The Past, Present and Future

Well Mr CW mentioned it wasn't a debate about the malaise in the hobby, so it didn't feel like a place to comment.

I think Pat's greengrocing analogy is pretty much spot on for my money, and it is why I, and a few others I know of, are generally more dissinterested. What used to feel like a hobby, a "community" running games and events to for itself now feels like a group of market stall holder touting their wares.

I am not going to pretend I think it it good for the hobby, because I don't, but try to just stay quiet. It is only my opinion after all and others will think differently. If something gets my interrest I look to going, but I no longer travel to what I can to support as much as possible.

Pete's reasons for his lack of interrest are his own, as are other peoples, but I know he is not alone in feeling the general malaise.

You're absolutely right Pat, noone cares and, that's the sad truth of it all. You'd think that, after starting an entire genre and giving so many people so much entertainment, at least a few would show an interest in CiA. Perhaps I'm expecting too much from people? But, if people can't be arsed, then bollocks to them.

Don't be down hearted heide, we care. Otherwise we wouldnt persevere. It's cycle. Even dog company has had many members fall by the wayside. I think we may be a company of 3 or 4 now. But we'll hang on as long as we can. Creating chaos and trouble. CIA will be the same except it will create fun and merriment. I like to be an optimist.
Any what about this gnu.?

we need fun, it's the only antidote to malaise. Sadly I don't have any answers. Each does as her or she sees fit. I see exactly where CW and everyone else is coming from. The experience and mindset is the factor between an airsoft game and an event.
Let take general WW2 out and use Jedburgh for those who went and for me the flying lead games. Both were mindset dependant. God knows the cold was enough at lead to make strong men weep. But I was in 1880 in Montana. Good CIA games placed you in the WW2.
It so hard to describe the feeling of WOW, that was awesome. I guess many of the older players have hung up their uniforms and gone to the place old airsofters go. You know the pub!
Many of the newer players have had or seen the enthusiasm the old cadre brought. It was an event. The zeltbahn palace, bloody lardys killer cider, the 16 th SS( the ultimate CIA in gag)
So much to remember. Oh and the games were good too.
Big debates on the forum and silly comments that got people hot under the collar.
If the old girl is going to roll over and breath her last and I don't think she is.
I was glad and proud to be a part of it.

I've always wanted to go to a CiA game, I love the scenarios.

From some posts what I've read, it make me feel like I'm the one at fault. Theres not much I feel I can say, the excuses I could make I've already said on other threads.

Hope things start loving up soon
JD

I've always wanted to go to a CiA game, I love the scenarios.

From some posts what I've read, it make me feel like I'm the one at fault. Theres not much I feel I can say, the excuses I could make I've already said on other threads.

Hope things start loving up soon
JD

Not you fault. It's not anyone persons fault. It just is. as CW said there always next year.
So what are your thoughts on this gnu?

Heh, my take on this is somewhat different to Pete's. I've been here right from before the beginning and I've never thought that anyone owes CiA a favour (and anyway, noobs have no clue to what went on in the past, why should they). I've done what I've done to please me (and give rather than take) and I don't expect gratitude for it as, by and large, there is none. Or even to be appreciated and I guess it's the same for most other voluntary activities. It's a bit like being a dad I suppose. (if only being a dad was like a hobby).

My one grumble really is that players need to make an effort to get to games - the same sort of effort they put into acquiring kit. It's probably a truism that blokes like collecting stuff and blokes like gunz but as a non-collector myself I need a reason to buy stuff and that reason is WW2 airsoft/reenacting.

Oh, and be open to new experiences, you never know, you might like it. This is supposed to be fun...

Just to clarify: CiA has never run a rifles only game, nor did we run the Crete game.

I didn't say it had. This was an example of niche games and a successful niche game.

S'alright, just didn't want people to attribute things to us that we hadn't done...for better or worse! Reading what you wrote I though it could be read that way. Your green grocer analogy works for me. I just like apples...or is it oranges?

Just to clarify: CiA has never run a rifles only game, nor did we run the Crete game.

I didn't say it had. This was an example of niche games and a successful niche game.

S'alright, just didn't want people to attribute things to us that we hadn't done...for better or worse! Reading what you wrote I though it could be read that way. Your green grocer analogy works for me. I just like apples...or is it oranges?

Fancy a peach?

For those newer players who are unaware of CiA's massive contribution to the genre, we cannot blame them. But the picture is not all bad. I've met two new guys recently who completely "get it". They attended their first WW2 event recently, turned up and were an absolute credit to themselves, and both were under 18.

