How serious do you take airsoft?
 

I know that this is a black and white topic with airsoft players, but I was wondering how serious everyone takes airsoft on their own personal level.

I know that in my opinion, its just a sport and a way to have some fun. Personally I love to see teams come out with matching gear and stuff, but whats your guys opinions on teams having a chain of command, having practices and having a basic training before being able to enter a team?

I'm not trying to start an argument here, I just don't see the point behind it, in my opinion it just seems over the top and a "want to be" Military thing. The point of this thread though, is so I might get the opinions from people who are on a team like I'm describing, to shed some light on why you do have the things I mentioned, and why they are important. Once again, this is all my opinion on it and am not trying to bash anyone, I am open to new things, I just want to understand a bit better. Thanks ahead of time for your replies,


Neved4eyes

Ever hear of GMR, or Green Mountain Rangers? I'm pretty sure they have split up now, but back when they played they all had PVS 14's, Systema PTW's, and real deal gear. They also would go to a lot of National events and even went to Berget. Talk about expensive!

Search "Green Mountain Rangers" on youtube and you'll see how hardcore and serious they took airsoft.

I think you'll find that the majority of people on here are chairsofters.


Apart from that, there are plenty of organized teams in the provincial forums.

It's a game
 

but for some people that game involves authentic kit, matched to their team mates. Regular training, and the agreement to follow a chain of command.
this does not mean that they are "serious" it just means that they play the game differently.

for some people, digging in , sitting in a trench all night in swarming bugs and not seeing let alone shooting anything is a great night of "airsoft"

For others, not so much

I am of the same mind as you are Neved, but it is still fun to be a part of a team. Being involved with a like minded group that you consistently play with and enjoy their company is great. We get that out at London every two weeks, same group and we all enjoy the skirmishes etc. Have yet to hear a raised voice or a pissed off player. Same goes for the Waterdown field for the most part. Haven't been to any of the bigger games, but I intend to someday.

This is why I have been thinking of starting an informal team of like minded folks who just like to go have fun. Might still do it, never know the Deep Insertion Recon Team (D.I.R.T.) may just cause massive untold destruction (M.U.D.) someday in the future. Of course you will be invited buddy!!

I don't really have a problem with any level of serious or casual Airsoft.
I would definitely take part in some 'serious' events, and rag-tag skirmishes are fun too.
The only thing I do have a problem with is when people think that knowledge or 'skills' developed to play our game translate to reality in any way at all what-so-ever.
That makes me wince a bit.

yes it is

With Family and close friends its just an all out game for fun, no tight rules except for the safety. With strangers It's still a game for fun, but I'm there to win, and the gear and toys are cool ;)

Super cereal.

HAHAHA!!!!!!!!!! snot on my keyboard now :(

I'll take airsoft as seriously as my wallet will allow.

I'm super cereal about airsoft.

Serious ...

Serious enought to get involve in a group activity somebody worked weeks even months on and make my g7d d6am best to reach the objective that where set for OUR team.

Think social and work for victory without screwing up everone elses day by belly heaching because THIS is not how I would have done it...

Treat every game I play has if it were my last ... THAT SERIOUS

Cheers

I'm so serious I make Sportco look like a bro
if airsoft was a movie, I 'd be Chuck Norris
I own kneepads

Airsoft is srs bsns.

(You can obviously see my opinion. Having matching camo or gear or guns or all three are fine and great and I can see why people want to do that, it can be fun. But it's definitely not required)

I wear a titanium steel cup.

That's how I roll.

Airsoft is fucking serious.
I'm my first job. My day job is just to support my airsoft.

Warning, a little bit of a rant coming on!

Good topic right about now especially with this BC wide fps draft going around as of late. I run semi private games here in Mission both night and day games and if I have to adhere to all this nit picking ( not going into details ) 8 days before my scheduled mil/sim on Sept 18th I will freak,I'll run rogue and run my own show labeled as private and take as many players as want to jump on board with me. Don't get me wrong I will adhere to and obey any rules at any field I decide to play at,but I will not force MY players that sign up for my sim's to adhere to anything other than what I post up.

Ok much better now,no more Joe pesci flare ups.

The moto I post under my game sign ups is as such:

"My games are for the not f@@kn' around crew,if this is you sign up,if it's not stay home"

So yes I take my airsoft seriously.....

LOL excellent topic

I'm a competitive athlete, I wanna win, but it's still a game.
However I know of some people that think it's the army. Like, their airsoft gear includes a mess kit. Serious.

I dont.... Just here to have fun and buy to many guns......

The only thing which I take super seriously in airsoft, and will piss me off to no extent, is when the dead talk. I don't particularly care if you're a goofball, nooby, or dead serious milsimmer... shut the fuck up after you call hit. I have literally been in a room (behind a door that opens towards me) , at night, had an entry team come in, I kill them both, had them apologise to me (wtf?) then tell the next entry team where I was as they left.

