2015-02-24 / 08:18 UTC GMT +00:00
Okay, I'm still kind of an outsider, so take this for what it is.
Firstly, airsoft is anything that uses an airsoft gun, and mentality and intent mean everything. Everyone wants something different, so it only appears that we are together on this. While most groups are close enough in their goals that they can usually get something kind of going, let's stop and look at this from a different perspective. In shooting, you can use a bow, a gun, do ipsc training, collect, go hunting, target or sport shooting, etc. They are all very different though. Paintball speedball or woodsball is closer to airsoft speedball/woodsball, than to milsim or scenario airsoft is, yet we don't call paintball airsoft. If there is to be any community success, then working together will have to happen, and that will only happen when pride is put aside. Some groups are just not going to mix, it's like Vietnam rein-actors and WWII rein-actors. It may appear they are the same, but really they aren't. There will always be rules or tenants that we don't like, but as long as we are close, then we'll just have to find a way to deal with it. For instance; I myself am not crazy about LMAG's FPS/MED rules. It doesn't mean that they aren't valid or correct, they just aren't how I'd do it. That being said, that isn't enough to keep me away from what seems to be a good group of guys, and is a small price to pay. If I disagreed with everything, then I can go play somewhere else.
One obstacle at the moment is the fact that non-airsofters (essentially), are in control of the game fields. That doesn't mean that they are doing a bad job, but they are a business, and that is going to be their priority, and they have to make it work for everyone. To be honest, this doesn't have to kill it, as we can still set thing up and play easily enough and work together. Too many roosters in the hen house are a big, big, very big problem. Everyone wanting to do things different within the same space is going to create issues anywhere. So before finger pointing starts happening, the culprit is easily removable. Running an airsoft game isn't political, it's simple. If someone is running a game, they are either going to do a good job or not, their rules are going to be reasonable, or they aren't. Let's face it, just because someone wants something bad enough or has decent ideas, does not make them a good leader or coordinator. If games and teams are falling apart, then players will find another avenue of play.
This all sounds very negative, but there is a few things that can be done. If you are going to host games, then you have to be able to corral rabid hyenas and control the flow of the event. If a bunch of kids without focus us the issue, then make it undesirable for them to act that way. They'll migrate somewhere else eventually. Each squad or team needs clear commanders, not a bunch of run-amocks. If I put Bushman in charge of group A, then they are accountable to him, not just able to waggle off on their own. Put a few coordinated people in charge of each side in command, and each team, group, player on that side has to go through them. If you don't do this, nothing will get done. If the 'Mission Lightning' airsoft team let's say, has an issue with this, they can go play speedball with the kids. If it turns out that Bushman isn't a great leader, next time we'll try others. Commanders are allowed to make mistakes, and lose a game and get people killed. Without adequate leadership and coordination, the games will fall apart. Also have a few "clearly marked" admins on either team, who are just there to enforce rules, sportsmanship, and if necessary help the game along.
As far as radios go, unless you have a hundred players on one team, then everyone should be on the same channel' don't give them the choice. Cooperate or go play speedball. Everyone who has a radio should at least be listening in, and only team leaders and command need to talk. Chatter is punishable by death when radio comms are important. You don't need to micro-manage everyone, but it'll help. If you put one guy on each team on the command channel, then what happens when he dies or his radio breaks? You're one full squad with the same goal, who cares if you're from different airsoft teams?
Objective based games are the backbone of good scenario airsoft, but simplicity is essential. You can have a billion objectives, but then things will get lost in translation, and the commanders "must" have a clear understanding of the game and it's rules. Once the game is underway, it is far too late to change it. If a game starts to fall apart and command cannot wrangle back to center, then call it early, and start again. Your game rules and your general rules should always be separate. Your base airsoft rules shouldn't change often, or else people will get confused and mix them up. If you have a different medic or respawn rule for every single game it starts to muddy from one day to another. Can you imagine the chaos if FPS/MED rules kept changing? Well, the consequences aren't the same, but the path to breakdown is, and confusion is the surest way to flaring tempers and animosity. For instance, and just in my opinion, medics should be used sparsely in games, you don't always need them, and they should be assigned. If no one on Team Red wants to volunteer, then that is their problem and they can go without, we'll see how it works out for them. Avoid the use of "timed" bleed-outs or respawns, or keep it short and sweet. Bleed-out for two minutes, and only use bleed-outs if you have medics. Otherwise, buddy can chill back at spawn, not with BB's whizzing over his head, and not in the way of other players. At respawn, tag ins are best, but if that keeps flooding the field with too many players for someone to gain ground, then push the respawns back, far away from any objective, and if necessary, that's where you assign a respawn time. Perhaps a few simple props can help here as well. The best medics and respawns I've seen have mildly interactive, like ropes to hold and bandages to tie, etc. Any type of complicated or unlimited medic is always bad. Once you've been medic'd in and you get shot again, take a walk. If not, then teams will take advantage and you'll never be able to roll a building or bunker.
