Post by Big Texas on Mar 25, 2009 16:12:10 GMT -5
So you've decided that you want to host a MILSIM event, awesome. The more the merrier, but before you jump headfirst into it, there's a few things that you should think about first. I am not the know it all, go to guy for hosting MILSIM in Michigan, but I have, and am continuing to host such events. I simply am here to help promote the amazingly enjoyable events that fall under the MILSIM category.
Have you ever hosted a large event before?
If you haven't, then I would strongly urge against trying to host a MILSIM event as your very first one, or even your first 5. MILSIM events take an exceptionally large amount of planning and execution in order to work properly. For one day, just 8 hours of game play, you should have months of planning and preparation for it. If you do not, than it is likely that a small hiccup in the way things were planned can severely change the way the game flows, and ultimately make your event unsuccessful.
I highly suggest getting a few scenario based events under your belt, and having a few friends help you and be your "staff" at these events. You can then learn to work together and how to effectively enforce the rules and make the games run smoothly. This really is the key to a successful MILSIM event.
Have you played in a large scale MILSIM event before?
If not... then again, please do not attempt to host one! There will be plenty of opportunity for those who wish to play in the games to attend one, and until you have experienced one, it really is hard to understand how the games should be run, and figuring out what does, and does not work. If you can, try to get to a Lion Claw game, they are typically very good, and will give you a good foothold to build on for your own MILSIM events.
Do you have a field large enough, and with enough props and structures to facilitate a MILSIM event?
Typically, if a field is under 40 acres, it will not really be the best choice for a MILSIM event unless it has a plethora of buildings, structures and other points of interest which will make it versatile enough for such an event. Then again, even an open field of 100 acres is not going to be good for an event if it is bare, and you can see clear across it.
The fields you should be looking for will have a mixture of wooded and open land, and the more versatile the terrain, the better. Hills and valleys will be an excellent bonus, as well as any water on the field. Structures are really a KEY item to have on the field. If your field is fairly bare, consider hosting a few scenario based events first, and using the money from those to build several different points of interest around the field. A grouping of 3 huts together can make a great point of interest as opposed to just an area taped off and considered a "target".
Do you have a group of people who will be helping you run your event and be field mods, or will you be running it solo?
If you plan on running it solo, you really should reconsider. Nothing has been more valuable to me in all the events I have hosted, than trustworthy and honest field moderators who help make the game run smoothly. As the event host, you cannot be everywhere at once, but 4 mods out around the field can greatly help things run smoothly. Also, radio communication will be key. Making sure you are available to be reached at all times is extremely important. If a team completes an objective, and have nothing left to do, you need to be able to be contacted to give them their mission updates.
If you have a group of people assisting you, excellent. Just make sure that they all fully understand the rules and regulations set in place, so that they can give the correct answer on the field if something comes up. Also, a printout of mission objectives, and updates can be a very handy tool for ALL of them to have. This allows them to keep updated with information and assist in making sure game play goes as it should. As a player there isn't much that is more frustrating than asking a field mod what is happening and having to wait 20minutes to figure things out because nobody knows what is going on.
I'll update this more when I have some time, but for now, it's a start. Good luck, and happy hosting.
Have you ever hosted a large event before?
If you haven't, then I would strongly urge against trying to host a MILSIM event as your very first one, or even your first 5. MILSIM events take an exceptionally large amount of planning and execution in order to work properly. For one day, just 8 hours of game play, you should have months of planning and preparation for it. If you do not, than it is likely that a small hiccup in the way things were planned can severely change the way the game flows, and ultimately make your event unsuccessful.
I highly suggest getting a few scenario based events under your belt, and having a few friends help you and be your "staff" at these events. You can then learn to work together and how to effectively enforce the rules and make the games run smoothly. This really is the key to a successful MILSIM event.
Have you played in a large scale MILSIM event before?
If not... then again, please do not attempt to host one! There will be plenty of opportunity for those who wish to play in the games to attend one, and until you have experienced one, it really is hard to understand how the games should be run, and figuring out what does, and does not work. If you can, try to get to a Lion Claw game, they are typically very good, and will give you a good foothold to build on for your own MILSIM events.
Do you have a field large enough, and with enough props and structures to facilitate a MILSIM event?
Typically, if a field is under 40 acres, it will not really be the best choice for a MILSIM event unless it has a plethora of buildings, structures and other points of interest which will make it versatile enough for such an event. Then again, even an open field of 100 acres is not going to be good for an event if it is bare, and you can see clear across it.
The fields you should be looking for will have a mixture of wooded and open land, and the more versatile the terrain, the better. Hills and valleys will be an excellent bonus, as well as any water on the field. Structures are really a KEY item to have on the field. If your field is fairly bare, consider hosting a few scenario based events first, and using the money from those to build several different points of interest around the field. A grouping of 3 huts together can make a great point of interest as opposed to just an area taped off and considered a "target".
Do you have a group of people who will be helping you run your event and be field mods, or will you be running it solo?
If you plan on running it solo, you really should reconsider. Nothing has been more valuable to me in all the events I have hosted, than trustworthy and honest field moderators who help make the game run smoothly. As the event host, you cannot be everywhere at once, but 4 mods out around the field can greatly help things run smoothly. Also, radio communication will be key. Making sure you are available to be reached at all times is extremely important. If a team completes an objective, and have nothing left to do, you need to be able to be contacted to give them their mission updates.
If you have a group of people assisting you, excellent. Just make sure that they all fully understand the rules and regulations set in place, so that they can give the correct answer on the field if something comes up. Also, a printout of mission objectives, and updates can be a very handy tool for ALL of them to have. This allows them to keep updated with information and assist in making sure game play goes as it should. As a player there isn't much that is more frustrating than asking a field mod what is happening and having to wait 20minutes to figure things out because nobody knows what is going on.
I'll update this more when I have some time, but for now, it's a start. Good luck, and happy hosting.