Major Buzzkill.

On a side note, Im not quite sure how serious some people take training, but there are groups of likeminded individuals, and if you train, they will notice.

In my experience there are three grades of players:

Group 1 - the casual players for whom its just another game or weekend sport, the way some people will go play tennis or ride a bike or something: go play every once in a while for shits and giggles if the weather is nice and nothing else is planned;

Group 2 - the serious players, who see airsoft as a more serious hobby and will invest more money into good gear and higher end guns. Not unlike people involved in amateur league sports (but it's still just a game): will try to make it out to games regularly, might play on a team, will be much more serious about the game although they might be skirmishers as much as milsimmers;

Group 3 - players for whom airsoft is a lifestyle rather than just an occasional hobby or sport: as with any other lifestyle choice, a regular and significant portion of income is used to support it; guns and gear are important -- you don't see pro athletes using low end equipment or serious musicians playing Walmart guitars; many everyday friends are fellow airsofters (usually people who also have an airsoft lifestyle); involvement in the airsoft world is daily [some of us dedicating our free time to staff forums and such :p]; schedules are fitted around airsoft dates, moreso since many of people in this category are organizers (specially of major/serious events); they might be on a team (if they can find like-minded people) and will usually take the team very seriously; and they take the game very seriously, because it's a fundamental part of their lives -- and by extension dislike having it trashed by "tourists" who just come out to fuck around.


Obviously I'm part of Group 3.

I think, generally speaking, group 1 and 3 don't get along that well ("OMFG asshole elistists" vs. "Stupid noobs with clear guns")

If I was in BC, I'd wanna check out Six4's games.

I agree with Drake on the 3 groups.

I spending literaly all my money on gear because I love re-enacting.

If I'm killing my feet in leather Corcorans at everygame, I don't want to see someone next to me in Nike with jeans and a hoodie that "order" me to move forward because his clearsoft has "no fps therefore no range".

And I hate when the "dead" are standing because there is mud/sand/debris on the group.

I take airsoft as seriously as I can given that I play about once a month. I play to have a good time and learn something new about the games nuances. I prefer games with a historical theme. I enjoy games with a chain of command and kit requirements. Training events are useful.

In general, I find airsoft games to be similar to bedding a hot chick that farts after sex. It was a good time but some of the experience I could have done without.

Good point!

for me its 100% a game, but that doesn't mean it can't be serious ;)

My style of playing is just trying to have fun though. I mean I'm not a real soldier, and I don't pretend like I'm one, while I've seen people who really think of themselves as real soldiers...

I don't really care about them though, if they have some fun doing it, so be it! For me, I just try to play as strategic as I can, and thats all. no matter if I end the game at 20-5 or at 5-20, it doesn't matter as long as I had some fun. I play fair, I call my hits, and this is all that is importan to me... if the guy I shoot don't call their hits, I don't even care, it just gives me the opportunity to shoot at him again! lol.

yeah me too. I like to win. but in the end, its the team that has to win, not me. this is why I was saying that I don't care ending a game at 5-20... if we won, we won! but in the very end... we have fun doing it, so winning or loosing really makes no difference. We have a cool day with nice people, and that's priceless!

While I know what you're getting at, just because they are dressed to go to the mall, you shouldnt underestimate players who are poorly dressed, some of the most fierce guys I know roll jeans and a hoodie.

In fact, next nonmilsim I go to, Im going to roll jeans and hoodie and see how I get treated.

I just want to shoot people with limited consequences. Seriously.

What do you mean, "I get to play action hero" for the day and not sit around in front of the computer getting fat(ter)? sign me up.

It's a game period, I don't want to wear everyshit a real soldier wear on his vest but I like to look like one so my gear is expensive, but I don't have useless things like fake gps on my wrist or tourniquet etc. I also like to play with people well equipped like me because that fucking looks bad ass.

I like the realistic look of that game, otherwise I would be playing paintball to shoot on people.

In a milsim environement, with milsim minded people working togheter, I take all your fierse Nike and hoodie players and we will "kill" them in no time. Simply because they play alone and as if they where in COD. They might get kills on a paintball field. But on a "natural" field, against a coordoned team, they will perish.

And on the other hand, if it's a game with a dress code, when these goofballs show up in street cloths, they kinda ruin the mood of the game.
That's why they are looked down uppon.

As Drake said, I'm firmly in Group 3. I don't mind all the other groups, as long as they show up at the apropriate games style.
I think there should be a group 4. Wich is more extreme than group 3. Taking airsoft to it's limit as a trainning tool.

the 4th group are not players, Airsft guns do make effective training tools , and more and more professionals are recognizing the benefits of Force on Force training with airsoft guns.