For objectives, having clear and mobile objectives helps keep things moving. Taking buildings and bridges is good and all, but is also the surest way to drag the game into an unfocused shoot fest. Attack and defend games should be short and sweet. For example; Team A has to defend the bunker but has no respawns, Team B has tag in respawns back at a designated point, but only has 30 min to take the building. A mobile objective has something that can be moved, and therefore forces the fight to flow around the battlefield. If players have somewhere to sit their asses, they will. Make them go after the other team. Think of it like a football game, everyone wants the football. Too many rules, ever changing rules, complex rules, back stories, heaps of objectives just make people forget what they are doing. How many times have you asked the question "How long are bleed-outs?" or "Where do we spawn again?". If you have confusion, like for instance people respawning in the objective bunker, then an admin can march in there and immediately fix the situation. Kind of hard to do while everyone is on separate radio channels and not cooperating.
You'll never get everyone everything they want, but at least provide a solid situation in which to play games. If things are organized and enjoyable, then people will fall in and support you. If people aren't cooperating it could be because they aren't in the right place, or whoever is trying to run the show is the wrong person for the job. That's not me calling anyone in particular out, but if everyone is fighting over power then this will go nowhere fast and end up nowhere good. LMAG was it, also there was Omega, now there is GVAC. Tomorrow will there be another? Whoever is running the show must be amenable to change. Airsoft is progressive and will continue to get more competitive, not less. Also, don't afraid to ban or control the goofy things that make it childish out there. Most places I have ever played across Canada either severely ban or limit high-caps, don't allow things like riot shields at all, and don't have a lot of MEDs. Let's face it, BBs hurt and can break skin, that's just life. If you're that worried then wear a full helmet, mask, goggles, etc. Either that, or your FPS rules are too high and dangerous. Man up or armor up. Full-auto at close range isn't fun, but that's a folly of the other player, they could just as easily do it by accident, it's not like having a rule will stop them. Last I checked no one gets punished for it. usually what I see is the dude who gets shot yells and swears at them, the shooter yells sorry, and they get on with their life. full-auto close range is like a head shot, it's not great, but shit happens.
Anyways, I've been having fun, but I see tempers getting worse out there and not better. A smart airsofter can find a way to keep rolling with the game if it has issues. If you see a problem then say something or help, don't start feuding. If you're not a part of the solution you're part of the problem, that's what my old man used to say. There's a lot of good players and good attitudes, we should have no problem making this work. I guarantee you there will be people who will leave either way, you can't please everyone. But it's avid players who should be steering this ship, we are in the best position to help and can also do the most damage. Don't be too stubborn, or else you'll find yourself alone.
Anyways, the good news is that I don't see this as being wrecked yet. The other day when TJ ran the games, it went pretty well. Games could use a little refining, but it was enjoyable. When Cook-off did it, the games were interesting, but no one had a clear perspective on the rules. Everyone believed something different, and thus it came to a stalemate in parts. Overall, I like that you guys are stepping up to run the games, but don't be afraid to lay down the law. If you miss the briefing, and therefore don't get an armband, let them stay in the safe zone. If someone can't be bothered to listen during the safety briefing, they can go play with the speedballers. There's always paintball.
I'm willing to cooperate with anyone who is willing to step up and keep things moving. Forgive for imperfection and help to refine. But what I won't do is start to pick sides, I'd rather tell someone they are doing a bad job and they can hate me for it.
I never wear an emblem, garment or title I have not earned. I never pretend to be, claim to be nor impersonate someone or something I am not. I never diminish, disrespect nor depreciate the sacrifices of true heroes. I utilize military style gear, equipment and tactics as they are the best and most appropriate tools for the job. I am a combat sports athlete.
Team SWATT: Recruiting
ASC Age Verifier (Greater Vancouver)
But if you take the same "Path to airsoft" as I did you will be fine. Show up, shut up, and play honorably. The vets will be there to help, answer questions, and I PROMISE that will make your days much more enjoyable. 