There is much discussion in another thread about MA numbers being lessened through Special Events activities. Special Events are the unique aspects of player volunteer administration.
You can create Big Events in the MA. It just takes a player or several players willing to spend time organizing and running the Big Event. Then, there is the BBS marketing of the Big Event to get the interest of players and eventually word of mouth to other players not on the BBS.
Around 13 years ago, I used to run my 8th Air Force Missions in the MA. One player organizing and running a Big Event. A simple premise of getting B-17s and B-24s plus escorts into the air. A simple Mission of flying The Gauntlet between both opposing sides right down their shared frontline. No secret mission. We made sure both sides knew to get massive attackers. Many players enjoyed the missions.
It's up to you in the MA. Find what you enjoy and make it into something grand. Variety is the spice. Create Big Events all week long. Each night can be an aspect of the game. Stay focused. Adapt when things aren't working.
When players are participating in the MA Big Events and not FSO or Scenarios, then numbers will be on your favor.
Use social media to advertise and illustrate what you're doing. Get the word out. Create fun and exciting content to spur the imagination of viewers into wanting to play the game.
The talent is here. Make it happen.
I have been thinking about putting this post together for a while thank you for finally doing it. I think a once quarterly event on like the first Saturday of every quarter there should be three rolling missions in the MA where each country gets a mission set for everyone to join and they can go off every hour from like 9EST to 12EST somewhere in that time frame.
There would be some other things to consider. Like whether or not the current map needs to be reset during this time which I don’t think would be a problem as it could be well planned in advance. Since it’s once a quarter and everybody would know the exact date and time they could be prepared. Or at that time, perhaps the progress on the current map could be paused and a different map could be started for the same one and then returned to the normal current map after the event. If you could pick and choose maps for the event then you could do historical missions with the terrain and if not, you could just set up historical missions with the plane and vehicle sets.
You’re right about the talent, we have it, but do we have the time? I do not yet. My retirement is probably 15 years or less away but when that day comes, I’m gonna be the most amazing mapmaker ever lol
I have a similar idea I thought might be good that I still need to flush out for an annual memorial flight mission sequence to honor those we lose throughout the year or in the span of time. It wouldn’t be a parade either it would be combat and using planes or loadouts or scenarios that were popular with those we lost.
