Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

Hey guys,

We play at three different locations (Empire, Avid and Time Machine) as often as we can (which ain't often), and we have a great time at each. I think everyone's trying to find ways to grow the game. I'm wondering if the idea of intermural, "travel team" games have been explored? I know it's always tricky working with "the competition", but each of these is clustered far enough apart (1 1/2 hours) that there's not much stepping on toes, and I think growing the game overall benefits everyone.

Has there been any discussion of having "home" and "visitor" events? Might be fun to get players out and about to see that this game is far from just a local group, and a bit of friendly competition might be fun. In any case, we'd want to schedule things to not conflict.

Or maybe it'll just turn into a knife fight in the parking lot.

- Bob

I know the Avid guys love to travel. We have done so for Warmachine and Hordes on many occasions. We even had t-shirts made once.  I think this would be good fun.

Chris,

I know the April event won't work out (bummer about the conflict), but you guys should know Gordon holds regular "MegaGame" events each, where whoever shows up can get in on a big game. Maybe we could target a neutral one of these after April and try to get some folks up from Avid to meet the Empire group?

- Bob

Sirchristopher2

I must say your signature is great seems to reflect the current state in New England.

I really enjoy working with other stores but often its the players who cant seem to get together or commit to a cool inter store events. But Im willing to try the gaming community could sure use a boost and FOW is the best game around to do it with ( at least in my mind..lol)

"I really enjoy working with other stores but often its the players who cant seem to get together or commit to a cool inter store events. But Im willing to try. the gaming community could sure use a boost and FOW is the best game around to do it with ( at least in my mind..lol)"

HA HA! I agree.  Player interest in FOW is relatively new at our shop, but our guys are historically good travelers.  For me, as well, I hope FOW thrives! ... wouldn't it be nice... 

Let me know if you have any specific ideas.  You have much more experience than I with events.  Or we could just pick a couple of dates that are good for the guys and give it a go.

Hey.... uhm, guys (dare I use your real names?),

I'm afraid we're some of the worst when it comes to attendance, but we do make everything we RSVP to... well, MOST of us do!

Just a thought. Empire's got those regular MegaBattle events 2nd weekend of each month. Maybe we could try to promote one as "Invaders (liberators) from the South" or some such. You know, drum it up a bit as a group of gamers coming up and try to get at least a few regulars from each shop to attend. If it works out, repeat!

Empire will probably have home-town advantage for a couple of rounds, but as (and assuming) things pick up a bit, perhaps Avid could host some as well.

A few thoughts from the irregular customer perspective:

1. Schedule it around the local schools. Empire's gotten good at sync'ing with the local and MA schools, which seem to be one week apart on breaks. Sad as it may be, my kids' (those big giant kids) schedules come first.

2. Prizes and such are all good, but I think most everyone's out for a good game. A MegaGame may be a bit more of a draw than just a regular set of 1 on 1, or perhaps some linked tables theme. When we 3 attend, we're usually excited about the prospect of playing together in some way (usually to find one of us on the other side of the table, knowing our battle plans!

I don't know if there's any value in playing up the "home" and "visitor" thing. Different colored shirts (players own, nothing new) might help theme it a bit. As long as it's all good fun, that might get some folks involved, but maybe a turnoff for others?

Finally, my own interest is almost exclusively in FoW, but this might also work for the other games that are popular at each shop.

Anyhow, just some loose thoughts rolling around in my head. I'd love to see things continue to grow.

- Bob

Posted By Sirchristopher2 on 03/14/2007 5:25 PM

Let me know if you have any specific ideas.  You have much more experience than I with events.  Or we could just pick a couple of dates that are good for the guys and give it a go.

One thing I did was but a tv in the store and run Battlefront documentery's ( 5 discs at around $25.00 at any movie store in a mall) and classic WW2 movies that gets them really pumped to play and something I also found was it helped draw a younger crowd into FOW cause they might not have our years they seem to learn alot from these and help them decide on the type of force to play with...EXAMPLE

Wednesday is WW2 night stop by watch a move play a game or do both!

once you get a few rent Band of Brothers and show that in a few weeks.