It could be made of players that go unleach their trainning on the "regular" players. (o:

Group 2. I might not have time to play every game out there, but I make it to one game per month (I have a wife and kid). I might not have the best gear, but I did invest in a 2-channel radio, headset, sidearm, and such.

I also had fun making Visio stencils of NATO symbols, and making what-if scenarios for the next game we're going to have. When I finished that, I saw I spent an afternoon planning a game for which I was never told I was the CO for my team. And yet I had fun doing it nevertheless.

I realised, at that point, I might have left group 1 for group 2. I'll never get to group 3 for lack of time.

yeah.. I get what you are saying.. and yes that is true.

There are a number of "quiet professionals" in the game.. more than many people know.

I think the orginal intention of the thread was asking about personal attitudes towards airsoft. While the gear factor or gun factor can certainly attribute a cereal attitude, it does not make it a milestone.

We have seen and known far too many 'collectors' who just hang most of it off the wall, or retailers who simply do not attend games to actually play, or the classic 'for-the-love-of-god' geardo's who keep the economy out of recession with their constant buy and sell activities.

I think depending on life's circumstances, you can flow in and out of all of those groups at any given time.

Very true.. I know quite a lot of very "serious" players that are lucky to get out 3 or 4 times a year..

They would be out every weekend if they could.. but Wife, Kids, Job.. just don't permit it

Group 3.

Airsoft is a part of my life, I even imagine taking my un-born son to airsoft game in the future. I can lose my job, but I CAN'T LOSE AIRSOFT.

Cosplay with toy guns.

I learned a few years ago in a very dark time that all things in life when taken too seriously are detrimental to one's health. Whatever you do, just have fun doing it, it's not worth stressing out over things that you can't control, and when you try, it makes things worse.

Shit happens, deal with it and have fun regardless.

And of course... always look good when you're doing it. :P

+1!!!!! You only get one kick at the can, enjoy life to the fullest!!! As a firm Group 2 person I still like having all my gear match and would like to eventually either join up with or form a team just to have a consistent group of like minded folks I get along with to go out and have a good time at the fields.

You still can be a very serious player yet have a ton of fun doing it. I would not be playing, trainning and buying gear if I did not find it remotly fun.

i would love to be group 3 but lack of money is stopping me my girlfriend is really kool with it she even shot one of my friends with an m203 so if money wasn't a problem group 3 for sure

I liken the game to rock climbing, It's fun, good exercise and you get to socialize to some extent. The best part is that it's dangerous. I just started AS this summer and the gear is cool, expensive and a great sport. I think it's great people have teams and try to stay true to realistic uniforms and guns but I'm of the camp that if all the teams have a identical uniform, I'd buy that uniform and shoot you in the back. Go rebels! Real warfare is not fair nor uniform. We stay alive no matter what we're wearing. Great blog!!!

In the beginning of Hotbox I was playing in slippers, but thats only for "realism" and trying to blend in with "poor militia".

I take airsoft pretty seriously when I'm on the field. The equipment is of course limited by the size of your wallet, but proper mentality should be displayed by all.
I try to fully emerge into role I'm playing, be it a soldier or a farmer with a gun. So during the game I try to give it all, or whatever is required based on the theme, running around harassing/mocking the enemy and running away when they come back with force (like Libyan rebels) or guarding an empty hallway for 3 hours.

The most important aspect of the game is to follow the "game design". If you are playing a skirmish, you can fuck around, but if you signed up for a milsim play accordingly. I wouldnt mind playing a guy with a clearsoft (hopefully at least painted). But if a "super soldier" is trying to show off in a milsim and doesnt follow orders/game design that would piss me off a lot more.

Basically, Airsoft is a role playing game, just play your assigned role to the best of your ability/budget.

If it's a skirmish, maybe. If it's a more organized game, then it shows the same level of disrespect for the organizers and other players as if I showed up to a serious WW2 game with a fully RIS & Magpul'd out gun and full MOLLE gear, digital camo, etc.

In some cases, the scenario might call for it -- drug dealers, militias, etc. Otherwise its like showing up to a baseball game with a piece of 2x3 for a bat and a glove made of cardboard and duct tape.



I considered that, but I'm not sure I would consider that group actual "airsofters": they simply use it as a training tool (just as simunitions or MILES) and have little or no interest in it beyond that. They have their own unique lifestyle as LE/military/other operators which goes far beyond what we do in airsoft despite the emulation of it that occurs with group 3 people.



Also there some very serious players who only attend a handful of games per year by choice, the less formal skirmishes and such holding very little appeal to them.

