Latest news with #BoltAction
ABC News
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- ABC News
Albany tabletop gamer travels to UK for Bolt Action world championships
Bob Quinn describes himself as an avid miniature tabletop gamer, but says his friends often call him "one of the gamiest players in Albany". Based in the regional Western Australian city, about 420 kilometres south of Perth, his shed became a hub for preparations to join the team representing Australia at the World Team Championships for Bolt Action in the UK city of Sheffield. The World War II-themed game is played on a board, with each move of miniature pieces such as tanks and soldiers meticulously measured and dependent on your dice roll as you work to win the battle or carry out the mission. Bob Quinn has spent months preparing for the championship. ( ABC Great Southern: Rosemary Murphy ) "The prep is playing games, testing stuff, this works, this doesn't," Mr Quinn said. " The last three months I've been trying to get at least a game in a week and then getting people to tell me what they think. " Each individual piece is painted by the players. "There's two side to this; there's the playing of the games and there's what is called the hobby which is the painting, the building of the terrain," Mr Quinn said. Players paint their own miniatures and often make their own scenery. ( ABC Great Southern: Rosemary Murphy ) First time competing Australia has two teams competing at this weekend's event. Members are from various parts of the country, which means preparation has been challenging. World Team Championships organiser Dave Nolan said it was the first time Australian Bolt Action teams were competing. Organisers say the Bolt Action event continues to grow in popularity. ( Supplied: Dave Nolan ) Competitions are also held for Star Wars Legion and Middle-Earth Strategy Battle Game. "Bolt Action has had a 10 per cent growth from last year where we're now up to 20 teams," Mr Nolan said. Mr Quinn is among eight Australians travelling to the competition. ( ABC Great Southern: Rosemary Murphy ) " Initially it was about flexing your muscles as a gamer, rolling some dice and showing you're the best, but after seven years it's now a case of the same sort of people returning and they get to see their friends. " Mr Nolan said he was excited for the event but wished travel costs were not such a barrier. "We could get to meet people a lot easier and it wasn't a case of we're coming, but only if we can afford it," he said. Mr Quinn began playing with a "starter army" about five years ago and has now expanded his game piece collection. 'It's a nice community," he said. Mr Quinn's two sons have been helping him paint miniatures. ( ABC Great Southern: Rosemary Murphy ) "They say men don't talk face to face they talk side to side, or in this case on the opposite side of table, and as you're playing you're talking about how it's going, you're talking about your wife and kids and just how life is." Gaming community Another Albany gamer John Gill echoed the importance of the community gaming could create. "When I first moved here I joined in because it was a mutual interest with a few other people," he said. John Gill says he likes the competitive aspect of the game. ( ABC Great Southern: Rosemary Murphy ) " I think there's a point as a guy where you either discover smoking meats or World War II. Bolt Action in particular piques my interest in World War II. " University of South Australia game design and digital media lecturer, Susannah Emery, said interest in miniature gaming increased significantly after the release of a popular TV series. Susannah Emery says Australia has strong gaming community. ( Supplied: Jacinta Keefe Photography ) "We actually saw a pretty huge influx after Stranger Things came out," Dr Emery said. "People started going back to Dungeons and Dragons and that resurgence and popularity of Dungeons and Dragons kind of got people into those gaming shops again. "You go into a store to buy some minis and there's people painting, there's people playing, there's a whole community ready to help people and engage with them on that."
Western Telegraph
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Western Telegraph
Pembrokeshire Wargaming club become hub for hobbyists
Pembrokeshire Wargaming started in early 2020 as a casual meet-up for a few enthusiasts to share their passion for tabletop gaming. However, when the covid-19 lockdown hit, the club found ways to keep the community together through online chats, painting challenges, and virtual battles. Since restrictions lifted, the club has grown, now boasting dozens of members from all backgrounds and ages. The group meets weekly at the Merlins Bridge Community Centre to play popular tabletop games such as Warhammer 40K, Age of Sigmar, Bolt Action, and Trench Crusade. Club organiser Liam Boulcott said: "We started with just a few of us and a handful of games from our own collections, but now we've got dozens of active members. "It's more than just gaming—it's about community. "We've seen friendships form, people develop their artistic and strategic skills, and even our younger players building confidence through the games." (Image: Pembrokeshire Wargaming) Painting and modelling are also at the heart of the club's appeal. Members spend hours crafting and customising their miniatures, with some showcasing their work at local exhibitions and online. The club actively supports this creative side of the hobby, promoting members' painted armies on social media and celebrating both newcomers and veteran hobbyists alike. In 2023 and 2024, the club organised the Tenby Games Festival—a celebration of tabletop games, board games, roleplaying, and all things geek culture. The event drew visitors from across the region, with demos, tournaments, and exhibitors. The club is delighted that they will be organising the festival again this year, promising even more fun, games, and community spirit. Pembrokeshire Wargaming has become a welcoming place for those looking to learn new skills.
