Janne Kaitila reflects on lifelong passion for miniatures and gaming in Finland

During Easter, young Janne Kaitila unwraps a chocolate egg, revealing both light and dark chocolate inside. However, there’s more excitement concealed within the packaging. A yellow plastic shell snaps open, revealing a hand-painted turtle. “I need more of these,” he exclaims.

Janne, now 42, reflects that his passion for collecting miniatures likely ignited from the surprises found in chocolate eggs and the board game HeroQuest, which he discovered through friends. He yearned to arrange turtles and miniature game characters in lines and wanted to acquire more.

Soon after, plastic soldiers and model airplane kits came into the picture, leading to his first clumsy painting attempts. He first encountered Warhammer when he was around ten years old while looking at a friend’s gaming magazine showcasing beautifully painted armies. The desire to play Warhammer consumed him about five years later, when he was around 15.

Warhammer, created by the British company Games Workshop, is a miniature-based strategy game played with plastic figures that players assemble and paint. It encompasses various settings, including the fantasy world of Warhammer Fantasy Battle, first released in 1983, and the science fiction realm of Warhammer 40K, introduced in 1987.

Janne, a passionate gamer, shares that games have been a constant joy in his life, with cherished childhood memories tied to late-night gaming sessions with friends. He currently works as an office manager for a mobile game development company and plays a multitude of games, including video games and card games.

While Janne enjoys all aspects of gaming, miniatures hold a special place in his heart, particularly Warhammer Age of Sigmar. He has invested a significant amount of time and money into his collection, estimating over 1,400 Warhammer miniatures, with 550 painted. Despite the hours spent, Janne expresses no regrets; the joy and entertainment they bring him make it worthwhile.