New Player Introduction Game Idea

[Darius137]

So I've been stewing over a game like this for a while. I'm deploying soon, so I can't really put any time into it.

Situation:

There are some people that would like to play airsoft, or even want to right now, but aren't willing to get the gear to go try it out, and possibly don't know the right people, or enough of the people to feel comfortable showing up at the kind of events normally go on in this airsoft community.

The main two groups that come to mind are veterans, and girls. I know a bunch of both that I can easily see coming out to play, but their first game can't be one with dumb, yet adept 15 year olds with 400fps guns/hicaps/no trigger control, or the nerdly all male crowd saying lulz and scaring them off.

Mission:

Get these niche players slowly comfortable with the AP crowd via a single or set of large events targeting these players specifically.

Execution:

To play, all one needs is a set of eye protection and a weapon.

Location: The location should probably be a set up and designated airsoft field. My thoughts are either the Beaver Creek (NW Tactical) or the Farm. The cost would be too prohibitive at a larger venue such as Warpaint or Splat Action, and the obscene amount of paint everywhere could damage the gear they show up in, which probably isn't still 100% ready for airsoft.

Beavercreek has a flat terrain, close to Portland and multiple fields, allowing for smaller games, and a more Fair like atmosphere, where a few regular airsofters can help guide them through gear and get them set up in the smaller games. I haven't been to the Farm yet, but if it's airsoft only, it might also be a good location.

Date: Once a field is secured, we need to pick a date, and begin the recruiting for the event. Many airsofters have people they know who would like to play, but might need the push for an official event. Also making flyers for the event and posting them around areas that might have related hobbies, such as paintball stores, surplus stores, and tactical gear stores. The first event will probably be small (60 new players) but making it a community project and annual could raise the bar so that within 3 years, it becomes a sort of annual event hosted by the community, drawing from a larger area as far south as NorCal, and up to Washington.

Management: We'd need a set governing body to manage the event, who would set prices that vendors or lenders could sell/rent at. We'd need a lot of local players willing to loan out their weapons for new players, and setting the rental cost at a maximum of $15 per weapon, with possibly deciding a ranking system or panel of judges to decide the fair rental value of the weapon/gear (up to $15).

If we have somewhere with multiple fields, we can also have an FPS limit set per field. 400 fps being the maximum, but also having games with a maximum limit of say 330 or even 300fps. I know a lot of girls who are gung ho, but probably don't realize what a 400fps barrage feels like at 15 feet.

Service & Support:

We would have a set location for vendors and rentals. Possibly set up some basic classes or lanes for standard infantry tactics. Put some tables out on airsoft information. Possibly allow stores entrance (AAS, AONW) in exchange for a few raffle entries.

Local Teams could also recruit, or show the new players around, or possibly help run some of the games or training lanes.

The Governing body would handle defining the timeline, logistics and coordination on the field of rentals, parking, insurance waivers, entrance/rental payment, announcement of raffles and duties of the teams/individuals running lanes and games.

They would also handle the radio and communication on the field.

Whatchya think?

[chapped]

Sounds like an awful lot of hand holding to grow the community.
Are we going to have to take sensitivity training as well?

[Mattman154]

For the good of the communitah!

[Castle]

Not sure how many people we'd pull off the street, but I like the idea of having a designated new-player-friendly event. Give them a chance to hear everything explained, and perhaps not get thrown right into the fire competing against airsoft regulars.

[DJ]

No haterade here Dan, Sounds like a great way to scout out new talent. If we could get enough vendors and teams to display their stuff, it could be sort of an air-soft expo. Throw in some food and it could actually be kind of fun for the veterans too.

[Lunchbox]

Sounds like a good idea, but there is a slight chance you might give a bad rep to the community by them having their first experience being a game with lots of new people

I definitely like the idea though

[Pacman]

Beavercreek field is out of the question, they are out of there.
I think of more people took a minute to help someone new at an event rather than ignoring or yelling at them would go just as far. I think the Airsoft training academy (ATA) idea is on the right track and goes with a lot of what your thinking. Some people will never learn because they know everything already but new players who throw out that they value the mentorship should be given a chance. I enjoy passing on my learning to players who are receptive to it but that comes with my main job of raising three children.
As far a garnering more female players it is my belief that a good majority of women/girls are never going to get used to the idea of being pegged by an AEG no matter what the event is.
A governing body is a waste of time IMHO, you can't even get a group of players to agree on what time to have lunch let alone a set of standards and carry them out without hangups, ego's and the like affecting the end product. A good field owner will try to foster a learning environment when needed as it's their bottom line that is affected, Warpaint and Splat are definitely not actively courting the favor of airsofters. Being's the Farm is close to me I've been able to play it often and is one of it's biggest fans. Airsofters are running the place and don't mind helping new guys by pairing them veteran players who don't mind doing a little extra by helping them out like X at ABT once did.

[Darius137]

Sounds like an awful lot of hand holding to grow the community.
Are we going to have to take sensitivity training as well?

Not necessarily hand holding.

I have never met as many sensitive people as I have in Airsoft.

A governing body is a waste of time IMHO, you can't even get a group of players to agree on what time to have lunch let alone a set of standards and carry them out without hangups, ego's and the like affecting the end product.

Not a governing body for airsoft, but a governing body for setting up this event. If I was doing it, I'd probably just do it all myself. Someone else in the community could easily do it themselves, but if other groups or people wanted input or to help out, it's definitely a lot of work, but work that would (in my opinion) improve airsoft.

There are a lot of new people to airsoft who won't join because of what airsoft is at times. A lot of groups in airsoft might not like new players or perspectives, but it's definitely needed to keep this community from going stale.

The airsoft community could get some much needed new insight, new types of players, and a lot of veterans or current military who like airsoft, but play on their own.

And girls do not mind being shot. But they need it eased in sometimes, with lots of lube.

[dr.feelgood]

60 brand new players would be HUGE. Also I think you'd need a sizable group of experienced players who can explain and show off gear.

[DJ]

A thought for you Dan. Second day of a PLA training day dedicated to this?

[The Clock]

Sounds like a great idea, now we just need someone willing to run it. Hopefully we can get some mature new people.

[Solid]

Sounds alright, you'd have to get some good volunteers to lead it and everything, but those shouldn't be too hard to find around here.

[SCROUNGE]

Sounds good Darius, and WHEN I get the ABT field open again I would give it a try out there. I feel like I'm on sniper hunt with the county, and they hide pretty good, but I'm sneaking up on them with another approch.

[Cap n pickles]

Ben and I will have rentals available, let us know.

[spankie]

Sounds good Darius, and WHEN I get the ABT field open again I would give it a try out there. I feel like I'm on sniper hunt with the county, and they hide pretty good, but I'm sneaking up on them with another approch.

I like the idea of having this at ABT when ABT is back open.