Has paintball lost it's target audience?

**Pumps4ever** · 10-23-2025, 04:42 PM

We need to make Capture the Flag standard again!

**Trbo323** · 10-23-2025, 06:10 PM

Originally posted by Socalpumpballer

This generation of kids doesn't have any money nor do their parents. Paintball didn't start as a kids game. It's simple as that. We're just victims of our nostalgia and the industry only exist to preserve itself and the “pros” who refuse to pass the torch because they have a pipe dream that they want to be there when paintball is finally the NFL

I mean I hear you but my counter argument is that there's very few activity sports that down the road are the same as when they were first thought up

Originally posted by Pumps4ever

We need to make Capture the Flag standard again!

Why?

We used to play in the woods but it typically just ended up as team deathwatch with a required transport of the flag after one team was eliminated. On the professional level that's what it turned into as well. Sometimes there was some drama around the clock but in just an average game, it was tdm

Oregon supergame does center flag pull for their 1v1 pistol game. That one really works because each player is only allowed 10 shots. So if one player runs out the obvious move is to sprint for the flag, the other tries to line up a shot with whatever they have left. If one player is trying to camp in the back the other can go get the flag and bring it back to their start and win. In that format it encourages going for the flag but most of the time that's not the case

Now that I think of it though, has center flag pull ever been used for a tournament?

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**Pumps4ever** · 10-23-2025, 06:58 PM

Originally posted by Trbo323

I mean I hear you but my counter argument is that there's very few activity sports that down the road are the same as when they were first thought up Why?

We used to play in the woods but it typically just ended up as team deathwatch with a required transport of the flag after one team was eliminated. On the professional level that's what it turned into as well. Sometimes there was some drama around the clock but in just an average game, it was tdm

Oregon supergame does center flag pull for their 1v1 pistol game. That one really works because each player is only allowed 10 shots. So if one player runs out the obvious move is to sprint for the flag, the other tries to line up a shot with whatever they have left. If one player is trying to camp in the back the other can go get the flag and bring it back to their start and win. In that format it encourages going for the flag but most of the time that's not the case

Now that I think of it though, has center flag pull ever been used for a tournament?

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To answer why are a few reasons...one is to make the game not stall out by making people stunt for flag in the center or in the back...

second is because it is fun as hell and if I am playing I am going hard for that flag or sitting in the back waiting to get some kills ambush style...

I think the reasons you gave were also fun parts of the game. LOL

I think any style of field would work with my favorite being Woodsball or urban style

The standard deathmatch is sometimes a little repetitive

**Chuck E Ducky** · 10-23-2025, 07:17 PM

I disagree the lack of cheap gear is the issue. I think the lack of cheap gear is a good thing. I disagree that Walmart should be the place players buy there first markers. A proshop is a much better experience and can provide much needed knowledge to make sure the game is being played safely and can help with tec issues. It’s a much better experience you can’t get at a department store.

The lack of respectful honest players is a much bigger issue. I see it all the time playing rec. Inexperienced Gamer Culture Man Children. Just last week I shoot a guy in the foot he pulls it in, then he leans way out and catches a 10’ shot to the inner thigh (I know he felt that one) so i throw a few snap shots at him see he’s shootin inside and I run threw outside put one in his back and shoot the corner in the face. Mind you his “Cuz” in the corner already had a shot on him in the feedneck from a long ball shot ( he gets a pass ) new player feedneck shot probably didn’t know it was there. But the 10’ inner thigh guy 🫤 He turns and shoots me in the back like 5x claiming he shot me first like a good 20seconds after I’m past him. All I said was “really” then he gets super butt hurt and threatened to shoot up my 7 year old kid. So we ended the day before things escalated. We had an amazing day up until that point so whatever. Point is It’s these types of experiences that a new player would never come back to, mind you this field is awesome, not expensive, the regulars are awesome. This was toward the end of the day two groups of 15+ showed up and game play went to crap in two games.

Paintball’s biggest issue is it’s only as good as the players you keep. One D bag and the day is shot. The only way to fix that is to control the environment you play in. Like what we do in the North East with our MCB get togethers. The average baller / rec player rarely has that luxury.

