Starbase and SPPLAT Attack II and AO, etc...

[JJBrookshire]

Regardless of who did what or said what about or to whom, I felt it was my obligation as the creator and director of SPPLAT Attack I&II to contact Starbase to discuss his issues in greater detail before commenting in a public forum. After a few emails, IMs and at least one telephone call, I agreed to refund Starbase's entry in an effort to bring this ugliness to an end. He immediately stated that he did not want that since the money was for charity and a good cause. It seems that at one time Starbase was actually encouraged to be an antagonist to AOers. This history did not help once combined with some broad statements made after the game. Starbase has agreed to discontinue posting negative comments on this subject. I'm asking that we all drop the matter in this and the other forums.
This is not to say that if you have a complaint or comment regarding SPPLAT Attack II or a suggestion for SPPLAT Attack III that I do not want to hear these. Please feel free to visit www.SPPLAT.com and click on "click here" for comments.
Thank you to all of the members of AO army who worked so hard to support and turned out in great numbers for this year's event. Once again you did Tom and AO proud.

Good Hunting,
J.J. Brookshire
Charter Member of AO

[Evil Bob]

You're a good man, J.J., keep up the good work!

-Evil Bob

[Albinonewt]

You are indeed a good man sir.

Consider the matter put to bed

(albiet with several well placed hits from a tire iron)

[Skoad]

i wonder if i am the only one that has no idea what is going on.

[Albinonewt]

Long story short

Starbase had a bad time at Shatnerball and made some comments that were not in the spirit of friendship about it.

[1stdeadeye]

JJ,
You are a class act.

Does this mean we are not allowed to ridicule Starbase CGI anymore?:( Tell me it isn't so!;)

[gibby]

Originally posted by Skoad
i wonder if i am the only one that has no idea what is going on. Keep it that way...your life will be so much happier if you didn't know. :)

[lord1234]

fine we will stop
JJ i am sad to say i wasnt there..but i will definitely make a point of coming next year. See you then dude, thats truly a class act...

--Lord1234
Owner of Spydarm #00001

[JJBrookshire]

"Allowed" is probably not applicable here since I do not moderate this forum. I would consider it a favor if the entire Starbase incident is put behind us and we move on to discuss plans for next year's event and learn from this year.

[Albinonewt]

Originally posted by JJBrookshire
"Allowed" is probably not applicable here since I do not moderate this forum. I would consider it a favor if the entire Starbase incident is put behind us and we move on to discuss plans for next year's event and learn from this year.

Any announcement on where next year's event will be?

Tough to plan until we know if we're playing in Chicago, Pennsylavania, or the Congo (my vote is against Congo)

[edweird]

:nod:

Thank you JJ for steping up and being the bigger man on this. It wasnt your responsibility nor was it required, but if it puts the issue to bed I hope it was worth it.

Anyhow JJ it was a pleasure meeting you and hopefully we can bump into you again soon at another Ao-meet.

[hitech]

I wasn't there, and I haven't read all the posts (but I did read quite a few of them). That said, I must say that I am impressed that you (JJ) took it as seriously as you have. I must say I am impressed. You obviously want the Splatt Attack games to be best paintball experence to ALL the participants. :D

[cphilip]

Of course it was and is over. He has been banned from about every forum he was on slowly but surely over the last few days. Here, Shatner.com and now PBN. All independently and all for reasons of cursing and ludicrous tirades and personaly offensive PM's to the various group members. A fact you may not know is that he was previously banned from this forum over a year ago and he created a new account to avoid that. We let him stay when we discovered it as then he was behaving and contributing at that time. I forgave him. But all the sudden his behaviour became erratic and unpredictable. And it was not just about Splatt Atack at all. It was all sorts of wild accusations and childish behaviour. Not all related to that event. Far as I am concerned, and it seems his own fellow Trekkies as well, people are done with him.

I admire you effort JJ but your sympathies are misplaced. You owe him nothing. You should probably go look at how he acted elsewhere as well. Then you might see it's not just an AO vs StarbaseCGI issue at all. It's an issue of his own making. One which we can no longer tolerate here. And one we had given him ample second chances to correct but did not.

