Hey folks,

The Commando program is FanPro's demo team. Members are encouraged to run game sessions of Shadowrun at public locations where anybody who's interested can join in. Examples of places include game shops, conventions, game days, and college game clubs.

Currently, the program has a lot of members interested in running Classic Battletech, but not nearly enough to run Shadowrun. We've received a number of requests to run Shadowrun at conventions or game shops where we just don't have GMs.

So, we'd like to fix that.

Here's how the program works:

-Commandos are required to run a minimum of 3 events annually. An event means a public game session. So, if you go to one con and run 3 game sessions, you've hit your minimum requirements. Games do need to be scheduled in advance through the Commando web site, and you will need to fill in a (very brief) report about the game afterwards.

-In return, Commandos receive complementary products from FanPro and substantial discounts with a number of manufacturers who make products that are associated with FanPro game lines. Compensation is proportionate to the number of games you run annually. Run 3 annually, and you'll be nicely compensated. Run 6, and it'll be nicer.

-Commandos receive Shadowrun Missions scenarios about a month before the public receives them.

-When developers are looking for playtesters, Commandos are the first place that they look. If you're interested in becoming a playtester for Shadowrun, joining the Commando program is a very good way to put yourself on the candidate list.

Application to the program has been simplified. If you'd like to join, hit the Commandohq.com website, and click on the Enroll button. Once you've filled out your information, you should receive a PDF file with some additional paperwork. That spells things out in solid detail. Essentially, applicants need to either mail or fax in that additional paperwork. With that, they need to include a short essay explaining why they'd like to join the program, and either a short scenario or a letter (included in the PDF) signed by their FLGS manager, stating that they'd like to have the applicant run games there.

To get more information about the Commando program or to apply, hit the public web site at www.commandohq.com. Alternatively, drop me a PM, an e-mail, or just a post in this forum and I'll try to do my best to help out.

do the games have to be official FanPro game modules? Because I'm already running four one-shots at my school's con; would that qualify?

I would be interested in having this program at my store and my convention.

The convention is coming up soon however, so I am not sure if there is time. I have a pretty solid candidate that runs our game outside of the store.

How long would it take for him to become a commando? The convention is at the end of March, 30th - April 1st. www.Distracticon.com

I am unfamiliar with this missions program. Can you post a link to some literature?

Thanks,
GM

Awesomeness.

Now my only worry is having enough people sign up for each run to actually run them.

Just curious, is this only for the US or worldwide?

Ah, good; it's also nice because my con is at the same time as Mustard's, and I was worried about getting the events listed.

Alright, I'll go sign up

(I'm just wondering if I qualify as an "expert"; I'm still a little rough around the edges when it comes to GMing...)

Well speaking as the newest (as of this moment) Commando, I can tell you, you don't have to be an expert. What the players are really interested in is having a good time. If you can do that, the rest is easy.
Mark

Do you have to be sponsored by a store? I just got the phase 2 stuff and it seems to be the case. I'd be running events at my university club.

This looks quite good fun. I notice that you don't have any commandos in the UK South West and I haven't been able to keep a group together very well recently due to everyone having too many commitments, so I'm up for this.

I'll need to speak to my local store and see if they'd do this, though.

-K.

...sounds interesting.

If say, I decide on running Missions scenarios at cons, am I responsible for providing the PCs or will there be Pregen character files provided with the particular Mission?

...I see part of the aim as also being a means to introduce new people to SR4 (thus broadening Shadowrun's base). To this end, well designed Pregens are the best way to go. Most convention gaming tracks block out a specific amount of time for each game session which precludes generating new characters on the spot. I have worked on convention committees before, and can say that programme scheduling is often very tight and needs to be finalised months in advance for hotel and programme book layout purposes.

Rather than use the sample characters from the BBB I would then go with working up pregen PCs tailored for the particular Mission. Granted, it means more set up work, but I see this as the best way to get new people who haven't played Shadowrun before into what it is all about by allowing them to concentrate more on the run and having fun actually playing the game.

I am still very interested in this project, and will check out the Commando site tonight after I get home from work.

I am all up for doing this, I just actually need a hardcopy of the BBB now...I have a PDF copy but I have been waiting for the fourth printing so I can actually get something I can holdin my hands and show to other people.

Ok, I'm ready to sign up--there's just one issue:
Where can I get decent miniatures, much less painted ones, without having to part with arms, legs or firstborn children?

Minis aren't required for Commandos to run Shadowrun. (It's a requirement for Classic Battletech.)

Shadowrun Minis are available from Iron Wind Metals. They're not painted, but they've got the molds for nearly all of the old Ral Partha figures. Iron Wind Metals is also one of the organizations that offers discounts for Commandos in good standing.

Out of curiosity,

On the application form, it asks about Classic Battletech, is that to differenciate it from the click based Battletech?
And will it change to Total Warfare Battletech?

As for the photos that are requested, if we fax in the application, can we email the photos to you?

Question you just added is the ability to fax in the aplication why no way to do the whole thing online or through email?

I just felt I should come in here from a Nationalistic standpoint.

Canada needs Shadowrun representation. There are only a few active Commandos in the entire country for Shadowrun and I'm the only one east of the Prairies (Next closest is in Alberta).

If you're out there and enjoy Shadowrun, get your GM to sign up (or sign up yourself) and spread the word. Canada has some really talented GMs out there... we need you to enlist.

SR13

Some of the talent doesn't play sr4.

I would love to run sr3.

I was reading the commandohq web site and noticed the FAQ indicates a 6 event per year minimum. Is the 3 event/year a change from the original that didn't get updated?

Just did the first part of the application, shoule have the rest done by this weekend.

That's good to know, I signed up on that website a few weeks ago, but the 6 events put me off a little. I wasn't sure what kind of commitment I was willing to make, but three I could probably manage.

How does it work if you're interested in both SR and CBT?

If I sign up and then don't run 3 or more in a year do I get kicked out or is it just that I can't get anything till sometime after i meet the 3 plus requirements?

My FLGS has agreed to let me use them as a Firebase, so should have everything FAXed before the weekend.

...my big thing is I do not have access to a fax outside of work (which has strict policies). Is there a way I can do everything by email or PM for I really do not want to pay an entity like Kinkos (evil, bad, just like Starbucks ) to get things set up?

I heard they will be raising it soon to $0.42

Those darn freemasons...

Got the first part of the app done. Midterms are this coming week, so I probably won't have the essay or sig from my FLGS manager until next weekend.

The good news is, the manager of the FLGS I go to is a good friend of mine and a huge Shadowrun fan. Turning the location into a Firebase is seriously going to make this guys day.

Any gamers in the Sunnyvale/San Jose area? South Bay Area, woooo.

Hoi,

I just read through the application papers and have questions:

I would like to take Shadowrun as my primary Game System and will sometimes run The Dark Eye as well. If I circle both on the application form, do they both count to the 3 / 6 sessions per year? Or are the sessions per Game System (so 3 / 6 for Shadowrun and 3 / 6 for The Dark Eye)?

And another question: Just how "official" should the sessions be?
I mean, besides con sessions and sessions at the local game store, what elso will count as official? Will game sessions at our local Game Club count toward the limit?

The Game Club meets at a public location and we regularly try to attract new players. It's open for the public so perhaps it's ok?

Good thing to know - I will send the 2nd part of my application to you as soon as possible *g*
I think that our local game store will like that as well and support me - I have to make a phone call