Question on 24-hr type milsim games

[ao_tenshi]

Hey everyone,

I'm new to airsoft, and interested to participate in one of the 24-hr type milsim games for the first time. Just wanted to get some feedback on the following so Im well prepared.

1) Does people really play continuously for 24hrs? (or is it like a few hrs of games, then rest etc.)

2) Where does people sleep during the night? (car, camp, in the woods?)

3) How long do you have for sleep? (is it dependent on the game play?)

4) Does the rest/sleep time vary between different people? (ie. Does everyone rest at designated times, or some keep play while others rotate to rest etc)

Guess the whole concept is still foreign to me, so any thoughts/experience that will better prep me the better. Thanks!

[ViR]

Originally Posted by ao_tenshi

Hey everyone,

I'm new to airsoft, and interested to participate in one of the 24-hr type milsim games for the first time. Just wanted to get some feedback on the following so Im well prepared.

1) Does people really play continuously for 24hrs? (or is it like a few hrs of games, then rest etc.)

Some do, some don't.. Its all based on your physical ability and game design.
Normally I never sleep more than 1 hour, unless the game is paused by admins.

Originally Posted by ao_tenshi

2) Where does people sleep during the night? (car, camp, in the woods?)

Woods > Camp > Car
Generally people look down on those who sleep in the car

Originally Posted by ao_tenshi

3) How long do you have for sleep? (is it dependent on the game play?)
4) Does the rest/sleep time vary between different people? (ie. Does everyone rest at designated times, or some keep play while others rotate to rest etc)

Guess the whole concept is still foreign to me, so any thoughts/experience that will better prep me the better. Thanks!

Depends on how much time you need and how much time you have.
If your Command is organized and there is enough quiet time during the game people get rotated for food and sleep.
In Canada I don't remember having games intense enough for people to have no time for food or quick nap. (Yet )

Its pretty upsetting to have people showup for 24 hour game and than spend 8+ hours sleeping in the car. Unless you have an injury I don't think its acceptable, since you are ruining everyone else's experience.
There are many threads on how to prepare for 24hr games, look them up.
Basic rules: Be well rested, eat well, arrive early and take a nap/relax before the start. Know your limit and dont kill yourself out there.. (unless you like that sort of thing)

Most imporantly, do not drive if you are too tired. Take a quick nap after the game to make sure you get home safely...

[R.I.T.Z]

You sleep when you can where you can same goes for eating.

as ViR said wood>tent>car
some games will cut out for a few hours where everyone returns to their base and camps it for the night, others will run the full 24hrs so you have to set up a patrol and guard while others sleep.
The only time I can see a car being acceptable during a 24hr event is in case of injury or there is a vehicle in game.

some people push themselves through the full 24 hrs.
others dont make it past hour 10.

Most team leaders have mandatory rest periods in which squads rotate through the CP to catch a few winks or some food.

A lot of guys pack snack foods and MREs to munch on during play, while moving out you can always eat a granola bar.

[m102404]

Originally Posted by ao_tenshi

Hey everyone,

I'm new to airsoft, and interested to participate in one of the 24-hr type milsim games for the first time. Just wanted to get some feedback on the following so Im well prepared.

1) Does people really play continuously for 24hrs? (or is it like a few hrs of games, then rest etc.)

Take a regular 6-8hr game...and spread it over 24hrs. There's active time, down time, sleep/rest, eating.

There's no continuous anything for 24hrs.

Originally Posted by ao_tenshi

2) Where does people sleep during the night? (car, camp, in the woods?)

Depends on the game. Some will have "safe areas" for tents...others you sleep "in play". Heading back to your car is usually frowned upon for the 24hr games around here (unless it's setup to be two distinct day games back to back...with no play at night). The expectation is that you're in play and stay in play for the duration.

Originally Posted by ao_tenshi

3) How long do you have for sleep? (is it dependent on the game play?)

