Dropzone - Battlestar Galactica

[aitch]

Dropzone is a small SF LRP event which runs each year, using Lazer-Tag equipment for combat resolution. The format of the weekend features a main theme LRP game running in 4 episodes, and a number of unconnected one-off scenarios. This years main game is based in the Battlestar Galactica (New Series) universe.

Location: Harmer Green Scout site near Welyn/Hatfield
Date: 23rd - 26th May 2008

Website for more info:
dropzone.4commando.org.uk/


OK, this might be a little short notice for a lot of people, but as I'm one of the people running the Battlestar game, I thought I ought to post it up here.

If anyone's interested, drop a post.

H/Stamper

[john]

Interested, yes very. Able to actually attend, no unfortunately I am already booked in working for most of that time. Except the 24th, booked in to F&O Matlock with the missus for that day.

[Manius]

What was the thinking behind using “laser-tag” equipment? I decided against it for Grim Darkness for several reasons, so I’m interested to know the reasoning behind it for this system.

[aitch]

Hi Manius.

Basically, the thinking behind the system is familiarity. We've been using 'Tag' gear to do LRP for the last 20 years. A bunch of us in Norwich (where I'm from originally) picked up the original Mattel 'Lazer-Tag' sets in 1987 (and that shows our age big time), and swapped over from Fantasy LRP to SF. As time went on we found there were other groups around the country doing the same thing with the same gear and we sort of merged in to a national hobby. This was before airsoft, so 'tag' was the only game in town so to speak.
Since then we've just kept on doing games out of habit. 'Tag' as a hobby is a lot smaller than airsoft, partially as the electronic gear now has to be custom made. A lot of us are getting in to Airsoft as it's something different to try as an experience.

'Tag' versus 'Airsoft' is a swings and roundabouts sort of affair we've found:

Advantages of 'Lazer Tag':
Greater range: Average Range on a 'Lazer-Tag' gun is 80-100 metres. (Max range on a very high-spec gun can be up to 400 metres).
Hit Points: The sensors that pick up the IR from the gun can be configured to detect 1-9 hits before you're 'dead/wounded'. So, relative toughness of monsters and armour points can be factored in.
IR Beam: Because the guns don't fire a projectile, we can use all kinds of game sites that wouldn't allow airsoft.

Advantages of Airsoft
Lack Of Range: This forces a lot more manoevering, and closer ranges means there is more opportunity for Role-Playing interaction.
Kit: gear is so much easier to get hold of (even with the VCR act). There's also a greater potential player base who alreadly own gear.
Ammo: You can regulate and limit ammo using magazines and mag sizes.
Cover: Use of cover and concealment is much more important than with 'Tag', and makes for a more 'visceral' experience.

So, swings and roundabouts. The 'Lazer-tag' hobby also continues largely because most of us have been mates for years and years and it's as much a social thing as anything else.

We can always find hire/loan gear, and if anyone wants to come down to Dropzone, even for a day to have a shufty, you're more than welcome.

H /Stamper

[Manius]

Well, certainly seems to have advanced from my experiences of it then. Interested to discuss your specialist kit though as when I’ve tested sets before they’ve been disappointing.

One of the main disadvantages I always found was actually knowing when you were hit. With no physical contact of a round to break me out of my “combat stance” I usually never realised I’d been hit.

My experience is limited though so this sounds interesting and the fact your making your own kit seems VERY interesting indeed!

To me, there are more disadvantages to airsoft being honest. Not that I would replace the Grim Darkness combat system at this time but I’m very interested to hear the details of your self-built kit, its components, capabilities and costs.

[aitch]

Hi Manius.

I think you're right to stick with Airsoft for Grim Darkness. There are more potential players out there already with their own gear, and the conversion kits for the lasguns are already in use. The availability of airsoft gear at the moment is what is accelerating LRP in the hobby. The problem with 'tag', is that as a hobby there's very little 'off the shelf' kit.

There are a couple of groups building sensors (which go for between 25 and 40 quid). These consist of a box containing the battery and electronics (size varies from matchbox to cigarette packet sized) and wires leading to two small domes containing the IR recievers which velcro on to the front and rear of your headgear. The sensor units are programmable to recieve 1-9 hits before 'dying'. There are some custom 'monster' sensors around which can be set for up to 99 hits (for big beasties). Because tag is eye safe you don't need to wear eye protection.

That's it for the sensors. The gun circuits are usually fitted in to old airsoft bodies (although this is probably going to change now the VCRA is in). The circuits are fitted with a speaker (which makes a variety of sampled gunfire effects), a muzzle flash fitted in to the front (so you can be spotted when firing), and a IR assembly. Oh yeah, and a battery (often the old aisoft one). The IR emitters we use are pretty much the same as TV remote controller ones, but if you focus the light through a lens you can get a fair range with it outdoors. Some people use magnifying glass lenses, although nowadays a variety of cunning optics and high power emmiters are used. Average range for a 'rifle' sized gun is about 80-100 metres. We did have one guy who built his own sniper rifle which ended up with a 400 metre range. (He worked for a company contracting for the MOD, and the lens on the tag gun had come from a photo-recon package off a Tornado jet!). However, in all honesty, you rarely have a 400 metre shot.
All guns now have ammo counters, which limit the number of 'shots' fired. Once you're out of ammo you have to hit a 'reload' button on the side, which starts a timer delay before you can fire again. Obviously in Airsoft, this is all done in 'real terms' with physical ammo and magazines, which I like a lot. There has been some experiemting with electronic magazines which have to be swapped out of the gun, but it's limited at the moment.

