I’ve been in Hong Kong for a couple of weeks now and it would be a shame to miss out on the Skirmish scene here so I started looking around but unfortunately Hong Kong doesn’t have any websites like Airbana [it will in 48 hours!] and other than visiting each and every retailer I found it difficult to ascertain what games were happening, where they were and what sort of environment it was. After a chance meeting with a couple of guys who were also looking for somewhere to go I signed up for a War Game.
Unlike Skirmishing in the UK it seems that most of the Skirmish sites are owned or at least organised through the retail outlets on Kwong Wa Street. It would appear that most organisers prefer that you prebook and upon paying your money you’ll receive a ticket (or two). These tickets will allow you to board the buses that line the road outside the old post office. Unlike the UK Hong Kong’s public transport is amazing (and very cost effective) so few people own cars and the Skirmish sites are deep in the rural parts of the New Territories so Site organised transport is a must.
As I was heading to the pick up point in Mong Kok I realised that not only was everyone in full camo (to be expected) but they were also carrying their weapons in plain sight. Pistols in drop legs, rifles slung etc. The Public and the Police took no notice of these people and I think the only person looking on in awe was me.
Upon arrival guns are checked for power limits which initially gave me some reassurance (especially with some shops selling 2.5 Joule guns!) but such reassurance was short-lived when it turned out that the testing was simply firing at the bottom of a coke can (any coke can, even if you brought it along with you), with whatever weight ammo you decide to use. Once ‘tested’ you are giving a tamper proof sticker which seems impressively official in spite of the test.
The Skirmish I attended had around 40 – 50 people but instead of two teams of twenty odd we were split into several smaller groups which were then split again (tagged and untagged) and it was these people that we fought with / against for the duration of the day.
The majority of games were simply ‘Last man standing’ but during the break I took the opportunity to discuss other game play types. Objective based game play coupled with respawns etc seem quite rare here and everyone I talked with was intrigued by the idea of large teams and the ability to ‘respawn’ via medics or a walk back to a safe zone to keep the game going until the objective was achieved.
As in the UK the lunch break came with food (Rice and some meat) with a 750ml bottle of water (it was over 31°). The on-site shop sold Water, electrolyte drinks, Coca Cola and ice lollies! But no Guns or Tactical gear as far as I could see.
Whilst there are a couple of Electroworkz style CQB places starting to open up there is nothing like we have in England with envious sites like Urban Assault and The Mall . With that said the places that I’ve seen and the places I have been told about certainly sound well organised and damn good fun with awe inspiring scenery and breathtaking views (although its hard to admire it all when .32G BB’s are flying at you at a speed capable of chipping brickwork!)
If someone asked me if I had any suggestions to offer I would say:
Hong Kong
Chronographs aren’t that expensive! (I have several new holes in my skin that will probably scar)
Objective based game play is enjoyed and a welcome change of pace - (After some requests we got in a game of Capture the flag!)
Sell Mosquito Repellent – It wasn’t till I ran out (the stuff wasn’t very resistant to River water / sweat) that I realised there was no more to be purchased. Itching aside Hong Kong has had incidents of Dengue Fever, Malaria and Japanese Encephalitis
UK
Petrol Generators aren’t that expensive and ice cold beverages make all the difference!
Not everyone drives – Organising some form of transport from the nearest Railway station might make all the difference to attendance numbers!
In short, assuming I haven’t caught anything from those damned Mosquito’s I had a brilliant time and I would thoroughly recommend that if you come to Hong Kong pack your Camo and webbing / vests and pick yourself up a Chinese clone (£30 – £70) – they aren’t brilliant but they work, look good, are cheap, easy enough to bring back (well I’ll find out that bit in a few weeks) and might make a nice addition to your collection.
Thanks go out to Gareth, Jimmy & Berton for watching my back, translating and letting me tag along.
As mentioned earlier in this post I will be launching Airbana.asia in the next few days.
