punkncat
02-14-2008, 08:56 AM
This is, unlike what the title may infer, NOT one of those doomsday threads.
There is a lot of talk and we can certainly see evidence of paintball going through some shrinkage and pains returning to some state of normalcy. There for a while, there is no question that max growth had brought on a lot of fields, services, and even markers that the sport could not support.
I have been doing a little bit of research finding fields that are still open in the area. A great deal of what is listed around is in fact closed, and I worried a lot about what seemed to be the trend. And then as I dug deeper I noticed that I was finding a lot of places I never knew existed. A lot of old places that are still around, and even out of the ashes of some places newcomers still willing to toss their hat in the ring.
The sport is also returning to a level that is more freindly to the first timer. Even the tourney boys are having to tone it down with the new cap...but there are a whole line up of markers available for inexpensive initial investment, shooting slower ROF and still quite capable. The result isn't in yet, but I hope to see that many players turned off by this arms race find thier way back to the game. A game I hope is evolving a friendlier face for all involved.
Basically it had to come down to affordability at some point or another. Of course there will always be people throwing money at high end equipment that the only need for it for status. Hell I am a gun whore and I love having a few show pieces. Truth be told though in the average game day at an open play field, all I or anyone else really need is something semi and reliable.
Most new players are buying stuff from wally world and dick's. CO2 is still one of the most prevelant power sources, easily found and longer lasting than HPA for a backyard game, which by far is also the most popular way to play the game. Cheap JABB's, Tippy's and shaker hoppers are still the most common equipment.
It has become time that rather than coddle the high end player and drive everyone to have the fastest, most expensive marker and equipment that we nurture the new player. Introduce them to what for many of us older players actually drew us to the sport. Not so much only because we liked the game, but because we liked the people, liked the venues, liked hanging out and talking about what a fun time we had as much as the rest. And not having to complain about getting overshot, bunkered, bad attitudes and everything else that I hope we can move away from. That the group we play with once again become and realize friendship and honor.
I hope I didn't ramble too much...let's all make an effort to help a new guy (or girl) out. Bring someone new to the sport and give them a reason to continue playing. Support your local field. Support a brick and mortar even if it costs you a few more dollars. Let's get this back where it should be.
There is a lot of talk and we can certainly see evidence of paintball going through some shrinkage and pains returning to some state of normalcy. There for a while, there is no question that max growth had brought on a lot of fields, services, and even markers that the sport could not support.
I have been doing a little bit of research finding fields that are still open in the area. A great deal of what is listed around is in fact closed, and I worried a lot about what seemed to be the trend. And then as I dug deeper I noticed that I was finding a lot of places I never knew existed. A lot of old places that are still around, and even out of the ashes of some places newcomers still willing to toss their hat in the ring.
The sport is also returning to a level that is more freindly to the first timer. Even the tourney boys are having to tone it down with the new cap...but there are a whole line up of markers available for inexpensive initial investment, shooting slower ROF and still quite capable. The result isn't in yet, but I hope to see that many players turned off by this arms race find thier way back to the game. A game I hope is evolving a friendlier face for all involved.
Basically it had to come down to affordability at some point or another. Of course there will always be people throwing money at high end equipment that the only need for it for status. Hell I am a gun whore and I love having a few show pieces. Truth be told though in the average game day at an open play field, all I or anyone else really need is something semi and reliable.
Most new players are buying stuff from wally world and dick's. CO2 is still one of the most prevelant power sources, easily found and longer lasting than HPA for a backyard game, which by far is also the most popular way to play the game. Cheap JABB's, Tippy's and shaker hoppers are still the most common equipment.
It has become time that rather than coddle the high end player and drive everyone to have the fastest, most expensive marker and equipment that we nurture the new player. Introduce them to what for many of us older players actually drew us to the sport. Not so much only because we liked the game, but because we liked the people, liked the venues, liked hanging out and talking about what a fun time we had as much as the rest. And not having to complain about getting overshot, bunkered, bad attitudes and everything else that I hope we can move away from. That the group we play with once again become and realize friendship and honor.
I hope I didn't ramble too much...let's all make an effort to help a new guy (or girl) out. Bring someone new to the sport and give them a reason to continue playing. Support your local field. Support a brick and mortar even if it costs you a few more dollars. Let's get this back where it should be.