National Event

BigGunner

Hey guys,

Just wondering if there would be any interest in organising a national event.

Starting on a Friday and ending on Sunday.

Anyone got any ideas?

Lemming

BigGunner wrote: »

Hey guys,

Just wondering if there would be any interest in organising a national event.

Starting on a Friday and ending on Sunday.

Anyone got any ideas?

Well why don't you give us your idea first?


On a less sarcastic note; this has already been tried, although I think they had to cancel the event due to logistical difficulties or lack of committed numbers.

wormbyte

TA Events will still be looking at possibly running a game in Ireland sometime this year.

Tommyboy71

Ian. I want to have your babies.

TheDoc

wormbyte wrote: »

TA Events will still be looking at possibly running a game in Ireland sometime this year.

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MagicIRL

Im still rather new, TA is...?

defenderdude

MagicIRL wrote: »

Im still rather new, TA is...?

http://www.ta-events.co.uk/

Witcher

MagicIRL wrote: »

Im still rather new, TA is...?

They run a lot of big events across the water: Phoenix Rising, Chernarus Conflict etc.:)

I second Docs..'outburst':pac: I've wanted to go across to a TA event but if they bring one to me..also good:P

Spike

Check out http://www.hrta.ie/upcoming_events_19.html

TNTQ

wormbyte wrote: »

TA Events will still be looking at possibly running a game in Ireland sometime this year.

oooooooooooooooh, nice

Spike wrote: »

Check out http://www.hrta.ie/upcoming_events_19.html

1st post in 3 and a half years. This must be going to be epic

Count us in.

MerryDespot

MagicIRL wrote: »

Im still rather new, TA is...?

Are you familiar with the term 'awesome' MagicIRL? Well, multiples of that.

AlternateID

Spike wrote: »

Check out http://www.hrta.ie/upcoming_events_19.html

Been there, done that. :rolleyes:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055914833

MerryDespot

Spike wrote: »

Check out http://www.hrta.ie/upcoming_events_19.html

Dude, that was July last year - epic games too (thanks again Shane). It's a bit away yet, but there are a few plots bubbling away for this summer as well I believe.

MerryDespot

AlternateID wrote: »

Been there, done that. :rolleyes:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055914833

... had picture used in the linked info too I believe.

Harveey

I've been looking at the TA Events for a while now, just the one thing that puts me off is the ammo limit as I'm not too sure about it, my slow mind hasn't grasped it yet:p is it 600 rounds split in magazines for the whole event or per life, can you reload when respawn? I haven't really been into the whole milsim games but have been contemplating for a while whether to do one or not but if they run one in Ireland I'd be well up for it

TNTQ

Harveey wrote: »

I've been looking at the TA Events for a while now, just the one thing that puts me off is the ammo limit as I'm not too sure about it, my slow mind hasn't grasped it yet:p is it 600 rounds split in magazines for the whole event or per life, can you reload when respawn? I haven't really been into the whole milsim games but have been contemplating for a while whether to do one or not but if they run one in Ireland I'd be well up for it

x amount of rounds on your person depending on your role (Rifleman, Sniper, etc)

No carting around bbs in bags or other

reload at designated areas normally

Makes for a much more realistic experience

Harveey

TNTQ wrote: »

x amount of rounds on your person depending on your role (Rifleman, Sniper, etc)

No carting around bbs in bags or other

reload at designated areas normally

Makes for a much more realistic experience

Cheers:D Will definately be keeping my eye's on the TA website to see if an event in Ireland happens

BioHazRd

Harveey
There are many milsim style games on offer around Ireland if you want to see what it's like before you jump into something like a TA event.
I don't know what part of the country you are based in, but hrta regularly hosts games run by evilrobotshane and the red barn runs some milsim style games on Wednesdays once the better weather kicks in. Remember, milsim is about more than ammo limits. You usually have a defined set of objectives to gain (usually without breaks in the game) and you may also be subject to medic rules and a defined chain of command which needs to be respected. Not all games use all the rules, but I really can't recommend it highly enough - it's a great way to play airsoft. If you are not based in Dublin, contact your local site and ask if they run any milsim games / events

BigGunner

Would be great if TA did organize an event. BUT would it be possible if a few experienced heads got together and organised our own event. We have some great sites here and the guys that run these sites have put in alot of time and effort into them. Surely we could organize some sort of event.????

