OK, it's that time of year where we at PBI start looking at running airsoft events for next year, and I've been looking through past CiA/PBI and other org's events, and particularly this year's events, with a view to getting a feel for what people want.
From what i can see, the country's financial position has taken a hit on ww2 airsoft this year, the 'scene' (for want of a better word) has had several cancelled events, either due to site problems/numbers/unforseen problems, and although there have been plenty of successful events, this year, from a personal perspective, take up and bookings seem have been slower than in previous years.
With that in mind, what do people look for in an event, these days? What sort of thing would you like, expect, or hope for?
E.g:
- Closer focus on individual units/battles, or more generic 'axis vs allies' events?
- More historically accurate, or anything goes?
Obviously the latter option in those cases makes it cheaper for people to attend, as, if you've got some kit, you can make it if you want to, without buying anything, but is that important enough to people to make it worthwhile? personally, i like badging up kit to suit an event, and i'm happy to spend a tenner or so to re-badge, but that may just be the collector in me.
Also, how important is the 'social' aspect, would you prefer extra event time over a drinking session the night before? We've seen that 24 hour events can be a success, so there's obviously a precedent set.
Anyway, over to you. I'm genuinely interested what makes people think 'I'm up for that!'.
If possible, i'd like any organisers that post to put their 'player' head on, not their 'organiser' head. 
Here's my contribution:
1. 24hr or day - time of year has a big impact on this IMHO but a day game with an optional pre-night camp seems the best bet unless it is a big remote site with an overnight camp as part of the scenario as this gives people a chance to incorporate other stuff not directly airsoft like shelter building, a bit of renactment like stag or just doing dawn and dusk stand to/ attacks.
2. Timing in the calendar seems to be the biggest issue this year in addition to finances. Too many events or clashes mean people will not or can not travel/ attend. I would suggest avoid any Bank Holidays, school holidays or known other event clashes.
3. Scenario/ kit - as this is a PBI viewpoint I would like much more airborne Brit than there has been! (I had a blast at Husky and I have a new proper denison not yet worn). Also, how about game scenrios with uneven sides but use other rules to set this up. If we play the scenario, most people don't care about winning and losing anymore on here so taking turns to attack and defend seems a bit old hat now. The tree campaigns that have been run before were good but rolling one into the next with a 'rest/ recon' scenario in between was suggested recently and this would work well. The format might be "if this happened then your next objective is this", plan and then do it. Then repeat till the end of game objective is met or failed.
4. Site location - there are a number of good games still scheduled this year but I can not travel for longer than the game as it is just not worth it. I would love to go to Sealion for instance but it is school holidays so we are away with the kids and it is over 6 hours each way driving. Middle of England or Mid/ North Wales is better for me.
Peter Rabbit - Tank Killer
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hawk914/2159973655/
With my "player" head on, the biggest factor for me is that i'm finding it harder and harder to justify driving a 400 mile round trip for just a one day event. The price of petrol is just too much of a killer.
When we were a Kingdom it was run by a King
When we were an Empire it was run by an Empress
Now we're a country we're run by a..........
I would definatly be interested in a few more Brit Airborne games, Oosterbeck was mentioned some time ago as a possible game.
There are many Urban sites around the UK that could be used to run games along the lines of Stalingrad/Berlin/Paris, I'm not a fan of how the site is run but Urban Assault at RAF Upwood has lots of buildings with a fair amount of space between and they could be interested in getting in on the action as their first WW2 Airsoft game at Bulby woods was good but the numbers were uneven.
"Will you stop talking about the war!!"
"What, you started it!"
"We did NOT start it!"
"Yes you did, you invaded Poland..."
I think the most important element is the acknowledgement that the event is a game. 
After careful consideration, Distance is my choice of word.
Non of the other stuff would really influence my decision to attend I don't think.
1. Distance is a great factor as mentioned. As much as people in the Midlands don’t want to travel south the same applies to me going North.
2. Don`t make the game too restrictive. Keep it simple. Generic units , weapons etc. (If you want full badged units looking the part the go for it but it pusts extra price on the whole thing ) Unfortunately the Japanese Chindits game has fallen by the wayside due to the kit Weapon and time of theatre. Sealion is open minded with Lets have a good time more the merrier and I think the numbers already reflect this in the bookings.