I attended almost every game in the area last year (and a few elsewhere in the province) and honestly I wouldn't do it again: not that they were bad per se, but many of them just didn't do much for me and left me feeling like I could have safely stayed in bed that morning and not missed much.

Simply, I think as you elevate your own game you begin expecting more of the events you attend (and the players present).



I think its a mistake seeing "group 3" as being all about the gear and stuff. It really is first and foremost a mindset.

Exactly. Airsoft is limited to a persons time, budget, family ...ect. Our teams is on the serious side of things. We play every weekend, and go to every event we can. When a new player starts we guide him on what to buy, where to buy, and how to prioritize when on a budget. I personally don't care what style of airsoft someone plays. But at some point it becomes a different game entirely, with the same basic ideas. When you play competatively there are certain things you need to be effective. I.E. Gear at a certain grade, time, practice ...ect. I understand those that can't afford the time and money tondo this. However, you can't just take what you like and leave the rest. Don't bother coming to a serious milsim if your not a serious player. It changes what we all invest a lot of time and money to accomplish. How would you feel if someone showed up to your "casual" monthly games with a $2000 gun and high end tactical gear, and kept snot-rocking everyone. There are lines drawn in the sand, and like I mentioned before. One style of airsoft isn't the same sport even, as another. Live and let live, bit don't walk into someone elses sport and say "I want to be able to do things my way, and not put in the time, effort, money, and hard work you all put in to do this here."

There are multi platform events that are open to everyone though.

Nawh, thats just smart!

Good points, I do agree with the group three things. I put alot into my gear, but I still don't see reason behind the whole chain of command, organized practices and team based thing. Thats more what I was getting at.

Great post on your part. I think I'm on the same level as you, the fact that we stay alive no matter what we are wearing. Thats why I don't see the sense behind the huge preparation for games made by large organized teams. Thanks for the post!

I agree. When I come out all camouflaged up and have to play with a bunch of guys in jeans... it really gives you the "my team is totally going to loose" feeling!

Do you think airsoft is a reasonable training tool? I assume you are referring to military training. I could understand team involvement, a good way to practice communication in battle but we are talking about weapons that shoot nothing close to the real things. I would think that it might tamper with the sense of engagement if soldiers trained using airsoft because if real life your talking about 200-400 yards engagement rather then 200 feet as with airsoft. Are you personally involved with the military? If so, please let everyone in on how the training associated with airsoft works, and if my points are valid, or if they are not. Thanks for the great response!

Please have a look at my response to FOX, and let me know your thoughts on training with airsoft rifles. Thanks!!

Thats the thing too. People like me, being an 18 year old guy, with only a part time job and no family or full time job to attend to, I obviously have more time on my hands then most... the most important thing is to use the time you do have, and have a blast with it!!!! No matter what group your in!

well put. Thats why I'm trying to get all the airsoft in before a full time job, wife, and kids come into my life :lol:

Count me in!! LOL I swear this group classification is going to become a like minded way to classify airsoft players :lol:

lmao. Thats what I'm talking about. The mess kit thing. Is that really necessary???

Good job on those groups Drake!! xD Everyone is using them now. :D

Understanding a Command & Control (C&C) structure helps more in a milsim game than in skirmishes. Having a Chain of Command (CoC), and being able to maintain contact with those above and under you allows for coordination in the field. And in large game, coordination comes down to being able to send, receive, acknowledge, and execute your commands.

Also, being part of a team (and yes, I do realize that not everyone wants to be part of a team) allows for the team to establish their own SOPs, comm codes, and tactics, which leads to better overall team coordination and combat effectiveness.

In the end, though, it comes down to personal preference. So, if teams aren't your thing, then don't join one. However, others may prefer a team structure, and therefore, joining one makes sense TO THEM.

Neved4eyes, don't post like that, try to consolidate your posts in one with a multiquotes if you really need too.

For CQB engagement in building or in dense wooded erea, airsoft weapons mimic well what you can expect from a real weapon to a practical extent IMO. Sure the penetration is not comparable. But I beleive what is similar, is how you employ your weapon, how you comunicate, coordonate and react.

I guess the majority of the players behave like insurgents would in the real world. So, taking asside the marksmenship and longuer range engagement, Airsoft fill the need IMO. Maybe even better than MILES or Simunition.

well in CQB engagements are pretty much the same distances as in the real life

Any of the work that I have done regarding Professional training with Airsoft guns was for CQB.

airsoft guns are excellent tools for this purpose. their effective range is well within typical close quarters engagement ranges.

Even Simunitions is limited for range, and generally used for CQB training as well.

to get anything approaching effective range of real weapon training you pretty much are in to laser based systems .. and big dollars

Personally, this is why I much prefer playing in a CQB environment where the confines of the space is within the effective range of airsoft guns or playing at night where the enagagement range is reduced due to low light.

