I give you, Milsim! (A conseptual event)

[lt_poncho]

Personally I would suggest that MilSim ‘best practices’ really dictate that you get out to a few games first, particularly MilSim games, and analyse what works and what does not.

There has been a long string of proclaimed hosts who have falsely advertised MilSim’s in the past, luring them to venues thinking that because the place or the setting/story was so great, success was guaranteed. Never have failures been so epic because the fundamentals of listening to what works and going with it.

That’s the real gist of it when it comes down to hosting; LISTENING to your CUSTOMER. Many can’t stand the hit to the ego, so they blaze off in their preconceived, inexperienced direction – especially if they are fuelled by skirmish noobs with a loud post count. Understand ROI first and you gain respect for not only hosting but asking players for their money.

If you have 1/10th the analytical skill to research something on Google, then your really SHOULD do your homework first on this board, and ask hosts questions. You don’t have to host an incomplete game – polish your end product first. A MilSim that is full of gaps is like an ‘Under Construction’ web page. Asking the general public to FILL those gaps…all I can say to that is DO NOT pass GO, DO NOT collect $200.

Good luck with that!

[scottyfox]

Originally Posted by lt_poncho

Personally I would suggest that MilSim ‘best practices’ really dictate that you get out to a few games first, particularly MilSim games, and analyse what works and what does not.

There has been a long string of proclaimed hosts who have falsely advertised MilSim’s in the past, luring them to venues thinking that because the place or the setting/story was so great, success was guaranteed. Never have failures been so epic because the fundamentals of listening to what works and going with it.

That’s the real gist of it when it comes down to hosting; LISTENING to your CUSTOMER. Many can’t stand the hit to the ego, so they blaze off in their preconceived, inexperienced direction – especially if they are fuelled by skirmish noobs with a loud post count. Understand ROI first and you gain respect for not only hosting but asking players for their money.

If you have 1/10th the analytical skill to research something on Google, then your really SHOULD do your homework first on this board, and ask hosts questions. You don’t have to host an incomplete game – polish your end product first. A MilSim that is full of gaps is like an ‘Under Construction’ web page. Asking the general public to FILL those gaps…all I can say to that is DO NOT pass GO, DO NOT collect $200.

Good luck with that!

From a guy that seriously knows what he's talking about on the subject.

+1

[Andrew Lee]

Originally Posted by lt_poncho

Personally I would suggest that MilSim ‘best practices’ really dictate that you get out to a few games first, particularly MilSim games, and analyse what works and what does not.

There has been a long string of proclaimed hosts who have falsely advertised MilSim’s in the past, luring them to venues thinking that because the place or the setting/story was so great, success was guaranteed. Never have failures been so epic because the fundamentals of listening to what works and going with it.

That’s the real gist of it when it comes down to hosting; LISTENING to your CUSTOMER. Many can’t stand the hit to the ego, so they blaze off in their preconceived, inexperienced direction – especially if they are fuelled by skirmish noobs with a loud post count. Understand ROI first and you gain respect for not only hosting but asking players for their money.

If you have 1/10th the analytical skill to research something on Google, then your really SHOULD do your homework first on this board, and ask hosts questions. You don’t have to host an incomplete game – polish your end product first. A MilSim that is full of gaps is like an ‘Under Construction’ web page. Asking the general public to FILL those gaps…all I can say to that is DO NOT pass GO, DO NOT collect $200.

Good luck with that!

Thanks I appreciate the info. Trust me, that's why I posted this idea on here instead of rushing out and doing it. I never even really had plans of hosting it I just wanted peoples feedback on the idea itselft, so that maybe someday it could be used.

[Andrew Lee]

Here are some pictures of the field. I originally had 50 and cut it down to 9 so you don't get to see really all of the terrain, this is just like a sample, but here they are anyway.
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[m102404]

Listen to Lt.

- get out to some games. I cannot think of a single host who won't take a willing volunteer who's ready to help with ears/eyes open. There's plenty of logistics and getting to kick off on time is always hectic. This would be a huge fast track to figuring things out.

- get to a variety of games...solid mil-sims are kind of far and few between but they're there. Some games are just paintball-like speed ball skirmishes, others are more just free-for-all skirmishes, some are more tactics/planning.

- since you're underaged and this property isn't yours...involve your Grandfather/Father. Get them to meet some of the other hosts and see the game. You're going to need their buy in and blessing anyways...and you do not have the authority to speak on their behalf for insurance/etc....

- keep the game ideas/etc...going, but get out to various games to see what works specifically for airsoft. Medics, respawns, wounding, capture, ammo caps, etc... There are some things that work great...and others that can make a game just plain silly.

Warning:
- airsoft, fair or not, is highly reputationally based. If you prove out to have a good rep, then you'll end up with a large player pool and strong attendance. Cluster f*ck, and you'll be hard pressed to ever shake off the taint.
- Many airsoft guys are cheap when it comes to actually playing. They'll spend hundreds and thousands of dollars on guns, gear, kit....but will bitch and whine if the game fee is more than $25 and they don't get food cooked for them and drinks. Can't figure that out myself...but it's true for many. On the other hand...there are a good number of guys who will pay much more than that and travel significant distances to join in for a solid game filled with good shooters.

