For what it's worth...
I try and get to every game that's advertised on this forum, primarily because I've made the investment in getting the kit. It's not a particularly cheap hobby, so best to get the most out of it. Few people are wealthy enough to be able to buy kit and leave it to gather dust in their wardrobe, particularly if they're looking for a game five miles down the road, as that's not going to happen.
You're going to have to travel. Nature of the beast as this is a niche hobby and you go where the games are, not vice versa.
Not everyone can do that, for a variety of reasons that you can figure out for yourselves.
Unfortunately, however, it's a fact that some games are not going to have the same appeal as others, again, for a variety of reasons. I like a game that's squad based, mission focused, where you make a concerted effort to get in to the mindset of a soldier in the Second World War on the front line. Most of them were conscripts, with little interest in soldiering and simply there to get the job done and go home. The act of ordinary people operating in extraordinary circumstances fascinates me.
It's not about constant fire fights; that gets old quickly. It's mostly the threat of coming under fire, the act of moving through ground, with your mate covering you, not knowing if you're about to get shot on the next bend of the road, of flanking an opponent to move on and secure ground and having avoided taking casualties.
Am I prepared to attend an event that doesn't offer that?
I'm inclined to say yes, as I share the sense of wanting to put on as many games as possible and draw attention to it. I applaud all the organisers for taking the time and effort and showing the imagination, to put games on. The reality, however, is that with all the best will in the world spending £65 (for example) to attend an event that I know I have little excitement about is a gross disservice to the organiser; let's face it, who honestly is going to spend that kind of money out of the goodness of their hearts to attend purely to ensure the game is put on?
I honestly wish everyone the best with their games and I applaud people for trying new things. The level of skill, imagination, ingenuity, warmth and approachability of the people in this hobby puts most others to shame and I'm privileged to be part of it.
I know that I've not been to an event in two years, the last was Oddballs dirty dozen/Allo Allo game, but that is due to work and family life constraints, I work very long hours, up to 15 hrs a day and sometimes don't even make it home, for me now it's trying to fit an event around my family life as I have two kids at 3 years old and affording the travel and event cost/ being able to put food on the table, hopefully things will change next year and I can try to make a few, I'm set for the August 30th event as it's 40 mins away from me, I can be home to help the Mrs with the kids.
When I was single the traveling to an event was not a problem, expense was not a problem as I ate in the junior ranks mess and I'd just spend the rest of the month on camp painting FOW, But now is a different, I have more pressing matters to take my time with, Gods only know just how much I want to go away for a weekend, meet up with everyone and have a fantastic time!,
But family comes first now
"Will you stop talking about the war!!"
"What, you started it!"
"We did NOT start it!"
"Yes you did, you invaded Poland..."
OK guys, just to be clear there is no need to be defensive or publicly defend non-attendance!
EVERYONE has a reason not to attend events.
If you don't have the time or money or wherewithal then tough luck, WW2 airsoft isn't for you. Everyone understands that and it's not a problem. Jigsaws are a cheap hobby and there is always the TV. (And yet hundreds and hundreds of £s can be found for uniforms and guns - weird eh?)
The snag is there is no one with unlimited time and resources. And yet, until fairly recently, players were prepared to travel to the ends of the country to meet like-minded people, play at gob-smacking sites and act out extraordinary and memorable scenarios. These were people who moved heaven and earth to make something happen - and make no mistake, it is the players that make events and are the soul of the community. If players don't make the effort, don't make the commitment, don't make sacrifices, then organisers won't either. Why would they?
Players need to broaden their horizons, try something out of their comfort zones, try something with new faces, not troop around with best mates and settle for an easy blat. And this 'North or South' thing, actively encouraged by some, has been very divisive. I've been all over the country - from Cornwall to North Yorkshire, North Wales to the South Coast. Fantastic. Hell, I've even co-organised events all over the country - try recceing and planning a game 180 miles away from you at your own expense, then I'll listen to winging about travelling!
