A few friends and I have come up with an idea to run a weekend (3 day) long event that is very themed and will give a much higher degree of satisfaction than the standard tournament weekend (at least we hope so). We each have been war-gaming for over 15-20 years and want something more out of our game experience at this age. Meeting with and speaking to gamers all over the country (USA) there seems to be a fairly large part of the gaming population that is not being catered to the way they need or want.
First some background so you know what we are looking for:
We are looking to run an actual, true to life Campaign Weekend. Please let me clarify, this is not the typical campaign weekend you think you played in before. We are proposing an event with the flavor and excitement of a Grand Tournament or mini convention but smaller and where the “metagame” is a major part the weekend and the games being played are a means to the outcome of the war. We’re talking about lining up all the forces each side brought and allocate them as needed on a story driven, map based campaign that is played over 3 days where the wins/loses effect what’s available for following rounds/days. Nice looking, themed terrain matching the events actual war zones.
We have the meat of a system we designed finished, but are running into the proverbial roadblock when it comes to how to enhance some of the game play during the weekend and what/how to run some of the extended fun things. This board has a solid community that I personally believe will make perfect guinea pigs.
So I reach out to you gents – and ladies if there are any – for a little help! The best way to get the info needed is a survey. All I ask is answer the following questions.
Keep in mind this is not a committal to play just yet. I am only fact finding at this stage in order to enhance the experience. Feel free to answer via post or PM me the answers if you are concerned about privacy. The information will not be shared outside of the immediate group planning the event. 1. Right now we are looking around Delaware/Maryland for the first event as its close to home and we can transport the tables, terrain, etc needed without a lengthy truck ride.
a. Would you be interested? Trying to gauge and event size.
b. How far would you travel for an extra super duper cool event where your games matter? (answers could be by miles or time frame).
2. Based on what we came up with in how to run the campaign part of the game, the game experience could be enhanced significantly by being hosted in a hotel or other large room/multi room setting.
a. What price range would be affordable as an entry fee (lodging included)?
b. If the weekend was made inclusive (except travel; i.e. meals/events were included (catered or something like that, not just pizza), what then would be affordable?
c. You cannot be bothered to snore with the rest of us. You would want to find you own lodging.
3. Assuming we ran this for GW’s games:
a. Do you play Epic Armageddon, Warhammer 40k, Aeronautica, and/or Battlefleet Gothic?
b. If the themed event used all four systems, would you want to participate in one, two, three or all four systems?
c. Would you be interested to play a fantasy version?
4. Would you rather :
a. Have an event that is more heavily themed, where in order to play you might have to start a new army that would fit the background of the campaign? This would make an overall better event theme wise, but may limit attendance some. i.e. Armageddon had no nids/necrons, etc
b. Have an event not as themed, but be able to play any army? This allows the most people to play, but the story gets watered down as we have make up reasons for everyone to be there. i.e. Medusa V had everyone there for some reason
5. We need a leader(s) for each side and would you be comfortable showing up and:
a. Not playing a single game, showing up to only have total control over the overall allocation of assets for your side for the entire event; aka Supreme Commander. Ultimately you will be to blame if you lose…or be immortalized for a few months on the forum as a true Hero!
b. Playing some games, but helping coordinate the assets for a limited time.
c. Only playing games as you have no idea about overall command. You’ll win with what you are supplied with.
6. If you cannot show up on Friday, we can still fit you in. To maximize the event and scheduling:
a. What day can you show up?
b. If starting about 1pm Friday had a major influence on the storyline and themed part of the game, would that influence your decision to be there for the start?
c. We would like to have 6-8 games minimum. Is playing 4 games on Saturday too much?
7. We would like to have a social event one evening. Would you rather:
a. Have the event Friday or Saturday night?
i. Go out (such as new movie release or dinner as a group or something like that)
ii. Stay in, order food and have cocktails and networked video game challenges (like system linked Halo games).
8. We would like to include a dinner on Sunday as a debriefing, award giving and overall more personalized wrap up. Would you be interested in:
a. The dinner, if we could be done and have you on your way by about 6pm?
b. No dinner and have you on your way by about 4pm?
9. When we pull this off:
a. Do you want to be invited?
b. How much lead time do you need for a 2 or 3 day weekend?
10. Would you be comfortable allowing others to use your pieces/using others armies?
Thanks in advance to everyone who participates!
Patrick
