Yas of Hyperdouraku learned about a newly opened airsoft skirmish site in Chiba Prefecture and decided to check it out. The RAID Survival Game Field is a good-sized airsoft field which is what other airsoft players would call a "competition grade" one, since its layout and size would allow for airsoft tournaments that do require speed and close quarters tactics. This would surely make our friends in the Philippines wet their pants as they've been wishing for a permanent skirmish site like this.

The RAID Survival Game Field opened just last month, and a wide angle view of the field would surely attract highly competitive players to test their mettle against skilled airsoft opponents. Another feature that makes this a "competition grade" field is that it allows spectators to watch a airsoft game unfold right before their eyes by having raised viewing decks that surround almost all of the field. This is what we have been stressing about airsoft tournaments if they need more visibility. Specatators are a crucial ingredient for a sport to be called "mainstream" as they are allowed to watch their favourite teams and players play.

The field allows two to three groups to go at each other, with their own starting points. It's fun going against one team, and even more fun to go against two teams. The starting areas are marked as "US, UN, and Terrorist" areas with their own identifying features. The US Area has bunkers, the UN Area have distinctively white paint, and the Terrorist Area is made of wood. In the middle of it all is the field master tower for the main marshal of the game. The tower gives a good vantage point to see the progress the game and ability to call out players without using much personnel.

The obstacles and bunkers in the field can range from ground level to having another floor. For getting inside these areas, especially going up another floor, players will need to switch to semi-automatic mode. This is typical when going into close quarters, where it's safer playing in semi-automatic. However, since these are makeshift structures, only two players are allowed on the upper floor, more than two players and the floor might just give in. There are safety "roads" for players to get into once they're hit, rather than crossing the field while a game is ongoing. The safety roads lead to the safe zone and protect the "dead" players from getting hit further.

Airsoft game scenarios that can be played can be capture the flag in which players try to capture the flag which can be announced by pressing a buzzer at the "enemies'" camp, search and destroy, capture enemy structures, or plain last man standing. You can have different scenarios, depending on the game marshal's imagination and the confines of the field.

As I have mentioned, the layout of the field is perfect for quick team on team airsoft tournaments. With spectators cheering on their favourite teams from the viewing decks above, the airsoft players can feel like gladiators in a very modern arena. The field is equipped with electricity for putting up score/leaderboards, and knowing the Japanese' penchant for anything high tech, they might put also those vest that sensors that can indicate hits and disable the AEGs.

This is a full equipped skirmish site, with the safe zone for players to reload and place their gear, gun racks so that they'll be able to properly put down their airsoft guns. It has a cafeteria and food is supplied in takeway bento boxes. There are clean toilets, vendo machines, and an airsoft store in case you left your airsoft gun at home.

Night games are also allowed as the site is set up with lights and at night, it's like a lit-up military camp. You can also have BBQ parties after games, downing shots of sake and gulping sushi after shooting it out like crazy.

Playing at the RAID Survival Game Field costs JPY3,000 (US$37) which includes lunch, and I think you can book it for corporate or private games. If you want to see more photos of this field, there's more at the Hyperdouraku blog.