An event over a weekend to start with.

Game types

1: Could be one long all out war (milsim rules would apply)

2: Could have several missions over the wkend for the teams involved.

3: Could be campaign based and be spread over several wkend events throughout the year.

Any one got any ideas or suggestions???

Some of the site owners could collaborate and come up with an event(s).

Puding

BigGunner wrote: »

Would be great if TA did organize an event. BUT would it be possible if a few experienced heads got together and organised our own event. We have some great sites here and the guys that run these sites have put in alot of time and effort into them. Surely we could organize some sort of event.????

An event over a weekend to start with.

Game types

1: Could be one long all out war (milsim rules would apply)

2: Could have several missions over the wkend for the teams involved.

3: Could be campaign based and be spread over several wkend events throughout the year.

Any one got any ideas or suggestions???

Some of the site owners could collaborate and come up with an event(s).

tbh all are being done in ireland, but tbh milsim just does not attract the numbers even in dublin

1) some events in dublin already with limit numbers showing interest

2) again done in dublin at a number sites ( htra mac and fingal for example )

3) done at mac but that is invite only , also done at htra on a smaller scale

some people have been trying hard to get events like this to work already, fortunately they need more people to show and interest and show support

BigGunner

Ya that's true. Could do with more support and interest. But if TA announced in the morning that they were hosting an event in say Tipp or wherever people would be trampling each other to get a place. Its a pity we as a community couldn't show that support for one of our own.

Witcher

BigGunner wrote: »

Ya that's true. Could do with more support and interest. But if TA announced in the morning that they were hosting an event in say Tipp or wherever people would be trampling each other to get a place. Its a pity we as a community couldn't show that support for one of our own.

I would assume the reason for that is if TA are running it then you'll attract people that a bit more committed to the rules of the scenario rather than the usual rigmarole organisers here go through with people not reading the rules before the game, no knowing about ammo limits, moaning that they've no midcaps/wanting to use hicaps etc etc. I don't think people would be inclined to turn up half assed to the TA event compared to a standard milsim here.

Chuck the Buck

Blay I don't think thats really fair on Irish sites. We have a tiny market here vs the UK, we don't communicate with each other very well (boards is zero use as the vast majority don't read much or any of it) and the sites need to allow walk-ons so as not to alienate their regular customs who didn't hear about it/try to make ends meet due to the low turn out.

Now if punters were willing to prebook (with a non-refundable deposit so they don't bail) it would make all the difference in enticing the site operators to running these events not to mention keeping the sleeve chewers at bay


I for one am very excited about the possibility of TA Events running a weekend long game over here (Predator I assume), not just for the opportunity of a good game but because it'll prove to the native site operators that it is possible to run a weekend long milsim here.

Witcher

Chuck the Buck wrote: »

Blay I don't think thats really fair on Irish sites.

I never said anything about sites here being at fault, I said sites go through a rigmarole trying to run an event around players who are a bit lacking in commitment to the game, failing to read rules etc.

It's the mindset of players that hamper events here attracting big crowds, people not wanting it in Dublin/Galway/Cork because they'll have to travel, not wanting it in x place because the site is too small etc etc.:)

Danin

I have to say from experience listening to you both that you both have valid points. Regarding the misconception out there that we do not have existing sites here in Ireland with the capacity to run such an event is misguided. There are Sites that could facilitate the scale of such an event.

