Maybe Massive Campaign

[Aero825]

Hi everyone!

I just lightbulbed a campaign idea, and I wanted you guys' opinion on it. I'm not sure if you should call massive, because I'm not sure what the campaign size standards are.

Okay, Mission 1: An exteremely large squadron of greman fighters are attacking a huge Allied Aerodrome. I was thinking about 10-15 fighters for each side. The Allies are grounded and must scramble into the air. The aerodrome also has a few AA guns. The German's objective is to destroy as much Allied defense as possible; clear the way for the coming raid.

Mission 2: The raid is in progress. Some 10-15 giant bombers with about 10 german escorts are on their way to said Allied aerodrome. But an allied outpost spots the formation way before they reach their target. A squadron of about 15 allied fighters are sent to intercept. They are not supposed to destroy all the Germans, just cause some big damage.

Mission 3: The Germans reach their target. The aerodrome has the same number of fighters (grounded) as there were left when mission 1 was over. But, reinforcements were sent because the Allies got word of the approaching Germans. Approx. 15 reinforcement fighters were sent to the aerodrome. Also, the AA gns destroyed earlier are not replaced.

Mission 4 (conditional): If no Germans survive, then a German observation squad is sent to the allied aerodrome. 5 german recon planes and about 5-10 escorts. This mission is only played if no earlier germans survive.

Hunter

[Goering Ace]

Man. That's pretty intense. The logistics of that many planes in play at once would be difficult to pull off, not to mention the playing surface needed. However, if you were to set it up in an auditorium or on a large conference room floor, it could be done. It would take lots of pre-planning to get enough players together to pull it off. Interesting concept . . .

[Gladius]

Sounds exciting! Yes, massive. I wonder if you broke the missions into smaller bites. Perhaps 5 fighters on a side for the first mission. Work up to a huge offensive.

Great work. I would enjoy playing in it!

Jim

[jbmacek]

Sounds like fun to me! Which side do I get to be on? ;^)

[vacca rabite]

Just a hint, but these types of games actually take place at the game cons, like, say, Historicon (Valley Forge, this summer, be there or be square). :)

If you volunteer to run a campaign like this, all you need to do is work with the organizers for space. After that, you can actually have people REGISTER to play. This limits the total players to the set amount AND makes sure that your game is advertised in advance to make sure that you get players. I have seen 24 foot tables (3 4x8 foot tables end to end) with dozens gamers around it recreating the failed Market Garden campaign from WWII. I was not a player, but just stood around and watched for an hour. It was fascinating. I have taken part in 1/1200 Napoleonic naval battles with 50 other people (had to register in advance, and we spent ALL Sunday doing it.)

I offered to your pop earlier, but if you want to run something like this you are probably going to need help, and I would be happy to lend a hand. I just need a lot of lead time these days to make sure I can get out of the house. :-)

Zach

[MayorJim]

Man. That's pretty intense. The logistics of that many planes in play at once would be difficult to pull off, not to mention the playing surface needed. However, if you were to set it up in an auditorium or on a large conference room floor, it could be done. It would take lots of pre-planning to get enough players together to pull it off. Interesting concept . . .

I agree...that would be a very intensive and work involved group of scenarios...but with the proper support (and space) could be a lot of fun...good luck with working on it!

[Goering Ace]

Just a hint, but these types of games actually take place at the game cons, like, say, Historicon (Valley Forge, this summer, be there or be square). :)

If you volunteer to run a campaign like this, all you need to do is work with the organizers for space. After that, you can actually have people REGISTER to play. This limits the total players to the set amount AND makes sure that your game is advertised in advance to make sure that you get players. I have seen 24 foot tables (3 4x8 foot tables end to end) with dozens gamers around it recreating the failed Market Garden campaign from WWII. I was not a player, but just stood around and watched for an hour. It was fascinating. I have taken part in 1/1200 Napoleonic naval battles with 50 other people (had to register in advance, and we spent ALL Sunday doing it.)

I offered to your pop earlier, but if you want to run something like this you are probably going to need help, and I would be happy to lend a hand. I just need a lot of lead time these days to make sure I can get out of the house. :-)

Zach

I've been discussing options with Hunter for a scenario for Historicon. Registration is still not open, but I plan to send an inquiring email to the director soon to see what I'll need to do. My main question is this - does the mission/scenario have to be history based or can it be completely made up? I'll be in touch with you, Zach, once I get a better grasp on things.

[vacca rabite]

Yeah, I know, registration does not open till after Cold Wars in March.
AFAIK, games do not have to be based around a specific fight, but should be in a historic timeline - which we are as we are in WWI. This is just to keep the GW and Magic riff raff out of the scheduled gaming areas. ;)

But, I am betting that with a little sleuthing on Google, you could find record of plenty of raids on aerodromes. That kind of detail tends to draw gamers, even if it is just an overview.

What I would suggest is play testing the intended games before the con to make sure they are somewhat balanced. Show up with a good balanced game and folks will be looking for you the next year. But if the scenerio is very lopsided, folks will look for other tables to play on next time. For a multi-game campaign you would probably have multiple planned sessions. Each one lasting about 45 minutes to 1.5 hours depending on the number of players. Ideally you would ask for pre-registration for each one. The timing issue is tough, and is a good reason to play test as much as you can. The Market Garden game I watched in 2006 took all day Saturday to play out (and I think they started on Friday afternoon!), so getting tables for the entire day or the entire weekend is usually not a big deal. But they will probably ask you to let them know how long you will be intending to play.

Have props (like a big play mat to cover the table with. Pretty raises reputation. If you can, give out swag from the folks that made the game (some cons allow this, some don't - I don't know if Historicon goes one way or the other on it.) I bet if we asked pretty we could get swag from Fantasy Flight Games or Nexus. Or maybe get the Col here to donate some flame markers... Your plane catches fire... keep the marker as a consolation prize. :)

When you guys figure out what you want to do, let me know. I can help with some stuff, and am kinda itching for an excuse to make some table covers.

The tough part is that running a big campaign at a con means that you are running and not really playing. With a lot of players someone needs to be the referee, shooting all the defensive AA, or introducing "unexpected" planned events into the game (weather effects come to mind - high wind would have a big impact on these planes, or night fighting, or some other twist.) Its different, and a lot of fun in its own way. I am taking a little break from running hobby events for a little while, but I can't seem to completely tear myself away from the planning and execution. Its a real thrill to have a hobby event come together as a smashing success.

Zach