This FAQ section is divided into
5
sections, please take the time to find the answer to your question here,
if something is not covered in this section, please email us at
ASAPservice@BattleFieldSports.com and
we'll be happy to help you.
SECTION 1
Q: Compared to Paintball or Airsoft, what is the market potential for
Battlefield LIVE?
A: Paintball and Airsoft have a very loyal following that is mainly
Males between the age of 15-30. That's about 90% of their
market. The key difference is that we are able to bring the
entertainment right under the noses of the public. We can travel to
where the players are, be it at a festival, a village fair, at a
shopping mall, or at our customer's (such as a convention center's)
venue.
You can expect players from all of the following categories: Tweens (U13),
Teens, Corporate groups, Schools, fund raisers, Carnivals, Xtreme
players (eg nighttime combat missions) women's teams, and more. In
fact anyone from 6-67 will be interested in playing. It's an enormous
market and because of the flexibility of our business models you can
decide exactly who you want to target and how.
Q: What business models work, and what doesn't?
A: Since starting in 1991, Battlefield Sports has trialed many varied
business models and marketing techniques. We've found the following work
in that they consistently make money:
-
Games at events ie festivals, village
fairs, etc
-
Battlefields at existing busy
facilities such as convention centers, FECs, theme parks or
adventure parks
-
Combining mobile battles at major
events to drive business to fixed locations (these fixed locations
could be either outdoor forest fields or indoor arenas).
In our experience, what does not work is a
standalone arena or forest field without either busy passing trade or
the promotional benefits of mobile events. The customer acquisition cost
in this case is just too high.
Q: OK, so I'm convinced that there is a big market for this, but how do
I know it will work in MY local area market?
A: With more than 250 locations in 27 countries and many years in operation
we KNOW that there is a demand in your area but it's important that you
VERY carefully assess the local demographics and consult with us to
decide which of our business models you should pursue. Video games have
driven the demand for a realistic combat simulation, we are the company
of choice in the civilian combat simulation business. Believe us, IF you
follow our plan you'll have plenty of demand for this activity in your
area. However, success in business requires many factors to come
together, mainly it's your background, values, business skills, purpose
and persistence that will make this work for you. We are looking for
UNBEATABLE partners to help push Peter's vision around the planet.
You'll find a team at Battlefield Sports ready and willing to work with you and
encourage you towards the gold medal every step of the way. We believe
in freedom, friendships and loyalty and if you do your part you'll find
us with you every step of the way.
Q: Why do teenagers like this game so much?
A: Think video games in real life and you'll have the answer.....TENS of
thousands will now tell you that our game pulls them away from XBOX and
other consoles...that's big.
.
Q: I'm concerned about competition, how will I compete with Paintball,
Airsoft or other gaming gun fields that set up in my area?
A: Would it surprise you to know that business philosophy at Battlefield
Sports
is built around making the Competition Irrelevant? Competition can only
happen when companies compete over the SAME customers, that's not the
situation with Battlefield Sports, our business plan for you is based on you
capturing UNCONTESTED MARKET SPACE, that is customers who have no
options for this kind of entertainment. Think of a Clear Blue Ocean
(that's us) versus a Bloody Red Ocean ("competitors") in a marketing
game you want to be fighting in a market that YOU create and that has no
predators in the area. With our Blue Marketing tactics you won't ever be
involved in this kind of crazy competition that other business owners seem
to face every day, because you will offer a totally unique service that
other combat entertainment companies simply can't reach due to a whole
range of factors, this makes for less stress on all of us because we are
unique and customers are attracted to us, we don't need to fight for
them against someone else, and less stress equals more enjoyment and
satisfaction in your life and business, isn't that the reason we go into
business in the first place?
Q: How many players do you expect to play Battlefield
LIVE over the next
decade?
A: That's a tough question because of the time period but we expect that
the roughly 1,000,000 players we have now should grow to 10,000,000 in
that time. All the indicators point that way, the demand for Electronic
Sports is getting bigger by the day ( the world champion video player
earned around 3 million dollars last year..) and our market continues to
grow and grow. It looks as though we are on the right trend, of course
that is only half the battle, the main half is how hard we can work and
how smart we can think to capitalize on that. Still, we love to work and
we can't help ourselves from thinking and growing, the Strategy that
Battlefield Sports has deployed seems to be growing stronger by the day, in
business as in life, Strategy is everything.
Q: I'm thinking about opening an indoor Laser Tag center, why is
Battlefield LIVE a better business option for an indoor center?
A: We are a LIVE video game experience, that's our difference. It's a
philosophy that continues to attract more and more players. You, as a
business owner are simply giving your customers the experience of a
thrilling new electronic sport that is closer to a real video game than
anything else out there. That's really what it's about. Laser Tag
manufacturing companies and companies similar just never "got" it.