Pre Booking IMO is a must for an event such as this as it relates true interest to the site owner prior to them investing large amounts of cash to secure the infrastructure required for the event for example extra insurance, camping facilities, external lighting, security&marchells etc.

One of the problems is many people may say "this is great" "it's exactly what we want" but when it comes to actually committing themselves to go they simply don't, others tend to sit on the fence so to speak and wait to see who are the people they know that are going and hence gage the caliber of the game and their involvement prior to it taking place and you cant blame them.
Unfortunately that's just the way things are here at the moment. I'd say run a one day large scale event to establish a good repore with the players and gain their trust in the sense that they would be then aware of your commitment to the standards of the game and they would be less hesitant in booking for a weekend event as it would not be as much of a gamble.

The reason TA Events and the likes of Berget are so popular is because they have been tried and tested and lads are guaranteed a good well structured gaming experience for their money every time.

sliabh

Danin wrote: »

The reason TA Events and the likes of Berget are so popular is because they have been tried and tested and lads are guaranteed a good well structured gaming experience for their money every time.

You also get good scenery. The sites the TA games are played on are far beyond anything here when it comes to buildings etc.

BigGunner

Its a pity we don't have a site like that here.

MerryDespot

BigGunner wrote: »

Its a pity we don't have a site like that here.

You have to remember (as those of us who were looking forward to Copehill are painfully aware ) that the sites used by TA are UK MoD facilities ... it's not really fair to compare those sorts of facilities to airsoft sites in Ireland, which are (by and large) woods or mixed sites without the number of structures and buildings that proper FIBUA sites have.

I still think that some sites in Ireland would have the size to run some larger weekend milsim games - but as pointed out above, it's also a question of scale - Ireland has a much smaller gamer pool (as far as I know) than the UK. We'd have to try to tempt our British cousins over the water (rather than all of us heading over there, as is normally the case) to get the level of turnout that you seem to get at the TA games.

That said, the idea of a TA event over here makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside! While I'm looking forward to the April Senny trip, to be able to have a similar game on this side of the Irish Sea without the hassle and grief of shipping over to the Wales, is just champion.

Spike

MerryDespot wrote: »

Dude, that was July last year - epic games too (thanks again Shane). It's a bit away yet, but there are a few plots bubbling away for this summer as well I believe.

That was last year??? Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh nooooooooooo, wish they put 2010 on it, have to build my site like that so for this summer!!!

wormbyte

Thanks for the interest guys

You have to remember though that even we can't always pull the numbers in. My last Copehill game during June 2009 only managed to pull in 150 players. And last years Sennybridge September game only attracted 80 players. It can change from game to game though.

Last April's Senny game had 250 players whilst if this years Copehill had gone ahead then it would have been around 350.

But we do have the advantage that these attractive FIBUA sites do get interest from players from all over Europe, which is always going to bolster big numbers.

But we don't always have it plain sailing. For example, we had to cancel a woodlands game back in 2008 due to insufficient numbers.

Firekitten

It is possible to run a national event without it being milsim based with 'relatively' low hastle.

Got to get some key details square first;

1: How many players does your event take? 100-200? 500? It's a tradeoff between what you'd LIKE, and what you can realistically expect to get. Selecting a site must take this into account, its ok to be a little spread out, than reloading mags off your mate's vest becaues hes so close.

2:Insurance, catering concerns, toilet facilities for x number...

your local site's one portaloo may be grand for 40 airsofters each sunday, but 500 are going to make something hazmat would want to collect. Basically... your logitics...

How many people does your insurance cover? is the site for this game insured if its not a regular airsoft site?
How are you going to feed people? fend for yourself? burger van?

Game plans, scenarios, and teams are honestly one of the last and smallest concerns. Most can be fit to any site with a bit of tweaking over a cup of coffee.

Best aproach, start small. Not tiny, but 100... If its sucessful, run a second, with twice that number. it rolls on from there.

Ian is probably one of the best people here to ask about the specifics or organising a big event, these points are more general.

