Thanks for everything, CiA

Thanks for taking the time and effort to put on one of the most immersive, entertaining games I've attended.

Like Andy, I'm gutted you won't be putting on anymore and for what it's worth, I think WW2 airsoft took a major knock yesterday with your decision to call time.

There was nothing about the event yesterday that should not have had anyone interested in this hobby wanting to go. You name it, the game had it.

Suspense; not knowing if you were going to get lit up on turning the next corner in the road. Some brutal fire fights, in particular the assault on Merville itself. The German counter attacks, such as at the farm house. Monty himself even made an appearance.

I just worry about the future of a hobby we've all invested substantial time, money an effort in, when we can't get more numbers to an event like this. This should be the sort of event we're aiming for, not an exception to the rule.

To sum up, great event, saw a load of mates, made some new ones, had a fantastic time. We have however lost nearly twenty years worth of combined organising experience, and crucially willingness, for future events. That to me, is a monumental shame.

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Well I'll second the above comments, this was one of the best events I have been too, in fact probably the best. In the morning I felt like I was a British Commando in Normandy on D Day+1 fighting my way to the Merville battery. I believe this is called an immersive experience. Been a lot of talk about that recently on the forum supposedly every wants it so were was everyone?
Too late now sadly the CIA experience is gone. Big thanks too all of CIA past and present wish I had been around earlier to experience more of it.

Gutted that my stupid health issues meant that I had to spend yesterday at the NHS walk-in centre rather than attend. Doubly so now to find out you're bowing out of organising.

CIA events have been the best player experiences I've had, full stop, and I'd like to thank you for getting me into the hobby, all those years ago.

Just to echo and back up with Andy, Gareth and Tim have said above - massive, massive thanks to Chommers, Headshot and Sgt Heide's (and others) work in running CIA events yesterday and back over the last 7 years. Yesterday was a brilliant event to bow out on, one of the most immersive events that I have ever been too - as Tim said, in the morning it I actually had a feeling of what it was like being a British Commando on the way to take out Merville Battery.

The organisation and running of the game, the 'am dram' and role play of the officers and NCO's, the feeling of suspense whilst pushing through the undergrowth on the way to an objective - All added to the gameplay and did so much more that simply engaging in boring firefight after firefight for 8 hours!

I really hope that we as a community can keep these immersive games going in the spirit of CIA, I would much rather attend events in the vein of what took place yesterday than simply going for a blat in the woods. Many thanks to Dave, Steve and Pete - I hope your influence lasts for many years to come.

Thankyou guys, for your kind words. I am very proud to say that we, as CiA, stayed true to our core values to the very end and, we were never once tempted to sell ourselves out just to get bums on seats.

Glad you enjoyed this event, it was a great site and fitted the scenario perfectly. You all gave 100% and that's all we can ask of anyone.

I don't know what i can add to the above comments ,a really good event , the commando's were superb ,very sneaky and i often came under fire or was shot without ever seeing the enemy .As for the demise of CIA ,it's a sad day today , they pioneered what we now take for granted , the very existence of the forum is down to them , i feel a sense of personal shame that this was the first CIA event that i could attend ,but glad that i could have shared this last game with them ,good luck in you'r future endeavor's and i hope we will still see you at event's inspired by you'r lead .
Thank you
Gav

Quitters!

I think I made it to almost all of the CiA events, apart from 2011 when I was abroad, and for me they have been the most rewarding airsoft experiences, not just the games but the company. I take my (silly) hat off to you, gents. You've brought a lot of excellent people together and given us the opportunity to thoroughly immerse ourselves in WW2 soldiery, the mud, the blood (and the beer).

How can I add anymore to what has been said? It was my first CIA game and sadly my last it was a pleasure to meet you all in your enviroment. Hopefully the legacy you leave, the values, the attention to detail, the focus on the soldering not the trigger time, can be one that inspires other organisers to do the same and make ww2 airsoft what it seemed to be 4 years ago! Thanks for everything, had a incredible time yesterday

Just to echo all that has been said - thank you Dave, Pete and Steve. It is such shame that all the frustrations and disappointments have led to you giving it all up. The loss of all your enthusiasm and experience is an awful blow to the whole community.

I am left with some frustration at those I missed due to finding WW2 airsoft too late such as Jedburgh, still some irritation (not with CiA) that we never got to experience those that had to be cancelled like Hut 9 and Foxley, much sadness that the support was not there and that there will now be no more CiA events, but also with many, many marvelous memories such as the FJ approaching across the hills at Horn or the Commandos lining the lane at Merville, I am truly grateful for those memories and experiences, thank you.

Cheers
Charlie

Like Dadio and a few others I can't help but bitterly regret this was my first CIA event and I will never be able to attend another. That said CIA made a damn good show of it. They wrote out a fantastic game plan, then when numbers wouldn't permit it rewrote it so that it not only worked but fitted the scenario, then clearly took pains to get us all engaged and suspend the disbelief once the game kicked off and it made for a very memorable day. Having trampled around some of the site I also got a sense of what could have been with Hut 9, aarrrrgh, more regret!
My hat to the organisers of CIA who are leaving behind quite a legacy and a very tough act to follow. Best of luck in the future, you will be sorely missed!

Just to echo the comments above, thanks to CiA for all their efforts over the years and in particular for getting me into WW2 airsoft. Sorry I couldn't make it to this last event.

Cheers
Martin