So, the warnings have been flagged up, nice and clear. Events have been organised for you throughout the year and it is make or break time. Trust me, next year will be very different - fewer, less challenging events, events so sparse that unless you are prepared to travel a good distance you haven't a hope of playing. The saving grace is that the glut of uniforms and guns will be cheap in the For Sale columns, including mine.
I have no defence I just can't be arsed now if I come I come if I dont come then I dont simples
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First time someone has said the truth Marsha - 'I can't be arsed'
Bloody hell. I'm surprised by your post CW. I want to respond to what you have said, but I think I am speechless at the moment.
Bloody hell. I'm surprised by your post CW. I want to respond to what you have said, but I think I am speechless at the moment.
Why? Everything he's said is true. As is what Wladek said.
To get to an event, I have to take a week off work because that is the only way I can guarantee a day off at the weekend. I have no car so I then have to cart everything by train. It was a nightmare getting to and from the San Marino game from Bristol. Are you are saying that I therefore should not be doing WW2 airsoft?
Those of us that cannot travel the length and breadth of the country do still make up the numbers at the games closest to them. Site run themed games such as for example the Combat South game, help increase the numbers of potential players in those areas. It then becomes easier to get players for events in that area.
I would love to get to every game on the calendar, this year I may manage 2-3. How many people are there that can make it to every game? Because it seems that that is therefore the maximum attendance that you would have if we follow the logic in CW's post.
Yes it's true that it would be nice if everyone made an effort to go to as many as possible but for some of us 2-3 events IS every event that is possible.
You didn't read my post.
I said "If you don't have the time or money or wherewithal then tough luck, WW2 airsoft isn't for you." This is a truism.
WW2 airsoft isn't about kit collecting, it is about attending WW2 events. This is why I place events at the top of the forum and why they have prominence on the website and Facebook.
Nor did I say say players should attend every event on the calendar.
Bloody hell. I'm surprised by your post CW. I want to respond to what you have said, but I think I am speechless at the moment.
Why? Everything he's said is true. As is what Wladek said.
I disagree. It isn't all true.
It's all a bit insulting to those of us that have taken the time to prepare to get involved in ww2 airsoft, researching what the correct things are, looking for them, buying them etc, to be told that effort isn't being made.
I know I am probably not typical of a ww2 airsofter, I'm only 17 and a student. I've spent the last 2 years spending every penny I've had on getting kit together. I am commited to it and as I've said, I'd attend every event going if I had the means. My not doing so is nothing to do with lack of effort or not being arsed.
I've been to one event, the Crete game. I put a lot into it as I take it seriously and wouldn't want to let the other players down with a lacklustre attempt. I tried my best and was complimented on my load out, enthusiam and effort
I would like to commit to more events, but my reasons for not being able to do so are valid and I just resent the accusation of not being bothered TBH. For me, it is nothing to do with not being bothered.
As I have said already, I am only 17, I am commited to ww2 airsoft and have a good few years ahead of me where once I am earning, I will be able to get more involved, before I reach a point in life where I have other commitments to consider [girlfriend/wife/kids etc] that may get in the way.
I respect and appreciate the work and effort that the more seasoned ww2 airsofters put in to staging the events, which is one of the reasons why I feel my contribution to the events as a participant has to be of a certain standard to do it justice, I wouldn't come half arsed.
I've spent the last 2 years spending every penny I've had on getting kit together.
I've been to one event, the Crete game.
Bzzzzzt! Repetition.
Why did you spend every penny getting kit? Why not spend every penny attending events? Spend less on the kit, or borrow.
I understand also, that being under 18, you can't go to some events.
Read CW's post again.
Yes, odd that things are being turned about. The effort being referred to isn't the standard of kit - not in the slightest, that is up to players. The issue is simply attendance. Don't attend games and there with be no games to attend.