Red Fox

well lads, i have to say i am absolutely delighted to see you's even talking about this. im a regular airsofter myself, im out every weekend and i know a lot of people who really would be up for this! normal airsoft just isnt enough any more! if this was organised within the next few months you more dan likely will get a very good turn out, (as long as it is reasonably priced).

A good storyline with not stop gameplay.
reasonably priced
and good large gaming area.
(is wexford paintball site really dat big and good?-if so theres a possible location) although predator is brilliant mainly because of size and use of pyro's.

it would be great if someone found a big forest right beside one of those 'ghost' construction sites, and turned it all into a site!-then we could slightly compare to TA's events

Lemming

Not to pick on Red Fox here, but I'll use as example since 'reasonably priced' seems to be a strong point emphasised for success of an event.

What exactly, to most people's minds, is "reasonably priced"? Every event I've ever attended have been in the range of €50-120 (adjusting for GBP£); and that includes Berget tickets. For every event I've ever attended, the ticket have been reasonably priced considering what's on offer; 2-4 days of often continuous airsoft, access to military training facilities, etc.

So what is reasonable pricing? I see the comment used often for AEGs when someone is really referring to wanting to practically rob someone else blind for €20 on something worth in order of magnitudes more. I ask this because the effort of organising events costs money; usually a sum more than your average walk-on fee and to be faced with the above example attitude for AEGs would make me certainly think twice about going to the effort of organising something in Ireland.

richieffff

I would be more than happy to pay 80-130 euro for a 2 day game with a long game time, especially if it is at a large site with a large turnout.

When you think about it in a 2 day game you would probably get 8-10 hours each day, when you get around 5 hours for 25 euro+ on most sites, so the money would be justified. This is just my own opinion though and others may see it as robbery or great value

Chuck the Buck

€100+ assuming the following:

• its a full weekend (start by 11am Sat and not stop, as in 24hr, until 5 or 6pm on Sun or better yet Monday morning/afternoon if its a bank holiday weekend)
• no kiddies
• no hi-caps
• no sleeve chewers.

Oh yeah and no pallets!

AlternateID

The last TA game I attended we played 20hrs of a 24hr game. That's getting your monies worth.

I know of no site in southern Ireland that is big enough or good enough for a big game. Would anyone care to give an example of a site they think could host such a game?

richieffff

Chuck the Buck wrote: »

€100+ assuming the following:

• its a full weekend (start by 11am Sat and not stop, as in 24hr, until 5 or 6pm on Sun or better yet Monday morning/afternoon if its a bank holiday weekend)
• no kiddies
• no hi-caps
• no sleeve chewers.

Oh yeah and no pallets!

By kiddies, 18 and under or 16 and under, would be fairly bad if it were over 18 for me (17)

Chuck the Buck

AlternateID wrote: »

The last TA game I attended we played 20hrs of a 24hr game. That's getting your monies worth.

I know of no site in southern Ireland that is big enough or good enough for a big game. Would anyone care to give an example of a site they think could host such a game?

Nap time goes without saying, what I was saying was more that it shouldn't stop for little johnny (be he 15 or 50) to go home at his bedtime or to get dinner, batteries, etc etc etc...

Sadly there is no where down here that could run it and have it anything beyond a regular skirmish.

Lemming

AlternateID wrote: »

I know of no site in southern Ireland that is big enough or good enough for a big game. Would anyone care to give an example of a site they think could host such a game?

Predator.

I've been to two of their annual events (Red Hammer II & III respectively), with attendance in the triple digit figures for both.

Chuck the Buck wrote: »

Nap time goes without saying, what I was saying was more that it shouldn't stop for little johnny (be he 15 or 50) to go home at his bedtime or to get dinner, batteries, etc etc etc...