3. Having 2 Lads (Experienced Aisofters under the age 16 sometimes more tactically aware and mature than some adults I have come across) they are certainly left out of CIA events for the next 4 or 5 years. As stated, youth in any sort of sport or club are the future unless you can recruit Old uns like me all of the time! I certainly don`t like under 16 running around at open days un controlled but they are dumped off by parens for a sort of Modern Warfare Cresche. Could they be included with an adult? Food for thought.
4. Having stagged on for many years for real, I for one don`t want to be cold hungry and wet when I could be in front of the fire, full belly, having a laugh with a beer at the end of the day. The social event for me is a good as the game. If you want that 24hour milsim thing good on you.
From what I have seen the games CIA organises seem great and a lot of effort goes into them, long may it be.
I think the most important element is the acknowledgement that the event is a game.
I think we're all in agreement there 
My 2 pesetas:
Enough of us seem to value the "re-enactor" aspects of filling sandbags, marking minefields, monitoring radio transmissions and all that malarkey to incorporate it into games. 7 hours of back-to-back combat is not necessary.
I'd like to see a greater role for COs and NCOs in terms of formulating plans of attack and defence. Whether or not real world tactics work in airsoft is irrelevant - part of the immersion is being ordered to do stuff that's dangerous, risky or even suicidal. I'm sure that, given the choice, everyone in the first wave at Omaha would rather not have been there. Point is, they didn't have a choice.
Top of my wish-list for 2011 would be for a game where the Germans aren't another mixed unit of Heer, WfSS, FJ, whatever. We've seen enough games where Allied players re-badge so they can be a homogenous unit, why not Axis as well?
Finally I'm not really interested in 1 day games any more, especially if I have to travel a long way to get there.
I'm all for the closer themed scenarios -portraying a certain unit at a certian place at a certain time. The scale of the engangements we're dealing with means there is plenty of scope for creativity whislt sticking close to the truth. Its easy enough for any site to run any anything goes game, PBI should stick to what they do best with a more focused approach. There is more than enough kit knocking about to equip those who don't have their own for all but the most obscure scenarios.
Not that I'm against fanatasy scenarios as long as they either have a strong basis in reality or are totally off the wall. Contradictory I know but I understand what I mean even if I can't put it into words! 
More weekenders is definitely something I would agree with. It just feels its better value for money with transport costs as they are. Plus it means you get time to get plenty of 'game time' and still fit in some socialising. Often you don't get to meet new people properly in a day game, especially if they're on the other side. A weekender gives you the chance to do both, possibly even a social and a 24 hr(ish) event in the same weekend during the summer months.
Distance is less of an issue for me, within reason. I'm happy to travel just about anywhere if I think its worth it. That means a good scenario and also possibly a weekender.
For me, as a player, when considering what games run by other people I may attend and spend my money on, I look at several factors, apart from the obvious one of having the spare time.
1) Distance. As already said, I don't want to spend longer travelling than I do playing.
2) Location. I like a good site that fits the scenario, not one I've been to several times already, unless it really is a great site.
3)Scenario. It has to enthuse me and show that the organisers are doing it for the players, not their own gratification. I do not like "generic" games as they lack immersion. However, I also want to see some leeway with kit, to allow for all levels but, within a tightish framework (eg, fine for Brit players to wear belgian denisons for Arnhem or Russians to wear M69's but, no SS at Stalingrad or SAS at Dunkirk, etc). I also personally prefer a rolling scenario, which lets the players get on with it and stay in character, rather than stop start ones. In reality, there is not that much difference, as the time one spends "regenning" is basically the same as the time between "missions" anyway.
4)People. I look at who's going/planning to go and, if it looks like good company, I am willing to make concessions on my other deciding factors. Of course, it can work out the other way too, if it looks like bad company!
5)Cost/value. Does the game make use of the gear I already have? I don't want to buy kit for a game and then have it sit in a box for the next 3 years afterwards. Buying a new badge is perfectly acceptable for me if I can mix and match existing kit. Buying a whole new uniform for a one off is not.
