The Big Game III Spokane: A Big Writeup

Well, a couple months on and the dust has long since settled. The Big Game III was a major success and everyone involved had a blast. Being relatively new to Apocalypse despite a 5 year tenure in 40k, I made the decision to get some help running the game. Now, to say help run the game is a bit of an over statement of my duties. I helped to set up and organize the event, but with the little to no experience I had, I didn't want folks looking to me for answers in how to work the game.

The Big Game III - March 16th, 2013

 

The Big Game III date has been announced and it will be Saturday, March 16th, 2013.  More details to follow, but start making plans now! 

As with the past two years we will be looking for locations all over the world to join in the World's Biggest Apocalypse Battle!  All you need to do is follow our simple objective scoring rules and your local Apocalypse battle can be part of The Big Game.

So if you want to be part of The Big Game (and why wouldn't you?), just drop me a line at alec (at) propworx (dot) com.

So to start, how about a recap of the World Records, all set in year one of The Big Game.

The records were initially collected and kept by Siegeworld, the guys who started the mega-apocalypse games.  Siegeworld is a founding member of the Apocalypse40K forums and their records have been recognized by all the major Apocalypse clubs.  These records are kept in a special thread on the Apocalypse40K Forum and reprinted here.

Most Points in a Single Game

This requires all models to participate in a continuous game on one table interconnected or otherwise. All models must be painted (3 colors + based) and the game must last 4+ turns over an unbroken time period (eg-with some breaks, but no "pause and come back the next day"). 

RECORD:

The Big Game, Los Angeles Battle Bunker, January 22, 2011,   739,247

Most Points in a Single Battle

Same as Most Points in a Single Game, but models don't need to be painted, and one or more discontinuous tables. Anything goes so long as it is interrelated and simultaneous.  No turn requirements.

RECORD:

The Big Game, Los Angeles Battle Bunker, January 22, 2011,  864,057

Most Points in a Single Battle - Multiple Locations

Same as Most Points in a Single Battle, but allows for multi-location play.

RECORD:

The Big Game, January 22, 2011,  22 locations in 5 countries  2,310,835 points

Note that this record was added so that record The Big Game set on January 22nd at 22 locations, is distinguished from a single location battle.  Siegeworld agreed that a multiple location event should have a different record from a single location event since it wouldn't be fair for one location to have to compete with multiple locations for a record.  Plus, we all want everyone competing for different records and pushing the limits!

Most Minis in a Single Battle

See Most Points in a Single Battle (single location). Same restrictions apply. This record is anything goes so long as it is interrelated and simultaneous. A miniature is counted as any piece which has its own base or does not use a base. Essentially, if it can be moved on its own (thus a swarm base is a single miniature). 

RECORD:

The Big Game, Los Angeles Battle Bunker,  January 22, 2011  18,592

Most Tank Models in a Single Battle


Anything with an AV, MCs, and GCs count as one, so long as they're painted. Single battlefield as per the first record and no turn limit.  

RECORD:

GW Manchester UK holds the title with 2,562 models.

 

The Apocalypse World Records - 2011

 Time to start talking World Records again!  So here they are:

These records were initially collected and kept by Siegeworld, the guys who started the mega-apocalypse games.  Siegeworld is a founding member of the Apocalypse40K forums and their records have been recognized by all the major Apocalypse clubs.  These records are kept in a special thread on the Apocalypse40K Forum and reprinted here.

Most Points in a Single Game

This requires all models to participate in a continuous game on one table interconnected or otherwise. All models must be painted (3 colors + based) and the game must last 4+ turns over an unbroken time period (eg-with some breaks, but no "pause and come back the next day"). 

The Big Game, Los Angeles Battle Bunker, January 22, 2011,   739,247

(The previous record for the Biggest Apocalypse Game was 382,000 by Siegeworld)

Most Points in a Single Battle

Same as Most Points in a Single Game, but models don't need to be painted, and one or more discontinuous tables. Anything goes so long as it is interrelated and simultaneous.  No turn requirements.

The Big Game, Los Angeles Battle Bunker, January 22, 2011,  864,057

(The previous record for the Biggest Apocalypse Battle was 520,000 by GMI games)

Most Points in a Single Battle - Multiple Locations

Same as Most Points in a Single Battle, but allows for multi-location play.

The Big Game, January 22, 2011,  22 locations in 5 countries  2,310,835 points

Note that this record has just been added so that record The Big Game set on January 22nd at 22 locations, is distinguished from a single location battle.  Siegeworld agreed that a multiple location event should have a different record from a single location event since it wouldn't be fair for one location to have to compete with multiple locations for a record.  Plus, we all want everyone competing for different records and pushing the limits!

