Tom Kaye Retires from Paintball, AGD Under New Management

[dj89]

Dear Tom,

My friend got me in to paint ball about 3 years ago. I got a Piranha for my first gun, I had my fun with it. Than I wanted to move up in the paint ball world and got a Green rat impulse. It was nice. But I wanted some thing different. My cousin [zeke1975 here on AO] Got a retro Minimag I loved it so much just the looks and how it shot. So the search was on I register here on AO and found a Minimag with x valve and I frame, I bought it. I like it but than the chance for a Emag came up so I bought that. I was selling' it so I could get a new Emag from Tunaman or an Xmag. I sold it . Than I saw that openboater had his Xmag for sale. I made an offer he took it so I had my Xmag. That was it I loved it, so Later on I got my 2nd Xmag. Tom you have done many things for the sport of paint ball. I hope Dave will try and do the same.

OmniM and I have worked and we came up with the Xmag User List
We dedicate this list to you Tom.

Thanks for all that you have done
DJ"dj89'West
XT00021
XT00273
RT00437

[Arson51]

For a while i really resented you Tom. I hated you for not improving the mag, not apealling to the public, for not fitting in. I met you last D-day but you didnt come in gloriously in a huge semi truck with tents and displays, i resented you more for it, for not fitting the role you deserved.

Now i cannot hate you, I can only think of praises for your genious, insight, and modesty. Aslong as i can still hold my Emag, you will not be forgotten. It was an honor to meet a founder of the sport even though at the time i didnt know it. Thank you for all that you have done.

Long live the Tom!
Long live AGD!
Long live the MAG!

[hardr0ck68]

this is an uber sad day....im really bummed, i dont have anything fancy to say execpt i have nexer shot anything "high end" execpt for a mag and i have no desire to ever. Not because of anything about the marker, but because of the man behind it...i was sad to see that mags dident thrive in the new world of paintball, and still am. Paintball has forgotten its past, and with the situation as it is now i dont see much of a futhure that i want to be a part of.

Bye tom, i hope to see you again sometime, to me you are all that was decent in paintball.

[Boski51]

Tom;

I don't know you and we have never met, but I am one of your newest customers. I purchased my Rogue built mag and an very happy with this marker. I wish I could have joined the family alot sooner, but I joined PB later than most (38). I too am a businesman and understand all too well the whole bottom line thing. But please take this from a fellow businesman and PB'r.....You have impacted greatly the market you were in. You created what is now a cult of Mag users. You have in your way affected something much larger than you-and you did it very well!

Thank you for doing all the crap that we'll never know about, the long hours and the sacrafices you have made for what you have created and we take for granted. Good luck and God's speed in your new direction.

Boski

[Dayspring]

I never thought I would see the day...

Good luck in all your endeavors Tom. In the few times that I've met you, you've always had an enthusiasm for one thing- paintball. I certainly hope that you don't lose this.

If you ever make it to NJ/NY, let us know. There are TONS of AO guys who would treat you like a king!

Best wishes & warmest regards-

Nick "Dayspring" Papandria

To Tom Kaye-

[SebastianBlack]

I'm not a regular poster here but I've always been a fan of your work.
There is no way as long as paintball is around that people will forget you or the other founders of the game. Things you did have changed the very face of the game and have sent it in directions noone has ever thought of. One of the first times I ever saw someone dressed in obnoxiously colored outfits ready to get on a field, the person was holding a mag. Every step in paintball was helped by you and the industry and players as a whole are being dealt a great loss with you leaving. Good luck and rest assured if you ever continue down this road there are many people that will be happy to see you back.

[Enemy]

wow this has got to be the worst paintball related day i have ever had!!! and i do mean ever..first the field i work at is getting the boot cuz of some enviromentalists and now we lose the most influental person in paintball.. it blows the mind!!! please do as my granddad and take on civilan work for agd we cant lose your knowlegde!!! but ofcoarse good luck with anything that you choose to do and i hope to finally meet you at shatnerball thanks for everything.. closest thing to a deserved solute!!!!

[GhillieGuy]

Good luck Tom, I really hope that everything goes well with you and your life. Me and my father have owned AGD guns for years now aqnd will continue doing it.
Peace out
-tyler

[FooTemps]

bye tom! have fun diggin those dinos!

always remember the foo that inspired you to try out the megameet!

[10261]

Tom

Dear Tom,
I have only been in paintball for a little less than a year, and i just have to say that I am sadend by this news. I have read everything you have wrote, wacthed all your videos on this website, and fell in love with your products. You are a standard in which is rarely met in the business world. To my knowledge you have never "sold out", and i respect that. As so many companies have just tried to make money; you have truely cared about the sport and your products. In this day of sorrow I tip my hat to you.

Yours Truely,
Drew

[11_Mile_TMaster]

Tom,

I've only had a mag for a bit over a year and a half, now, but from the time I first saw my friend's RT Pro for the first time, I was amazed at the quality of it, having only seen spyders before then. Even now, I can look at both my Classic valve and X-valved Mags and be amazed that indeed, Quality always shoots straight. I want to thank you for never sacrificing that quality.

I want to thank you for my warp feed, which although I don't use it much, it can give me that edge when I use it properly.
I want to thank you for pushing for the use of Nitrogen, despite everyone making unfounded, paranoid claims.

In short, I want to thank you for everything you've done over the years, even when some others did not think it 'profitable.'(My words.) You truly gave the sport a great gift that it can never repay you for, and although many of us on AO know it, I think there is a large group of people who don't.

In short... Thanks for everything you've given paintball.

[Tyger]

Dang.

What's to say that hasn't been said. Other than two things.

Everyone, Tom's not dead. He's just getting out of paintball's limelight. I'd like to see him at a few of the local events, but I'm not going to be shocked if he doesn't. Either way, he's still around. Just not in the 'biz as it is. And I can respect someone who knows when to call it.

Second, to Tom Kaye, thanks for the ride. Ups, downs, it's been one hell of a ride, and I thank you for it. May yours continue many more years.

-Tyger

[Major Jam]

Wow!

Tom you're one of the original paintball fathers. I remember reading about you in black and white paintball magazines (papers) late 80's, early 90's.

You've always been on the cutting edge. Even with whats happening now in the industry.

I'm sad to see you retire, but best of luck with your new endeavors. All of our best wishes for your future.

Thank you!

[LoveMyMagMoreThanYou]

I remember the first time I went to play paintball. One of my brothers-in-law couldn't go that day and I got to use his 'Mag! From that day forward I knew what I wanted. I had a Spyder and bought a second one. I then sold both and added some tax return money to buy the gun I use today. I worry that the company will continue. Where will we get quality replacement parts? One thing that a lot of people forget is that Tom wasn't the original CEO of AGD. In my ancient 'Mag maintenance video, Tom was only in charge of R&D.

The news of Tom's retirement shocked and bewildered me. But, as I think of the way that paintball has changed since '92, I don't blame him. You will be missed and if you ever come out to WA, email me and we will get together.

God Bless You, Tom!!

[fire1811]

good luck Tom
dont be a stranger