Those are some of my own "needs analysis" of games put on by others. I also agree that this year has been a more difficult one for all, with no game booking up overnight (like Ariel and Glocke did!). However, there have been some very good games this year too, which have broken new ground and kept things fresh and proved that WW2 airsoft is very much alive and kicking. I'd gladly play out variations of Jedburgh for every event in the future now that it's been proved it can be done, especially if I can play and not have the pain of plan writing/organising it!
When I want your opinion - I'll tell you what it is!
My considerations are location, transport, timing, availability of leave, kit I have available suiting the scenario.
To be honest I think we are a finite number of people with a reletively fixed disposable budget trying to cover a wider theme of games (and fronts) more thinly. In short, preaching to the same old congregation.
The CIA Weekend events are something you can be justly proud off. However while they cater for the more experianced players they do lock out the newbie by their very closed nature.
I think we should consider a parrellel stream of games aimed at bringing in new blood.
May I suggest the following. We steal the AI "Tour of Duty" idea. So that the curious and potential player can give WW2 a go at a site near them. We make it a populist North West Europe touring game (comming to a site near you!).
Zero Bravo and his Brittany game I think hit something on the head. It is a great setting. You can without too much of a streach have all types of German forces, most US, some Brits and entry level resistance/mallice kit for those who can't justify spending a weeks wages on a whole US/Heer/Brit uniform and webbing before their first game (that is about what it costs, a weapon and accessories another weeks wages! yet my Home guard civilian+armband kit bought special for Sealion cost me £50 all in! The rest scrounged from what I already have). Maybe set it in Brittany or elsewhere in France, the intradiction of one of those hold out festungs that the allies feel just isn't worth the cost to take, but must bottle up. Populist, owing more to TV/Movies than history it may be, but it could be what gives many people their first taste that gets them hooked.
We should also publish some more "budget" kit guides with photos showing just how good some can be (possibly even have an informal competition to see who can come up with the best dirt cheap WW2 load out with only about £100-150 being spent of specifics and the rest being stuff most people would have anyway).
But that is just some ideas.
To the tune of "Mademoiselle from Armentières"
Napoleons army ran away, As you do
The guard stood firm for Frances Pride, As you do
They said the guard will stand and die
But we heard what their Colonel cried
It wasn't pretty I tell you.
Resistance is fertile
Heh, travelling distance, eh ? The fact is that our player base simply isn't large enough to only run events for local people - if we all decided we would never travel more than 2 hours, then the WWII airsoft scene would simply die. Doing a quick scan of the 25-or-so events I've taken part in, it's apparent that they have been quite evenly spread - from the south coast, to Suffolk, the west midlands, east midlands, Yorkshire, north Wales and south Wales. As far as I'm concerned, travel is a necessary evil if the WWII scene is to survive, so I ALWAYS try to lift share.
Social side is also important for me - whilst I love rolling 24 hour style events, I do miss it if there is no social the night before - over the past 3-and-a-half years I've made some really great friends. 
I do like events based on a historical scenario, and like Martin I think it would be great if we could get one type of German unit to an event again. However, with the relatively low German numbers at the moment, and the financial climate, a tightening of kit restrictions in this way would most likely end up in not enough Germans turning up. Kit lending, therefore is also a good way of helping numbers. Yes, having NCOs would be most interesting - you're given the objective - "take point A" - and you have to work out how to do it with the necessary forces at hand.
Also, the longer notice you can give for an event, the more likely it is that people can come - they can book it in the calendar, try to arrange time off work, and get any bits of kit that they might not have.
I think the point is, that whilst most of us have less money than we perhaps used to, let's face it - airsoft in general - and particularly WWII airsoft - has never been an exercise in how to spend money sensibly!!! 
It's just the most fun you can have without taking your kit off.
[edit] Also agree with Pete - I like visiting new sites, not the same old ones.
You've got nothing to ein, zwei, drei, vier
The CIA Weekend events are something you can be justly proud off. However while they cater for the more experianced players they do lock out the newbie by their very closed nature.
Without going off topic and trampling on DM's original question by talking about specific organisers, I feel that I do need to point out that CiA weekenders aren't "closed" in anyway. We went to great pains when writing the Jedburgh plan, to include as much kit and style of play variation as possible for both sides. It had something for everyone, from hardcore loonies to armchair softies and everything in between. Devil's Hill is of a similar nature (although a totally different style of play). It IS true that CiA events expect a bit more of players in terms of mindset but, the new faces at Jedburgh (and there were a few of them) fitted in every bit as well as the old sweats because they "got it". If people are willing to throw themselves into it, it doesn't really matter if they don't have reenactor standards of kit. In fact, that's another thing I look for in other peoples' games!
