WHFB is dead. Valuable tips on dealing with it from the realms of Psychology
Slaanesh is dead. The Old World is dead. Stormcast Archers on the Horizon:
Harbringers of more destruction of what we loved?
Like any loss, the loss of the Warhammer World and 8th Ed as we loved it, has evoked a significant emotional response. I believe some players have actually rampaged through Warhammer world.
So I turned to Psychology 101 for the answers: So this is what is happening to us at a psychological level:
The 5 Steps of Grief:
1. Denial and Isolation
The first reaction to learning of the death of a cherished loved one is to deny the reality of the situation. It is a normal reaction to rationalize overwhelming emotions. It is a defense mechanism that buffers the immediate shock. We block out the words and hide from the facts. This is a temporary response that carries us through the first wave of pain.This has been happening since the End Times broke, and accelerated once we learned that there will be no 9th Ed.
2. Anger
As the masking effects of denial and isolation begin to wear, reality and its pain re-emerge.
We are not ready. The intense emotion is deflected from our vulnerable core, redirected and expressed instead as anger.
The anger may be aimed at inanimate objects, complete strangers, friends or family. Anger may be directed at our dying or deceased loved one. Emotionally we may resent the person for causing us pain or for leaving us (Or the ones that caused their death) We feel guilty for being angry, and this makes us even more angry.
Remember, grieving is a personal process that has no time limit, nor one “right” way to do it.
3. Bargaining
The normal reaction to feelings of helplessness and vulnerability is often a need to regain control–
If only we had seen this coming…
If only we had not invested as much time and effort into our armies the are now useless/nerfed...
If only GW had actually listened to its player base…
Lets draw up our own ruleset to survive this/Move to KoW/Keep playing 8th Ed/Modify AoS to suit our needs...
4. Depression
Two types of depression are associated with mourning. The first one is a reaction to practical implications relating to the loss. Sadness and regret predominate this type of depression.
We worry about the costs and waste.
We worry that, in our grief, we have spent less time with others that depend on us.
The second type of depression is more subtle and, in a sense, perhaps more private.
It is our quiet preparation to separate and to bid our loved one farewell.
5. Acceptance
Reaching this stage of mourning is a gift not afforded to everyone.
Death may be sudden and unexpected or we may never see beyond our anger or denial.
It is not necessarily a mark of bravery to resist the inevitable and to deny ourselves the opportunity to make our peace.
This phase is marked by withdrawal and calm.
(Think I may there now)
NB:
This is not a period of happiness; and it must also be distinguished from depression.
Loved ones
(Read GW-WHBF) that are terminally ill appear to go through a final period of withdrawal. (Has this been going on for the last decade?)
This is by no means a suggestion that they are aware of their own impending death or such, only that decline may be sufficient to produce a similar response.
Their behavior implies that it is natural to reach a stage at which social interaction is limited.
The unfortunate thing here is that this has become way of life for GW.
Coping with loss is a ultimately a personal and singular experience - nobody can help you go through it more easily or understand all the emotions that you’re going through. But others can be there for you and help you through this process. The best thing you can do is to allow yourself to feel the grief as it comes over you. Resisting it only will prolong the natural process of healing.
So our outpouring of grief and rage over the loss of a GW Supported 8th Ed with nothing substantial (or acceptable) to replace it has caused a significant grief reaction in the WHFB community. Like the death of a loved one, it also cannot be undone.
Alea iacta est - attr to Julius Caesar on January 10, 49 BC - crossing the River Rubicon with his army - The Die is Cast. GW has taken a gamble on AoS. Will it work? Only time will tell.
So where to from here ?
We have an internal conflict on our hands.
Again the rule of 5.
5 Ways to resolve conflict:
1. Avoidance – People who use the avoidance technique withdraw and detach themselves from the issue. They do not want to assert their own perspectives nor do they want to help others resolve the situation. They just want to “mind their own business.”
- Lets just continue playing 8th Ed
- Rage Quit and move to something else
2. Accommodating – When a person uses this technique, they may do so in order to avoid conflict, (or is powerless to affect the outcome of a conflict), and gives the other person what they want. A person who uses this style often gives in to others to avoid disagreements, and they may give in to others to the extent that they compromise themselves.
- Ok, lets play AoS there must be something good in it
3. Competing – When someone competes, their only interest is to resolve the conflict their way, rather than clarifying or addressing the issue. They have no interest in the well being or satisfaction of others, they just want to be right or ok
- Lets switch to KoW or some other set of rules
4. Compromising – Compromising is a mutual give-and-take. It is often used when both parties are willing to concede and make concessions. Compromise is a good strategy for when the parties want to resolve the issue quickly.
- OK, lets adapt the rules to suit our needs, or
- Lets hope GW may in future realise the magnitude of the mistake of alienating their veteran players, and fix it
5. Collaborating – Collaborating is when the parties work together with the goal of resolving the conflict to everyone’s complete satisfaction. The parties approach the situation with a solution-oriented, “team” approach. This approach also results in “buy in” and a higher level of commitment.
- Unlikely any collaborative approach will come from this conflict at present