Most Minis in a Single Battle

See Most Points in a Single Battle (single location). Same restrictions apply. This record is anything goes so long as it is interrelated and simultaneous. A miniature is counted as any piece which has its own base or does not use a base. Essentially, if it can be moved on its own (thus a swarm base is a single miniature). 

The Big Game, Los Angeles Battle Bunker,  January 22, 2011  18,592

(The previous record for the most minis in a Single Battle was 6,500 by Siegeworld)

Most Tank Models in a Single Battle


Anything with an AV, MCs, and GCs count as one, so long as they're painted. Single battlefield as per the first record and no turn limit.  

GW Manchester UK holds the title with 2,562 models.

 

Siegeworld 2011

The biggest and best Floorhammer game in the world is every year at Siegeworld. 

From Kirk Damann (Grandmasterspectre), Siegeworld Founder:

There was much carnage to be had.

Some basics.

A little shy of 200K points.

We used a new diamond style deployment which gave every player two flanks (each with a different player). I think it worked very well and made the game a little more fluid. It also resulted in much more titan close combat. The power of the titan CCW became very clear even on small chassis vs. big guys without one.

We used the AA overwatch rule. It worked very well with flyers having trouble getting at positions with good local AA protection, it also clearly steered aircraft to less tough nuts to crack. However, where a concentrated landing was attempted with good support, the AA got beaten down and the landers came in.

Str D template reduction was used, which worked very well (as always). Titans were really after other titans.

The mega gargant proved able to fend off dreadnought melta strikers, but still had a fight, the ability to carry good troops in a titan really helps survivability.

Terminator on Terminator gets ugly. The Black Templar/Imperial fist front resulted in 100+ terminators facing 170+ terminators.

This battle really showcased how tough Armor 14 is. In both tank on tank fronts my forces were slowly whittling down the enemy, but in one I had demolishers vs. battlecannons and the other was russes vs. pred annihilators. In total, I only lost about 5 tanks from both combats, where over 30 were involved causing easily twice that much damage, but mostly against lighter chassis.

Some highlights.

Two reaver titans going nuclear the same turn (one actually damaged the other).

The mishaping templars. 5 terminators mishap landed in the middle of nowhere (in front of my warlord advance). With my warlord advance having wiped out the opposition and advancing, it turned its guns on them as the only thing in range (basically, it was meaningless, as the terminators would never do anything). The squad could not fail an inulnerable save and absorbed the fire of 2 shadowswords and an entire warlord before finally dying. 

 

The New World Records

So, after finally verifying all the army lists from The Big Game, we were able to compile our numbers and so here are the World Records as they finally stand.

These records were initially collected and kept by Siegeworld, the guys who started the mega-apocalypse games.  Siegeworld is a founding member of the Apocalypse40K forums and their records have been recognized by all the major Apocalypse clubs.  These records are kept in a special thread on the Apocalypse40K Forum and reprinted here.

Most Points in a Single Game

This requires all models to participate in a continuous game on one table interconnected or otherwise. All models must be painted (3 colors + based) and the game must last 4+ turns over an unbroken time period (eg-with some breaks, but no "pause and come back the next day"). 

The Big Game, Los Angeles Battle Bunker, January 22, 2011,   739,247

(The previous record for the Biggest Apocalypse Game was 382,000 by Siegeworld)

Most Points in a Single Battle

Same as Most Points in a Single Game, but models don't need to be painted, and one or more discontinuous tables. Anything goes so long as it is interrelated and simultaneous.  No turn requirements.

The Big Game, Los Angeles Battle Bunker, January 22, 2011,  864,057

(The previous record for the Biggest Apocalypse Battle was 520,000 by GMI games)

Most Points in a Single Battle - Multiple Locations

Same as Most Points in a Single Battle, but allows for multi-location play.

The Big Game, January 22, 2011,  22 locations in 5 countries  2,310,835 points

Note that this record has just been added so that record The Big Game set on January 22nd at 22 locations, is distinguished from a single location battle.  Siegeworld agreed that a multiple location event should have a different record from a single location event since it wouldn't be fair for one location to have to compete with multiple locations for a record.  Plus, we all want everyone competing for different records and pushing the limits!

Most Minis in a Single Battle

See Most Points in a Single Battle (single location). Same restrictions apply. This record is anything goes so long as it is interrelated and simultaneous. A miniature is counted as any piece which has its own base or does not use a base. Essentially, if it can be moved on its own (thus a swarm base is a single miniature). 

The Big Game, Los Angeles Battle Bunker,  January 22, 2011  18,592

(The previous record for the most minis in a Single Battle was 6,500 by Siegeworld)

Most Tank Models in a Single Battle


Anything with an AV, MCs, and GCs count as one, so long as they're painted. Single battlefield as per the first record and no turn limit.  

GW Manchester UK holds the title with 2,562 models.