Usually 4-6 hours...but it really depends on what's going on. Depends on your team.
* there's usually a 4-6hr slot for you to sleep...but depending on the person they may not sleep very well.

Originally Posted by ao_tenshi

4) Does the rest/sleep time vary between different people? (ie. Does everyone rest at designated times, or some keep play while others rotate to rest etc)

Again...depends on your team. 24hr Milsims are usually pretty structured. The commanders/team leads will figure out some sort of rotation. Some guys will be on guard duty, some resting, some eating, some out on missions, etc..while others do something else.

Originally Posted by ao_tenshi

Guess the whole concept is still foreign to me, so any thoughts/experience that will better prep me the better. Thanks!

One of the biggest reasons I see guys not finish a long game is that they are tired and too uncomfortable (cold/wet/etc...). That usually comes down to lack of planning and preparation...both from the command side and from the player. You cannot go to a 24hr Milsim with the same stuff you go to a regular day game and expect to be anything but miserable. No wonder guys drop out when they're soaking wet and have no way to warm up.

One of the natural things that happen is that guys start a long game/24hr thing all jazzed up and ready to fight from minute 1 after stepping onto the field. Go go go. That's ok...but many of them will typically burn out by evening and not be up for the long/cold night to get through the next day. Some guys come out to a 24hr game with essentially the intent of playing a long day game/skirmish and then go home. Which kind of sucks large for the rest of the guys who have committed to the whole thing.

You're going to be cold, uncomfortable and bored at times...and there'll be frantic bunches of activity and bitter fighting. For some it's a lot of fun and quite the experience....for others it's just not something they want to do.

[tygr701]

Listen to VIR that's a pretty accurate picture.

[FirestormX]

On the topic of sleeping, I've always wondered what happens when you come across a sleeping enemy. I'd imagine it's majorly frowned upon to shoot a guy in his sleeping bag. Do you wake him up and mercy him? I've never played a 24-hour game, and I haven't read a whole lot of 24-hour game threads either, which would probably mention this in the rules...
Also, when you sleep with your goggles, are there any precautions in case they slip off?

[R.I.T.Z]

Originally Posted by FirestormX

On the topic of sleeping, I've always wondered what happens when you come across a sleeping enemy. I'd imagine it's majorly frowned upon to shoot a guy in his sleeping bag. Do you wake him up and mercy him? I've never played a 24-hour game, and I haven't read a whole lot of 24-hour game threads either, which would probably mention this in the rules...
Also, when you sleep with your goggles, are there any precautions in case they slip off?

For a sleeping enemy I've run into this before.
Politely wake him/her up and mercy them, if they tell you to F-off move on nothing you can really do.

As for sleeping with your goggles on.... try not to roll around?

[Ricochet]

Originally Posted by m102404

There's no continuous anything for 24hrs.

That's not entirely true. I have attended a twenty-four, and a thirty-six hour endurance op; both of which didn't stop. There was no "gear down" or "break" time. We averaged forty-five minutes of sleep at the twenty-four hour game, and ate on the fly. Maybe during a lull in the gun fight, or while waiting for orders. There were a few people who left to sleep in their cars or took a break, but they were asked not to, or got into trouble for it. An endurance game is just that, endurance. All sleep you get or food you consume, is during live play. You can get over run while asleep, and be forced to move your location. You can also be shot while sleeping; we had to wake up a few times and weather an offensive. We even got attacked while having chow, and had to put off the meal for a couple hours. At an endurance game be prepared for tired, hungry, dehydrated, exhaustion, cold, wet, etc.

Bottom line, is to read carefully on the type of game and decide if it's for you. Some longer ops have scheduled breaks, barbecues, and sleep periods. Make sure to investigate the game type, and prep accordingly. As noted above, there are health factors to consider. Not everyones basic physical health can take that much punishment. I have seen cases of dehydration, exhaustion, hypothermia, etc. Know your limits, plan accordingly, and bring all appropriate gear, food, etc.

