UKA 2010 - Route Plan

[Mike]

Here is the provisional route plan, based on confirmation from Zone that they can accommodate us on the Saturday night.

Friday 13th August
09:00 - Quasar Whitstable
16:00 - LaserQuest Horsham

Saturday 14th August
10:00 - Adventure Sports Abridge (as used last year)
21:00 - Zone NexusPro Leicester

Sunday 15th August
10:00 - LaserForce Leicester
16:00 - DarkLight Birmingham or Gloucester

The route focus more on the south this year. There are two main drivers behind this:

* I don't have enough network units to bring a portable Quasar system to another venue as they have all been used at Whitstable, which means we have to use a real Quasar venue this year.

* Sweden have moved their Armageddon to run just before the UK event, this is to allow USA players to attend both on a single trip. This means a lot flying in and out of the UK, with most flights from the USA using London airports, and with cheap Ryanair flights to Sweden flying out of Stansted, it makes sense to keep things further south this year.


Something that I'd like feedback on is the DarkLight arena. We have the option of Birmingham (the one used last year), or we could possibly use Gloucester (waiting on feedback for this, and costs).

Birmingham
* Pros: Cheapest option as sponsored by DL corporate, less traveling, further north for those traveling back up the country. They will be cutting windows in the corridors over the next month, so will play differently to last year. Kit is DL showcase site so will be in good working order.
* Cons: Not a favoured arena. Unsure how the marshalling will be done.

Gloucester
* Pros: A well designed arena. Kit is scheduled for refurb soon, so should be in good condition.
* Cons: Will cost more (could be £10 or more additional cost per person based on price quotes last year), will involve an extra 50 miles travel and an extra hour travel time.

While I do like the Gloucester arena, I am very reluctant to use it for the above reasons. I would welcome comment on this though.

[Nightfire_Dan]

EXCELLENT!! Time for a comeback! shame, no infusion but still cant wait

[MARViN]

Just a quick update,

We have started on the cut-outs in Birmingham, and they make a massive difference to the way the arena plays. It's much more open with a load more long shots.

[Rhea]

Birmingham it is

[DamaGe]

What sort of cut-outs have been made? Is it like just a few windows along each passage, or is it whole sections of wall that have been taken out (which would create exposed bridges out of some sections).

[MARViN]

So far, a couple of large windows on the main bridge (above the portcullis, where the body is painted) with several other cut-outs allowing players on other ramps to tag players on that bridge.

It makes the top a lot more open and allows for a lot more long shot from other angles (up and down from the floor and several other ramps etc.) while exposing the players in the ramps at the same time.

[MARViN]

'Cheese Holes' have been added to make some of the enclosed strong points - and also some of the hiding places next to the larger cut-outs - vulnerable to fire from a lot more directions.

[Rhea]

Hopefully it will be a bit lighter in some of the corridors now?

[MARViN]

Well, there are a lot more DMX lights in there now, including a couple of green lasers that scan across the ceiling, a load of spots etc. that are all controlled by the game PC.

[Mike]

Update on the route plan.

We are using DarkLight Birmingham. We will not being used LaserQuest Croydon due to their notice being given by their landlord to close at the end of July. I've been working on a replacement venue, and I'm happy to report that we will now be using LaserQuest Horsham. This will be at an earlier time of 4pm, which means that the Whitstable Quasar start time will have to be pulled forward to 9am.

Please note all the times listed are the start times of our bookings, i.e. when the game begin. We need to be there 30 minutes before then to get the briefing and where possible arena viewing completed. We will run practice games where possible, but that is dependent on everyone being at the venue in time for the briefing.

I will issue a more detailed game times list and travel times as part of the player's pack.

Mike

[Nightfire_Dan]

Bloody hell, that WAS short notice. What's horsham LQ like? i take it nothing else is affected and we finish in DL Birmingham on the sunday?

PS. I hope the DL packs aren't like the ones we used in Bristol when it first opened, u would shoot the blobs and gems smack on and they wudnt register

[Mike]

Bloody hell, that WAS short notice. What's horsham LQ like? i take it nothing else is affected and we finish in DL Birmingham on the sunday?

I don't know, this will probably be the first time we'll have played an arena without it being scouted first. Luckily it was a tournament LQ player who sorted out the booking, so I doubt he would have suggested it if it wasn't any good.

This change only affects the first day, the last day will remain unchanged.

[Jabberwock]

Well, at least Quest has the best chances out of all of the systems of not being effected by a spur of the moment un-scouted arena change.

[Rhea]

Where the hell is Horsham?!

[Mike]

Where the hell is Horsham?!

Sort of Gatwick direction.