Gaming Deployments
The Gaming Deployments Program is a simple idea with an important mission. Volunteer staff set up portable gaming consoles or tabletop games for meetups, game nights, and unique gaming experiences. These events reduce social isolation, enhance camaraderie, and build community for veterans and service members.
Our fleet of gaming consoles and gear is mobile, rapidly deployable, and highly flexible to meet the needs of the veterans we serve. We also offer tabletop services including Dungeons and Dragons as well as a fleet of board games. We have conducted gaming events at local VA's, Vet Centers, Veteran housing shelters, student veteran organizations, and veteran mental health clinics. Interested in hosting a gaming event with your organization or business? Request below.
Why Gaming Deployments?
Many veterans struggle with social isolation after leaving the service. Even with the support of family and friends, connecting with other veterans who understand the military experience is vitally important, yet often not prioritized in the veteran community. Many mental health difficulties veterans face, including risk for suicide, are impacted by this sense of isolation. By coordinating with local veteran and gaming organizations, our deployments can fit into the lives of veterans rather than the other way around. The gaming deployments are also a complement to our Battle Buddy program, offering an opportunity for veterans to meet up in person with other Frost Call members. We provide hybrid gaming events that incorporate an online stream via Twitch or Facebook, so veterans who can’t participate at a particular event can still connect digitally. Hopefully they can make it to the next one!
Where Can You Find Us?
We primarily serve the Greater Boston Area and can also be deployed throughout the state of Massachusetts.
FAQ
Do Veterans pay admission for these events?
Veterans never pay to participate in a Frost Call gaming deployment. We partner with the hosting organization to cover the costs of maintaining equipment and facilitating the event. Our rates are as follows:
$150.00/hr minimum 2 hours, includes 2 staff and support for 5-20 attendees. Additional staff as needed to scale, $25.00/hour per staff. 1 additional staff per 10 attendees.
For example, the rate for a 50 person event would be $150/hour plus 3 additional support staff ($25 each). $225.00/hour
An additional charge will be included to cover the setup and teardown time for the event (typically 60-120 minutes depending on the size of the event).
Does the hosting organization have any requirements to support a Frost Call event?
Frost Call is fully independent and will bring all necessary gear for the event. We only require sufficient electrical outlets to plug in all the gear. We are also happy to partner with hosting organizations if they have a desired A/V setup at their facility. Wi-Fi on site is a plus but we can supply our own internet as needed. Frost Call will facilitate all transportation of gear to and from the site.
How many veterans can you support with your events?
Currently, we can support events with as few as 5 veterans (for, say, a Dungeons and Dragons night) and as many as 30 active gaming participants. Most events include rotating participation between active gaming participants and spectators watching or cheering on the gamers, so there is no limit to the total number of veteran attendees we can support. We also facilitate gaming tournaments.
When do you conduct your events?
We plan events at the convenience of the organization and veterans, including weekdays and weekends. We ask that organizations reach out at least 6 weeks in advance to allow for scheduling.
Are the gaming deployments in person only? Can Frost Call host virtual events?
We can! Gaming events can be supported online through streaming websites like Twitch, Youtube, or Facebook. We also have an online veteran community through Discord at www.frostcall.org/discord. Participants can join the online community and participate from home.