 

The Big Game - Final Numbers

Well, it took me a few weeks after the Big Game all the numbers compiled and verified.  I actually have an army list for every person who was at the L.A. Battle Bunker and confirmed their numbers, so the records are very accurate.  We set every record that we were after.  We kind of figured we would not beat the vehicle record, but I hear Siegeworld is after that this summer.  So here are the numbers:

Los Angeles Battle Bunker

Total number of painted points on one table 739,247

(The previous record for the Biggest Apocalypse Game was 382,000 by Siegeworld)

Total number of models on two tables 864,057

(The previous record for the Biggest Apocalypse Battle was 520,000 by GMI games)

Total number of miniatures 18,592

(The previous record for the most minis in a Single Battle was 6,500 by Siegeworld)

 Total number of vehicles 1,752  (Not a record)

World Wide

Total number of points at 22 locations in 5 countries  2,310,835 !!!

The Imperium was triumphant!

Final Score World Wide was 407 to 331.  The Emperor's light prevails!

At the L.A. Battle Bunker the score was 183 to 122 for the Imperium.

  Bunker regular Annibal Sanchez's Chaos horde faces the Smurfs and IG

 The San Pedro Games Workshop store clan came prepared for war!

Former Bunker manager Chris Cailor on one crowded table!

Former Bunker employee Dave Hummel (on left) managed both Crimson Fists and Blood Angels against Senobio Aguilera (on right) and his IG.

The Big Game shatters records...plus lots of fun was had!

The Big Game set-up at the L.A. GW Battle Bunker

Well, The Big Game was a huge success and everyone had a blast.  The game kicked off at 11am and ended at 11:30pm.  What was really cool was how everyone had so many positive comments about the event and how much fun they had.  

There were two tables.  The first was 18 4' x 8' tables and two 4' x 6' tables setup in a 4-legged "M" shape.  Then there were three 8' tables for the unpainted models.  

The Records were blown away!

So here are the numbers...

Total painted points on one table 743,230  

The previous record for the Biggest Apocalypse Game was 382,000 by Siegeworld

Total points on two tables 848,000 

The previous record for the Biggest Apocalypse Battle was 520,000 by GMI games

All players submitted both registration forms and army lists. so we have back up for these records.  The painted number may change by a few thousand as we re-confirm our biggest player's number.  (He had 100,000 points!).

We are still working on the number of minis, as we didn't ask each player for that info in advance, so not everyone had that info readily available, but it is all on the army lists.  So we are actually going through every army list to confirm these numbers. But so far, with only 315,280 points calculated, we had 6,971 miniatures, a record.

The L.A. Results

Well, what was amazing was how much fun everyone had.  Even players getting their butts kicked were in a good mood and having fun.  But in the end, the Imperial players bested the Xenos scum by 183 to 122.

World Wide Results

Next I will be calculating all the objective points from all the locations and posting battle reports and photos from different locations.  

And so here are some photos!

Wayne Clark's Imperial Guard army at 67,000 points dominated 3 tables!

Liam' Wren's awesome Warlord Titan

I got to play as well!  Here I am on the left with a true gentleman of the game, John Tiehen who's two sons played as well! 

Annibal Sanchez (behind his Chaos Warhound) is one of the nicest guys in the game

My gaming buddies Ron Kent, Shawn Green, and multiple Golden Daemon winner Aaron Lovejoy

We had TWO Forgeworld Imperial Fortress Walls on hand!

And we had hot girls playing!

The Apocalypse World Records

Siegeworld 2010

These records were initially collected and kept by Siegeworld, the guys who started the mega-apocalypse games.  Siegeworld is a founding member of the Apocalypse40K forums and their records have been recognized by all the major Apocalypse clubs.  These records will be kept in a special thread on the Apocalypse40K Forum.

Most Points in a Single Game

This requires all models to participate in a continuous game on one table interconnected or otherwise. All models must be painted (3 colors + based) and the game must last 4+ turns over an unbroken time period (eg-with some breaks, but no "pause and come back the next day"). 

The record was set by Siegeworld in St. Louis MO. on 8/14/10 at 382,000 points

Most Points in a Single Battle - Single Location

Same as Most Points in a Single Game, but models don't need to be painted, and one or more discontinuous tables. Anything goes so long as it is interrelated and simultaneous.  No turn requirements. 

The record is held by GMI Games in Riverside, CA with 520,000 points, September, 2010.

Most Points in a Single Battle - Multiple Locations

Same as Most Points in a Single Battle, but allows for multi-location play.

The record has not been set yet.

Most Tank Models in a Single Battle

Anything with an AV, MCs, and GCs count as one, so long as they're painted. Single battlefield as per the first record and no turn limit.  

GW Manchester UK holds the title with 2,562 models.

 

Most Minis in a Single Battle

See Most Points in a Single Battle (single location). Same restrictions apply. This record is anything goes so long as it is interrelated and simultaneous. A miniature is counted as any piece which has its own base or does not use a base. Essentially, if it can be moved on its own (thus a swarm base is a single miniature). 

