TAW SCENARIOS

This is an oldie but a goodie. I posted this originally in August of 2008, but I thought it would be a good idea to bring this out from behind the passworded forums and out into the light in the wake of the survey we just posted.

What do you think? Did I hit all of the major aspects of scenario?

Make sure to pass it on to newbies who need a better explanation of what you like to do for recreation!

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WHAT IS SCENARIO - A LOOK AT A GREAT FORM OF RECREATION!
By Charles “Damian” Allen - TAW SCENARIOS PRODUCER
Copyright 2008 TAW SCENARIOS - All Rights Reserved

This is one of the very first things a player, newbie or seasoned player alike that hears about this form of paintball or airsoft for the first time asks. Everyone has heard about the fun, exciting and often twisted tales of a weekend spent playing scenario. But actually what is it and what is all the rage?

First off, to describe scenario paintball or airsoft in one or two words, I would use “Multi-Faceted” as there are many sides to it. It is a world and sometimes animal unto itself and just when you think you have seen it all, something out of the blue will get you to go: Cool! Wow! or one one my favorites… EWW! Ha! Ha Ha! Each and every event seems to bring something very unique to it some way, shape or form….. but all-in-all a very fun way!

TAW has coined a new slogan….”Don’t Just Play the Game…. LIVE THE GAME!” and there is a reason for this. How many of us have a computer? Most everyone, right? Ok, how many of us have a computer game or two or three or…. well you get the point. Out of those games that we have, how many of them are First Person Shooter or Strategy based? Well, with scenario paintball or airsoft games, you get to put the controllers or keyboards down, get decked out in cool or goofy costumes, depending on the theme of any particular event, grab your paintball or airsoft equipment and run around wooded or urban areas shooting each other in a safe, fun, honorable and supervised environment!

That’s right, we get to step out of our mundane, chaotic and stressful lives and get to immerse ourselves in a different world for a weekend and get to blow off steam which reminds us each and every time that we can have fun again no matter our age or skill levels or what we have going on in our lives.

So, what exactly is scenario or better yet, what are some of the sides I mentioned above? Here are but a few!

1) Storylines - This is the heart of the event/game. It is the life-blood so to speak. The storyline is what helps set the stage, the time period as well as the reason why the multiple factions (two or more armies) are set to go head to head. It is the beginning of a new book that YOU and the actions and heroics, big or small, that you and your fellow players do that will flesh out the rest of the story by bringing its middle and its end and therefore completing a perfect collaboration masterpiece. Only YOU can decide the outcome and ending!

2) Characters & Role Playing - These characters are played by players like yourself that are intrigued at the notion that they can be someone else for a weekend. Whether it is a General, a Scientist, a Black Market Broker, or one of the most sought after roles… a SPY! There is almost no limit to what type of characters can be offered as each and every storyline and the genre they entail can yield all sorts of wonderful characters. What the real intriguing aspect of being a character at a scenario event is the ability to get to role-play with other player characters out on the field. No, I do not mean break out and dust off your favorite marbled 20 sided dice but rather dressing up the way you think your character would, throw in an accent if you want or a limp or something that makes your character unique and again have fun like you did when you were younger. For all intent and purposes, it is Live-Action Role Playing (LARP). Remember how we were fearless as children when we would play GI Joe, Cops & Robbers, Cowboys and Indians? Or for our gals, playing a Princess, a Rogue, etc? Well, with scenario, we take you back to that time when it was OK to unlock your imagination and bring life to it! A Role-Player/Character at a scenario event has the ability to add additional interaction to the events and even more so has the ability to help sway the out come of a game. A good role-player, not necessarily one that has experience doing it, can really throw a monkey wrench in the their foe’s plans. Anyone who wants to play a character and give Live-Action Role-Playing (LARP) or to learn more about it can just by asking! It’s just that simple!

3) Props - Ah, this is probably my favorite aspect of scenario games… the PROPS! Props are cool toys, devices, items used to help enhance the game. Depending on the genre and what the storyline might call for depends on what type of props are available for any given game. Let’s say you are playing a Sci-Fi (Science Fiction) type game in which you must locate and retrieve a Warp-Core that had been stolen from an alien vessel and must be shut down before you move it! Wow! What do you do? We, usually in a case like that there is a prop that will resemble something hi-tech with blinking, steady or pulsing lights, switches, knobs, buttons and who knows what else. It may take special keys to shut it off or unlock a panel only to reveal more challenging obstacles in order to complete your mission. Some props may be as simple as cardboard and styrofoam manipulated to form a specific shape then wrapped in gaffer’s tape (a very cool type of colored tape) and made to look like a C4 Explosive Charge, A Generator for a Processing Plant or ….. well, let’s just say there is no end to the imaginative things that can be used as props.

4) Missions - Here you go! Missions! Missions are usually issued out by your Commanding General of your army and/or by the scenario producer. A Mission is assigned a specific number, to do a specific thing, at a specific time and at a specific location. Completing it properly and on time results in earning “points” towards an over all victory and the bragging rights that go with it at the end of the event. Missions are endless in possibilities but have a basic core such as Attack, Defend, Recon/Patrol, Infiltrate, Meet & Greet, Resupply, etc. But, those are just the basics. Some missions may find you building a mock airstrip or a decontamination facility or one of the funniest ones I have seen was to build a “still” for one of our redneck or wild west based games. The faster you get missions completed and turned back in the faster you can rack up points for your side.

