2022
Meriläinen, Mikko; Heljakka, Katriina; Stenros, Jaakko
Lead Fantasies: The Making, Meaning and Materiality of Miniatures Book Section
In: Germaine, Chloe; Wake, Paul (Ed.): Material Game Studies: A Philosophy of Analogue Play, pp. 83-101, Bloomsbury Academic, 2022, ISBN: 9781350202719.
Links | Tags: Game studies, Gaming, Materiality, Miniature figures, Miniaturing
@incollection{Meriläinen2022g,
title = {Lead Fantasies: The Making, Meaning and Materiality of Miniatures},
author = {Mikko Meriläinen and Katriina Heljakka and Jaakko Stenros},
editor = {Chloe Germaine and Paul Wake},
url = {https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:tuni-202301301831
https://trepo.tuni.fi/bitstream/handle/10024/149420/leadfantasies.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/material-game-studies-9781350202719/},
isbn = {9781350202719},
year = {2022},
date = {2022-12-01},
urldate = {2022-12-01},
booktitle = {Material Game Studies: A Philosophy of Analogue Play},
pages = {83-101},
publisher = {Bloomsbury Academic},
keywords = {Game studies, Gaming, Materiality, Miniature figures, Miniaturing},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {incollection}
}
Meriläinen, Mikko; Stenros, Jaakko; Heljakka, Katriina
The Pile of Shame: The Personal and Social Sustainability of Collecting and Hoarding Miniatures Book Section
In: Muthu, Subramanian Senthilkannan (Ed.): Toys and Sustainability, pp. 57-77, Springer, 2022, ISBN: 978-981-16-9672-5.
Abstract | Links | Tags: Adult play, Collecting, Consumer behaviour, Hoarding, Miniaturing, Wargaming, Warhammer
@incollection{Meriläinen2022,
title = {The Pile of Shame: The Personal and Social Sustainability of Collecting and Hoarding Miniatures},
author = {Mikko Meriläinen and Jaakko Stenros and Katriina Heljakka},
editor = {Subramanian Senthilkannan Muthu},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-9673-2_4},
isbn = {978-981-16-9672-5},
year = {2022},
date = {2022-02-18},
booktitle = {Toys and Sustainability},
pages = {57-77},
publisher = {Springer},
abstract = {Collecting is a major part of the miniaturing pastime, in which enthusiasts collect, paint, and play games with small historical and fantasy wargaming and role-playing figurines. Miniaturists often have large collections of miniatures, and many buy more miniatures than they have time to paint. This quantity of unpainted miniatures is often referred to as a pile of shame. In this chapter, we explore the collecting of miniatures and the pile of shame phenomenon through a thematic analysis of qualitative survey data (N = 127). Our analysis suggests that an amassed collection of miniatures poses both practical and existential potential and challenges and may be both beneficial and detrimental to personal sustainability. Although the concept of a pile of shame is typically a shared source of humour, it is also a relevant part of the miniaturing pastime, and an important aspect of how miniaturists curate and view their collection.},
keywords = {Adult play, Collecting, Consumer behaviour, Hoarding, Miniaturing, Wargaming, Warhammer},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {incollection}
}
Collecting is a major part of the miniaturing pastime, in which enthusiasts collect, paint, and play games with small historical and fantasy wargaming and role-playing figurines. Miniaturists often have large collections of miniatures, and many buy more miniatures than they have time to paint. This quantity of unpainted miniatures is often referred to as a pile of shame. In this chapter, we explore the collecting of miniatures and the pile of shame phenomenon through a thematic analysis of qualitative survey data (N = 127). Our analysis suggests that an amassed collection of miniatures poses both practical and existential potential and challenges and may be both beneficial and detrimental to personal sustainability. Although the concept of a pile of shame is typically a shared source of humour, it is also a relevant part of the miniaturing pastime, and an important aspect of how miniaturists curate and view their collection.
2020
Meriläinen, Mikko; Stenros, Jaakko; Heljakka, Katriina
More Than Wargaming: Exploring the Miniaturing Pastime Journal Article
In: Simulation & Gaming, 2020, ISSN: 1046-8781.
Abstract | Links | Tags: Crafting, Miniaturing, Role-play, Toy play, Wargaming, Warhammer
@article{Meriläinen2020,
title = {More Than Wargaming: Exploring the Miniaturing Pastime},
author = {Mikko Meriläinen and Jaakko Stenros and Katriina Heljakka},
url = {https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:tuni-202008316793},
doi = {10.1177/1046878120929052},
issn = {1046-8781},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-06-26},
journal = {Simulation & Gaming},
abstract = {Background. Miniaturing, or painting, collecting, and gaming with miniature wargaming figurines, is a popular, yet vastly underresearched subject. Previous research suggests a multitude of practices and ways of engaging with miniatures.
Aim. This qualitative study explores the various elements of miniaturing to both map the phenomenon and build a foundation for further research.
Method. Miniaturing is explored through a thematic analysis of 127 open-ended survey responses by adult Finnish miniature enthusiasts.
Results. Responses suggest a dual core to miniaturing, consisting of crafting and gaming. In addition to these core activities, storytelling, collecting, socializing and displaying and appreciating appear commonly, with considerable individual variation. The different elements are closely intertwined, based on individual preferences and resources.
Discussion. As a pastime, miniaturing occupies an interesting position with elements of crafting, toy play and gaming, and escapes easy situating. The considerable individual variation in enthusiasts’ preferences suggests a multitude of fruitful approaches in further research.},
keywords = {Crafting, Miniaturing, Role-play, Toy play, Wargaming, Warhammer},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Background. Miniaturing, or painting, collecting, and gaming with miniature wargaming figurines, is a popular, yet vastly underresearched subject. Previous research suggests a multitude of practices and ways of engaging with miniatures.
Aim. This qualitative study explores the various elements of miniaturing to both map the phenomenon and build a foundation for further research.
Method. Miniaturing is explored through a thematic analysis of 127 open-ended survey responses by adult Finnish miniature enthusiasts.
Results. Responses suggest a dual core to miniaturing, consisting of crafting and gaming. In addition to these core activities, storytelling, collecting, socializing and displaying and appreciating appear commonly, with considerable individual variation. The different elements are closely intertwined, based on individual preferences and resources.
Discussion. As a pastime, miniaturing occupies an interesting position with elements of crafting, toy play and gaming, and escapes easy situating. The considerable individual variation in enthusiasts’ preferences suggests a multitude of fruitful approaches in further research.
Aim. This qualitative study explores the various elements of miniaturing to both map the phenomenon and build a foundation for further research.
Method. Miniaturing is explored through a thematic analysis of 127 open-ended survey responses by adult Finnish miniature enthusiasts.
Results. Responses suggest a dual core to miniaturing, consisting of crafting and gaming. In addition to these core activities, storytelling, collecting, socializing and displaying and appreciating appear commonly, with considerable individual variation. The different elements are closely intertwined, based on individual preferences and resources.
Discussion. As a pastime, miniaturing occupies an interesting position with elements of crafting, toy play and gaming, and escapes easy situating. The considerable individual variation in enthusiasts’ preferences suggests a multitude of fruitful approaches in further research.