Post by maxpower1272 on Feb 9, 2009 17:21:02 GMT -7
the way i see it is there are 3 "disciplines" of paintball,
the first being "RECREATIONAL" or the way paintball started, the way most people are introduced to the game, not knowing what to do, looking like a n00b and using rental gear. This is also known as woodsball or wreck ball or just "playing paintball". Most people at this level have no concept of the other two disciplines and are often confused by the difference. Thus, most rec-ballers play "big game scenario" events without little care as to the actual rules, format etc. of the scenario event as long as they get to shoot people without paying too much money.
The next discipline of paintball is "SPEEDBALL/AIRBALL" this is an attempt to turn the game into a sport. drawing on atheletics as seen in other sports like soccer, racing, football etc. where the objective is not to "Kill" anyone it is to win a competition with points and with paintballs not rounds or bullets. The main drive of speedball is to distance itself as far away as it can from anything military related as to dispell any negative connotations with going off to war or killing people. Some people I've encountered feel very strongly that "military" conventions hurt the "sport" of paintball which is why many speedball players look down upon or are prejuidence against scenario types and see them as people who do not understand the sport or the point of the game. Speedballers are incredibly picky when it comes to EVERYTHING paintball related. The best or most "AGG" gear varies on a week to week opinion and most speedballers are typically good paintball techs, able to strip their markers (not guns) and modify them to maximum efficieny and individual colorful creativity. It is incredibly hard to get speedballers into a "team" mentality since they look at themselves as individual atheletes and make career decisions based on what is best for them, not the team.
The last and most recent discipline of the game is "SCENARIO" or what is now more commonly being referred to as Mil-sim. Since 2001 (maybe because of the War on Terror) milsim/scenario has been becoming increasingly popular especially with field owners since it is cheaper and more profitable, requiring less expensive field equipment (ie bunkers, grass, regulation field sizes) and less finicky players, often less drama on the field between smaller groups. All of this means less headache for field owners as well as industry manufacturers who find the players are often more concerned with the replication of military look rather than the performance (ie weight, efficiency, speed) of tournament gear which is more expensive to engineer and produce thus less overhead. Since 2004-05, scenario leagues like SPPL have been pushing for the development of more "COMPETITIVE" type scenario teams that practice, do drills, get better, progress and compete in regulated ways much like speedballers do, but changing the look and format of the game to mimic military situations.
I myself am a fan of all 3 disciplines and see them as giving all people an option as to how to enjoy the game, sport and fun of paintball the way they want too.
Paintball is a very new idea/sport/game when compared to other sports/games, meerly 30-40 years in the making, it will take at least another century before paintball really evens out to what our grandchildren will know it as.
the first being "RECREATIONAL" or the way paintball started, the way most people are introduced to the game, not knowing what to do, looking like a n00b and using rental gear. This is also known as woodsball or wreck ball or just "playing paintball". Most people at this level have no concept of the other two disciplines and are often confused by the difference. Thus, most rec-ballers play "big game scenario" events without little care as to the actual rules, format etc. of the scenario event as long as they get to shoot people without paying too much money.
The next discipline of paintball is "SPEEDBALL/AIRBALL" this is an attempt to turn the game into a sport. drawing on atheletics as seen in other sports like soccer, racing, football etc. where the objective is not to "Kill" anyone it is to win a competition with points and with paintballs not rounds or bullets. The main drive of speedball is to distance itself as far away as it can from anything military related as to dispell any negative connotations with going off to war or killing people. Some people I've encountered feel very strongly that "military" conventions hurt the "sport" of paintball which is why many speedball players look down upon or are prejuidence against scenario types and see them as people who do not understand the sport or the point of the game. Speedballers are incredibly picky when it comes to EVERYTHING paintball related. The best or most "AGG" gear varies on a week to week opinion and most speedballers are typically good paintball techs, able to strip their markers (not guns) and modify them to maximum efficieny and individual colorful creativity. It is incredibly hard to get speedballers into a "team" mentality since they look at themselves as individual atheletes and make career decisions based on what is best for them, not the team.
The last and most recent discipline of the game is "SCENARIO" or what is now more commonly being referred to as Mil-sim. Since 2001 (maybe because of the War on Terror) milsim/scenario has been becoming increasingly popular especially with field owners since it is cheaper and more profitable, requiring less expensive field equipment (ie bunkers, grass, regulation field sizes) and less finicky players, often less drama on the field between smaller groups. All of this means less headache for field owners as well as industry manufacturers who find the players are often more concerned with the replication of military look rather than the performance (ie weight, efficiency, speed) of tournament gear which is more expensive to engineer and produce thus less overhead. Since 2004-05, scenario leagues like SPPL have been pushing for the development of more "COMPETITIVE" type scenario teams that practice, do drills, get better, progress and compete in regulated ways much like speedballers do, but changing the look and format of the game to mimic military situations.
I myself am a fan of all 3 disciplines and see them as giving all people an option as to how to enjoy the game, sport and fun of paintball the way they want too.
Paintball is a very new idea/sport/game when compared to other sports/games, meerly 30-40 years in the making, it will take at least another century before paintball really evens out to what our grandchildren will know it as.