I've been to several events (including the aforementioned Predator 'Red Hammer' series) where games did end for the evening; allowing people to socialise, drink, and generally have fun. And those events are as much memorable for off-the-field moments as on the field. 24-hour events have their appeal, but don't discount weekender events for the sake of it.

sliabh

AlternateID wrote: »

The last TA game I attended we played 20hrs of a 24hr game. That's getting your monies worth.

I know of no site in southern Ireland that is big enough or good enough for a big game. Would anyone care to give an example of a site they think could host such a game?

Danin, how big is your site and what were you planning to charge for the event that you had to cancel?

evilrobotshane

sliabh wrote: »

Danin, how big is your site and what were you planning to charge for the event that you had to cancel?

Just to emphasise this for people who aren't aware, a big event was tried, and got almost zero interest. ALMOST ZERO. There's a lot of mouth about how people want stuff, but the number who are willing to pony up their money, time and effort is tiny.

Chuck the Buck wrote: »

Nap time goes without saying

Psh, lightweights.

FingalAirsoft

Just a few questions for you guys:

How many players would you like to see at a National Event?

What age range? (Now before you say strictly over 18, Why?)

What price point would you be willing to pay?

Which is better: 1 full 24hr game or one weekender event with some down time?

How far would you travel for this event?

Urban or woodland?

Cheers guys,

Bren:)

sliabh

FingalAirsoft wrote: »

How many players would you like to see at a National Event?

Depends on the size of the site. I wouldn't want something that resembles the battle of the somme. There shouldn't be so many players that people are tripping over one another. But urban will be different to rural. 100 or so would allow 3-4 good sized factions.

FingalAirsoft wrote: »

What age range? (Now before you say strictly over 18, Why?)

I would be more worried about the commitment. If a player is well equipped (no tracksuits and runners) and has the right level of engagement (knows what the game is, what to expect, has read the rules, and won't wander off mid way because their parents have come to collect them) then younger players are okay.

FingalAirsoft wrote: »

What price point would you be willing to pay?

If I felt the site was good, the people organising the event had the experience and reputation to assure me it was good, and there was obvious interest in Ireland, then I would happily pay €50 per day.

FingalAirsoft wrote: »

Which is better: 1 full 24hr game or one weekender event with some down time?

I would angle for a 36 hour one. Start Saturday morning, run to Sunday afternoon.

FingalAirsoft wrote: »

How far would you travel for this event?

From Austria, but that is just me :-) If I was in Ireland, I would be willing to go 4-5 hours by car.

FingalAirsoft wrote: »

Urban or woodland?

Can we have both? I have seen games organised in Belgium where they take over a holiday village in a forest. So you have urban and rural:
http://boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=67926437&postcount=4

markomongo

AlternateID wrote: »

The last TA game I attended we played 20hrs of a 24hr game. That's getting your monies worth.

I know of no site in southern Ireland that is big enough or good enough for a big game. Would anyone care to give an example of a site they think could host such a game?

Bellurgan Park, 'Borderlands' Airsoft, Dundalk, Co. Louth.

200 acres of natural mixed woodland on uneven terrain, (with the option to expand onto the 390 acre property to include fields and small tree forts), lake, tracks, foot bridges, village, prison, outposts and more.
Development continues.

Some nice plans for 2011...

AlternateID

markomongo wrote: »

Bellurgan Park, 'Borderlands' Airsoft, Dundalk, Co. Louth.

200 acres of natural mixed woodland on uneven terrain, (with the option to expand onto the 390 acre property to include fields and small tree forts), lake, tracks, foot bridges, village, prison, outposts and more.
Development continues.

Some nice plans for 2011...

Is this site open, insured and so on? Village, prison real buildings?

markomongo

AlternateID wrote: »

Is this site open, insured and so on? Village, prison real buildings?

Open and insured with all bases covered. The buildings are not 'real'...sorry about the confusion. They are purpose built airsoft structures. Can find more info on facebook. Boderlands should be set up in the sites section here soon.

