Scenario Suggestions: Before you Post, these might help!
So you want to write a scenario? Well, I'm no where near a subject matter expert on these things, however, I do have some things I'd like to say about creating scenario's that may help you in working out some of the kinks.
1. Keep Safety in the forefront of your mind!
Ok, so while it would be REALLY fricken cool to ask 4 players to rapell off the two story towers of the town, this isn't exactly the safest thing you could ask players to do, and as such should be left out of scenario's. Another example that you'll probably run into more often is bringing players into CQB situations where you'll have to get really close to other players, and as such, risk injuring some of our valuable players (not TJ).
If you have to have these things in your scenario, try to incorporate them by placing players in the locations AFTER these death defying stunts would have happened or using props without people involved! For example, if you had to have stretchers used, don't ask someone to ride the thing, but rather have players actually carry a stretcher-like object that would be almost as awkward as carrying an actual player.
2. Writers Block? Try Hollywood or even video games! But take it all with a grain of salt.
So you saw the coolest scene ever on the silver screen, and you want to emulate it, but how? Try to pick out what it is about that scene that draws you to it. For example, the opening scene of Saving Private Ryan, what was it that made you gasp, and wish you weren't that first guy on the boat? It was probably the hail of bullets, the lack of cover they were running through, and the absolute carnage out there! Well, to adapt it to airsoft, try to incorporate these aspects as much as possible: Include a well defended position, little cover for the attackers, infinite respawns for the attackers, and have the attackers start within firing range of the defenders for when the whistle blows!
Now that you've read that, READ THIS: Not all scenes from games, stories and movies can be truely captured by airsoft! Try as we may, some things are not feasible for airsofters due, not in the least, by the fact that we're using toy bb guns, we're only infantry and have no mechanization, airborne nor artillery support, we can't use pyrotechnics, and have the safety of our players as the number one priority. So while recreating a really neat sniper mission would be cool, sadly, airsoft sniper rifles don't lend themselves to this.
3. Logistics -- People, places, and equipment
So, for those of you who joined us this winter, we have become a little pampered with this "whole field to ourselves" thing, when this is actually more rare than not. In addition to that, robust scenarios should not be restricted by the people, the fields, nor the equipment we have on the field. That's not to say that a scenario can't be good without having special restrictions like needing at least 9 people to make up 3 different teams. Just keep in mind that our games have a wide variety of players involved, so scenario's that require "big games" attendance only happen 2-4 times a year, but also have to compete with event based missions. Lastly, if you have a special prop that you think would be cool to use for a scenario, be sure that the prop isn't "forced" into the scenaro, because people will notice that the scenario feels forced.
4. Objectives, Don't forget the Objectives!
Airsoft lacks a formal definition, but here at C3 we've fundamentally characterized as as a team oriented, objectived based military simulation. Based on this deffinition, games such as "Free For All's" or Deathmatches, or even Capture the Flag do not make up the core of airsoft. In order to make a good mission, you're going to want to define some very specific objectives and victory conditions for the scenario. Now, where the fun comes in for the players is allowing them to come up with their own solution to the problem. Don't try to create artificial scenario's by forcing players to do something when the mission could allow for some player creativity. The exception here is if you are trying to recreate something very specific, such as a "meat grinder" mission, where you intentionally put restrictions on players in order to achieve a particular outcome (in the meat grinder, this is a lot of casualties).
5. KISS
An easy pitfall in mission creation is creating something too complex. I'll admit I'm frequently guilty of this, but try to avoid more than 3 objectives, as well as forcing players to do something they might not normally do (ex. Perform a blitz when a flank is obviously exposed)
6. Observe the Games
There is no substitute for experience. Play several games, get the feel for what airsofters are and are not capable of, and then build your scenario's. I cannot stress enough how important experience is before creating scenario's is because it allows to you create expected responses for players and that allows you to define limits for your mission so that you do not expect more from airsofters than is possible.
7. Balancing Act
A VERY big part of a good scenario is defining the odds so that the game could go either way, to either team. This allows players to feel like they have a chance to win, because without this, there would be no point to playing if you always knew you were going out there to get your butt kicked, right? The exception to this, of course, is when you have a mission that is already pre-classified as a "suicide" or impossible mission.
Well, if I think of more, I'll post them, but for now, think carefully, and post those ideas! Let's see if we can't get some more ideas out there. Also, if you have extended experience with scenario generation (eg. Monty) and would like to contribute some suggestions, then please do so!
Cyrus
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UPDATE:
The 5 Key's to Mission Issuing for Airsoft
1. What is/are the objectives? (List the victory criteria)
2. What is the area of operations (AO)? (What field are we allowed to play on?)
3. What is the time limit?
4. Where are the inserts and extracts?
5. What are the respawn rules? (Frequency, location, and limits)
RE: Scenario Suggestions: Before you Post, these might help!
Quote:
6. Observe the Games
There is no substitute for experience. Play several games, get the feel for what airsofters are and are not capable of, and then build your scenario's. I cannot stress enough how important experience is before creating scenario's is because it allows to you create expected responses for players and that allows you to define limits for your mission so that you do not expect more from airsofters than is possible.
RE: Scenario Suggestions: Before you Post, these might help!
Cy - I'd suggest a format so that we can compare between scenarios and spare us extra threads. At the same time some may have a nice scenario in their heads and are not able to express it.
For example:
Background: (background story)
Mission Type: (e.g. breach, capture the flag, last man standing, historical simulation, defend - basically a two-three word phrase to give the scenario's general gist)
Area of Operation: (fields in use)
Team Composition
Force A: (number and special members)
Force B: (number and special members)
Team Objective
Force A: (conditions to win the game)
Force B: (conditions to win the game)
Health/Medic Rules: (you get the idea)
Time Limit: (you got this one too right?)
Special Circumstance/Restrictions: (things not covered above and may include but not limited to: ammo, uniform, weapon, FPS, scoring)
If there are any other fields that you guys may think appropriate, just add them on.
What Im looking for is a standardization of the presentation (never the scenario - that'd be boring!) - so it would be easy to check for the conditions/suggestions you have above, at the same time it give some points for comparison between the different scenario.
RE: Scenario Suggestions: Before you Post, these might help!
Arivee, I actually have some of these set up and prepared, however, I'm always changing it a bit. For example, some of those fields are optional while others are required. It's a very good idea, though, and should deffinately be kept in mind when creating scenarios.
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Re: Scenario Suggestions: Before you Post, these might help!
Quote:
Originally Posted by T3
6. Observe the Games
There is no substitute for experience. Play several games, get the feel for what airsofters are and are not capable of, and then build your scenario's. I cannot stress enough how important experience is before creating scenario's is because it allows to you create expected responses for players and that allows you to define limits for your mission so that you do not expect more from airsofters than is possible.
This is now a rule. Unless you have airsoft experience (with real AEGs) AND know the layout of the fields we play, please do not post anything in this forum.
All, I have added "The 5 Key's to Mission Issuing for Airsoft" to the end of my first post. This is a quick reference and must be considered for ANY mission.
Have fun, and enjoy your scenario development!
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