Scenario games : What are they, and how are they different from big games, mass games

[thumper]

Scenario games : What are they, and how are they different from big games, mass games, big rec days?
below is my draft version for this topic for the scenario ref training manual being parted together on PBJunkie

I request edits opinions and comments


revised 1.13.2008 12:40 est with contributions added from Severe and Jet
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Scenario games : What are they, and how are they different from big games, mass games, big rec days?
By John "Thumper" Edens - with contributions by Jet (Team BeBop) and Severe (Team RATS) ......
1.13.2008
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Looking back into scenario paintball history, one can't avoid arriving at the doorstep of The Survival Zone and Wayne Dollack's crazy ideas. If you have ever played there, you know what a senario game is - he defined it. To capture what one is in nutshell - you would have to start with "Why" -- People like to get emersed in a story - to take them as far away from reality as possible. Wayne's games normally had a redrawn map with theme specific locations, theme specific props and special weapons, theme specific buildings, theme specific missions, theme specific characters for his cast of role players. He would get dressed up and into character for opening ceremonies - as would a few of his partners. Even his proshop would turn into some odd alien landing craft. And the opening ceremony was a small play to help the players get "into character" and into the story.

I recall playing along side Ben Torricelli, Ken Rosenberry, Hammer, White Feather, Mother, Packman, Blitzkrieg, Mayberry Marauders, SC Roadkill, Marshall Law.. From these seeds Wayne's idea spread across the nation.

A mass game, or big game, may have a theme name and a special map - but otherwise is just an excuse for a bunch of ballers to gather and play on a large scale. (The word "scenario" is often misused.)

While each type of game may have missions, in scenario games some of the missions themselves drive the story line: recovering the keypad for the nuke, the files from the Alien Autopsy, etc. Big game missions tend to be rigid and set, examples would be Take this objective by 0900, this objective by 0930 and so on.

The line between mass games and scenario games becomes pretty confused as the players begin taking on roles themselves, and as the scenario game producers take a few short cuts in their preparations.

From a scenario refs perspective : you are a member of the cast. The producer is relying on you to help the player/customer stay "in character". Likewise there are frequently special rules for the application of the WWII recon plane, Vietnam Huey, Alien BIO Weapon, Nuclear Device... (and the list goes on). There are also players and role players who will really get into the story. As a ref, you must know how the special rules apply, know how to handle the role players, and know when to ask for help.

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[gfgjester]

From a scenario refs perspective : you are a member of the cast. The producer is relying on your to help the player/customer stay "in character". Likewise there are frequently special rules for the application of the WWII recon plane, Vietnam Huey, Alien BIO Weapon, Nuclear Device... (and the list goes on). There are also players and roll players who will really get into the story. As a ref, you must know how the special rules apply, and know when to ask for help.

I LIKE this! It also would be an excellent addition to the player section, too. So many people do come to a scenario game with that confusion betwixt a big game and scenario... Great start, John...