Danin

sliabh wrote: »

Danin, how big is your site and what were you planning to charge for the event that you had to cancel?

Just to put you straight it wasn't me organising that event it was another lad but it was to take place on the same estate as our site. The estate itself is well over a thousand acres with a lake, abandoned buildings, natural woodland with paths, a small quarry and other landmarks.
the lad in question had organised and payed for a professionally designed website with forums and online booking for members similar to TA events. He also got posters printed and issued all around Ireland.
He had a fully outdoor lit and facilitated campsite with security sorted with an added facility for charging batteries etc. He had organised a retailers zone for retailers to take part and also a mess hall with hot food available.
At the end of the event he had also included a barbecue for players to enjoy on th last night with vouchers for food and 2 beers all included in the price.

and unfortunately eventually with a heavy heart he had to cancel due to lack of interest and a vast lost of his own money.

Our site is around 55 acres of natural woodland if not a bit bigger with paths through it. We ran the first part of "The Black Ace Chronicles" and I have to say for a one day event it went considerably well with players from Dublin, Galway, Longford and Sligo but again even with a price set at €25 from around 10am to I think around 7pm it didnt get the numbers the site could have coped with.

there were no break players informed their squad leader when they wanted to drop out to eat.

Honestly if people want a 24 hour or weekend battlesim event or a milsim event they need to take a leap of faith and start attending some of the one day events already taking place because they are out there and ask people that attend them some of them are great. By doing this you'll give the Site Owners a more positive reason to invest in a weekend event.

It can be done but I think the owness is on the players more so than the site owners to make it happen.

AlternateID

Was that the "Command & Conquer: The Integration Limerick" event?

Danin

AlternateID wrote: »

Was that the "Command & Conquer: The Integration Limerick" event?

no it was called the Vostrovian Conflict I think and it was going to be held in Sligo. That poor lad had also taken out the back page of the Take Aim magazine as an advert and bought huge military tents and he had also organised the military vehicle club to come down and use some of their troop transports and other vehicles for players it would have been awesome and sad thing is and i know this for a fact because he showed me he had more of a response from across the water than here in Ireland.

the Chairman of the IAA had been up and was brought around some of the site and he thought it looked great.

markomongo

Danin wrote: »

Honestly if people want a 24 hour or weekend battlesim event or a milsim event they need to take a leap of faith and start attending some of the one day events already taking place because they are out there and ask people that attend them some of them are great. By doing this you'll give the Site Owners a more positive reason to invest in a weekend event.

It can be done but I think the owness is on the players more so than the site owners to make it happen.

Too true. As Ian even said he has had numbers as low as 80 in 2009 for events in Sennybridge and thats in the UK with a more evolved scene, and not to mention greater numbers of players.

I can see the Irish community's interest expanding more and more though which is nice!

AlternateID

Danin wrote: »

no it was called the Vostrovian Conflict I think and it was going to be held in Sligo. That poor lad had also taken out the back page of the Take Aim magazine as an advert and bought huge military tents and he had also organised the military vehicle club to come down and use some of their troop transports and other vehicles for players it would have been awesome and sad thing is and i know this for a fact because he showed me he had more of a response from across the water than here in Ireland.

Just having a look at the old thread you can see it simply wasn't promoted well. Even the game rules on the site still have the wrong fps limits.

If you had posted this in his thread last year a lot more people would of taken an interest.

Danin wrote:

The estate itself is well over a thousand acres with a lake, abandoned buildings, natural woodland with paths, a small quarry and other landmarks.

He had a fully outdoor lit and facilitated campsite with security sorted with an added facility for charging batteries etc. He had organised a retailers zone for retailers to take part and also a mess hall with hot food available.
At the end of the event he had also included a barbecue for players to enjoy on th last night with vouchers for food and 2 beers all included in the price.

Your last two posts have made that event sound a lot more interesting then anything on the 3 pages in the original thread.