I don't really enjoy outdoor daylight games .. as I find it frustrating to have a clear line of sight on a person but be unable to effectively engage them.

I think I'm somewhere In between 2 and 3. While I may not be an older player that spends their entire income on airsoft, I've got high equipment that I take pride in. I like to play skirmishes and milsim, but am starting to transition to more milsim; running and gunning can only be fun for so long.

Also, It may not be fair to players, but I cannot stand when I come with my "Gucci" gear doing my best to simulate a soldier (In this case, russian. So I've got the tourniquet, Smersh, Gorka and all that real stuff.) and some guy who's been playing for a year or so asks me why I have useless stuff all over my gun, and he's standing in jeans and a mix-match of camo. I spend my money trying to create an environment for myself that feels like a soldier, and I find those types of people wreck it for me.

I myself have seen very few teams that think they are doing military training, but yup, they do exist. I do know teams that run training often, but in an airsoft capacity. Things like bounding, clearing rooms, ..ect. Basically team building exercises. And it shows. Organized and prepared means your team is going to be more effective at a milsim. Things like radios, hand signals, and the like can improve gameplay. For a lot of us it's more of a sport, than just a game.

Having fun is key, but people have different ideas of what's fun. And sometimes we point a player in a direction of a team that may be more fitting. "Casual" players are not necessarily bad at playing. Gear after all doesn't make a player after all. Experience, effort, and having the nak for it does. However there are certain definitive lines as to what your gear is will start making a big difference. Things like finely tuned guns, proper camouflage, night vision, and team based tactics will give players an extreme advantage.

Command structure does become necessary at a point. Teams that play strictly for fun may not find this useful. But depending on the type of team you have it will make a difference. That's not saying a strict "everyone had a rank" system is always the way to go. Everyone who is out there should be there for the team. We treat all of our players with respect, and work together to play the sport. We have a few that are command staff. Players with experience, that are well thought of by the players, and are concerned for the team as a whole. This way someone is on hand to make a decision if a dispute arises, and enforce safety rules, and sportsmanlike conduct. But we do work with all players to take charge in a game scenario.

I personally don't wear anything on my loadout that is strictly for look. All the power to the guys that carry useless equipment, or ballistic plates and things like that. We wear full tactical gear, but nothing that doesn't serve a purpose. We have had players that wanted to run the jeans and t-shirt combo, or wear things because they look cool. This is fine on our weekend skirmishes. But they usually don't hang around long. They are to easily seen, and constantly get ambushed. So we try to find them a group more their speed.

The bigger the game challenge, the more realism, and the tougher the competition is the way we like it. We have had fun at the whole "all are welcome, casual skirmishes". But we find the big multi objective, 24 hour, explosions, complicated mission, tactical milsims are the best. The problems players have is simply attending games, joining teams, or trying to fit into a play style that isn't their speed. I can't stand people who complain about things that don't suit them. If this is the case, then your in the wrong area.

Even things like FPS, equipment of your competitors, and getting slaughtered by better equipt more experienced teams have caused players to whine. Your simply a player that doesn't fit there. Look for players, teams, and games that suit you. Don't expect others to dumb it down, or vise versa. Everyone is allowed to have their own style, and expectations. We generally look at other teams like ours, and share or interact rules and ideas. This is our community, and that's yours.

The most important thing in airsoft is to have fun, respect all, and do our part to keep this sport looking good. It doesn't matter what sub category you fit into; 1, 2, 3, 4 whatever. Look for your "group", and make the best of it. Don't look down on others for their way. Or try to change or complain about others sport, or game style because you don't understand.

+100. I have played at the Brooks field, and it RULES! Also, the people I played with were some cool dudes. Can't wait for another milsim down there, definitely attending! Will also be better prepared next time. I would like to call myself a serious airsofter, but haven't been in the sport that long. I used to think to myself,"oh what an elitist." but then I played airsoft with the brooks team (Team SWAT) and realized that they were just very serious and dedicated. And now, I call myself an elitist lol.

Sorry about that!! I just figured out how to use the multiple quote thing after I read your post. Thanks for the heads up!

I like to think I'm in Group 3. I literally think about airsoft every hour of the day. My only qualms are that I live in bumf**k nowhere.

And it does kill the mood of a game when you see someone with a neon or clearsoft gun and a hoodie.

If airsoft had come along ten or twenty years sooner in my life, I'd definitely be a group 3 player. Being the oldest player in my local area means allowances for age have to be made, and group 2 is about where I'd slot in.

Of all the frustrations I feel in airsoft, the worst is the frustration of realizing I was born to be an infantry soldier. Playing airsoft made me realize that would've been my true calling.