Siegeworld is the current holder of the record, at 6,500 minis done in St. Louis MO. on 8/14/10.

Note that the Most Points in a Single Battle - Multiple Locations record has just been added so that record The Big Game will set on January 22nd at 15 locations, is distinguished from a single location battle.  Siegeworld agreed that a multiple location event should have a different record from a single location event since it wouldn't be fair for one location to have to compete with multiple locations for a record.  Plus, we all want everyone competing for different records and pushing the limits!

Also, an event can try and set multiple records at the same time.  You could (as The Big Game will do) have The Biggest Game and the Biggest Battle at the same location, counting a single table of all painted minis within a bigger game of multiple tables where some minis are not painted.

More details to follow!  Thanks to Greg and Kirk from Siegeworld for their hard work.

Alec

The Big Game - The Biggest Apocalypse Battle in History!

Well, if you are reading this blog, you probably know about The Big Game.  But here is the official press release anyway.

The World's Biggest Apocalypse Battle to be fought world wide!

On January 22nd, 2011, an Apocalypse battle will take place in five different countries over three continents and over a dozen locations in the USA.  Organized by the SoCal Apocalypse club and the Apocalypse40K.com forum and titled The Big Game, this battle will be happening at all four U.S. Games Workshop Battle Bunkers, Warhammer World in the UK, Norway, Greece and various locations in the USA.  The main game will be held at the Games Workshop Los Angeles Battle Bunker, which expects to have close to a million points fighting it out over 80 sq. ft. of table space.

"We have 4 of the biggest Apocalypse clubs in the USA participating in this event." says Alec Peters, the event organizer and the head of SoCal Apocalypse, the Apocalypse club that is running the event at the L.A. Battle Bunker.  So not only do we have all 4 U.S. GW Battle Bunkers involved, but Siegeworld (who really started the mega-apocalypse craze) from St. Louis, Apoc-Eclipse from North Carolina and For the Emperor from Texas are all hosting games.  Siegeworld will be heading up to the Chicago Bunker, Apoc-Eclipse will be hosting their game at All Fun & Games in Apex, NC and For The Emperor will be hosting their game at their facility.  In addition, almost a dozen stores from around the US are joining in.

"Any store or club that wants to participate can, all they need to do is contact me or join the Apocalypse40k.com forums and sign up.  All the locations will be using the same objective scoring system, and all the points will be tallied together at the end of the night to determine the winner." said Peters, who is used to running big events

"This has gotten a huge amount of traction and support in the Apocalypse community." said Peters.  "James Bell, the L.A. Battle Bunker manager has been awesome in spearheading the effort with the other bunkers and promoting the event.  He is basically turning over all 22 tables in his store for this event.  And we will be adding more tables as we think we are going to be busting at the seams."

SoCal Apocalypse started in 2009 and has taken off because of its attitude of cooperating with the other major Apocalypse clubs across the USA.  "When I contacted the guys at Siegeworld, things really started to cook.  Those guys are NUTS, and their games are so big they play on a warehouse floor!  Siegworld came up with a system to record the biggest games of Apocalypse and so all the major Apocalypse clubs have adopted the records and we are basically setting down how you go about and beat them.  The more clubs trying to beat the records the better!"


For more information on The Big Game , contact:

Alec Peters
alec@propworx.com
404-918-1701


The Current Apocalypse World Records are:

Most Points in a Single Game

This requires all models to participate in a continuous game on one table, interconnected or otherwise. All models must be painted (3 colors + based) and the game must last 4+ turns over an unbroken time period (eg-with some breaks, but no "pause and come back the next day"). The record was set by Siegeworld in St. Louis MO. on 8/14/10 at 382,000 points

Most Points in a Single Battle

Similar to the above, but models don't need to be painted, and two or more disconnected tables. Anything goes so long as it is interrelated and simultaneous. Allows for multi-location play, discontinuous tables, unpainted minis, etc. No turn requirements. The record was held by Siegeworld at 433,000 points (also the first group to play a 400k game of 40k), but was surpassed in September, 2010 at GMI Games in Riverside, CA with 520,000 points.

Most Tank Models in a Single Battle

Anything with an AV, MCs, and GCs count as one, so long as they're painted. Single battlefield as per the first record and no turn limit (Siegeworld did not break this record) GW Manchester UK holds the title with 2,562 models.

Most Minis in a Single Battle

See Most Points in a Single Battle. Same restrictions apply. This record is anything goes so long as it is interrelated and simultaneous. A miniature is counted as any piece which has its own base or does not use a base. Essentially, if it can be moved on its own (thus a swarm base is a single miniature). Siegeworld is the current holder of the record, at 6,500 minis done in St. Louis MO. on 8/14/10.