Also, the longer notice you can give for an event, the more likely it is that people can come - they can book it in the calendar, try to arrange time off work, and get any bits of kit that they might not have.
I think the problem with that has been that the calendar filled up really quickly this year! I can't recall there being as many games as there have been/will be this year. I prefer quality over quantity but, I suppose it's nice to have so much choice.
When I want your opinion - I'll tell you what it is!
I'm finding it difficult to separate 'player' from 'organiser'. Simply put, CiA games (lets see if Craig noticed that ) are exactly the sort of game I like to play. It might seem odd/selfish but we organise the games WE like to play and hope others do too in sufficient numbers to make a game viable - well, we wouldn't organise an event we didn't want to attend!
And this is why we now have a spread to game styles/ideas, many organisers putting their own 'ideal' games into practice - and WW2 airsoft is all the better for it.
To address points raised, particularly Krauten & Hänschen klein. Just in case there is a misunderstanding - as far as I'm aware south of the border it is only CiA that have an over 18 policy (and that won't be changing) so that is only 3 or 4 games a year. PoW games in Scotland also have an over 18 policy. All the others are open to 16 year olds (and some games younger) although some may stipulate a responsible adult in attendance. In particular Gunman Airsoft games (many are weekenders) welcome youngsters and positively encourage new entrants to WW2. So, no excuse for youngsters not to attend WW2 games, whatever kit you have or haven't got
Perhaps organisers need to publish exact details of who and who cannot attend to clear up some points this would then encourage more people to attend. Checked the Gunman advertisements and there is No mention of age??? Without all the information it is hard to get a feel for what is going to happen and PS my boys have great kit well upto the standard of a good WW2 game.
Point well made.
Age limits are mostly dictated by whatever PLI the site has but I think there is probably another reason why under-18s aren't encouraged.
Eye protection is always the stumbling block for any truly realistic impression. I'd say 99% of CiA players go for shooting glasses - hardly noticeable when worn but giving no face / teeth protection at all, which is something that youngsters and their parents object to, and rightly so.
However nothing kills the element of immersion for me quite so fast as seeing someone wearing a Darth Vader mask. Even though they are undoubtably the safest thing to wear and organisers can't justifiably or morally discourage people from wearing them. They simply don't invite those who are most likely to wear them. From a selfish POV I'm glad they do it too.
With a player head on, then the distance and travel time are the major deciding factor for me. I'm only prepared to do the six hour treck up north once a year. I have a busy schedule locally and time commitment etc are the main factors in the decision for me. IMHO if CiA did a Jedburgh with a friday night social to begin the event in 2011, then that would be the game I'd put everything aside to attend.
I prefer strongly themed events as I'm completely happy with re-badging and prefer to see more realistic units. I also do see the need to do the same with both sides.
I prefer single day events as getting away from the family for a whole weekend is a real bind for me, especially now we have two kiddies. If longer time is needed then I don't mind playing into the evening. In fact the system used at FFZ for last years nam game was good if people are desperate for more game time. We arrived just before sundown on Sat, played in the evening as it got dark and then played again the next day.
I don't mind the style of the game too much, but do like something with unit cohesion, which to me is harder with regen style games.
I prefer single day events as getting away from the family for a whole weekend is a real bind for me, especially now we have two kiddies.
I know where you're coming from. Whilst Frau Steiner has never made a fuss about me going to 2-day events, I don't like to do it too often. There is something to be said for a variety of games.
You've got nothing to ein, zwei, drei, vier
my site WW2 players have all been talking about doing more games next year down your way, so weekenders would be a lot better for us as we have to travel 8-12 hrs in a mini bus 
grate fun but haveing two days play at the end just makes it more interesting and worthwhile,
cost isant a real issue for me/us as we,r allready boxed and payed for the mini bus and expenses
the armhem game we came down to was grate, second i think in the CIA events,
but again we all said big shame its only the one day,
so for use it would be travel down friday, play saturday, have a few drinks and carry on sunday, come home monday,
warren
team shoot and scoot, TL
