The global phenomenon that is Warhammer has grown over the decades from its origins as a niche hobby that started in the United Kingdom.
What began as a tabletop strategy game in the 1980s has become a sprawling franchise encompassing science fiction in the form of Warhammer 40,000, and the fantasy side that comes in the form of Warhammer: Age of Sigmar.
Players paint and construct armies of miniature soldiers, vehicles, and monsters with unpainted grey plastic or resin sprues to wage intricate battles on custom-built terrains, on a tabletop following lore-driven rules.
In addition to the thrill of strategic warfare, the artistry and craftsmanship of painting the miniatures have proven equally compelling as they enable players to blend a mix of artistry and storytelling, allowing players to craft narratives through paint schemes, battle scars and weathering techniques.
As the hobby spread globally, so too does Warhammer make its mark in Brunei Darussalam as a small but dedicated community has arisen that not only collects and paints these intricately detailed miniature figures but also participates in the tabletop skirmishes that are well known and associated with the hobby.
I was fortunate to meet with one of the community leaders and players of Warhammer Damian Wong, who also heads Mystics Miniatures in supplying the intricate Warhammer figures. He recalled how Warhammer has a long history in Brunei, dating back to before Damian’s involvement in the late 1990s. “Even back in the day, around the 1990s, Warhammer has been widely available in Brunei.”
From this, a small group of dedicated players have banded together to enjoy the tabletop Warhammer experience in Brunei and travel abroad to participate in Warhammer communities and games worldwide.
Damian noted that since then, many Warhammer players have come and gone; with Damian lending a hand in the Warhammer community in forming Mystic Miniatures in 2016 out of love for the hobby.
“It was around 2016 that I started operating (Mystic Miniatures) out of love (for the Warhammer hobby) because for me I have always loved Warhammer since childhood and wanted to see Warhammer flourish.” This love for the hobby stems from his first Warhammer experience in the form of the video game spin-off Warhammer 40,000 Dawn of War.
“At that time (when I first started in Warhammer), I did not know much about Warhammer, but as I delved into YouTube videos on the lore and how it played, I was curious to buy my first set.”
In creating a haven for Warhammer to flourish, Damian wants to encourage players both old and new to gain a better appreciation of the hobby, especially as Warhammer provides both depth and creative expression for the players to delve into.
While a whole separate story can be told about the tabletop simulated wargame for Warhammer, one aspect of the hobby is how players can uniquely express themselves in said simulated wargames through the miniature figures.
“Before we get to the tabletop gameplay, there is the building and painting process which starts as blank grey figures that are assembled from sprues based on a manual. From there, players have the choice of painting it according to the in-game lore or creating their own personalised and individual characters that are still based on the in-game lore.”
This creative range helps to establish Warhammer as a hobby of creativity and self-expression, as many of these miniature figures can be customised based on the player’s preferences which also reflects on the tabletop gameplay experience as long as it meets the requirement that the game dubs as Battle-Ready.
“Certain game modes in the tabletop can have an impact on the character’s stories, and that is reflected in the miniature figures. There are rules (in the Warhammer tabletop game) that state that you can upgrade your units based on how many battles they have won. Conversely, if they have fallen in battle, what are the subsequent results of their death? And so on. As such, there is a ton of personal attachments that players can get from these miniatures.”
In addition, these successes and losses reflect on the miniature figures themselves as battle wounds can be painted. The lore of Warhammer spans decades of media, from the original tabletop game to digital formats such as video games like the recently released Warhammer 40,000 Space Marine 2 which garner’s positive reception from the community as being faithful to the source material.
“While there are many media out there that depict stories in the Warhammer universe, it is just a small slice of the overall picture and how we experience and witness the other skirmishes and stories being told across the Warhammer universe through the tabletop game.”
While it may seem like a daunting challenge for new players to start in Warhammer with its in-depth lore and stories that have been evolving for decades, Damian noted that this can be overcome through this sheer variety of media available also serves as a jumping-off point for players.
“Because there are so many platforms and media surrounding the Warhammer series, you could say, be interested in the recent Warhammer 40,000 Space Marine 2 and be curious about their in-game lore and significance.”
He added “Fortunately, there are many websites and supplementary media to learn more about them. From YouTube video essays to the official Warhammer website, they are filled to the brim with information that can help lead players to better understand and appreciate the intricacy and history of the Warhammer series.”
Damian continued saying that many initiatives and efforts are made to support the Warhammer community in Brunei, with one such being Warhammer workshops that introduce new potential players to the hobby such as the techniques and skills to build and paint the figures at the start, and making use of the painted miniature figures to partake in tabletop skirmishes and battles.He also added that interested players can reach out to the Warhammer community through Mystic Miniatures and that Wild Magic at Kampong Serusop serves as one of the gathering locations where Warhammer games are played on a regular basis.
Though small in number, the Bruneian Warhammer community exemplifies the enduring appeal of the hobby, as players show their dedication to painting, storytelling and craftsmanship that keeps the spirit of Warhammer alive and thriving. – Daniel Lim
