You’re ready to go to your first Big Game but how do you prep for that?
On my website and Youtube channel there is tons of information, finding your way through all that info isn’t easy so I decided to make blog as a guide for you to know where to look. By splitting it up in different categories, you can jump to the one that is important for you.
The Game
You decided to take the next step and find a game, that’s already a difficult step. Each game has their own website and social media. There is not really one platform that collects it all. (With Airsofter World, www.airsofter.world, I do provide that option, now we just need to get the organisers on board) If you found a list of events, there are a few parameters that you can check to see if it’s your type of game.
- Players
- Country
- Vehicles
- Larp
- Cost
- Length
This is the list I also use in my videos where I explain what Bellum and Berget are. I make those videos from events I went to a few times to give a good opinion about it. More videos from different events are coming.
The GamePlay
While the game is focused on tactical gameplay, you’re not shooting the whole weekend. Getting into position, doing briefings, waiting, walking to another position, going back, … and much more other things come by during a Big Game. While most videos you will find on YouTube show the highlights, it’s not always like that. That’s why my videos show the full game from start to finish. I explain what is going and how things are happening as they happened during the event. Going through a series of a Berget or Bellum event gives you a pretty good picture of how the game will be. This sets the right expectations and draws the correct picture for you. On my Youtube there are multiple playlists available and since recent I also release a full video for each event, which usually is over 3 hours long, but certainly worth the watch. But be ready in a comfertable chair with some snacks.
The Gear
Once you decided what game you want to go to it’s time to collect all the gear. It might be very demotivating to start thinking about everything you need and not forget anything. You need gear to travel, to play, to sleep and probably something for in between all of it. To make it easier, I made a full gear list that you can download in this blog post, https://verageairsoft.com/my-gear-for-big-games/ it also shows a full video of the gear that I bring to bigger games and why. Depending on your specific game you might have to add or remove some items but it gives you a perfect baseline to start from.
Besides the full gear list, on my website you can find most of the gear I used categorized per layer. I mostly use the same gear for all the games I do and just add a bigger backpack for longer games. The full structured gear overlay you can find here, https://verageairsoft.com/gear/
Organising that gear on site also takes discipline, that is why I use ‘The Box’ on bigger games,
Important in all of this is to test the gear before you leave. It’s not because it’s expensive that it will work for what you want to do. I have a good balance between usability and the cost of an item. This goes from shoes up till your sleeping equipment. Everything will fail eventually so even if you tested it before, make sure it is ready for the game.
The Leadership
Hierarchy, it’s something that comes with Big Games. A structure that brings the people to where they need to be. That structure is one of the most important parts to keep everyone happy. There is an HQ, Company Commanders, Platoon Commanders, Squad Leaders and Fireteam Leaders. All have an important task. If you want to take up one of those leadership positions, make sure that you’re ready for it. People look at you for answers and shit on you when things go bad.
I take up various positions in different games. All have a different way of playing and how much you will be involved in the action. Be sure to look that up what is expected from the leadership position you take.
I created an interview style video about my time as a Company Commander during Berget 19. I go over what I liked and didn’t like but most important, what I learned during the full year of preparation.
The Food
An important one that is often forgotten, Food. I also made numerous mistakes in bringing the wrong things from milk on weekend games to packages that opened in my backpack. Finding the right food for airsoft games took me a long time and I’m still adjusting things non stop. Because the questions I got about it, I decided to make a video and blog about it, that you can find here, https://verageairsoft.com/food-on-a-big-game-berget/
Food is the base of your energy and game. If you don’t take in the right amount of energy, all that prep and expensive gear is useless. Your body needs to be able to bring you to the fight. The amount of people that need to stop because they didn’t eat or drink is way to high. That is why leaders in my groups need to check up on all their people to make sure they eat, drink and take care of themselves.
The Trip
A last questions I get frequently is how to get to place or travel through countries. That question does not have an easy answer. Each country has it’s own rules and legislation. Knowing them for your own country is already a challenge, now try to find it for a different country. Luckily Airsofter World has a group of Federations and Associations communicating with each other about that. We come together on a regular base to share the important information. Airsofter World will then eventually bundle and keep that information up to date together with the help of the Assocations and Federations.
While this is a project that requires a lot of energy, you can help us by joining Airsofter World and show that a combined platform with information is a useful tool for airsofters all around the world
Have Fun
Big Games are special experience that I believe each players should try. It’s a special experience with amazing people with the same passion going for the same goal, achieving an objective the best way possible while the other side tries to do something else. I met my best friends on those games because you empty your physical and emotional tank completely and the person besides you will help you when you need it. That is something hard to find on a Sunday game.
I have to mention, once you tasted it, you probably want to go back.