As you guys may remember, my local GW store closed down. However, after transitioning to the new store, I feel that it's more of a magic/Warmachine haven than anything else. even worse off, pick-up gaming seems to be a thing of the past. While it wasn't always certain I'd always be able to find a game at the old GW store whenever I dropped by, there's now a very low chance that I'll be able to fidn any sort of game to play. In January, I was able to find people willing to play Chaos in the Old World; however, now, I can't find anyone willing to play any sort of board game or Warhammer, for that matter.

Thus, I haven't felt motivated enough to go to the store just to find nobody willing to play a game, then drive back to my house again.

Of course, there is the idea of planning ahead. However, though I have been able to plan ahead a few games here and there, my schedule is too hectic for me to be able to reliably get consistent gaming in. Another part of it is that my schedule has been exceptionally busy lately, so this may just be the worst of it.

Of course, I also attempted to create a BFG league in order to get something loose going, but this has so far failed spectacularly. I would join the Warhammer leagues, but they are too strict on time and fall on week-days, which I rarely get off.

Thus, I cannot remember the last time I played a game. I think mid-February. I suppose something that has been filling in a little of that time is following the British general elections.

Any suggestions, experiences, or ideas to share?

You have been overcome by events. It happens to all of us. It is not a bad thing.

However, if you still enjoy gaming, keep the door of possibilities open and don't turn away. Put your number up for casual gaming in the local store (even if it is a 'haven for other games'). I am sure there are at least a few other locals out there that want to play too, but are seeing the same thing you see. Be ready to host games at your place-have a table and some decent (no need to be fancy) terrain.

I think most of all remember *why* you game. Do that and the rest will be ok I imagine.

Best of luck to you,

GNOME

If the store has a bulletin board or an online forum, you could post requests for games, on days that you are sure you are off. At least save some driving time.

You could also try Combat Patrol games, 400 pts, a lot easier to work in to time constraints.

Dex -- I've been staying 'in the hobby' by going to weekend tournaments, about one a month over the past year. I don't have the time to game on weekdays, so instead I hang out and do my gaming in more 'structured' settings. It's not optimal, but it's still worth the time/energy of preparing for tournaments, and traveling to them, at least for me.

Sometimes the gap between my games is half a year or more. The time away is good in a way, since too much of anything gets boring after a while.

I went through much the same thing when I first got to California and imagine that I'll go through something similiar here in VA. I was able to get through it mainly by painting, reading 40k/WFB books, WD, etc. I also tried some other games I hadn't thought to try before. I also got heavily into Warmachine which I like and started playing that almost exclusively. I still paint eldar & skaven stuff not and again, but I haven't gotten entirely out of the hobby, just let it sit a bit. So try to find something elese about the hobby and pursue that or try something else entirely for a bit until you can figure out how to get more 40K in.
Mugu

Other new-fangled tech options:

Start a facebook group for a local gaming "club" and see if you can find locals that way to play with.

Create a forum/site for local gaming. I used to have a local yahoo group for my area or you could try a free forum to set something up.