Why is it a better option for an indoor lasertag arena? First we have a
games system designed for combat simulation that appeals to the new
generation of gamers. Second we are able to redeploy the entire
battlefield within a day.
Q: We are thinking about adding this to our Paintball location or even
doing this instead of expanding our Paintball further, what's the good,
the bad and the ugly here?
A: There is no ugly news....so the
good news? Well, it's a DIFFERENT market that has only a little
crossover value (eg extreme nighttime missions in the forest using infra
red scopes/goggles). The bad side? As the business owner you need to be
aware of possible age and attitude differences. But overall, if managed
correctly you can broaden business income sources. This is, of course, a
good thing.
Q: Is it true that Battlefield
LIVE is taking market share from XBOX,
Ps2, Sony and other entertainment games?
A: We complement these products. People love their computer games and
then want to try a live experience with lots of other people in a big
battle, that's where we (you) come in. There is no doubt we reduce the
time people spend playing computer games because more of their leisure
time is spent outdoors playing the "live" version.
Q: Is this a fad?
A: It does not appear to have the business genetics of a fad, what we
have seen is strong but steady growth in our sales for the last 7 years.
It appears there is a genuine interest in our breakthrough game.
Q: Is this a trend? How long will it last?
A: The mega trends towards gaming is clear and
strong. How long it will keep growing is hard for anyone to predict.
SECTION 2.
Q: What are the most important business skills and
psychological traits that a Battlefield LIVE operator should possess?
A: You need to be teachable, enjoy helping other people and be able to
lead your company effectively. Where we can, we help you to develop some
of these leadership skills by recommending books that have helped us and
by attending our seminars, mainly though just stay in contact with us so
we can drive the business forward together. As with any other business,
mental attitude and tenacity is crucial, this is not an easy path to
fast riches, it's a real business that requires a lot of passion, focus
and teamwork, our most successful operators are people who really wanted
a change of direction in life and wanted to be part of a growing
business that also allowed them more time with their family, better
health, regular exercise and hyper enthusiastic customers who see them
as a hero for bringing this fabulous entertainment to their area..
Q: I don't think my marketing or sales skills are up to the mark, can I
still go forward?
A: Yes, absolutely you can, a lot of this has been done for you because
we have been experimenting with different business approaches for years,
as long as you can find people and build a team then you can succeed
because the demand for your Battlefield LIVE business will be
explosive...
Q: This will be my first business venture on my own, what do I need to
know?
A: With Battlefield Sports you are in business for yourself but not by
yourself, plenty of support is available, please look through our
packages and you'll see all
the ways we will support you.
Q: I'm going to write a business plan, can you guys help me?
A: Yes we can help you. What we can provide the following key elements
that are essential to a successful business plan:
-
the underlining business case
-
a successful and proven business model
-
marketing acumen
-
advice on operations
-
guidelines on staff recruitment and
selection
-
information on source of supplies
-
financial analysis.
Q: Why won't this work for us? What can go wrong?
There are some factors that can really send this business into a spin.
Wrong location - too far away from population. The primary thing that
can go wrong is choosing the wrong business model.
Bottom line, this is a business like any other business. You need
capital, leadership skill, determination, marketing skills, location,
love of the business and other parts of the "perfect storm" the business
works all over the world. The question is not will it work for you?
Rather, it's will you work for it?
SECTION 3.
Q: What is my set up cost going to be?
A: Depending on which business model you choose, you will need between $30,000 to $100,000 plus some working capital.
Q: How long will it take to see my initial cash investment come back
to me and move into profit?
A: Think in terms of 18 months to 36 months as a benchmark. A lot
depends on your business model and how you organize your marketing, a high traffic
venue can have amazing ROI.
Q: I'm thinking about writing a business plan and going to the bank
or government to fund me, what do you think?
A: Don't waste your time or ours approaching either of these groups. If
you have an asset, borrow against it and use the funds for whatever you
want, if you can't fund it through an asset use friends or family,
savings or a combination of all. Please don't contact us with a whole
bunch of questions BEFORE you have the funding 100% agreed or in
actually in place. Everything you could want to know is on this site and
we are very happy to talk with you if you are sincerely wanting to open
a location with us. Banks and Governments just don't get it. Do they
ever?
Q: How do the start up costs compare to Franchise operations?
A: We are very competitive compared to most business opportunities in
the market, this is a lifestyle business and arguably, one of the most
exciting and motivational business ideas in the world. You have a lot of
choices but what would you rather do, be a hero to your customers,
running a healthy business that enjoys steady and continuous growth year
after year or buy a Dunkin Donuts, Tax franchise, Burger place...etc.
We'll see YOU on the Battlefield, thank you..!
SECTION 4.
Q: Other manufacturers are
offering individual scoring options. Why does Battlefield Sports not do
this?
