Having long lamented the virtual death of tabletop wargaming (a regular childhood occurance in my house) I stumbled on this site 10 years ago. To find Wooden Ships, my favourite game, and to be able to play it with people around the world was like being given the keys to the candy store.

I played a lot of games here for a long time and then due to circumstances outside of the cyber world I drifted away for a few years.

Having returned earlier this year I have noticed 1 very large difference in the way Wooden Ships is now played on this site, particlularly in tournaments. Just to colour my point I say this from a position of believing the creation of realism in a tabletop wargames was the ultimate opbjective. The more you could visualise the reality as you moved your cardboard counters or plastic figurines the better.

In a naval battle of any era, the days of fighting sail included, once the issue was beyond doubt, the remaining ships from the losing side would turn tail and run. The exact opposite is the norm in tournament play here. Once someone has a points lead they turn their ships away from the enemy and with the wind at their backs they sail off for victory 10 turns later. An effective way to win a tournament no doubt but not very realistic. For mine I always enjoy finishing off the stragglers before taking my daily tot of rum and heading for home.

Anyway, I've just been thinking it for a while and thought I'd throw it out there.

Good gaming everyone!