Jon,
I didn't intend for my book to sound defensive if it did, I was just trying to explain.
Here's the skivy of why I try to come up with other things....
Well, Force on force is fun, and simple.. it allows for alot hiding, running, shooting, positioning...ect. But there's really no real objective other than take out as much enemy as you can. I use force on force, to kinda get everyone going usually... usually the first and last game of the day will be a force on force. It's just a simple fun way to shoot, makes everyone get in the mood to play, or winds up a long day of play, and doesn't require much brain power to do when tired, lol.
Capture the flag games... these are kinda fun, but honestly it's done to death! Some newer players probably don't understand what I mean when I say that, but from many years of paintball... I still hear the grumbles and see the eye rolls when a CTF game is announced. " Oh, another CTF?" <<< So I try to modify CTF type of games with more interesting and challenging props. ( The case game here is just a super-glorified CTF when ya think about it.) Different ways to complete those objectives.
VIP games .. I like these, but it takes a good amount of briefing, and everyone on the same page to do these properly. First you need a participant or a few, that actually want to be the VIPs, and are fine with playing the role. Since most people want to shoot alot, and play with their friends, team ..ect... it's harder to find those individuals that will put effort into those roles.
If there is any "information passing" , or role-playing in these types of scenarios... it gets a tad bit harder to keep any OPFORS from just killing the VIPS, or them being killed by friendly fire/neglect..ect.
( Like at my first time at Sogo's, we did the VIP walk through.... I had no idea the guy I just crept up on was the VIP , I was actually trying to safety kill the guy on the other side of him, turning around... but Jon was right there and thought I meant the VIP. Boy was I surprised when he INDEXed the game and the dude turned around and was holding the case! If I had known that was the VIP... I would have used different tactics and called some back up in. As it was, I didn't see him before, our intell was off big time on who the VIP was, so I thought it was just another small cluster of OPFORs down close to the back door. )
When it comes to playing extra roles... those types of games usually involve alot of recon, and defense... and generally airsoft players... even experienced ones don't think like that. Most have a "offensive" mindset right from the start. I find any scenario using "extras" very hard to coordinate , and operate smoothly. Most the time, VIPs and extras get shot or eliminated before anything really can transpire the way the game is supposto go.
It can be done, but you gotta get everyone on the same page, with a clear understanding of the end goal on both sides.
( You can substitute any role for VIP in that description... scientist, downed pilots, prisoners..ect. Basically any role, thats not one force, taking on opposing forces. )
Espionage types of games, take alot of set up and props... and it's probably where I have a weak link in game planning there. Oh, they would be fun, if you had the resources and time to pull off... but generally, you don't get those luxuries.
But, if all you did was force on force all the time, or the same CTF games everywhere you played airsoft, I think most everyone would get bored with airsoft. So, I just try to spice stuff up.
When everyone first starts out... they want to shoot, and shoot OPFORs.. alot! Everyone wants action. I call it the "video game syndrome". It's fun , but it's a cheap thrill easily forgotten.
It's when you get to the point where you are not only trying to shoot OPFORs, but also complete harder more challenging objectives... thats what last for years in your mind. You remember the feeling of accomplishment and defeat. In your mind, you think back.. " I should have done this, or our team should have did this"... overcoming obstacles to reach a higher objective ,making through a challenge is where you hone skills and become a better airsoft player.
Anyone that has been to a big Event, probably could relate to that.
Though, you gotta be careful and not make challenges impossible or too hard.... the over-all objective is to have fun, not frustrate everyone who plays... sometimes thats a very difficult thing to juggle.
and probably the HARDEST thing to do, is getting people to work as a team, and coordinate together.
Even those willing to do it... sometimes have a difficulty getting it done.
Two real life aspects I can apply to that is Football and Military Training...
In both aspects, you spend a great majority of the time... adjusting to working with, trusting, and relying on other individuals. The goal of the coaches and Drill Srg.s are trying to make you a better player, and soldier yes, but also removing your individuality to a degree and force cooperation, trust, and team-work into folks that probably would never connect outside those environments.
In airsoft... there's no "forcing" it... it's up to each individual to figure that out on their own, and start making it happen. To work as a team in airsoft, with other players you don't know well, have much in common with... is very very difficult.
Thats why I try to get to know everyone that hits our field almost immediately. By the time the day is over... the guys showing up aren't just another player, ... they are friends and a part of our airsoft "family" from then on out.
Granted... I had not done this so much at Sogos... generally sticking to my comfort zone, and with my team mates in between games pretty much. Mostly, I was just put out of my element a bit, and I didn't want to seem intrusive. I'm one of the infidels at Sogo, lol, where as on my home turf, I can rightly extend hospitality. ( Though, I've met a few individuals that breached that gap at Sogo's, and would love to see them more in all the airsoft places I'm at! )
My thing is... if someone is more than just a body to shoot at on the field... , then it's easier to transition everyone, myself included, into teamwork and cooperative roles. Make someone feel welcome, and appreciated, more comfortable ... it goes a long way into getting everyone into a more "accepting" role of a team player in airsoft.
So, any extra game I try to make... usually involves alot of oppurtunity for teamwork, and over-coming slightly difficult challenges. I say opportunity, because as we discussed before... there are always kinks in the best laid plans, and in reality, it's up to each individual in the game to go the right direction and make the best of it. Just because the oppurtunity is there, doesn't mean it will get used the way you intended.
Then it's.. you learn from it, let it roll off ya like water from a duck's back... and move on. Analyze it later to figure out what could be done differently... but during an event day, just move on to the next phase, and hope it goes better.
If nothing is working...then stop everything, and discuss with everyone how to make it better for everyone. Then apply it.
At the end of the day... I want everyone happy, and even though sore, tired, and ready to go get some grub... I want everyone to have a long lasting good feeling of fun and accomplishment.
Which is my ultimate goal in any scenario , game, or event day.
It's really not the objective, or how it plays out that matters really... , it's the over-all fun level that emerges out of it.
If someone new arrives, and plays all day.. and leaves with the idea in their head, they will be back as soon as we host something else... then I done my job, and to me there's no better feeling than that.
On everything else, i'm glad Jon had the insight to look at my post, and see loop-holes that could happen.
I will be the last person to say I'm perfect. Even if it seems like I got it all together by reading my post... , man I'll tell ya... I'm far from the best! I try, thats all I can say. Though I'm not Frosty or Claymore, I'm probably not even in the same bracket as those guys. I'm not as bold as Renegade as to try and plan a full scale MilSim Event, complete with restrictions lol.
All I can do is try, .. try to make it interesting and fun.
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