Unless you're a dab hand at electronics, you have to do what I do and ask one of our Tag 'Boffins' to build you a gun. Usually that means supplying a 'shell' for them to stick the electronics in. Prices range from 50-150 quid depending on how complex the job is. Also, because it's a hobby, build times can be quite long as the chaps doing the work have real jobs to do as well.

Knowing when you're hit with a 'Tag' gun isn't a problem - Everyone wears a sensor unit on a hat or helmet, which beeps loudly each time you're hit. Most also have an LED light which flashes so the guy shooting you knows he's hit you. (This is a bugger at night, although some games are ruled as 'lights off' so you can switch off that function). When you lose all your hits a repeating siren goes off, so you know to fall over and scream for a medic.

As I said, it's kinda swings and roundabouts. Having done 'Tag' for 20 years or so, it's been a real rush for me and some of the other taggers to try airsofting as something different. There is definately something about having 'rounds' whipping through the undergrowth around you to immerse you in the action!

If you like, I can stick some photos up to illustrate some of the gear. Also, some of the tagging guys are also quite interested in the Grim Darkness system, so I'll try and get them on to the forum. Another advantage is that we've got 20 years worth of costumes and props lying about between us, which might come in handy for the 40k stuff...

H/Stamper

[Manius]

H/Stamper,

Very interesting indeed. I can see the short falls but there are certain advantages (if only you could combine the best bits of both!).

I think the main disadvantage of them is the IR receivers. Depending on placement they can be covered too easily sometimes (not deliberately either).

At least the prices are more or less the same as airsoft now (since the decent Chinese AEG’s became available) - £100-£150 is the same as one of the AEG’s plus some kit so the initial prices are comparable at least.

I think that it’s something I will explore for the future as I am interested in the technology and how it might be improved upon (I have some technical resource that I can call upon, the sort of person who just LOVES this sort of broad remit to tinker with).

Certainly nothing will change with Grim Darkness as “it aint broke, so don’t fix it”.

If you can get some Tagging boys to join the forum that will be excellent, with the range of costume available I’m sure they can be added to the roster here and if they need airsoft pointers then we’ve got lots of knowledge.

I’ve always like the newer crop of SciFi as decent material to work with – BSGII & SG1 for example – but have yet to find a system that used what I’d term live fire airsoft. I couldn’t think of a decent alternative and got disolusioned with the numerous “bang your dead” systems out there.

Hence I very glad when I was approached to help with a “40k LRP airsoft system” and designed Grim Darkness.

[aitch]

One of the standard rules on sensors is that they have to be worn on the head and that they can't be covered up. This seems to work fine.

Played in a couple of 'point and click' systems, and they work fine for games where firearms use is fairly limited. However, they fall down pretty quick in a major firefight. Played a Star Wars LRP game using it, and any major gunfight collapsed in to chaos as no-one knew who was supposed to be shooting at who, or who had been shot by who. I know there's a Stargate LRP systme out there using point and click, and I'd be interested on how they deal with it. Personally, I prefer to stick with 'live' systems like 'Tag' or Airsoft.

A few of the 'taggers' have expressed an interest in playing, one as Guard, and a couple as Orks. I'll try and get them on the site.

Finally, a couple of silly pics of the sorts of things we do...

H / Stamper

[john]

that looks absolutely mint mate, i especially like the DrWho unit bits

[aitch]

Cheers matey. Actually the picture of the Silurians was taken from a 'Call Of Cthulhu' game (we reused the costumes as 'Deep Ones').

H /Stamper

[john]

Any further events and drop me a line, just make it a little earlier. I think I may still have the L-tag stuff my brother used in his old Battle Group days.

[aitch]

Wow, BattleGroup, that's a name I've not heard in a while. That was Dean Wayland's group wasn't it (or am I thinking of Event Horizon?) Going right back to the genesis of the hobby. Cool.

After Dropzone the next proper weekend game will be a Doctor Who U.N.I.T. event, 'Insanity Clause', which is running 21st-23rd November at John Lees Wood near Leicester.

We also run one day events on the last saturday of the month at the Combat South Airsoft site near Southampton, although that's a long way for most people who don't live in the South. The day is split in 2 parts - Morning is usually skirmishing, with a role-playing game taking up the afternoon. At the moment, myself and a couple of mates are running a mini 'Dawn Of The Dead' campaign.

More details at:

www.firefight.org.uk

H / Stamper

[john]

Yep that was Deans group (until he was voted off the board) He now runs the Contact Milsim at Khelvedon Hatch secret nuclear bunker. Southampton is a little out of the way for me to get to however Leicester is dooable, will check the gear still works (or exists) and see if I'm working.

[aitch]

Hey All.

Back from the Dropzone event I was co-running. Still drying out after the rain. Will get on to 40k characters this week. In the mean time, thought some people might like a grin at some of the Battlestar Galactica pictures:

H

[Manius]

Oh nice…good old fashioned Cylons.

BTW – what site did you use?