[JJBrookshire]

I posted a similar statement on warpig. There was no need to post one on shatner.com since the threads were gone already.

As for SPPLAT Attack III, we are currently discussing locations with several people. We should have a decision within the next 30 to 45 days and will announce it immediately.

[Albinonewt]

Argh.


Too slow.

Faster man, FASTER!!

It's not fair. We're supposed to let the matter drop so we can plan for next year, but there's no next year to plan for.

What a jip!

[Dayspring]

Skirmish USA.

Talked To Paul about it on sunday and he'd be up for it, although that's something you two have to discuss. :D

[Strider]

Hehe, we'll be waiting PATIENTLY for the location. (Right guys!? :D)

/subliminal messaging on: Keep it north east eh! :p

[LaW]

I wouldn't mind skirmish, or fox's in illinois

[gibby]

I seriously doubt this would happen after all of this...but how ironic would it be if next year, Star_Base_CGI was invited to play a bigger role as the evil dictator who wants to eliminate Shatner and Kaye's team? LOL...JK!

Anyway, as for the place, wherever they have it at, TDS and I will surely try to be there as we regret not having attended this year. :(

But I was thinking..what theme would you think it will be next year? Anyone want to throw out some ideas?

Cops vs Mafia leaders(Godfather theme)
FBI vs Druglords(Scarface theme)
SWAT vs Gangsters
...???

[wyn1370]

themes for scenario games are about as usefull as plot to a porn
no matter what they come up with, I'll go

[Albinonewt]

Originally posted by wyn1370
themes for scenario games are about as usefull as plot to a porn
no matter what they come up with, I'll go

Porn has plot?

oh and here here about the theme.

I'm just as happy if they call the game "These Vs. Those"

These guys over here are gonna' fight those guys over there

[LaW]

Originally posted by Albinonewt


Porn has plot?



Plumber knocks on door... Woman opens door... Plumber cleans the pipes.... Plumber leaves.....


plot... yes, but does it really mean anything? no...

[gibby]

Originally posted by LaW
Plumber knocks on door... Woman opens door... Plumber cleans the pipes.... Plumber leaves.....

plot... yes, but does it really mean anything? no... HAHA! Does the plumber have to clean up the mess when he's done?

[LaW]

Originally posted by gibby
HAHA! Does the plumber have to clean up the mess when he's done?

That is the falling action, where the woman cleans the plumber....

[Miscue]

Originally posted by gibby
I seriously doubt this would happen after all of this...but how ironic would it be if next year, Star_Base_CGI was invited to play a bigger role as the evil dictator who wants to eliminate Shatner and Kaye's team? LOL...JK!

Anyway, as for the place, wherever they have it at, TDS and I will surely try to be there as we regret not having attended this year. :(

But I was thinking..what theme would you think it will be next year? Anyone want to throw out some ideas?

Cops vs Mafia leaders(Godfather theme)
FBI vs Druglords(Scarface theme)
SWAT vs Gangsters
...???

Red vs. Blue :p

[Muzikman]

If they are going to hold in NE PA, then I vote for EMR again. Skirmish has the same problems with location as EMR did. I still think the lack of a HUGE turn out was due to it not being near a "Real" city.

I do think it would be cool to move the event to a different location every year. Cause you know...we are going to need a SPPLAT Attack IV right?:)

[Will Wood]

Originally posted by Miscue


Red vs. Blue :p

YES!! :D

Can I be kabus? :)

[datapimp69]

JJ,

i hope you are still reading this thread.

i think that the single most important factor to the low turn out for SA2 was how long it took for you to anounce the where and when.

as well as what seemed to me, as compared to the first year. a lack of advertising and hype.

you need to strike while everyone is still up on this year's hype.

get a place set and start telling people about it fast, and i think you could get your 3000 people next year.

as for where Hell survivors in michigan.

just my .02

p.s. i will still sponsor you next year as well

[Strider]

Yeh, it was cool/weird seeing your drops (in envelopes) flying through the air. :D


On the theme topic, perhaps something medeival? So Tom can go evil black knight on them! :)

[Sparq]

Originally posted by Strider
/subliminal messaging on: Keep it north east eh! :p

Yes...listen to that guy :D

[Jeffy-CanCon]

In another forum, someone suggested that maybe SPPLAT should look for a field near Montreal, Shatner's hometown. It IS a city of 3.5 million, and the home of Draxxus. US$ would get you good rates in local hotels, shops and restaurants/bars.

