The force is with them

HAYDEN — With two folding tables, four game maps and a fertile imagination, Kirk Knight has created a miniature battlefield.

It’s sitting in the middle of the room at GameMasters in Hayden (5624 N. Government Way), on display for all to see. There’s rebels and storm troopers, AT-ATs, gun turrets and snow-covered terrain. Darth Vader leads one army; Luke Skywalker another.

Star Wars fans instantly recognize the scene: the ice planet Hoth, made famous by the movie The Empire Strikes Back. Kirk’s battlefield is a detailed game board, and on Saturday, Jan. 22, gamers of all ages will join forces for a Star Wars battle of their own.

The event is free to the public, and will run from 1 to 4 p.m.

“It’s really fun — a strategy-based game,” said the 15-year-old Kirk, part-owner of GameMasters. “And they’ll be able to play characters like Luke, Han Solo, Darth Vader ... all the iconic characters from the movie.”

Star Wars Miniatures is the game’s official name. Players roll dice, read cards, and position their mini figurines on model landscapes. Individual characters have certain powers, Kirk explained — for instance, Luke, being a Jedi, can use the Force at will.

The winner is declared when one side is wiped out.

“I thought it was a great idea. The Star Wars game is a great game,” said Logan Knight, Kirk’s father, another co-owner of GameMasters. “It involves strategy, and it’s fun. We’ve had it set up in the shop for about a week. And it’s definitely sparked some interest just (from people) walking by.”

Kirk thought up the idea and put his plan into action. He wanted a free event that appealed to neighborhood kids, and the Star Wars game fit the bill — the board is quite large, and can accommodate up to 16 players at a time.

“This way (participants) can come hang out with other kids, and get some good interaction with the community,” Kirk said. “I love kids, so ... hang out with ‘em all day long. Each kid is going to have their own squad, of either rebels or storm troopers.”

Sticking to the movie’s plot line, the mini rebels are outnumbered and out-gunned. They have no AT-ATs (the Empire’s big walking tanks) or any other mobile machinery. However, the rebels do have a strong defensive position — with a gun turret on each flank — and two bold heroes to lead them: the dashing Han Solo and Jedi-fueled Luke.

So, with that in mind, it could be anyone’s game. And while strategy certainly counts, Star Wars Miniatures also requires dice. There’s luck involved, Logan explained. A battle is very unpredictable.

“You play the game, and you can have a good knowledge of the game, and still lose,” he said.

The battle is a social experience for players, he added, and offers much more activity than a video game.

“That’s one of the (good) things about both the card games and mini games: You’re not on a computer, talking to somebody in France, killing zombies,” Logan said. “It’s totally different. A lot more interaction with people. And we’ve got lots of games like that (at GameMasters).

Participating youngsters should be old enough to read the cards, Kirk said. Adults are welcome to play, too. He plans to host a Star Wars event, featuring different battles from the movies, every Saturday at the same time for the next several weeks.

The inaugural game will most likely have a couple of surprise visitors, Kirk said. A real-life scout trooper might be on hand, dressed in full Star Wars regalia. And a wily Tusken raider could make an appearance as well.

No prior experience is necessary. Just show up and start playing.

“I want more kids to come in, and be able to hang out for fun, and just play all day,” Kirk said. “I’m really excited about it. I hope we get a good turnout.”