Anthem Games: Card and Board Game Fun on a Budget

I recently had a chance to interview James Caudill, owner of Anthem Games (5305 Ehrlich Road, Suite 13, Tampa, FL 33625, (813) 333-5386) to discuss his boardgame and card game store and how he’s bringing a bit of low-cost fun to Tampa. He puts together programs and organized events that give local enthusiasts something to do while meeting up with others who enjoy these games.

1. With the economy taking a freefall, lots of people are looking for things to do that are low cost and still fun. How much does it cost to have fun in your facility?

It ranges from free board game nights on Tuesdays and Thursdays, to $5-12 Magic tournaments, all the way up to building a new Warhammer army, which could cost a couple hundred dollars. I think hobby gaming offers something to people with every budget.

2. Obviously there’s some startup costs to being involved in these games. What’s the minimum cost a person might have in getting started? What if they become more advanced?
A role-playing game, such as Dungeons and Dragons is pretty clear. The price is on the box or the book. D&D can scale up a bit with miniatures and tiles for the Dungeon Master, but for players it’s just a book and maybe a miniature if they choose. Board games have the price on the box, so they are clearly priced. Magic is one that can really scale, since it’s a collectible card game. I know casual players who spend very little on the game and play a lot, but I know some very competitive players who spend much more on it – it really scales to the player. Warhammer is another one, but the price of admission is higher. The upkeep is really optional. I know some people who played the same army with few additions for a decade. Then I know some folks who buy a new model or two every month.

3. Do you hold regular events and touranments?
That’s a primary part of what we do. A full calendar is available at anthem-games.com. We have 3 different kinds of Magic tournaments, 3 kinds of Warhammer tourneys, 2 board games, open play events, and special events for new games.

4. There’s a strong connotations that only nerds and the socially inept play role playing and fantasy card games. Is this stereotype true? What kinds of people play these games?
I find that stereotype useful. It keeps out those who would not mesh well into the community. I don’t see an increased percentage of difficult people in this setting. For my own time, I find it lower, in fact. I have met all kinds of people in game stores: lawyers, brilliant recluse computer programmers, socially gifted gabsters, tragically hip scenesters – the thing these people all had in common was big imagination and a passion for problem-solving.

5. How long have you been in business and how did you get started?
We’ve been here for over a year now and growing strong. We got started with a small savings and a lot of work!

6. Are there any games coming out in the next year that you’re excited about?
There are games coming out nearly every week that I get excited about! This is a growing industry that hasn’t hit mainstream yet. Like video games, it has been around since the 70s. Unlike video games, hobby gaming has been fiercely defended by those who care about it. Video gaming has sold out. It’s the new TV. There are still quality video games being made, but they are the signal in the noise, like good film. Hobby gaming has a much higher signal-to-noise ratio, in my opinion.

7. What games do you personally play and why do you play them?
I haven’t played D&D in years, but that is where it started for me. My brother got the AD&D starter for Christmas in 1982 and we dove right in, checking out books from the library to complete our imaginary worlds. That went on for years and included many friends. It was a great escape that was powered on paper and imagination. My brother told me about a hot new card game when he was an avionicist on the flight line in 1994. I had not yet joined the Air Force, so I had plenty of time to try this cool new trype of card game called “Magic: The Gathering”. That was the beginning of what has been almost two decades of a hobby I love. Magic is hands-down, one of the best games ever made, which is constantly improving. Mensa agrees that it is one of the best. It is fun for a casual player and will challenge even the strongest minds.

I’ve long played games like Settlers of Catan and other hobby board games, most of which I found out about from other MAgic players. They make a nice break from intense strategy, or offer a twist on it. They range more greatly in design and complexity than any other genre. I’d recommend talking to Russell for more board game info that I could possibly provide. Here’s his meetup: http://www.meetup.com/TampaSWEEP/

Last year, I picked up Warhammer Fantasy as a strategy game that would let me get back to art. I’ve painted a handful of miniatures when time allowed and found it to be a very fulfilling hobby. You can create an army of your own design, paint them, and play against other generals in one of the oldest hobby games. Since 1983, this British import has been a cult classic. Warhammer 40k has since eclipsed it in popularity, but we support that equally well!

8. If someone wants to learn more about the games you play before they come out, where should they look and who should they talk to?
Folks can always ask questions of our strong forum community at anthem-games.com. They should do what makes them most comfortable. Google is a great resource for any key terms seen here. Wizards of the Coast makes Magic and D&D. Their site is www.wizards.com. Games Workshop’s Warhammer games and others can be perused at games-workshop.com.

9. Other than play board and card games, what other activities go on at your facility?
There’s a small amount of video gaming and internet usage, but it’s really about face time here. You don’t need to leave the house to plug in. I think people are turning away from it, to some degree and looking for new ways to interact with other people in the classic sense.

10. Where do you see the future of games being? More online games? More advanced board games? Something else?
Someone will make it, as long as there is a market for it. I think all will continue to develop and while they aren’t adversarial, one only has so much time. I still play some video games, but I find it much less fulfilling in comparison and usually feel like I just watched TV and turned my brain off. I feel more engaged and mentally active when I’m playing a new board game with friends, dueling another planeswalker in an epic Magic battle, commanding my Bretonnian knights against a Warhammer general across the table, or dreaming up whole new worlds in a D&D campaign. To each his own!

Uncategorized card games