Personally, I have attended every CiA event bar two - Clash of Eagles, because I had no WW2 kit at all, and Hauptmann Horn, because I had to attend a wedding with Frau Steiner. It still rankles with me to this day that I missed it!

Yes, C-W, players must attend events! That's what I've been banging on about for years, too. I can't understand those who collect all the kit and don't attend. Personally, I've never found an unfriendly WW2 event - we all start somewhere.

Just to clarify: CiA has never run a rifles only game, nor did we run the Crete game.

I didn't say it had. This was an example of niche games and a successful niche game.

S'alright, just didn't want people to attribute things to us that we hadn't done...for better or worse! Reading what you wrote I though it could be read that way. Your green grocer analogy works for me. I just like apples...or is it oranges?

Fancy a peach?

Got any nectarines?

S'alright, just didn't want people to attribute things to us that we hadn't done...for better or worse! Reading what you wrote I though it could be read that way. Your green grocer analogy works for me. I just like apples...or is it oranges?

Fancy a peach?

Got any nectarines?

See this is the problem. There's always one

Keeping with the market stall analogy, many of the buyers at this metaphorical market are now not just being tempted with different fruits but are now wanting to sample potatoes (Cold War), rice (Nam), beef jerky (flying Lead) and even freeze dried potatoes (wastlander)! these genres all offer similar immersive experiences as ww2 does, and lots of players including many old sweats on here are choosing these instead or as well as.

There are only so many weekends available that either don't clash or that we have free and with the best will in the world not many can do everything. My own personal life has severely curtailed my event attendance this year.

With that said I don't personally think that WW2 is on the demise, as Andy said there are new players joining who do "get it" and there is still lots of enthusiasm and many innovations and fresh ideas moving things forward. Waldek's rifles only games, Porta''s LARP melee weapons usage to name just a couple. I also think that levels of role-playing by players just gets better and better at each event, shouts of "hit" are a very rare thing now and lots really get into the whole deference to rank and playing their character of private or sergeant etc to the letter. All signs of progress in my book!

And as only four people are actually debating this, it would seem no one really cares.

A lot of this thread seems to be a rehash of stuff people have said on the forum recently anyway.

Personally I'm not hugely convinced that 'niche' games (rifles, LARP weapons or whatever) are the way to go if you are concerned abut inclusivity, however they are entertaining to play for a change. I seem to have ended up going to all three, but partly because I'll go to any WW2 game I'm able to get to, whatever the format.

I'd just echo Boshmans comments about the enthusiasm which many players continue to bring to the game, I was amazed at the efforts people had gone to for 'Crete'. Just need to tap into that enthusiasm I guess, like Fritz managed to do with his Bastogne game last year. Glass half full

Cheers
Martin

Sometimes boys you just need to stop flogging that dead horse.....

It was fun because it was new, and was populated by people who became mates , and a fair few nobbers , but we managed to accommodate and work around them . Comrades in Arms , the clue was in the title ...

The people who went to those events in 06 /07/ 08 have all moved on ..... build a bridge..... get over it !

Plus....face it ..... you're all getting a bit long in the tooth to be running around with toy guns in woods

Much love

XXX

Alte !

How old is too old for "running around with toy guns in woods" ? 25? 35? 45, 55? I stil enjoy it, and still have good friends who attend. It's sad when old friends give up, but I'm not giving up yet, because I enjoy it!

Sorry to necro this , but i havent been on here for a few weeks.

nearly all my best ever airsoft experiences have been at CIA games.
i also used to be really upset when i couldnt make a game, i felt like i "needed" to be there.

a fair bit of personal problems at home meant i had to take a break from the scene, but i came back for borzyn and loved it again

i still have very fond memories of games, and of people i met at those games. Huskey , Wotan, Bulge, arnhem, borzyn, and devils hill all come to mind, and as much as for the socials as the actual airsoft.

almost burning several people alive at various socials , to replacing yiths U.S flag and blameing the "Moths" for the big hole, and taking a shit into oddballs tank at huskey i had some cracking laughs, and will miss them all.

i will still enedevour to attend any future CIA events, personal shite in life permitting, BUT FFS PLEASE DONT RUN CIA EVENTS IN JULY , i can never make them, i must have missed the big event every year because of the july curse.

Thanks to everyone in CIA over the years , and hope to see something in the future.
As for long in the tooth, i was when i started ww2 airsoft , so not worried about that.

nice to hear from you though Guy , hope lifes going well mate

a few fond memories
-- attachment is not available --
-- attachment is not available --
-- attachment is not available --

-- attachment is not available --
-- attachment is not available ---- attachment is not available ---- attachment is not available ---- attachment is not available --