tired of scenarios

[ViperScenarios]

I know this may seem like a shameless plug, but there IS something else out there you guys might be interested in.

Scenario has been around for about two decades. When I began my own scenario company in 1996 I paid close attention to the voices of the players and looked for ways to add more of what they liked and remove more of what they didn't.


The missions without rhyme or reason. The fact that commanders aren't really commanding but, instead, are just handing out the missions dictated to them. I tried for years to come up with ways to modify the “scenario” format to address these issues and many others.


About five years ago I decided that, to really address these issues, it was going to be necessary to start from the ground up and create a NEW format.


After over a year of development and tabletop testing the Viper RTS format was launched for beta testing in late 2004.

Viper RTS is based on the “Real Time Strategy” genre of video games. The result is a format where the commanders command and create their own strategy. The play is cut-and-dried, and is totally in the control of the players. A custom designed and written software interface tracks the scoring of both sides, meaning that there is NO room for the event director to manipulate the scoring or the outcome. What happens…happens.


Here is the abbreviated overview:
There are twelve objectives. Each commander has seven flags. Some objectives produce money and some produce points toward your score. The score wins the game, but money lets you buy things. Most every objective produces bonuses like medics, engineers, snipers, etc…but you must control the objective to buy them, and have money to pay for them. The bonuses are all on timers, so you must hold the objective for a certain period of time before the bonus becomes available. Think "Command & Conquer" with the tech bases in the field that you can capture, with an engineer, for bonus items.


The result is that the commanders generate their own missions based on their needs. You may be sent on a patrol to prevent the enemy from obtaining a particular objective. Or you may be sent on a recon and report mission to find out if the enemy holds a particular objective. The point is that there are still missions, but now the COMMANDER creates them, and you know WHY you’re going on them because they all have a purpose, and are part of an overall plan. Not only that, but the “run-and-gun” players who don’t take direction well are still a part of the game, as the are either helping to defend your objectives or harass the enemy at thiers.

We have great plans for the format, including further automation and added elements.


The Viper RTS rules can be found here:

http://www.viperpaintball.com/rules_rts.pdf


You can find out more by checking out our forums and asking questions there.

[CamoJester]

I like the way that sounds Viper. I like that the Commander picks the missions that need to be done.

[Grendel]

For me I want them all not one type all of the time. Sometimes I like the roll playing, sometimes all I want to do is run missions and other times I just want to hunt ears. Producers throw away the formulas or put them on the shelf sometimes and mix it up every once and a while for a change in pace.

By the way Viper I an very happy to see you commenting and presenting your side. I wish the other producers would commune more often on the forums and see what we the players think and enter in the debate. Most of us want to see you guys succeed. The more you suceed the more events we have to choose from we too have a vested interest in how these things work.

[ViperScenarios]

I think more producers would be more active on forums were it not for the trolls and jerks. I've been crucified too many times on public forums by players looking to make a name for themselves. There have been many times I've wondered if the ones who are noticibly absent from forums are the smarter ones.

But, in the end, I'm still a player first. I play more scenario paintball than any other scenario director out there. Not only because it's a good learning tool for me to improve my events...but also because it's FUN!

I missed Wayne's Grand Finale last year because I was commanding at another event. I went against two other equal-sized teams, who had a "non-aggression pact" throughout most of the two days...and we still kicked their butts!

I'll probably be back at the Finale this year.

[GImpy]

Well First let me say I have been playing scenario for close to 6 years now. And my first Game was A Vamps game if my memory serves me right. THat is still a game that rocked. There was roll playing but it had little effect on the score. They had UV paint made so you could kill the VAMPIRE generals with extra points.
Now after about two games one at LCP and one at Old River .. I went with some friends to another field here in central Florida. I will not give out names but Some of you will know what I am talking about.
I am on the blue side and we are dominating every mission we go on and from what the general tells us we have recovered 85% of our missions we are a sure win. But when the award ceremony comes around apparently there was some "SPEACIAL PROP" with a Blow out point score that was given to the other side with the Mission ACCIDENTLY not making it to our side. Now I ask a friend what happened We were winning. all he could say was this was typical with this field and director and that I should not worry about it because we know we won but because of favorite we lost. Still being young he still re assured me I played a good game. I have since went back but Have expected nothing.

Now with that said I love simple scenarios .. Basic missions with 2 generals.. you know GO and get this from this place or defend that place for X amount of time. with 2 roles period. A medic (I love this role it is awsome) A demo ( keeps sides even with the rockets and ect..) other then that just 2 teams trying to keep a strong hold on 1 field. Makes for great paint ball.. although I havent been able to make a Viper game in a while(sorry viper I am trying I enjoy your stuff) and I like the way that this new format Viper has sounds cant wait to try it...

[the boss]

I like a straight forward game with demo, and missions but no surprises as far as some out of reality prop that could through the whole game, that's a little off in my opinion. I like a mission where the skill level of the players has an impact on the game not some far fetched last minute call in deal where a prop never seen kills 20 people. Call me crazy but I feel each team should get a fair shake as far as all relevant props be shown and explained at the beginning of the game that way each team has equal footing in the game. As far as having a single prop that flips a whole game i disagree with that. But that is my opinion.

[CamoJester]

Originally Posted by the boss

Call me crazy .........

OK.

CRAZY...........

Had to be done..

[the boss]

Ok Jester you got me on that one

[FIREBUG]

First, let me start out by stating "hat off" to all of the comments. I also would like it if more producers would join in and give there opion on this.
One of the things that I like about the different producers is that you can pick and choose what type of game you want to play (miltary/fantasy) Different strokes for different folks.
I also agree that there should not be a MEGGA POINT PROP/MISSION. I have been to too many games that my side was kicking tail and the final battle was lost, so that cost us the game.
The take and hold missions, as a game writer, I feel that there should be some gimmie missions in the mix. Players who are getting stomped need to feel like they are doing something to help there side. But, the generals and the producers should adress this problem when they see an unbalanced side (by the way, most do and I thank you)
I have played all types of games and at times, I do miss the capture the flag games. That is how I started this crazy great sport. Just get the other flag in 45 min and on to the next game.
But what about Intel? As was stated, the game should be on the field. Should Intel be on or off? Only a slect few players like/want to do this and I feel that is what it is for. Only about half of the Intel is off, the other is on mixing with the normalcy of the game.

Thats my penny worth (cost to much for 2 pennies)

[Bond Chick]

Originally Posted by gfgjester

HIJACK! Doesn't the soldier in Silverbacks Sig Bar look like Dane Cook!?!

Nah. More like BuckShot.

And I couldn't agree more with The Boss.