Somebody else said basically the same thing but I might as well say it different since I can't sleep.
First, I realize the question was more gear based so I will quickly agree with most that yeah, it's incremental at this point although everything could still be more user friendly which would ultimately lower the barrier to entry. The downside to that is what we already see, which is people that can't tech even the most basic of stuff. I love tearing apart someone else's gun, even if I'm not 100 percent sure of how it works 😂
But the real core of this is that paintball just has a limited appeal. Most people don't want to get shot. Most people will see it as a war game or similar. Most people will be intimidated by the gear or (sadly) the gear owning players.
It's expensive. There is that meme about "how much people spend on hobbies" but it's true. I'm not rich and I play paintball and keep aquariums and both are expensive hobbies. Sh!t adds up! Especially for kids, which is realistically when we need to "indoctrinate".
It's hard to access. Even if you know about it and want to try, it may be hard to get to a decent field. What if you go to a crappy field fo your first experience?
Add to this the fact that it plays bad on TV. There is basically zero chance it becomes a consistently highlighted sport in mainstream coverage, mostly for the reasons listed. The other big problem is that there is no centralized action an it's just hard to follow. A back player can hit a back corner and it shifts play without any real action. Plus, let's be real, pro players often behave in a way that just wouldn't fit with major league sports. It.takes.a certain personality to be the best at not minding being shot in the face repeatedly 😂
All.that said, I think paintball is at a weird point but has self corrected a bit. Tournament play seems to be somewhat stable. Pump,.stock, magfed, mech, etc have carved out niches. I even think airsoft feeds in a bit. I do wish we saw more weird/fun things like we used to but stability, reasonable prices and accessibility are probably key to getting new people in and sustaining small but reasonable community.
Just my two cents, paintball has been a draw for me since my first game in '91. I had no money back then and drifted in and out but it just appeals to some of us and we can't let it go. Sadly, most people think we are nuts.
First, I realize the question was more gear based so I will quickly agree with most that yeah, it's incremental at this point although everything could still be more user friendly which would ultimately lower the barrier to entry. The downside to that is what we already see, which is people that can't tech even the most basic of stuff. I love tearing apart someone else's gun, even if I'm not 100 percent sure of how it works 😂
But the real core of this is that paintball just has a limited appeal. Most people don't want to get shot. Most people will see it as a war game or similar. Most people will be intimidated by the gear or (sadly) the gear owning players.
It's expensive. There is that meme about "how much people spend on hobbies" but it's true. I'm not rich and I play paintball and keep aquariums and both are expensive hobbies. Sh!t adds up! Especially for kids, which is realistically when we need to "indoctrinate".
It's hard to access. Even if you know about it and want to try, it may be hard to get to a decent field. What if you go to a crappy field fo your first experience?
Add to this the fact that it plays bad on TV. There is basically zero chance it becomes a consistently highlighted sport in mainstream coverage, mostly for the reasons listed. The other big problem is that there is no centralized action an it's just hard to follow. A back player can hit a back corner and it shifts play without any real action. Plus, let's be real, pro players often behave in a way that just wouldn't fit with major league sports. It.takes.a certain personality to be the best at not minding being shot in the face repeatedly 😂
All.that said, I think paintball is at a weird point but has self corrected a bit. Tournament play seems to be somewhat stable. Pump,.stock, magfed, mech, etc have carved out niches. I even think airsoft feeds in a bit. I do wish we saw more weird/fun things like we used to but stability, reasonable prices and accessibility are probably key to getting new people in and sustaining small but reasonable community.
Just my two cents, paintball has been a draw for me since my first game in '91. I had no money back then and drifted in and out but it just appeals to some of us and we can't let it go. Sadly, most people think we are nuts.
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