VAP 2023

VAP 2022 felt like a throw back – as if COVID19 had not happened – all those companies were back and there was a feeling of relief.

You can read here my thoughts a year ago https://wordpress.com/post/thewargamingerratic.home.blog/4337

VAP 2023 felt changed – I had seen changes at other shows in recent years – VAP had seemed to buck the trend. It had continued to grow and evolve. This time it was the show with empty space and yet more shoppers and less players?

It also had the misfortune to have some logistics issues around not enough people on the entry tills and perhaps not enough show experience either?

So what about the actual show? Well I decided to “play” first. I chose the lance and longbow society refight of the Battle of Buda between The Ottomans and Imperialists. My post about the Tour de France visit to Hungary finishes with scenes of Hussars and Berlioz in the Capital. Budapest is still a fantastic city and well worth a visit if you like history and panorama.

The game was multiplayer using modified Lion Rampant and played well in a crowded show area – the actual play took a few hours simply because it turned out neither side could get a knock out and the attrition took some time to play out with both sides in with a shout of victory until the final turn. I compounded poor decision making with poor dice throwing in the early stages – nothing new there! It was a good game in my book (for multiplayers) as there were no early disinterested observers.

Thanks to the guys at Lance & Longbow Society for another great game.

By the time the game ended I needed some food and after that it was early afternoon – the show was now emptying out after seemingly very crowded. I wandered round the trade stands and detected satisfaction – maybe buyers had been out in sufficient force?

There were participation games The Balkan Wargamer highlighted some and the Lake Priepus game looked enticing. On the other hand I was now in buying mode. Actually I only bought some 1/72 figures at the, by then, deserted bring and buy.

One company did catch my eye and given I am not into 28mm that was interesting. Black Scorpion Miniatures had a small but effective stand showing their range of 3D printed miniatures.

If I was to enter the 3D market in 28mm I think this sort of figure type might entice me. The detail clearly repays careful painting.

Thats it for VAP 2023 and I had a great time playing a game but found little to tempt my wallet on this occasion.