A larp with Airsoft guns

[Jarak]

Would people be potentially interested in a larp that used Airsoft guns for gunfights?

I'm thinking I might be interested in running something like that, where the emphasis is on it being a larp, but that if it turned to fighting, we used airsoft guns for it. Presumably the time setting for a first game would be relatively modern day.

There are a number of implementation details that need to be ironed out, but I wanna see if anyone is interested first.

[Derek]

What kind of protection do you need for airsoft? Are safety goggles enough?

[Jarak]

What kind of protection do you need for airsoft? Are safety goggles enough?

That's the only absolutely essential piece of equipment, which you won't be allowed on the field without (and one of the issues to be worked out).

It seems that Airsoft eye protection should be rated ANSI Z87.1 (it should say that somewhere on the equipment). It should be able to withstand at least a 3 joule impact on a small point.

There's three main types of eye protection available: Goggles, which are fairly self-explanatory. Mesh masks, which usually cover much of the face, and the eyes are protected by a thin mesh of material - some people love them because they aren't prone to fogging up like the other two options, but some people hate them because using them is kinda like wearing sunglasses. And finally, airsoft glasses, which look a bit like real ballistics glasses (think what they wear in CSI when they're test-firing guns in their lab).

Check out ASGC, the only dedicted airsoft store I know of in the whole country for a couple of examples of what's out there (and the other airsoft paraphernalia).

I'd also be planning to give stuff a 'test of fire' whereby it gets a point blank shot from the highest powered gun I can find on the day. If it can stand up to that, it should be fine. If not, it was not up to standard anyway.

Of course, any and all extra safety equipment you want to bring, you're welcome to do so. There's a few guys who always wear kneepads.

EDIT: I just realised that I should mention what's on that website is a very small proportion of what's around in the airsoft world, and more can be found in this country, not to mention overseas. However, I'd VERY strongly recommend against anyone getting over-enthusiastic and trying to import anything on their own.

[Hannah]

Yeah, I could be up for it ... I guess part of me still misses 2014

[madwolf_958]

i'm all for it,
airsoft in general = fun
larp = fun
airsoft and larp = fun^2

[Jarak]

Anyone else interested? I think we'd need more than the four of us, although I am willing to give a go at running something with even just a small number of players.

[Uncle Vanya]

You already know that I'm keen.

[Gaffy]

*puts hand up* im keen

[Ryan Paddy]

If the rest of the game interested me enough, I wouldn't care whether it was using airsoft, paintball, laser tag, or cap guns for combat. The setting and play style matter more to me. I've done a little airsoft and it's used widely overseas for larp Airsoft is no big deal so long as eye protection is strictly enforced.

[Cameron]

yeah depending on date i'd give it a whirl.....had heaps of fun last time with the ASA

[Jarak]

If the rest of the game interested me enough, I wouldn't care whether it was using airsoft, paintball, laser tag, or cap guns for combat. The setting and play style matter more to me. I've done a little airsoft and it's used widely overseas for larp Airsoft is no big deal so long as eye protection is strictly enforced.

For a first game, the setting would likely be modern-day, in some random forest-y place. The emphasis of the game would be on the larp side of it, so I wouldn't be upset if no one fired a shot during it. Of course, if people want a shooting game afterwards, I'd support it.

Now we get to some of the issues involved:

1. Eyewear - Would people be willing/interested in investing in some, with the proviso that I anticipate running future games if this is a success? The other option is that we get Airsoft Auckland involved, as they have a number of spare goggles and mesh masks available for people to borrow.

2. Guns - Again, do people want to invest in guns? I was thinking it might be best if people just got a spring gun of some variety and we ran with those (springers go for between about $30-$100 at ASGC, and are comparatively low powered). The only other real option is that we involve ASA and use their hire guns (electric G36Cs that shoot at around 330fps), but that's $20 per gun per day, and there isn't all that many of them available. Also, it would potentially severely restrict when we can run it, as they need some of the guns most weekends.

3. Location - Anyone got access to an appropriate outdoors place that wouldn't mind having a bunch of little plastic bbs being left on the area? Cause otherwise (you guessed it) we'll have to get ASA involved, and ask them to book us a field, which would be another $10 per person.

Now, to be clear here, I'm not saying I dislike ASA (I'm a member, the only person I know of who is a dual ASA/NZLARPS member). But the less we have to involve them for a larp the better, as most of them don't care for larping.

Any comments/suggestions/questions?

[Cameron]

3. Location - Anyone got access to an appropriate outdoors place that wouldn't mind having a bunch of little plastic bbs being left on the area?

For those greenies out there you can get biodegradable BBs which I think are made of some combination of carbonates and stuff that just disolve in rain after a few months.

[Jarak]

3. Location - Anyone got access to an appropriate outdoors place that wouldn't mind having a bunch of little plastic bbs being left on the area?

For those greenies out there you can get biodegradable BBs which I think are made of some combination of carbonates and stuff that just disolve in rain after a few months.

Yeah, that's entirely correct, I forgot to mention it earlier. Well, I don't know precisely what they're made out of, but you can get biodegradeable ones that go away after a few months. Might help interest someone in letting us use their land. It shouldn't be too hard to make it a bios only situation.

But I still need people answers to the above questions. It does make a significant difference in my further planning.

[Cameron]

Yeah, that's entirely correct, I forgot to mention it earlier. Well, I don't know precisely what they're made out of, but you can get biodegradeable ones that go away after a few months.

My background research says 60% mineral powers (calcium carbonate etc), 30% starch, 20% additives for strength, stabilisation, molding processes and surface finish.

They are a bit more expensive but then again were talking $1 extra per 200 shots. I had a semi auto electric gun (dakka dakka) at the the game we did with ASA and it lasted me all day, it only held 1000 shots. So its not prohibitivly expensive.

[Mike Curtis]

Thanks for the info, Cameron. I think it would be socially responsible to take all possible meaures to reduce environmental impact when we undertake a larp. In the case of Airsoft, this would mean ensuring that only biodegradable bbs are used rather than the cheaper, polluting plastic ones.