I’m not a big fan of AI, but I didn’t want to miss out. A few months back, I decided to give it a try.
I still felt skeptical. AI can be inaccurate, so I avoid using it for serious things. But I was looking for the right moment.
That moment came when I felt nostalgic about a hobby I had set aside: Warhammer 40,000. I loved building and painting models back in my teenage years. Over time, I put together a few armies and played some games. But university took me away from the hobby, and I even sold my last models during a move. I thought I had moved on for good.
Years passed, and my interest in plastic models grew stronger. I was drawn back into a universe that felt foreign. I had painted a few miniatures but hesitated to dive deeper.
Much has changed since I left. My favorite Tau army now has an apostrophe in its name, and the robo-skeletons I once knew now have a complex backstory involving ancient opera.
As the release for the new Warhammer 40,000 edition kicked off, I felt this was my chance to jump back in. I wanted to gather more specific knowledge, and using Gemini, Google’s AI chatbot, seemed like a good plan.
I started with a simple question. I knew the 11th Edition launch box would come with two armies, and I was eager to expand them. Any seasoned Warhammer player might look down on my need for suggestions, but my grasp of strategy was never strong.
Gemini offered great suggestions. It pointed me towards a Redemptor Dreadnought for my Space Marines and a Wartrukk for my Orks. What impressed me was how Gemini explained why each choice made sense. I realized I was learning too!
The conversation didn’t stop there. Gemini would ask follow-up questions, keeping the dialogue flowing.
When I expressed uncertainty about which Space Marine Chapter to choose, I shared my interest in the Imperial Fists. They had a solid defensive strategy, but I worried that they might be a bit boring. Gemini suggested the Crimson Fists, a chapter with a similar combat style and a fascinating history, particularly with Orks.
Then came a striking metaphor: “While Imperial Fists like to build a wall out of concrete, Crimson Fists build a wall out of lead.” That sold me.
As our chats continued, Gemini guided me to books about my chosen Chapter, helped me plan a tank conversion, and taught me how to use magnets for weapon swaps.
But I’m left with a strange feeling. Chatting with an AI is odd. It’s like talking to the most positive friend ever. Everything you say is valued. You control the conversation, and it feels safe. Yet, this is a bit concerning.
There’s growing concern about AI addiction. Reports show incidents where users lose touch with reality due to too much interaction with chatbots. I can understand why this might happen, especially since chatting with AI can feel so affirming.
It’s nice to have someone—or something—validate your ideas and make you feel interesting. But human relationships work differently. It sometimes feels like I am a master speaking to a servant, which feels unsettling.
Despite Gemini’s helpfulness, I think I’d prefer a bit more honesty. Still, it does whip up a pretty impressive Blippi Battlewagon!
In today’s fast-paced world, technology is everywhere, even in hobbies. This blend of nostalgia and modern tools speaks volumes about how we adapt to change. For me, returning to Warhammer with AI help has reignited a passion I thought I’d left behind. It’s a wild ride through nostalgia, strategy, and a touch of futuristic assistance.
Overall, engaging with AI is a double-edged sword. It can enhance our hobbies and learning but also prompts us to consider our relationship with technology.
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