I'm not trying to discourage you, but if you come unprepared or push yourself too hard you can pay for it with health issues; or if you go to an endurance game and figure you'll just sleep in your car for six hours to recharge, you may be asked not to come back. I will tell you that they are an absolute blast usually, depends in the game.

[m102404]

I getcha...sorry if that's misleading.

True...some 24hr games have "breaks" or "forced rest" times built into them (which I don't care for) where the game is essentially stopped for a number of hours...while in others there is no break like that. You sleep/eat/whatever in the field while it's hot.

[Ricochet]

I'm with you on that one. Pure twenty-four hour, go hard retard, is only way to go. If your smart you can easily build sleep and food into your game by taking advantage of gameplay dynamics.

[Brian McIlmoyle]

Originally Posted by ao_tenshi

Hey everyone,

I'm new to airsoft, and interested to participate in one of the 24-hr type milsim games for the first time. Just wanted to get some feedback on the following so Im well prepared.

1) Does people really play continuously for 24hrs? (or is it like a few hrs of games, then rest etc.)

2) Where does people sleep during the night? (car, camp, in the woods?)

3) How long do you have for sleep? (is it dependent on the game play?)

4) Does the rest/sleep time vary between different people? (ie. Does everyone rest at designated times, or some keep play while others rotate to rest etc)

Guess the whole concept is still foreign to me, so any thoughts/experience that will better prep me the better. Thanks!

in answer to your questions.

Few people "play" the entire time.. practically everyone takes breaks , rest, eat.. whatever .. The game may be ongoing for the entire time, in that there is not scheduled break.

So you may be "in the game" the whole 24 hours.. but you may not be actively stalking or shooting all 24 of those hours.

Sleeping: ideally you came prepared fro a night int he bush.. so you have a shelter or sleeping bag you can slip into to catch some sleep. I've seen people sleep on the ground next to their gun.. but I don't recommend it.

Leaving the game to go take refuge in your car is not on.. as you are then leaving the game.. and not contributing to the experience of a Milsim. Soldiers can't step out of the battle and go hide in their car.

How long you have for sleep depends on the organization of your leadership.. good leaders will tell people when to sleep .. when to get moving.. poor ones don't care and won't know where half their people are at any given time.

you should be expected to rotate through various roles during the course of the game.. one of those roles is resting.

the key to making it through a 24 hour game is preparation.. be ready for the weather.

the second element is pacing.. most people are good for hard playing for a total of about 4 hours.. if you do all of that int he first 3 hours of the game .. you won't make it to hour 24.. expect to spread that 4 hours of hard playing over the total 24 hour event.. and you will make it to the end

[ThunderCactus]

1) Does people really play continuously for 24hrs? (or is it like a few hrs of games, then rest etc.)
Usually not, but the game doesn't stop, we roate shifts as much as we can.
Wolfpack's COLDFRONT and KEYSTONE games usually never stopped

2) Where does people sleep during the night? (car, camp, in the woods?)
Where ever your head falls lol
Woods, cement tarmac, inside buildings, somebody's lap lol

3) How long do you have for sleep? (is it dependent on the game play?)
depends on your commander, when they say go, YOU GO!

4) Does the rest/sleep time vary between different people? (ie. Does everyone rest at designated times, or some keep play while others rotate to rest etc)
Generally rotates, but depends on the op, sometimes you have designated game stops.


When it's a more hardcore long op, it's generally invite only, and you need quite a bit of gear to be prepared for anything.
With mobile ops, you carry all your crap on you, my ruck is usually only 80lbs
(plus a 45lb plate carrier with supplies for 12 hours), but some guys have 140lb rucks lol
With based ops, I only carry enough for 6 hours on me, about 35lbs depending on if I have my 249 or PTW. And leave the ruck at the base

[horto]

this thread is also a good reference on how to be prepared: http://www.airsoftcanada.com/showthread.php?t=135234


but, good questions, especially re: sleeping enemies. if anyone wakes me up with a commotion while I'm sleeping, my first instinct is nothing pleasant. but also nothing personal i think ritz is bang on.

