Big games

[scrumpy]

TLDR: Is NAF the only airsoft  non milsim "big game" or are there others that I'm missing?

 

Going back 15 years I used to play paintball and a little airsoft. In paintball there were loads of scenario and big game weekends whereas airsoft had all the milsim games.

The paintball weekends were silly and over the top affairs, get there on a Friday afternoon/evening, meet up with friends and have a "few" drinks, wake up on the Saturday, play a few on the spot games, wander round a traders market, some organised non-paintball events that could impact the next day, a huge players party which may, or may not, involve more drinking, and then a massive all day game on the Sunday with multiple missions, objectives and timed events. These would regularly attract upwards of 400 players with the biggest game of the year bringing 1500 players together. 

Milsim games in airsoft were much more somber affairs with less players and more about creating as real a situation as possible (as to be expected with something called a military simulation). 

I enjoyed both but always found the paintball weekends more fun and relaxing. I'd also come away from the paintball weekends aching more than a milsim because I'd be doing a lit more running here there and everywhere else.

They were chaotic madness and I lived them. So my big question is are there any airsoft games like that now? I know about NAF and will be attending this year but what about others? There must be some smaller ones. If not why not? Is it just not financially viable (which is how it went for paintball), lack of interest or something else?

 

 

[Impulse]

I don't know any weekenders that are as big as the NAF. The only two larger weekend events I know are...

 

AI500 is usually around 400 - 500 players. Usually at a pretty cool and unique sites, like the upcoming one is at an amusement part that recently closed down, but the quality of airsoft varies. Some are decent, some have been a total shitshow.

 

Shift Your RIFTs is... I don't know how many players, but it's pretty big too. At RIFT's REDCON site, which is pretty nice and it has a bit of everything; CQB areas, open areas, wooded areas. Only been once myself, but I had an absolute blast last year and will definitely be going back again.

 

Both are best enjoyed with friends though. The social aspect of large events is the main draw in my opinion.

[heroshark]

There was a weekend at op-tacs kingdom last year which I think will be more that way.