Its also great way to get terrain built for the store having tables set up is HUGE its says to the customer "your committed to this game" if you get into this game we be playing it for the long hall...thats a important message with all the vogue games that they are faced with today.

Almost forgot....

The last weekend of June would be a good time for a event of some sorts for us to think about.

I have cleared the day with the family - I will see if it works with the troops...

Just to be sure, you mean June 30/July 1?

Posted By Sirchristopher2 on 03/18/2007 7:04 PM

I have cleared the day with the family - I will see if it works with the troops...

Just to be sure, you mean June 30/July 1?

Thats looks like a good time frame no school, vacation starts ext.

 

 

Well Bob looks like you done it again,
You inspired me. I asked a few guys if they would be intrested in a FOW club with the purpuse of promoting and playing FOW in and around New England and a few would like to help.
That means Ill be able to leave the store and game at other venues while my wonderful wife runs the store for me (shes awesome huh?) so your comments about "home" and "visitor" events got the ball rolling THANKS. and Im hoping to have tables that I can bring with us to "show off" some of our handy work and temp people to make the trip to see the rest of our cool tables....

Road Trip! You need to armor up the Empire bug and tour with it.

I'm glad D. can cover the place for you. Arm her with a mace and shield, just in case.

Are you going to tour around, or do you have any specific destinations in mind? My travel has slowed down a bit, so I'm in town (here) more often in recent weeks. That'll probably change, and of course the boys aren't free. Stuff Ben and Keith in there with ya and it'll be a party!

OK, I've got a slogan: "Grow the Game. Conquer the World!"

- Bob

Ben and Keith are already on board.....LOL

Nothing planned yet but going to Avid will be up there for things to do.

We just got a that new mini van a few months back so Im the bus driver Im thinking yellow would be a good color...LOL

 

 

...we are in (Avid Troops).  the 30th of June is good for at least myself and our core of guys.  we bought band of brothers and are working on an instore campaign to grow FOW as well.... I can drum up support from the RI and CT guys at the convention next month for the intermural travel stuff...

Should we do a mega battle? or individual games? Should we keep score and play for braggin rights or play for fun?  Where shall we start the first event?

Im already set up with lots of FOW tables and have about 1800 Sq. ft of just gaming area along with three mega battle tables that can take 24 players. I can set one up and do a mega battle or do several smal group games of say 4 to 6 persons per table. Am all for keeping it fun.

Iv wanted to try something new for some time but would need a good turn out to run it.
example 4 groups of four players (16 players) each with a cool missions and objectives.
Which ever side axis/allied has most wins gets a $9.00 blister pack. so we do mini mega battles and it allows us to play hang out and promote gaming and meet new friends..
Now this is a rough draft at this point and am also open to doing a more officail type event with one on one three rounds but this doesnt allow us to much time in one day to socalize....
Thoughts....?

I'd hate to wait for the end of June to get anything in, but that's probably a good date for a "Mega" event. Meanwhile, Gordon does the monthly "mini-Mega" games, so perhaps a smaller "meet the neighbors" get-together then? Are you guys thinking working things out for weekends? I know the Avid group meets Thursdays, thought that might be a long haul for one or two games.

I'm going to be flaky as usual and not over-commit, but Doug's out of school at the end of May, and we're certainly up for more regular games once school ends.

- Bob

If you go to our calender

http://www.empiregamesnh.com/Calendar/tabid/77/Default.aspx

and look at the 2nd sat of each month you see a FOW event we started around Jan 07 this is just starting out so this might be just what your suggesting Bob.

Its fun low cost and a great way to meet the neighbors. We've only had 4 to 6 people show but we have only done it three times so far... having a few guys from out of town might help this grow some.

 PS lets not forget out event in april its late war but closer than June

<table id="dnn_ctr504_Announcements__ctl0_lstAnnouncements" style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" cellspacing="0" summary="Announcements Design Table" border="0" class="DNN_ANN_DesignTable"> <tbody> <tr> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr> <td>FLAMES OF WAR LATE WAR TOURNAMENT

</td> </tr> </tbody> </table>

 

The Avid guys are up for just about anything.  We prefer fun over competition as well.  How about a day with a round of individual games that lead to a mega-game... That way we get a little of each... I was also trying to imagine a situation where each store could have a defend situation against the other and then switch up.  This may make some issues with allies/axis matchups, however...