The border might be a complication for the charities, though.

EMR was good, and would be good again. Or PB Long Island. They also regularly host 1500+ players, an hour away from NYC.

[bornl33t]

Originally posted by Miscue


Red vs. Blue :p

d00d I'll be there, that would be wicked cool! I get to be Grif!

[JJBrookshire]

I visit AO much more often than I post. I'm a subscriber to this topic so I'll keep reading as long as ya'll keep posting. I made it very clear at a meeting we held the day before SPPLAT II that we must announce place and date within 30 days of this year's event. The date is already set...5 September 2004. We even have a pretty good idea about the theme. I have a graphic designer working on the poster for 2004 and a logo for SPPLAT Attack to be used each year. We are currently discussing locations with various field & property owners. There is the possibility that it may not be on an established paintball field if another location with suitable infrastructure could work better.

[Ronin 23]

Originally posted by Muzikman
If they are going to hold in NE PA, then I vote for EMR again. Skirmish has the same problems with location as EMR did. I still think the lack of a HUGE turn out was due to it not being near a "Real" city.



Either one would be a fine choice but if attendance is an issue, I have consistently seen (even on rainy days) Skirmish lining up hundreds of players. I will never forget the day that on a rainy GPL practice day, Skirmish brought in over 600 players to their fields to play in the most horrendous conditions.

I biggest hope though is that they keep it here in the 'right' coast....:)

[1stdeadeye]

Originally posted by gibby
I seriously doubt this would happen after all of this...but how ironic would it be if next year, Star_Base_CGI was invited to play a bigger role as the evil dictator who wants to eliminate Shatner and Kaye's team? LOL...JK!


Two teams of 1500 versus 1 unhappy fat trekkie? Works for me!;)

I regret missing Splat Attack II and am definitely telling wifey that next year I will attend regardless of where it is held. No more opera for me (I'm a tough guy ;) )

[Albinonewt]

Skirmish has a remote location, which is always annoying, BUT they have HUGE fields and their scenarios tend to draw very large crowds.

[Muzikman]

Originally posted by Ronin 23


Either one would be a fine choice but if attendance is an issue, I have consistently seen (even on rainy days) Skirmish lining up hundreds of players. I will never forget the day that on a rainy GPL practice day, Skirmish brought in over 600 players to their fields to play in the most horrendous conditions.

I biggest hope though is that they keep it here in the 'right' coast....:)

Yeah, and EMR has had huge turnouts, but the one thing that SAI did over SAII is bring the first time paintball player in. I think had more to do with location. Painball players are crazy and will travel to fields in the middle of no where and sleep in plywood shacks if it ment a day of paintball. The non paintball playing crowd is probably a little different.

I think there are a few factors that need to be looked at. Is it near a major airport (no more than a 1 hr drive)? Is it near a good selection of hotels? It would be nice if the hotels were no more than 15 minutes away. Is it near any other attractions? This would work out good for the son/daughter who needs a parent to drive them, but the partent probably doesn't want to hang around a field all day doing nothing. And last but not least, since it seems Shatner does a convention during the weekend, it needs to be a place that is close enough to a convention center of some sort.

I think all of these are what made CPX a great place last year. Too bad the great "looking" facilites and field owners didn't workout.

[Clare]

Red vs. Blue

I call Tex!

[edweird]

capo sez:

I call Tex!

Tex for teh WIN!

... um to call sarge or not to call sarge...

Dibs on Simmons!

[MantisMag]

Originally posted by Albinonewt


Any announcement on where next year's event will be?