I tend to take having a fun time in any recreational hobby or activity that i participate in, fairly seriously. This includes Airsoft.

I've only been in for a few games so far. I am doing this for fairly different reasons than most (i'm 99% sure on that) and as such realize that i am likely a 'handicap' upon whichever team that i may play on, as seriously as i might take the play, and as much as i try to respect the rules of the game.

Aside from an extended stint in cadets more than a 1/4 century ago, and a brief period in the reserves before i realized it wasn't for me, and more importantly i wasn't for them.. i don't have a military background, or a team oriented mindset. As such, at this time i do feel uncomfortable with donning field-correct military gear. It's just too close to being a wanna-be for me personally, to be potentially disrespecting the real-deal. As such, i am perfectly happy in running/hobbling about in my black BDU's for now, in the skirmish/scenarios at the local field events that i am going to. For now, i am also concentrating on building up my gear collection around this style of field dress - budgetary constraints require this, no matter how serious i'd like to think i am about Airsoft, I may comparatively stand out in a sea of CADPAT and MARPAT, but it isn't as informal as jeans and a hoodie, either. From wherever the rounds may be incoming from, the chances are that i'm going to get stitched.. it doesn't really matter what that person doing the stitching is wearing, to me.. it's all good.

Whatever any one else wants to do in respect to that equipment/realism/immersion aspect, go for it, whatever floats your boat - it all comes down to a personal choice and mindset. Perhaps my own personal mindset towards field correct realism will change, with more exposure to mil-sim scenario's, and the need to conform, in the future - only time will tell.

I am in it not only for the shooting and the strategy, I am also into it for getting outdoors, for the social aspect, the occasional adrenaline rush, and the opportunity for exercise in a varied environment. It's also a trip back in the past when i did similar woodsy things as a teenager .. mid-life crisis's can take many forms. Being able to lug about an 8 lb cool looking simulated carbine is just a bonus, to me.

I guess that throws me squarely into the middle between the hypothetical groups of 1 and 2. I haven't quite made the transition into group 2 yet. Whatever category that i may well fall into, i'm having enough fun that i plan to be around for a while, and that's what really counts in the end.

I've been playing in Italy for the past three years and it can get pretty serious over here in terms of impersonation. The team I play with are Royal Marine nuts. The head of the team is this old dude called "Grey" (although he's in damn good shape for his age!) and he's mad about getting authentic gear from all over the bloody place and sends the team eBay spam on deals he's found all the time LOL!

Personally though, I think I might be in group 2 but play like Im in 3. When I play, I play aggressively (Not to mean I beat on people:p) and to win. Im all for Milsim and its what personally like. Seeing a team work seamlessly together is a sight to behold and being part of team like that is... well.... to keep this PG, is pretty awesome.:cool:

However, it is a game and there is a line. What I do not like is when Airsofter's get cocky because they are veritable info-sponges and can quote text and verse weapons characteristics, the type of weave Navy Seals use on their fast ropes or what company makes the issued underwear for the USMC.

That shits annoying as hell. LOL! :rolleyes:

Though through different circumstances and life timelines, I would have to agree with HackD.

I would love to enjoy the same level of play as Group 4, but the game never becomes more than a game. I don't ever want it to be more than a game.

I played Football and loved it. I would absolutely thrive in an Airsoft team that
approached our game with the same level of intensity and drive as in sport.
I worry, however, that as partakers in a protected niche activity that sometimes we look for like-minded individuals down to the laces when selecting team-mates and competitors before recognizing that as Airsoft enthusiasts we are all like-minded.

Milsim is Milsim and casual is casual and ne'er the two shall meet.

Well I think that's horseshit.
I see lots of threads about politics and who's gear is better and what combination thereof deserves respect.
I see threads about cheating and field decorum and go out to games and see players expecting the worst out of each-other.

Serious or not, I think the community needs a shakeup.
I played years of Paintball. By fortune and character I managed to be picked up by a 'Country Club' of sorts, comprised of dedicated and experienced individuals (most of whome were at least 10 years older than me at the time).
They could find few decent adults to play with because their sport had branched into supporting the lowest common denominator over the concerned veteran, in favor of profits.

Does Airsoft want to become Paintball?
As far as I can tell, absolutely not.
But it is, and it will, as long as community leaders retain a policy of prejudice and isolationism.
Whether it seems like fun or not, the de-facto Patriarchs of Airsoft have to step up and advertise their way of play or they will lose control of the majority.
They have to be open and accommodating or there will be no base to draw from.

Groups 4 and 3 will die if they do not have a positive place and presence in 1 and 2.

I take it as seriously as I do any other hobby... and it is just that, a hobby. It is a game. I do not consider it anything more than a game, however you will find some here that live and die by the 'bb'.