Get out to some games, meet/greet the hosts....it'll develop from there if it's going to happen.

Best of luck....cool pics, looks great.

[Grudge]

Andrew you have 2 years and lots of advise from some very experienced people. Thats two years to learn the ropes and polish you OP. The area, if you will be able to use it in two years, tooks great.

Learn all you can, fill in the details as you learn, and keep your passion for this sport high and you will come out with a killer OP.

[Andrew Lee]

Thanks for the advice guys, like I said that's what I came here looking for so you can believe that I will take it. Again thanks guys, and hopefully I will see you on the field once I'm old enough.

[lt_poncho]

If we're not around then, it's cause we're dead. Feel free to stop by the memorial tho! We would probably be cool with that.

[McKee]

Certainly it takes years of experience before you can really get a realistic mental concept of what will work and won't work. As well, you need to work up to a complicated scenario. Many of the more complicated but successful milsim series of games started much more simply in their infancy. Also, Listen to the guys with experience (postcount means nothing) and learn to accept criticism no matter how you feel personally on the matter. Don't alienate the people giving you criticism because you think they're wrong.. if they have the experience to back up their opinion it's probably a well founded one.

Don't give up though. I've played airsoft for close to 7 years now and i'm just hosting my first game this weekend. You have an awesome field and using that property for airsoft would be of great benefit to airsoft in Ontario, and as a sport nationally.

[Jackals]

Originally Posted by m102404

Warning:
- airsoft, fair or not, is highly reputationally based. If you prove out to have a good rep, then you'll end up with a large player pool and strong attendance. Cluster f*ck, and you'll be hard pressed to ever shake off the taint.
- Many airsoft guys are cheap when it comes to actually playing. They'll spend hundreds and thousands of dollars on guns, gear, kit....but will bitch and whine if the game fee is more than $25 and they don't get food cooked for them and drinks. Can't figure that out myself...but it's true for many. On the other hand...there are a good number of guys who will pay much more than that and travel significant distances to join in for a solid game filled with good shooters.

That is some really good advice right there too.

I am also curious to know the size of the property.

[BoGrain]

Originally Posted by Sentry

Certainly it takes years of experience before you can really get a realistic mental concept of what will work and won't work. As well, you need to work up to a complicated scenario. Many of the more complicated but successful milsim series of games started much more simply in their infancy. Also, Listen to the guys with experience (postcount means nothing) and learn to accept criticism no matter how you feel personally on the matter. Don't alienate the people giving you criticism because you think they're wrong.. if they have the experience to back up their opinion it's probably a well founded one.

Don't give up though. I've played airsoft for close to 7 years now and i'm just hosting my first game this weekend. You have an awesome field and using that property for airsoft would be of great benefit to airsoft in Ontario, and as a sport nationally.

+1

Andrew, you have a very ambitious project and you are on the right track except the road will be a long one before you can host your first Milsim. Some ASC members may sound rude at first; but, their tips and advice are most likely to be right (So far, you have handled criticism well - keep it up )

The field looks very nice indeed and if your event is well organized, players will show up. In the mean time, feel free to ask questions and talk to game hosts, their experience with logistic and setting up event rules will help you greatly in setting your own event.

You could also volunteer to help an experienced host set up one of his events (volunteers are always welcome ); this way, you could learn what makes a successful event from an experienced host.

Once you will be aged verified, you should attend events of various types (MILSIM, SKIRMISH, etc.) to see what rules work in the field and which one looks good on paper but can lead to monumental cluster f*&k when applied in game (For instance, medic rules are especially susceptible to this) before hosting your first event. By attending events, you will establish your reputation as a player which will help you get attendance to your event.

Hopefully, you should be able to host your first event in a few years.

[Andrew Lee]

Originally Posted by Jackals

That is some really good advice right there too.

I am also curious to know the size of the property.

Sorry it took me a while to reply, the size of the field is 100 acres.

[charlie6]

Hi and greetings from the Philippines. We share the same woes on some host teams here who advertise their games as "milsim" but is actually speedball with a little twist of some mission thingy like going after a car battery in the middle that is supposed to be a bomb diffuser thing. We get a lot of that here. But fortunately there are those of us who are loyal to milsim. To get to the point. Sometimes the areas we setup milsim may not be that big enough to host big contingents. And if there are big enough spaces, they're usually inhabited by rebels who don't carry airsoft guns. So we improvised.

Our concept is special ops type of milsim gameplay that involves intel gathering, cqb (in an actual building) and land navigation (using grid maps) in small areas to locate certain op's or camps. So instead of one platoon or company against another, we pit small groups of between 8-12 man teams (squad size really) against a dedicated opfor who role plays and follows a script. And there are multiple short missions that last no more than 30-45 minutes per team. We score it based on missions accomplished less hit players over time. So far it's been a good enough formula for us.

[QKLee11]

Originally Posted by Andrew Lee

Here are some pictures of the field. I originally had 50 and cut it down to 9 so you don't get to see really all of the terrain, this is just like a sample, but here they are anyway.
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where is this field at Andrew?

[Matt 'Maverick' Watts]

Insurance for and airsoft or paintball game/field is radically different from what's needed to operate heavy machinery. Standard 'farm insurance' or 'property insurance' won't cover an injury during a game.