Tough to plan until we know if we're playing in Chicago, Pennsylavania, or the Congo (my vote is against Congo)

yeah dude. i mean if you thought the forest was icky... ewwwwwww jungle! :p


Originally posted by CaPoEiRa


I call Tex!

only if you agree to get captured and let jt mount a rescue from beyond the grave. :D

[Army]

WOOHOOO! I claim Sarge then!

But...only IF SAIII is anywhere close to the westside.
We play paintball out here too!

[ZAust]

Originally posted by Army

We play paintball out here too!

its about time someone said this. how bout we have saIII here in california?

[wolverine85929]

GO WEST

[magking1971]

YESSS!!! on the west, or even the midwest, or the NORTHWEST! yah the northwest, nothing good (paintball) ever goes on here.

[vf-xx]

Since I've been too poor to go to either of the SA events (or any other scenerio game for that matter) I'm really not sure what field would be good to play on.

However supposing the feild is large enough (and I guess that it is) Fun on the Run in Fort Worth might be a good place to play. It's within an hour's drive of DFW, has plenty of parking, and is located within WALKING distance to a few motels and restraunts.

[Albinonewt]

Why use a field at all?

Let's play coast to coast. Each team is given a flag. East coast needs to get the flag to a stadium in LA and west coast needs to get it to MSG in NYC. Flag must be shown clearly at all times, and no air travel (not that they'd let you on the plan anyways). Players will be given mandatory Jerseys that they may not remove.

Now, LET'S PLAY

[magking1971]

That is not a bad plan Albinonewt!!:D

[Ronin 23]

Originally posted by Albinonewt
Why use a field at all?

Let's play coast to coast. Each team is given a flag. East coast needs to get the flag to a stadium in LA and west coast needs to get it to MSG in NYC. Flag must be shown clearly at all times, and no air travel (not that they'd let you on the plan anyways). Players will be given mandatory Jerseys that they may not remove.

Now, LET'S PLAY

If you're gonna do that, we can certainly use things like the inflatable slide (the one automatically opens when a plane ditches into the ocean) as bunkers in the airport and we should be allowed to 'create' our own bunkers using luggages.

:D

[m-98]

Originally posted by datapimp69
JJ,


as for where Hell survivors in michigan.

just my .02

p.s. i will still sponsor you next year as well

Yea, Hell Survivors. It's near Detroit.

[tony3]

I vote for somewhere in chicago, anywhere close would be cool, plus most of the field are within 45minutes of O'hare and they are all close to chicago and agd:)

[Strider]

Meh, bring it to Canada eh! :D

J/K, I know it would never happen...

[Timmee]

I absolutely loved playing at EMR this year. I'd be for playing there again.

BTW, how about a prohibition theme? The Feds versus Capone's gang might be interesting. :D

[TooDamnSweet]

Originally posted by Muzikman


Yeah, and EMR has had huge turnouts, but the one thing that SAI did over SAII is bring the first time paintball player in. I think had more to do with location. Painball players are crazy and will travel to fields in the middle of no where and sleep in plywood shacks if it ment a day of paintball. The non paintball playing crowd is probably a little different.

I think there are a few factors that need to be looked at. Is it near a major airport (no more than a 1 hr drive)? Is it near a good selection of hotels? It would be nice if the hotels were no more than 15 minutes away. Is it near any other attractions? This would work out good for the son/daughter who needs a parent to drive them, but the partent probably doesn't want to hang around a field all day doing nothing. And last but not least, since it seems Shatner does a convention during the weekend, it needs to be a place that is close enough to a convention center of some sort.

I think all of these are what made CPX a great place last year. Too bad the great "looking" facilites and field owners didn't workout.

Very good points!

I also think that there should be more promotion about the event to both paintball and non-paintball communities. I know that Mr. Shatner did alot of radio interviews and television shows to promote it but they were done days before the event and I think anyone attending made plans long before that. Even if the registrations show that majority of the attendee's joined SPPLAT within the last month prior to the game, those individuals probably knew about it long before they registered (just needed money LOL). There has to be a cheap way to reach a large amount of ppl to promote the game. Flyers, bumperstickers????