A: This is not a good idea. Let us explain, we have spent 7 years plus
running our own successful commercial battlefields and we discovered
that individual scoring was very bad for repeat business. Here are four
of the numerous markets that drive your business, let's take a look at
them...
Lets look at each of these customers in
turn.
A. BOYS BIRTHDAY PARTY
This is such an important group, there is a boy (or girl)
having a birthday every day of the year. So this means year round
business. The Birthday boy is very excited and wants to be a hero on
his birthday. Our job as entertainers is to make sure this happens.
When the boy plays he and his friends imagine how great they have
done even though they have probably missed (shooting) everything.
They are only kids and they only play once or twice per year. Boys
naturally fantasize about how well they have done and will tell
fantastic stories when they come off the field. We as staff need to
give them lots of positive feedback. The last thing you want is an
individual score telling the birthday boy how bad he is. This is an
important message to the parents who are very worried that their
young boy Johnny will be embarrassed on his birthday. The kids who
play Battlefield LIVE ALWAYS go home excited
and positive. All of them. Individual scoring cannot guarantee this. If
you want to run a successful business make sure you buy a system that
doesn't have individual scoring. It just doesn't work. How are we so
certain? Answer: Hundreds of thousands of players know what they
want.
B. SPORTS TEAMS
Sports team are all about team and team objectives. They have no
interest in individual scores. The come to Battlefield LIVE for a team
bonding experience.
C. CORPORATE FUNCTIONS
Corporate groups are again team focused. It's not about making
individual heroes in a corporate culture, it is about working together
with everyone contributing to achieving the group objective.
D. ADVANCED PLAYERS
Having run more advanced missions in a commercial environment, than
anyone else on the planet, we at Battlefield Sports can tell you with 100% certainty
that individual scoring just doesn't work for these guys and gals.
Advanced missions are multi-phase and each player has a role and that
role does not mean shooting all the time. Personally in large games when
I play and spend my time organizing my troops and gathering intelligence
reports, this role often is the decisive difference between the teams,
but an individual score for me would be a flat zero. So the individual
scoring encourages everyone to play for themselves and always want the
shooting parts, rather than other important jobs like recon, guard
duties, leadership etc. In many advanced special forces missions, the
goal is the avoid contact with the enemy. In games like this it is a
failure if a fire fight starts.
Q: How long will the guns last?
A: Being
aluminum and stainless steel, they don't rust. The gun case
therefore has no finite life span. We have seen guns in use for 5 years.
You should be factoring in your cash flow projections to do a major
upgrade every 3 years. A major upgrade typically costs 25% of the
original purchase price.
Q: How do you actually use the guns,
how do they work?
A: Check out our Quick
Start Guide.
Q: Why does Battlefield Sports make metal guns? Why is it good to have heavier guns.
Your competitors all say that light is best?
A: Main reason, is the WOW! factor. You can't expect people to play if
all you do is provide a plastic gun they could have purchased at
Wal-Mart
such as the LTTO gear. Metal feels real, not like a plastic toy. In this
fantasy creation business, the props used are vital to suspend
disbelief, our guns do just that. Again, we have hundreds of
thousands of players all over the world it's something that ALL of the
other manufacturers put together don't have. They just don't have the
experience we do. Kids love a heavier and more realistic gun not
something that feels "gay" (that's teen talk for not cool) their
language, not ours... The next reason is metal is durable and
maintainable. We can panel beat metal plates back into place, not
possible with resin or plastic, it will simply crack. We do, of
course, have small combat gun models that are great for younger
players.
Q: What's the usual delivery time for the guns?
A:
8 weeks.
Q: Do you guys offer tech support?
A; The most important part of support of course is to make the guns so
robust, so water resistant and easy to use people need very little
support. Of course we do provide ongoing tech support. Email response is never more than 24 hours.
Q: What sort of warranty do you offer?
A: We have a 24 months return to base warranty for all of our guns
on any manufacturing fault. The warranty does not cover normal wear and
tear on the equipment.
Q: Are Batteries included with the guns?
A: Yes, you get 1 battery per gun, included. If you want, spare
batteries, then you will need 7.2 volt NiMH batteries (we recommend
3,000mAh or more, but 2,000mAh+ is ok. The lower the ampage just means
you will need to re-charge more often.) You will also need a charger.
These batteries last for ages, we have been using the same batteries for
going on 2-3 years. The 3,000mAh batteries last for a lot of game play.
Roughly 25 hours, depending on how much a player shoots. Any 7.2v
3000amp or better Radio Controlled car 6-cell battery will suit. Battlefield Sports
can provide you with these.
Q: The sport is called "Battlefield
LIVE" but it used to be "Laser
Skirmish" are there any actual lasers?
A: There are no lasers used in our units. In fact we use infrared,
similar to your TV remote control. In fact at Battlefield Sports™ we
believe our equipment is safe, as detailed in our Safety Certificate.
You might also like to read our
Safety Report.
