OP Paramount at Ultimate Wargames Kent. Basic theme was UN Inspectors/arms dealers/FSB/US TF/Aid Groups/hapless civvies/crazed jihadis, somewhere in the middle-east.
As one can imagine, the field was confused and confusing. Alliances were formed, broken and formed with suspicion again. Foes became friends and deals with opposing sides were done. The fluidity of play was amazing.
Day one, we awoke covered in dust having dossed down in the village. Sleeping bags were rolled up and rifs hidden as the US TF entered and searched the compound in two jeeps. Various villagers and sleeper jihadis crowded around and played havoc with the operation as the aid workers played nursemaid and intermediary. With instructions to delay the TF, the keys to their Landy were nicked, as was a dopey players rif. When they went to pull out (spare keys were found), some silly sod played wounded in the road and delayed them some more.
Really the whole thing was hilarious. Great airsoft vibe without a shot fired. The immersion was fantastic. As we had arrived and been assigned straight to our quarters, no one knew who was playing other than our own team members. Meeting up in game mode really worked. Playing terror faction was great as the village construction meant free fruit and coffee, chilling with friends and a few halal beers.
The game developed with each faction having its own agenda and pursuing it with vigour. Objectives were found and searched for and various items assembled. By the late afternoon , shots were fired and the arms dealers (I think) and TF were actively at each other. The confusion was palpable and info was eagerly devoured.
Various tasks were assigned and attempted. Missile systems were traded, stolen and hidden. Teams set up meetings, ambushed each other and worked together. Ad hoc fire teams were formed among the locals and the village defended. Vehicles probed the perimeter as did drones and spies. Updates became essential.
By nightfall everyone was confused and tired, happy and ready for a ceasefire. Drinks were drunk and food cooked. By midnight most were in bedrolls and snoring.
Sunday was started with absolute wonder at who had achieved what, who had reached their objectives and who had not. The game became 100% hot with each faction fighting the next. We probed the woods and structures for objectives, fought and made shaky alliances anew. At one point, we ambushed the arms dealers, nicked the FSB's missiles and launched a false attack on the TF. I don't know or care who won, but it was immense fun.
At close of play there were conspicuously fewer players and a sense of complete confusion as to who had won.
Personally I enjoyed myself immensely. It is somewhat liberating to throw oneself about in fancy dress with a toy gun. In conclusion, the roleplay based roles were done to perfection, the TF/FSB players were superb, they really did have some skills. The terror cell were a blast to play with. The UN/Aid roles were played with much patience and skill.
In conclusion, it was well worth the three hour drive and cost.
Moans: I experienced one incident of bad hit taking in 20+ hours. I realised that I had been hit as I pulled out of an ambush. I absent-mindedly rubbed a sore forearm as I pulled out from my position only to realise too late that I had been hit. TBF with my nerve damage and the insect bites from the previous weeks camping, the odd strange pain is hardly unknown. I gave myself a 15 min KIA as penance and comforted myself that I must have traded with the last chap that I shot before disappearing.
Some of the ambushes could have been better coordinated. If important to the story/plotline these could have been better timed, but so could about 98% of life, so no biggy. Given the complexity of things, bringing them off at all was a minor miracle.
Each side lacked snipers. Not really noticed in game but realised later. Given the layout, only one half of the game map would have had limited benefit anyhow.
That really is it for negatives.
I did spot a women player. She was well geared up and well into the scenario, thwacking various foes from advantageous points and having a ball. If we got a better gender balance at this type of event, we'd all benefit.
The immersion, gameplay and fun were outstanding. Good use of technology and vehicles. sides were well balanced and arranged, objectives were well planned and coordinated due to the way the game was planned to unfold.
In all I had a great weekend, played myself ragged, had a catch up with mates and drove home knackered. I'll do next year for sure. I am certainly up for the next
@SierraBravo event.