Ok, so I may have read your post with a harsher tone than you intended. It can be a problem with forums
You didn't read my post.
I said "If you don't have the time or money or wherewithal then tough luck, WW2 airsoft isn't for you." This is a truism.
WW2 airsoft isn't about kit collecting, it is about attending WW2 events. This is why I place events at the top of the forum and why they have prominence on the website and Facebook.
Nor did I say say players should attend every event on the calendar.
Surely 'kit collecting' is part of it, or else we would all be off somewhere paintballing in generic overalls.
I've spent the last 2 years spending every penny I've had on getting kit together.
I've been to one event, the Crete game.
Bzzzzzt! Repetition.
Why did you spend every penny getting kit? Why not spend every penny attending events? Spend less on the kit, or borrow.
I understand also, that being under 18, you can't go to some events.
Read CW's post again.
How about read mine again and if you are going to quote me, do so in context. Was that all you got from my post.
You have answered your own question though. I was not able to attend many events due to my age, Not through the want of trying.
Yes, odd that things are being turned about. The effort being referred to isn't the standard of kit - not in the slightest, that is up to players. The issue is simply attendance. Don't attend games and there with be no games to attend.
Nothing is being 'turned about', Your previous post was snippy, off and dismissive of peoples situations.
No killacommy, my post had nothing whatsoever to do with kit standards (nor did anyone else's), that was your contribution and not in the slightest bit relevant to this thread.
I'm not in the least dismissive, indeed I said "EVERYONE has a reason not to attend events."
And I did say there is no need to post why you (anyone) can't attend events - the issue is more for everyone to ask themselves "How can I contribute more to the community. How can I repay the efforts of those who put their time and money to put events on for me?"
No killacommy, my post had nothing whatsoever to do with kit standards (nor did anyone else's), that was your contribution and not in the slightest bit relevant to this thread.
I'm not in the least dismissive, indeed I said "EVERYONE has a reason not to attend events."And I did say there is no need to post why you (anyone) can't attend events - the issue is more for everyone to ask themselves "How can I contribute more to the community. How can I repay the efforts of those who put their time and money to put events on for me?"
What I said about kit was relevant, because you made a comment about people having money for kit but not for attending events. What I said about feeling the need to meet a certain standard [hence the expenditure] with kit was in response to that.
You said there was no need to post why people can't attend events, but then came out with your 'tough luck' and suggestions of jigsaws and TV. How was that not dismissive?
Yes, you said everyone has a reason not to attend events, you clearly don't accept them though.
How would you like everyone to contribute more to the community/repay the efforts of those organising?
What is it about forum posts, tweets, text message's facebook comments etc that sends everyone over the edge Perhaps it is because we cannot hear the tone of the voice or see the facial expressions of the person that delivered them it is easy to misinterpret the intent.
While there are many aspects to the hobby that are discussed on this forum that I enjoy, weapons uniforms etc the simple fact is that attending events is what its about.
One has only to look at last year's event calender to see how many games were cancelled and some others only just scrapped by with the numbers. This year the event calender is brimming with events and 2 more are behind the scenes waiting to be announced. Seeing how many events are on offer against the low level of attendance last year I, I did foresee that some games would be struggling to get the required bookings.
Yes we all have reasons for not attending events but if everyone on this forum was to attend at least 2 games a year and be prepared to travel to one far off event we would have a much larger player base to work from. Game organisers will not continue too offer the choice of events currently on offer unless the players are preparred to make the effort to attend.
So how about everyone reading this post (newer and veteran players alike) now says to themselves I need to attend an event or one more event this year than I planned. Yes times are tough, Yes money is tight, Yes travel arrangements are not always easy, but I am going to find a way. That games not really in my comfort zone, I dont like that game organiser but I am going to give it a try. I shall be looking at the Events list and making a decision....will you?
How would you like everyone to contribute more to the community/repay the efforts of those organising?
There is only one way, the way I described, the way Tim has put it so well above.