So how serious do I take it? Well... just ask anyone about the 'Great Aquamarine Cock-Cannon'...

LOL! I don't even want to know bro!

Airsoft is a game where grownups play dress up and shoot each other with glorified BB guns.

I think that's basically the best indication of how willing I am to take this shit seriously.

Not saying I am going to screw around in a big milsim where we're trying to take an objective or fuck with safety or rules, but I'm never going to take playing airsoft seriously. It's a game. I do it for fun.

By the way...

If you're that worried that someone else isn't dressed as well as you out there, then I suggest you go strap on a pair of high heels and a sequined satin drag queen dress and sashay your ass off the field. It's a game where you can shoot your friends, not Jersey Shore night at your local douchebag meat market.

I take it VERY seriously
 

I have to.

I run an Indoor playing Facility, I have to provide a safe and enjoyable experience to people who are paying me.

I Host games.. sometimes with over 100 players, and again I have to provide a safe and enjoyable experience to people who are paying me.

I provide training support to people who may very well end up in harms way.

for me.. it is not a game, it is not a Hobby. It is a endeavor that if not handled correctly could result in untold financial loss and hardship.

Frankly.. It's just a serious as any other aspect of my life.

Well, I have read the whole thread. It seems to me the term "serious" has some definition problems. Some seem to be taking the term to mean you feel you are a soldier, some seem to be taking it to mean you are on a sport team. I think the "hardcore" teams who train, coordinate gear and such, are just the difference between beer league softball and competitive softball.

Taking pride in a sport and trying to improve teamwork and coordination in order to win. My budget puts me between two and three. I want to have fun, am having fun. If I wanted to be a soldier I would have signed up. I want to be part of a team who is not just shits and giggles and takes the "sport" seriously, that being said, I do not mind random skirmishes and "shits and giggles games" as well. Its all a matter of mindset. I am not trying to be a "wanna-be" I am trying to set up an authentic kit, mostly because its used in real life because it is effective, it looks better and functions better when used in conjunction to how it was designed. It is also part of the "team" uniform. Even beerleague softball requires jerseys, a minimum amount of "kit" to participate. You show up to a beer league game in a speedo and sequined tanktop, you are going to get tossed. To the mess kit comment, play a few 12 hour milsims, or two day ones, you will be glad for the ability to muck up a quick warm meal.

Even the hardcore "#3" players want to have fun. It seems to me the definition for them is just a bit different. They have fun fielding a cohesive team that works well together and looks badass fielding decent weapons that can get the job assigned to them done.

To me, again, categorizing like this, just lends more to the "Us vs them" attitude I have seen quite a bit. In the end, everyone is in it to have fun, some just roll different. Live and let live. You want to play in a milsim, respect the rules. Skirmish, the same. If you are category three, respect that skirmishes are not meant to be 100%.

I guess my ramble ends with. Respect the differences there are.

I guess, I'm a Group 1 for now... just starting out. :p Looks fun but from just seeing how much ppl spend on upgrades etc... I don't think I'll be in the Group 2 anytime soon. Airsoft looks like a fun way to relieve some stress. ;)

Sold Talas, "Banana"!

I agree. We play competitively, and therefore use the gear in which we find the most effective. Team colors are also important. Especially at organized milsims where you are split up by camo. I.E. Alpha: Tan and similar. Bravo: Green and similar. People recognize our teammates and vise versa.

To those who go for reenactment. Airsoft is a means to an end. Realistic, or real gear to help them set up a platform.

As for all those who want casual or fun. This is common, and understandable. Strict money, time constraints dictate their involvement. Also personal choice.

There is no real debate here, as people will do it their way. They don't have to understand another group or player. The issue seems to be guys saying things like. "I show up to a game; hosted by an experienced, organized team. Who put a lot of time, money, effort into their team, their loadout, their milsims. And I feel like my gear, my own play style, or my level of effort shouldn't be judged". Guess what? This game and the people who own it, and spend countless hours building it, get to set the pace and expectations. Calling people out and saying they take it to seriously, or whatever means your in the wrong place.

I completely understand those who want the "for fun" aspect only. I don't judge them. But that doesn't seem to go both ways. Luckily they have no real impact on the sport end of things. But there are more groups than just a few. Those that can't put time and money in. And those that won't. Those that don't enjoy the hardcore aspects, and those that do but can't put in the time. It's endless really. Even for a serious team like ours we have many people who are limited by life. We only expect you attend whenever possible, and we help out with gear if we can. It's mostly effort and attitude that makes a team player.

But if you want run and gun, casual, for fun, paintball style, or whatever your fortei is. Look for your community. We've had lots of people at serious milsims that don't have the wherewithal to aquire full high end loadouts. But we still value them as temporary teammates and players. They play our game, and do the best they can. The difference being is that this is the play style they like, as we do. And if they had the money their gear would be better.