5) Vehicles - Yep, that’s right! In some cases, the genre of the event may call for the need for some sort of vehicle or special equipment such as a tank, a helicopter, a space ship or even artillery pieces such as a howitzer!!! All of which add yet another unique aspect to scenario and bring the extra “cool” or “wow” factor to a game. Although most fields due to insurance requirements do not allow real tanks, helicopters and the likes on a field with players, again, players are encouraged to use their imaginations and create mock representations of them to be used for the events. Some are human powered like with a bike, some are gas powered but on a small level such as a go-kart while others opt for the electrics of tricked out golf cart that has been turned into a Panzer tank or something else equally neat. Visuals…. its all about the visuals!

6) Night Play - Ok, this by far is my favorite type of play! Imagine being out on the field with nothing but the moonlight or twinkling stars to illuminate the battlefield… your heard pounding so heart it deafens you…. you creep through the field, spooked out by every shadow, every sound, every…. THHHHWWWAAAAPPPP!!!!!! Yep! You just got shot! You were so busy concentrating on the overload of other sensations that you didn’t see the player behind the bush 20 feet in front of you who’s hopper slightly glowed in the pale moon light! Oh! Wait! He may have had a slight advantage because he was using some night vision! Although it is not necessary, some players have gone out and dropped anywhere from a couple hundred bucks to who knows how much more on the ability to see at night. Want to know how to beat them or at least try to? break out one of those 10 Million Candle Beam lights! you know the ones! The one’s you see that look like they should really be put up in a light house somewhere! Light them up! Night play takes a bit to get used to, but once you have tried it, you will itching to do it again soon!

7) Camping & Camaraderie - These two are great aspects of scenario and in their own way or together, go hand in hand with scenario events. Most scenario events are usually 2-3 days long with the ability to camp throughout the weekend… usually Friday and Saturday Nights. Camping is a great way to relax and enjoy the great outdoors. Granted, sometimes we are at the mercy of weather conditions, but despite even adverse weather conditions, players from all over the state, a region or even from other parts of the globe converge together to enjoy a good camping weekend with friends (both new and old) and all while sharing war stories and such around camp-fires or lounging around in a personal or team camp site. You will find that within scenario events, even if you just meat for the first time, everyone seems to act as if they have known each other for decades. It is a very unique bond and one that is shared by those that have a passion for scenario and look to support not only the events but all those involved…. participant and production alike.

8 ) Hours of Play - Here is the pinnacle of what sets scenario events apart from normal days of play at your local playing field. Most fields have quick 15-30 minute games and usually have a lot of downtime between games. Not at scenario events! Most scenario events offer anywhere from 10-24+ hours of actual playing time! Can you imagine? Getting to play continually for hours on end and even when you need to take a break, the game, the story, the missions, the role-playing continues! Then, when you are ready, you are able to jump right back in and pick up where you last left off!

Now, as I said, these are but a few of the sides of scenario but they are the fiber of the game. Combine them altogether, coupled with your enthusiasm and excitement… then.. if that wasn’t enough, top it off with a heavy dose of bravado…. and you have THE ultimate, mind-blowing, adrenaline-pumping mix of fun found no where else but at a scenario event.

Ok, some of you might be sitting there saying, “That is all fine and dandy but I just want to shoot!” And you know what/? That is fine too! Even of after reading the above descriptions and such, if you are just wanting to “run & gun” you can do that too as scenario events cater to what YOU, the individual or team wants to do. Maybe you want to try your hand at some of what I listed… maybe you even spent countless amounts of hours planning for it. Then again, you might just want to be unleashed onto the playing field like a hurricane ripping through your foes as you laugh hysterically at their freshly painted bodies like a demented Picasso!! Either way, it is your choice and scenario events can cater to you and what it is you want to do.

With the most amount of play found anywhere, intriguing props, unforgettable characters, night play, role-playing, prizes, and much, much more… these event are not ones to be missed!

From beginning to advanced players and young and old alike, scenarios offer a challenge and fun for everyone! Are you into role-playing and want to get wrapped up into the cloak and dagger aspect of the game? Are you a mission oriented operative looking to “get the job done” and lay waste to those that find themselves in your cross-hairs? Or, are you an operative that prefers to be on the front lines while leading the charge or providing additional fire support for your fellow operatives? Or maybe, just maybe are you into just goofing off and having the most amount of fun possible, no matter what?

Then scenarios have the challenge that will put your skills and imagination to the test!

Special roles are always in effect for these event… so if you think you have what it takes… step up and sound off!

Prize drawings are usually part of the norm for scenario events and includes Free Markers, Free Tactical Equipment, Free Paint, Season Passes, Gear, and much, much more! Pre-register and be entered into the drawing for your change to win some cool stuff!

Remember our motto: “Don’t Just Play The Game… LIVE THE GAME!