‘Lead belt’ leaders play central role in wargaming industry
EVER wondered what all the hype around the wargaming industry was about?
A new – in fact “first ever”, according to its director – documentary feature film on the industry is released in the UK today, and it features some local faces.
Rick Priestley, former designer at Nottingham-based Games Workshop, is among those giving their take on the table-top gaming business in Miniature Wargaming The Movie – and he’s not alone when it comes to local connections spilling on beans on the billion-dollar industry.
Nottingham and the region is at the heart of this hobby. In fact, the phrase “lead belt” has been coined for the area because of the number of wargame manufactures based here.
Joseph Piddington, director of the film, said: “Nottingham is known as the lead belt inside the industry for very good reason, with the growth of Games Workshop in recent years and the huge success of other Nottingham-based companies like Warlord Games, Perry Miniatures and Mantic Games.
“It has become a melting pot for new and exciting miniature companies to flourish, making this beloved hobby more popular than ever before.
“The film features exclusive interviews with locals, such as Rick Priestley (creator of Warhammer Fantasy Battle and Warhammer 40,000 ), games designer Alessio Cavatore (writer of The Lord Of Yhe Rings Strategy Battle Game), legendary sculptors Alan and Michael Perry, and game manufacturers Warlord Games and Mantic Games, plus many more.”
The success of Games Workshop, in Lenton, has been tremendous, but as Joseph says: “The general public still don’t really know what wargaming is.
“Wargaming is not just ‘heroin for middleclass nerds’ (as the Guardian have put it). It has helped war veterans adjust to civilian life and people with mental health conditions find new meaning.
“It also has brought joy into many lives of those avid followers.”
He added: “Miniature Wargaming The Movie dives into the heart of the wargaming industry and reveals the impact it has on people’s lives.”
The film follows four individuals and the impact wargaming has on them: Andy Bryant, a British war veteran, Chris Nicholls, who is fighting to save his small business and secure his family’s future, and two young gamers – Matt and Adam – travelling across Europe to follow their dream of competing in an international tournament.
Miniature Wargaming The Movie is due to be released in the UK today, on Sky Store with a future release on Amazon Prime (date to be confirmed). It is also available in North America on multiple platforms including, Apple TV, Amazon Prime and Google Play Store.