If you don't want to put in the effort, or play your way at someone elses game. Expect to be looked down on, and to spend a lot of your time re-spawning. If it's a competitive game, then we need competitive players. Not those that go casual to a non-casual game.

These guys are the morons who show up at five star restaurants, and high end golf courses, in sandals and a tank top and are surprised that they aren't allowed in. Your even border line mentally broken if you feel the need to complain about it, like your entitled to something.

As for those that fit into groups one and two, or somewhere in between. Good for you guys for having fun, because that's a must. I know a lot of you would be more involved if you could be. Just expect a certain amount of expectations at serious milsims, or teams. As for the rest of you, that whine, complain, and think you should be respected for your lack of effort. Well, let's just say your asking for it.

Don't mix casual gamer, with serious team sport. Unless you will abide the tone, and rules for whoever's house your in. And to the rest of the serious players. The ones who put in the effort with good attitudes, but are limited by time, and money may be a great addition in time. It's our job to help them along.

I'm a 1 maybe going into 2. I like airsoft for outdoor fun. I'm not really into milsim of modern combat. It's why I tend toward non-realistic play (CTF, zombies, respawn and other fps type games.).

Does anyone ever find that more serious players scare away new people? and if so is it a good thing cause it might keep flaky people out of the sport?

Experienced players should never discourage new players. We personally use the trial by fire method. We invite them out, lend them some decent gear, and let them see for themselves. Most people have a blast. But some cant handle the dedication we require. If that's the case, then we do our best to point them in another direction. Like a more casual group. Although we try to explain what we do in detail before hand. Every now and then you do get a bad egg. If this occurs then we just don't call them back to play.

There are some very serious teams out there like ours, but that are more exclusive. And unfortunately, although the competitive sport end may be the best recognized, there are also small groups of clearsofters that have given the game a bad name. Experienced players do hold themselves at times on a pedestal, and try to push out noobs. Luckily I don't know many teams as such. I don't mind exclusive, but bully mentality has no place. How in the hell are you supposed to find new players?

If someone wasn't meant to be a serious, organized player; please send them to a good home. Another thing I dislike is when players give off false info about gear. Biased opinions have made this sport difficult for some. Many players can thrive on knowing what to buy, where to buy, expected cost, and what to look out for. Also showing them places to attain this info for themselves is a good idea. I prefer high end gear myself I.E. Crye, Systema, Oakley ...ect. Buy there are mid range brands that make good equipment. People that are one track minded, or sell noobs junk to make profit should be fired out if a catapult.

Best way is still to get everyone age verified on ASC.

Some things cannot be 'unseen'. That was one of them.

+1 cuz its a damn good post.

this is my first year in airsoft and due to my carreer i've dumped about 3k$ in gear in 4 months :| i play with ricochet in brooks and i very much agree and i do the same thing for anyone i talk to about airsoft. so that being said i could be considered a group 2 and 7/8th LOL

i ask how serious they are ABLE to get into the sport. by which i mean "how old are you?" "are you a family oriented person?" "are you saving up for a house?" "do you have golf everyday?". why do i ask these questions? because it dictates the answers i give them.

and the answers tell me what gear they should look into buying and what to expect from the game and/or sport. i have friends that want to be casual players and i have friends that want to be serious players and they each receive different answers.

and for my rant: i agree that the "group 1ers" by which i take as "clearsofters" should not expect to be competitive againsts the other groups nor should they expect the game to be changed so that they have equal opportunity. with this being my first year i am not a great player yet. i've been to one away game and i didn't get a kill in 7 hours, at our home 24 hour milsim i had 3 kills. yet i had a blast at each game.

in conclusion: "are you out there to have fun?" if you answer "yes" then just have fun no matter what group you put yourself or others in. you don't hafta be on the "winning team" or get kills to have fun, as i can contest for. make friends with the guys you are playing with, tell dirty jokes while your respawning and ALWAYS do robs mom AFTER the game is over

the easiest way for me to describe myself is...

I'm as serious as the situation dictates... my gear, my guns, my play on the field...

I'm not a re enactor, I'm not a CF wannabe ... I use alot of clone/cheap gear ... and only what I need is on me.

with my guns... I've learned where I can run cheaper stuff, and where top end stuff is a personal requirement

on the field.. general skirmish day... goof off game... etc etc... then I laugh, dance, cat call etc with the rest of em ...

if it's a full on sim day (like say .. Six 4's upcomming game) then it's all business as dictated... ofcourse always with fun in mind.


the second airsoft stops being fun... I stop playing...

eclecticism.
whatever u say its a game or pre-military training,both acceptable to me.
also depends on what and who u game with.