Wondering what it takes to host a game

[shadow127]

Not sure if this is the place to ask this but can anyone host a game or not? I would like to play games more in the north or central part of Michigan. One more thing, who else wants to play games in Traverse city, Ludington, Cadillac, and surrounding areas?

[Knief]

The bare minimum, you need land on which it is legal to play, you need an understanding of basic safety rules, and you need people. That's all you need to get players to shoot each other in the woods. For some people, that's enough--for most, it's not.

A lot of work goes into hosting a good game. You need enough experience playing in large games that you have an understanding of what drives gameplay. You need to understand why players do the things they do and you need to understand what sorts of things they won't do. You also need to be able to clearly explain rules and objectives. You need to be creative in developing those things. You have to learn how to problem solve because shit always happens. You have to have a broad view of fairness and what each team needs based on what's happening in the game. It's your job to ensure that everybody coming has a safe and fun time, and that means you have to bust your ass all day to keep things running smoothly and solve problems on the spot.

You also have to be an asshole. You have to enforce rules and kick people out when they won't follow them. Some people are going to hate you for it, but most will appreciate it. If you're not willing to put your pride on the line for your players' safety, you shouldn't be hosting.

[Gimpalong]

Shadow,

Anyone can host games. You should take a look at the events section of the forum (miairsoft.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=events) to get a feel for what the requirements and typical formats of games are.

If you have never hosted a game before you might want to have a chat with Knief, Pagan or Canto and get some feedback from them about what does and doesn't work for events. They all have some experience hosting games.

I'm located in the TC area and would love to have more sites to play at. In Northern MI, I've seen games hosted at Area 51 Paintball in Mancelona, at a privately owned, back-yard type field in West Branch (Operations Jackal I and II). I also know there is a team in Alpena that plays on a regular basis on their own property.

People on MiA who are active in the Northern Michigan airsoft scene include myself, Rabbit (sometimes known as Ogre), Talisman, Stinky and Cats (sometimes Doom Cats). Dingo is also located in Cadillac (?), I believe.

You should also check out MichNAA (Michigan's Northwestern Airsoft Association) at michnaa.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=about&action=display&thread=6. This group was established by Team DOOM. Cats is one of the members.

[Master_Oki_Akai]

Well, anyone who has the appropriate resources can host a game. You need access to a field, the field has to be good and proper. Having your field and event legally covered with the property owner and waivers as appropriate needs to be handled.

After that the thing you'll need is people to support the host. Refs and mods at least one or two for a small setup.

As for running a good game that will come down mostly to who shows up. And that is going to be influenced by reputation, location, time of event, entry fee and proximity to other things like food, gas, emergency services. Then it's a question of who stays and that's going to be determined by attitude, location, time, player problems, event coordination and field assets/detriments.

people drive out of their way to get to events on familiar fields or that are big enough. So make sure you are spending enough time talking to actual event hosts and field owners to get their take and to find prime and passable locations in your chosen area.

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Heh you guys jump my post. But yeah Knief knows his stuff.
Hosting events is as much PR as it is problem solving and logistics. Be prepared to get dirty, to make friends and enemies and have the testicular fortitude to lay down the law as needed. It's a hellacious job with a lot of running around, so if that's not something you can handle, consider lobbying somebody who can and is interested.

But the biggest part is location location location

[shadow127]

Thanks for the info guys I'm not sure if I will host a game in the spring or not, when I posted I figured I just might but I'm not sure any more. The family business burned to the ground Wednesday night so I have no idea what I will be doing over the next few months.

[Phantom G3]

I agree 100% with all posts from above. I would like to restate what Master Oki Akai said because it is very important: waivers. I doubt that you have the appropriate insurance to cover any faults, and that is where these come in. Basically stating that you are not responsible and are not at fault and blah blah legal stuff blah.