Last weekend our team had a great pleasure to take part in the Joy of Six convention. We invite you to read the second part of our account from the trip to United Kingdom and our participation at this convention.
The organizer of Joy of Six is Baccus – the world’s most famous miniature maker in 6 mm scale. Despite the fact that we are to a certain extent competition, all companies that appeared at the convention are very positive about cooperation and know that our activities contribute to the promotion of hobby and the scale of 6 mm. I would like to thank Peter, the boss of Baccuss, for the organization of the convention, which has already had a dozen or so editions. Every year attracts more and more exhibitors and viewers, which is a very positive phenomenon.
The convent is held in Sheffield, in the main hall of Hallam University, about 200 meters from the train station. This is undoubtedly an attractive location, right in the center. The organization, signs (at the entrance and then in many places in the corridors), informers (all dressed in yellow, visible from the distance), the pre-convention information (maps with the exact location of each position etc.), and the possibility of eating lunch in one of the halls of University.
If I had to list things that are worth improving, I think that the convention could be longer. It starts at 10.00 (of course, the exhibitors are admitted much earlier), and by 17.00 you have to leave the building. In practice, this means that at 4pm you have to start packing, so it is only 6 hours of the convention itself. This can be a problem mainly for clubs that try to fight big battles. Also from our perspective – travelers “from far away” a two-day convent would be an interesting alternative.
The convention was located in three large halls and a corridor between them. Two rooms and the aforementioned corridor were occupied by exhibitors and clubs, presenting their games, the third room was occupied for lectures. We did not have time to participate in them, but it is always a positive aspect of the convention – it allows you to share your knowledge, experience and discussion on important topics related to wargaming.
Of course, the greatest impression was made by battles. The 6 mm scale is ideal for playing big clashes that look epic. The battle at Poltava made the most impression on us. There were many more big games and many of them we had the “jaw dropped effect” – thousands of miniatures on beautiful battlefields made a stunning impression.
Historical systems dominated, but there was also a bit of fantasy and science fiction.
Our team (Adam from Bolter.pl, Witold and Maciek) set up a stand, the biggest attraction of which was our latest sets of figures produced in 3D printing technology. They aroused great interest, some guests took pictures of them close up to show them to friends “or they will not believe that they are printed miniatures”.
Our 3D printed miniatures of French Army. La Hitte system artillery Dragoons Cuirassiers French Infantry
On the second table, we put miniatures for “learn to play” game – a small clash between the two Union and Confederate corps. We had the opportunity to show Gods of War: Lee rules to many people. The game mechanics we talked about, especially those related to the fog of war and command&control, aroused great interest. After finishing work on the second edition of the Polish version of the rulebook, we will start translating it into English.
We were aroused by the offer of many stores, the best impression was made, among others by latex fields, rivers and roads that can be laid on any hillyterrain. The offer of ready hedges or forests was also interesting. In addition, of course, you could buy miniatures in a huge number of historical periods, fantasy and science fiction.
It was already our second visit to the Joy of Six convention and next year we are going to go again. We are very happy that together we can promote and develop a 6 mm scale hobby – the best scale for large battles. Once again, many thanks to the organizers and cordial greetings to all participants, especially those with whom we had the pleasure of meeting.
We invite you to look at the photos from Joy of Six.
Sheffield. Interesting fountain near the train station. Hallam University Main Building. Main entrance. Deploying our trade stand. Deploying our game table. Trade stand ready. Our trade stand. Our table ready to show Gods of War: Lee wargame. Our place at Joy of Six. Our “blockbuster” 😉 3D printed miniatures in 6 mm scale. Our table. Other fantastic games. Chariot racings! Grantham Strategy and Gaming Club Chariot Racing Grantham Strategy and Gaming Club Chariot Racing Mailed Fist WW2: Normandy ‘44 Mailed Fist WW2: Normandy ‘44 Amazing Poltava battle. Per Broden, Nick Dorrel and Wyre Foresters Poltava 1709, Twilight of the Nordic Lions Poltava 1709. Poltava 1709. Poltava 1709. Robert Dunlop Gnila Lipa, 1914 Robert Dunlop Gnila Lipa, 1914 Commission figurines Napoleon 1813 Commission figurines Napoleon 1813 Commission figurines Napoleon 1813 Allied intervention in Russian Civil War in 1919. MADGamers Allied intervention in the RCW, 1919 They had even an armoured train! Sheffield Wargames Society – A small beach party Sheffield Wargames Society – A small beach party Wakefield and District Wargamers Cruel Seas Wakefield and District Wargamers Cruel Seas Chesterfield Open Gamers Soceity Qadesh 1275BC Chesterfield Open Gamers Soceity Qadesh 1275BC Chesterfield Open Gamers Soceity Qadesh 1275BC Chesterfield Open Gamers Soceity Qadesh 1275BC Doncaster Wargames Society – Riot: The Brexit Yers Doncaster Wargames Society – Riot: The Brexit Yers Nick Overland Target Saigon – 1975 Nick Overland Target Saigon – 1975 Nick Overland Target Saigon – 1975 Gripping Beast battle between Persians and Romans. Gripping Beast battle between Persians and Romans. Corridor between the halls. Painting clinic 🙂 Second room. Luton Lancers GNW Siege of Viborg Luton Lancers GNW Siege of Viborg Kevan Baker Battle of Vimeiro Kevan Baker Battle of Vimeiro Chris Sharp and the Northern Rengades Tough day at Bad Oeynhausen Chris Sharp and the Northern Rengades Tough day at Bad Oeynhausen Chris Sharp and the Northern Rengades Tough day at Bad Oeynhausen Cold War Commanders D-Day Cold War Commanders D-Day Cold War Commanders D-Day Dan Hodgson Reveille – Battle of Hoth (Star Wars). Peter Wilkes and the Legion of Blokes Battle of Kolin Peter Wilkes and the Legion of Blokes Battle of Kolin Peter Wilkes and the Legion of Blokes Battle of Kolin Another interestin game on hexes. Wargames Collection Calculator Little Big Horn 1876 Wargames Collection Calculator Little Big Horn 1876 Wargames Collection Calculator Little Big Horn 1876 Wargames Collection Calculator Little Big Horn 1876 Wargames Collection Calculator Little Big Horn 1876 Aetius vs Atilla the Hun! Aetius vs Atilla the Hun! Aetius vs Atilla the Hun! Tony Morphett and Mike McKnight Normandy 44 Tony Morphett and Mike McKnight Normandy 44 At the end of the convention a lottery was held. Here the lucky player chose our Confederate infantry set as a reward. Congratulations!