Scenario explanation?

[Lupis Fidelis]

Hey everybody,
Over the last few years my team captain and I have found ourselves discussing our love of scenario-ball over that of rec-ball(walk on) and speedball(tourney). We always find ourselves talking about "what makes a scenario player vs. rec. and tourney players. We are also very set in our mechanical ways and feel that the automag is one of the best markers available for scenario play. I was hoping to get some feedback on the topics of scenario markers, what makes scenario play so much fun and why we all play the big games.

Thanks for your input.

[paullus99]

I've been participating in Scenarios for about a year now (and on a team for the last seven or eight months). I find them to be a lot closer to the type of paintball I always wanted to play (lots of players, a story/plot - a reason to be out on the field accomplishing those missions, and just the friendship & friendly nature of scenario players in general).

The vast majority of scenario players just seem to be interested in having a good time, as opposed to be all about winning - though winning is nice, its not the overriding reason these people seem to want to play. Some of the best people I've ever played with have been on the field with me at scenario games.

As far as markers go, it seems everyone has a different opinion - electros, mechs, etc. My Mag has been rock solid since I started (no problems with it at all, ever) - so there is no real reason for me to change.

[PYROMAN315]

As a Scenario Event Promoter, I can say thay I have seen almost every type of gun possible at Scenario games. The wide variety seems endless, but cool. Players need to find the right gun for that individual player. I see more TIPPMANN`s than anything. Mostly because they have so many add on features and look more like a real weapon as to a paintball gun. But, I would say that Automags are a much more dependable marker by far (Being an E MAG owner myself). I own over 50 guns and have a different gun for different types of play. I prefer to take out one of my stock PYRANHA, non electronic rental guns when I play in a walk on (Open play) game. Good players dont need $2000.00 guns.
The sad part of Scenario play that I have noticed over the past 10 years is the steady decline of regular Scenario Events. Everyone is waiting for the "BIG ONE". Players are saving their money for the "GAME OF THE YEAR". They need to do that because most players are going to drop an average of $300 to $500 at these events. Everyone is looking for games with 3000 players. To me, thats crowded, unorganized, and not much fun. Give me the old 300 to 400 player games and im happy.
Those games are slowly going away. Theres only a hand full of good Scenario Event promoters, like our company, out there now. Were building the Scenario scene back up for those fields that use to have great Scenario Events but have since died down. Our MINI Scenarios that were promoting along with our regular games have been awesome. Three or four hours of play for the players at no extra cost to the players?? How can you beat it? We just add this into a regular day of open play. Players that dont want to join in can go play some Speedball. Its been huge at the fields we have already been to and players are getting a feel (and a want) for real Scenario play. We usually throw one good, all day Scenario game at these field with great turnouts.
Keep it under 1000 people and you will get so much mor eout of the game. Better details, even competition, and a much better day of play. We max out at 1000 players and wont host an event with any more than that. Keeps the focus on the players, where it should be.

PYROMAN
SPLATTERZONE PAINTBALL PROD

https://WWW.SPLATTERZONEPAINTBALL.NET

[paullus99]

I'd agree with the maxed out player scenarios - I've seen it hard enough to organize 500 people, much less 3000 (and also heard some pretty disorganized stories from past D-Day events as well). Not to knock the BIG events, but there are plenty of smaller (by comparison) scenarios that are just as good, at great fields too.

The team & I have quite a full schedule this year & purposely leave some gaps in the schedule just in case a game comes up that we would like to participate in (or replace a game depending on the situation). Seems like the really huge games are few and far between & usually quick a distance from us anyway.....

[SixRomeo]

Why I play...

Good points, and ones that I wholeheartedly agree with. Since scenario has established itself as the fourth official permutation of the game, I think it's about time we delved into why we choose it over the other three; rec ball, speedball, and the Big Game, respectively.

It's important, I think, to establish as fact that rec ball was the first way that this game was played. In backyard games in the rural and suburban areas of the nation, players found and purchased their first markers (which were not easy to find or get, since the Internet only really caught hold in the mid-90's) and took to isolated, mostly wooded area to shoot at one another. The technology created the game.

Now, despite the prevailing attitude today that this is a sport, paintball is essentially hunting practice. It involves a set of instincts that, until the invention of the first marker, could only be simulated, could only be practiced, in actual combat. And the fact that the paintballer's prey is another similarly armed, thinking human being pounds home the military nature of the overall exercise. Paintball is a simulation of simple, small-unit ground combat. The fact that it is fun is not enough; why do we play paintball scenarios exclusively, instead of having equal enthusiasm for, say, softball? Millions play organized sports, but none as true a simulation of the "ultimate competition" of life and death. This was the idea behind rec ball.

As fields opened up, largely due to paint and marker retailers seeing an increased interest in playing. Fields were businesses, and therefore had to set up pricing for its customers. The day composed of operating hours and the hour split into 15-minute increments seemed a good way to structure their field's games. Wanting to have as many different types of games that could be played in the unforested parts of their fields, a 15-minute game with a few bunkers was developed. Speedball was born.

Speedball became a recognized speort during the "Extreme Sport" fad of the mid-90's. As it became more popular, it became apparent to teams that paint volume per second was the way to dominate such short games. Hence the technology rush for BPS and the first electric marker was developed, along with the revvy hopper and a slew of options for the high-end mechanical markers. Paintball businesses other than stores became big-money sponsors, and invested to drive the tournament scene.

I believe that Skirmish's first World Record game in the summer of 1992 was the first of the "big games." It's defining characteristics were based on rec ball, but with new mechanics and rules to accomodate the large number of players, the huge game field, and the all-day time format. The first regeneration game is played. The big game, being larger and longer than the rec game, was the next evolution in the original hunting exercise, but virtually eliminated the one-on-one nature of the hunt. I have never heard of a non-militaristic scenario plot. The technology of hundreds shooting hundreds of others allows only for military simulations.

To understand the progression and history of the game is to know why it is the way it is. But knowing this, and understanding who we players are, is the only way to understand why we play. You can group scenario players into two categories that parallel a divide in our country: military veterans and those who aren't. There is nothing wrong with either; I want to be clear about that. If scenario had been around when I was 17 the way it is now, I might have saved myself a few nasty scars. I divide them this way because of why I play scenario ball; because I can keep using my training and keep sharp skills that otherwise would atrophy and fade. I play because I love it, because I know it, and because I'll admit that I think I'm good at it. And non-vets are in the same boat. They are testing themselves in combat exercise, which has been romanticized and practiced since before the invention of the wooden sword.

That, and because you don't have to clean latrines in a scenario...ever.

-A

[PYROMAN315]

WOW, those meds must have really kicked in ROMEO. Get out much?? Dont have any other hobbies huh?
Naw, im just joking. I agree with you on most of what you said. Some real good points.
Now, bring me over some of that stuff your on, I wanna party 2. (LOL)

[refugee]

I believe that Skirmish's first World Record game in the summer of 1992 was the first of the "big games."

Actualy ROMEO I think cousins (paintball Long Island) held there first big game back in 87, however I might be mistaken.