemingly taking over leisure time.

War gaming is traditionally split into three different sections. The first, and most traditional, is historical battlefield war gaming. This involves creating battles that really happened, using military figures which are painted to look realistic. Realistic is actually the key word here; it would not be pushing the bounds of supposition to say that some adult war-game enthusiasts can be a little obsessive in their pursuit of historical accuracy!

The second type of war gaming is similar to the first, but with combat being naval rather than battlefield. Using this type of war gaming, the player can recreate famous sea battles such as the Battle of Trafalgar and other adventures of the Napoleonic Wars. While similar to the first mentioned battlefield type of war gaming, the naval game has a dedicated following, some of whom never use the battlefield idea.

The third area is more modern, and is a fantasy type of game. These fantasies tend to spring from literature – miniature war games featuring the Lord of the Rings characters are hugely popular – and have taken war gaming onto a new level. These often involve a lesser level of obsession about correctness – as there is no historical record, given the fictitious nature of the “original” battle – but a dedicated following has sprung up nevertheless.

If you wish to indulge in war gaming, either for yourself or with a child, there are a few things it is important to try and remember. The first is scale – most war-game miniatures come in the standard sizes of 6mm, 15mm, 20mm and 25mm. However, this scale can often be variable between manufacturers even when precede measurements are mentioned; so when trying to assemble an army of the same size, take a piece you already own for comparison (or if buying on the internet, ensure there is a returns policy).

The second is to consider the type of material you want your war-game figures to be made from. Most players prefer their entire army to be made from the same material for the sake of aesthetics and continuity; however, this is a personal choice. Materials such as plastic, lead, pewter and alloy exist. However, whatever you select, there are hours of war-game fun ahead of you.

More Darfur War Articles