[Darkstorm]

I am personally in the pool for 2200 players at spplat-III.

Also, the Texas Renaissance Festival location. Huge cool facilities http://www.texrenfest.com/

Of course, the place where I got married has pretty good facilities... http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/waltdisneyworld/index?bhcp=1

Can we delete this thread or lock it and start a new one that opens in a more positive manner?

[vf-xx]

Originally posted by Darkstorm
I am personally in the pool for 2200 players at spplat-III.

Also, the Texas Renaissance Festival location. Huge cool facilities http://www.texrenfest.com/

Of course, the place where I got married has pretty good facilities... http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/waltdisneyworld/index?bhcp=1

Can we delete this thread or lock it and start a new one that opens in a more positive manner?

Hey that doesn't look to be too far from Twisted Texas....

[ShooterJM]

hmmm red vs blue? I call church! :D

[notbob]

Disneyworld's Wide World of Sports complex would be pretty sweet!!

So would a MOUT facility - Blanding or the ultimate - Fort Polk! That is if they lift the training ban thingy and we could get in there....

[AGDJon]

Winter and the Gunslingers wanted to thank everyone that helped to resolve this issue.

[alkafluence]

Originally posted by Albinonewt


Porn has plot?

oh and here here about the theme.

I'm just as happy if they call the game "These Vs. Those"

These guys over here are gonna' fight those guys over there

or Red vs. Blue ;)

[However, that could have Halo connotations too]

Man- it looks like Miscue beat me to it.

[GT]

Originally posted by LaW


That is the falling action, where the woman cleans the plumber....

I am crying over here!!

BTW JJ I was running around the kingman PBN forum and ran into a thread about Nero started by Satrbase. Needless to say he got a fresh banning.

jb

[TheTramp]

I had a great tiem this year and loved the location (I wouldn't argue with an even closer place however ;) )

The only thing I'd suggest is making next year more senario and less simple big game. I kind of felt that the demo and engineer guys were not really utilized (of course my LAW blew up an hour into the game anyway). If the organizers got to work on missions now it could be really cool.

[Muzikman]

I thing the game worked better as a "Big Game" this year than it did as "senario" last year. I think this is because most of the people playing were are not experianced senario players. Big game is a little more open and doesn't require quite as much organiation as senario. Do I find true senario games cool, for sure...do I understand then, nope:)

[edweird]

Hrrm Red vs Blue would make a sweet Big Game theme....

Boxed canyon, 10 minute reinsertions, witty banter, missions for headlight fluid and elbow grease, Super sized capture the flag (and we mean FLAG! not rag). Fun stuff!


Now if I could only get the time to work on that "warthog" project truck (based on HALO of course) I am toying with.

[Miscue]

If you can team up with the Red vs. Blue guys, and actually do this as an event... they could advertise on their Red vs. Blue site. Every computer person, and video game player on Earth (a perfect audience) will know about it... and Shatner being there would make it even cooler. I bet you that you'd get free publicity in video game magazines and websites... etc.

Maybe tell VForce/Dye/or JT that you'd like them to make special edition Red/Blue masks for the event. You don't have to require it, but I bet you a lot of people would want to have blue masks to go with their blue jersies... etc. Whoever is doing the mask will give you free advertisement...

Seriously... I think that's something worth pursuing.

[Muzikman]

Ok, not being a geek like the rest of you...what the hell is Red vs Blue besides two different colors?

[1stdeadeye]

Originally posted by Muzikman
Ok, not being a geek like the rest of you...what the hell is Red vs Blue besides two different colors?

Thanks Muzikman!!!:D

[hitech]

Originally posted by Muzikman
Ok, not being a geek like the rest of you...what the hell is Red vs Blue besides two different colors?

I'm interested in knowing also. You're not going to make me wait and call my eldest, are you? ;)

[Miscue]

http://www.redvsblue.com/bloodgulch.shtml

Watch the vids. :p

You do know what HALO is right?