We certainly cannot fit as many guys/games in at Avid (compared to Empire), however, we do not want to always be the group traveling.  I would like to either get several stores involved in a rotating schedule or get a neutral location we can all travel to...

We could travel to Empire June 30 or we could travel sooner for one of the mega-battles.  But then, we might like to host on the 30th...

Posted By Sirchristopher2 on 03/23/2007 9:44 AM
The Avid guys are up for just about anything.  We prefer fun over competition as well.  How about a day with a round of individual games that lead to a mega-game... That way we get a little of each... I was also trying to imagine a situation where each store could have a defend situation against the other and then switch up.  This may make some issues with allies/axis matchups, however...

We certainly cannot fit as many guys/games in at Avid (compared to Empire), however, we do not want to always be the group traveling.  I would like to either get several stores involved in a rotating schedule or get a neutral location we can all travel to...

We could travel to Empire June 30 or we could travel sooner for one of the mega-battles.  But then, we might like to host on the 30th...

Very good points cause at some point I will want to get out and play and its part of what I want my group to do... travel to other locations...Im hoping we meet up soon so we can compare notes ideas and resources.

One thing I was thinking is when we go to another location to play the Impire group could bring a cool FOW gaming table or two Ive done something like that with Danger planet its a great way to create fun in the store cause people come by to play on the "visiting table" we got a very cool "starship trooper" table fron DP that was a huge succes...

I like the idea of a traveling table... maybe that is all we need to do.  Set-up dates and locations.  The traveling store brings the special table and any special mission rules...
In addition or alternately, the host could offer some mega-battle if they choose...

can anyone else tell that Fridays are slow... lol

Maybe we should come up with a catchy name for the intermural/travel FOW events.  This might help with the PR on multiple/follow-up events...  especially if we can get the CT and RI crowds in as well... like the Krump Group NE or something...

I was working on a poster with "Grow the Game, Conquer the WORLD!", with an event hook something like "Invasion from the South/North!" (depending on who's playing where) at the bottom:



I'm no graphic artist, so it's a bit ugly. I can make it look less Soviet.

Also not a geography major -- need to check those map locations!

Anyhow, just some thoughts.

- Bob

love it! perfect. lets use it.

the Milford star would be a little to the right (half-way to the coast from where it is now)...

I was also hoping to get the CT and RI Groups in on the fun... maybe put four stars...

As we add participating groups, I can easily add more stars. I thought about doing a graphic representing a tactical map, with a big red arrow indicating the direction of the "attack" that could be used for announcements. A few variations (NH invades MA, MA invades NH, etc.) could be re-used as needed. Does that sound good? I've got line art of the map and stuff, so this isn't too tough to do.

Gordon, anything you'd want added (besides making sure I've got Manchester in the right place)?

So... how do you feel about red?

- Bob

Posted By bobstro on 03/28/2007 2:49 PM
Gordon, anything you'd want added (besides making sure I've got Manchester in the right place)?

- Bob

Support your local shops... before there aren't any...

 

Ive already added that line to my FOW signature I like it cause its a strong statment reminding people to support a store near them reguardless WHO it is...I like what that means for any retailer in todays market.

Thoughts????

iTs a great line/moto.

I am really intrested in this traveling legue thingy...

Im in!

And you guys should come up to empire games, you wont regret it.
The WURST advent should be awsome

Obviously, what we need are some motivational posters!






- Bob

Posted By bobstro on 03/28/2007 2:49 PM
As we add participating groups, I can easily add more stars. I thought about doing a graphic representing a tactical map, with a big red arrow indicating the direction of the "attack" that could be used for announcements. A few variations (NH invades MA, MA invades NH, etc.)

like it ... love it!

got my Kiwi Armoured Cars glued yesterday... off to the practice range...

Ive already added that line to my FOW signature...

almost as good as "cool games and a place to play them" ^_^

if we can get the graphic for MA invades NH or Invasion from the south for the June 30 kick off event, I will push it with the CT and RI guys at the cone next month...