Originally Posted by R.I.T.Z

For a sleeping enemy I've run into this before.
Politely wake him/her up and mercy them, if they tell you to F-off move on nothing you can really do.

[z0ng]

RE sleeping in game....

Typically I sleep in the field when I can (will be doing so again this weekend at Deadfall, woohoo!) but twice I've slept in a car. First time I did this was at first Op Rhino a year and a half ago and I regretted it as I missed a number of awesome firefights. Second time was at Shallow Lake as I was still nursing some injuries from a harsh bike accident. I wasn't proud of myself as while I slept in a comfy car my buddies slept on the ground in the cold.

Otherwise I've slept on the ground at past games, sometimes in a hole that I or someone else dug. All it usually takes is a good warm coat or a ranger blanket to keep you from getting too cold. I never really look forward to much comfort when this happens but usually by the time it does I'm too tired to care about how comfortable I am.

I've seen people pass out face down on the ground before, with one hand still clutching a gun. Again as Brian stated not exactly a recommended course of action, but it does look amusing!

Sometimes all it takes is your friends berating you a little to keep you going until the end of the game.

[Ricochet]

Brian brought up a good point, that I think everyone needs to understand. Don't sleep on the bare ground, even during summer. Wether it's concrete, dirt, or grass, whatever, the ground can absorb your bodies energy, and heat. Even during the summer when it stays fifteen degrees at night, you should have a proper layer other than your gear. Ranger blankets are sufficient, and light weight. Some people have argued that they have slept on the bare ground without incident; and this is true. However, some only get away with sore joints, slightly dehydrated, or a mild chill; it can be a lot worse.

I do have to disagree with Brian about everyone having only four good hours of fight in them. Obviously there are breaks and lulls in play, but it depends on the person. We've had single gun fights that went on for more than four hours; and I assure you, we didn't stop pushing that whole time. I'm certain that some individuals had a granola bar while they sat in the nearby respawn. As well we would have multiple fights, some lasting most of the night. One game I attended started around noon, and went all day hard fighting over large buildings, territory, or objectives. We then weathered constant small attacks into the early morning until we started taking turns sleeping. Everyone got an hour slot, but most didn't enjoy the whole time as there were constantly grenades, guns, and skirmishes going on. Everytime a larger force would hit, we would all have to get up off our asses and fight back during our sleep time. The next morning we fought from sun up (6:30), straight through till noon. You may be tired and hungry, but you still have to go a hundred miles an hour continuously.

Another good point was by Thunder Cactus. Your gear for an endurance game is heavy. You'll need to carry twenty-four hours worth of ammo, water, food, batteries/gas, rain gear/warm layer, spare safety glasses/dry socks/etc, and then there us your gear/guns. 40-60 lbs isn't bizarre in this instance. You'll be carrying that for the majority of twenty-four, and gave to have a water/food refill nearby.

As far as being attacked while sleeping, there is only really one way not to be bothered. Sleep by yourself, some place of little or no consequence to the game. There is no reason to bother you then; but your not much use to your team, and may as well be sleeping in your car. If you are sleeping in an objective, or live area be prepared to be disturbed. Attacks generally happen fast and hard, so it's a good idea to have sentries of shift sleeping. The enemy might not know your sleeping, or they do and that's why they hit that area. They are not going to give you a chance to defend yourself. If they happen upon you sleeping, then yes they can politely ask you to wake up and leave the now captured area. As far as "punching people in the throat", two things; firstly getting up all groggy and taking a swing at an adrenaline jacked group of guys rolling your area is a bad idea. You'll probably eat a rifle stock, and the him and his buddies will eject you from the game. You probably won't be invited back as violence has absolutely zero tolerance in airsoft. Secondly if you are at risk for waking up and panicking; this isn't the game type for you. I'd avoid any Airsoft that may involve you having to sleep. You obviously don't have the ...let's say fortitude, for it.