[hitech]

Originally posted by Miscue
http://www.redvsblue.com/bloodgulch.shtml

Watch the vids. :p

You do know what HALO is right?

Like I have time for that.

Yeah, Highly Advanced Loader Operation. ;)

[MantisMag]

well if you don't know what halo is watch the trailer. that'll give you the general idea. :p plus it's funny. :D

[Meph]

Originally posted by Dayspring
Skirmish USA.



1) I would not attend. Charity or not, I never attend Skirmish events.

2) I said it before, and say it again. If this ended up being at Skirmish, somebody will be losing an eye, and a few fights WILL break out. I will put 50 bucks on that!


Skirmish...... I'm not even going to get into it. But bottomline I just suggest ignoring this accident-waiting-to-happen land and try another field. Not CPX and not even EMR (though as much as I'd like it EMR). I'd suggest something there in the Chicago-land area again. Just for the sole fact that you guys have more pull there. More publicity, can get more people. More people = more $$$ for charity.

[Jeff_PbDaddy]

JJ.

Very well played my friend.

Only two words for SPPLAT Attack 3...

WEST COAST !

Jeff

[Dayspring]

I've been playing at Skirmish for years and have YET to have a problem there. I don't know why you had such a bad time.


Originally posted by Meph


1) I would not attend. Charity or not, I never attend Skirmish events.

2) I said it before, and say it again. If this ended up being at Skirmish, somebody will be losing an eye, and a few fights WILL break out. I will put 50 bucks on that!


Skirmish...... I'm not even going to get into it. But bottomline I just suggest ignoring this accident-waiting-to-happen land and try another field. Not CPX and not even EMR (though as much as I'd like it EMR). I'd suggest something there in the Chicago-land area again. Just for the sole fact that you guys have more pull there. More publicity, can get more people. More people = more $$$ for charity.

[LaW]

Originally posted by Dayspring
I've been playing at Skirmish for years and have YET to have a problem there. I don't know why you had such a bad time.



there were at least 10 new yorkers that i talked with that have had horrible times at skirmish lately as well

[Muzikman]

The last WRG I went to in 98 was very poorly run, main reason I han't gone back since.

[than205]

I went WRG games in '98 and '00 at Skirmish. While I believe that the management are probably nice people. Their reffing definitely had something to be desired. And as a matter of fact the players did have a lot of the 'tude.

I'll join Meph on that bet.

Whereas, at EMR/Shatnerball I had the exact opposite experience. Superb reffing and great players. I will definitely be going to another event at EMR.

[Trina]

I'm down with the Red vs. Blue idea! Miscue has a good point about advertising--similiar to Star Trek, it may draw in a different crowd. Definately suggest a field in central US, since pballers will travel, this would be ideal to reach all corners...Also agree w/ Muzikman on location being important. As much as we don't mind sleeping in tents or shacks, a nice hotel w/ a shower is very rewarding after a day of sweating :D and who feels like driving far after playing? Also (starbase is cringing)it was great having a few restaurants and clubs nearby, so we could hang out w/ our coolest AO buddies!! :D The refs at EMR have always been the best I've EVER encountered and good refs make for a great game!

On another note, this computer is so dang slow...:rolleyes:

[Fred]

Anyone consider Hell Survivors in MI??? :D

its a little more than an hour from a major airport, about half an hour from Ann Arbor (College town.. nuff said...).

they can handle the numbers, and have experience doing so (Michigan Monster game for how many years now?) and their refs are used to doing scenarios.

solid store near the field...

hotels within reach...

and for us on AO, the Detroit area has a pretty good sized AO group, with myself and Datapimp within 45 minutes for BBQ... :D

---Fred

[Meph]

HS is actually a very do-able location I'd think. Only a couple hours from Chicago so Mancow can plug it like crazy for the locals. An overall gigundous field that's quite fun to play on. And sort of centrilized for both east/west coast players. I would like to see it within the middle, even if it's in Texas!


And Dayspring, I'll have to shoot you a PM one of these days about Skirmish. I don't want to make a list here, it's off topic.