The gaming culture has created a bunch of people who are not mature enough to handle losing. It ruins game play and sowers new players to the sport. It’s unfortunate because the game is really really fun when people just follow the very basic rules and safety practices.

**cheapguitarscheapthrills** · 10-23-2025, 07:46 PM

There's many reasons why paintball isn't as prolific as it once was in the heyday. One huge reason that was before the 2008 recession. Average people just don't have much disposable income anymore. Most likely parents would have to bear the burden of their children's new hobbies. Unfortunately that's a huge barrier to entry for most folks.

When I started playing around 12-13 I paid for all my own equipment and entry. Not to be the old man yelling at clouds but I barely see kids playing outside these days. Let alone go mow lawns for paintball money. Video games have gotten so good in recent years I think they kind of fill the gap that paintball used to in simpler times. Fortnite is free and most kids already have a gaming system, can't get much cheaper than that.

All we can do is try to spread our love of the sport to kids and try to encourage new players. The "Agg" nonsense that became popular did nothing but scare away potential new players. While I don't think it's ever going to be the NFL as it's far too niche I think we can continue to thrive and grow our small tight knit community through positivity and sportsmanship.

**SignOfZeta** · 10-23-2025, 10:56 PM

Originally posted by Ecapnation

Every couple of years the paintball industry goes "oh wait we should market to kids!" And it backfires entirely.

Many reasons come to light as a former field worker...

1) equipment is to heavy for the little guys...yes even emeks.

2) no goggles fit right and safety concerns have field ops not allowing some kids to play

3) the aspect of willingly submitting yourself to pain or injury.

4) the biggest...... KIDS DON'T HAVE DISPOSABLE INCOME FOR HOBBIES

The field I worked for tried switching it's Friday night bring your own paint night to a kids and rental night effectively alienating an entire crowd of players spending money while barely paying the bills with the few kids that showed. They ran with it for a six month period realized it didn't work. Switched back to the old byop night and completely lost the adult customers. They went out of business in a month.

Kids as a customer base doesn't work

One area where paintball and skateboarding are different as hobbies is that in skateboarding nobody pretends falls don’t happen. Every skateboarding video I’ve ever seen shows the dude completely eating it multiple times trying to nail a trick. It’s part of the culture and how it depicts itself. Tubthumping. Paintball often hurts, leaves marks for weeks, etc, and people are often not honest about that. When I see a 10 year old pumped for paintball it usually doesn’t make me feel good because I’m assuming he just hasn’t been overshot yet and when that happens will he ever come back?

Again, speedball, paint based business models, etc make this all a million times worse. People don’t get over shot in stock class…

**flyweightnate** · 10-24-2025, 06:01 AM

On the one hand, we've all gotten so wealthy (or used to credit), A/C is a fact of life. And often set to 68 degrees in the middle of the summer. I keep my house at 78, but my son still doesn't want to go outside when it's 90 or hotter. We're all getting too comfortable.

On the other hand, Chuck E Ducky is describing a "The Lost World" culture, where kids raised without men around don't know how men are supposed to act - with integrity, for starters. This win-at-all-costs mentality just isn't appropriate for anything short of a real life hostage rescue, but it's a dominant way of thinking for too many people. In jiujitsu, you bring that crap and you wind up with a broken arm because you were too dumb to tap. Do that in a football game, you'll get chipped hard. In paintball, there's still some of the anonymity and distance of the internet, or driving in rush hour, until the masks come off in the deadbox. Which is an interesting dynamic because it hurts, but you don't get the face to face to know when it's gone too far. The masks honestly might be a problem from a culture standpoint, but are also pretty necessary.

This is where Nerf has its last leg up for entry. My son's school does a Nerf Night with the dads, and we can all see, easily, when a kid has had too much, since we can see his face. That feedback lets all the adults rally around the ones on the edge, or just stop shooting them, or even pull them out, instead of letting it turn into a bad experience through ignorance.

**boomersruckus** · 10-24-2025, 06:41 AM

Lets not forget that when we do get new kids to the field with their friends or birthday groups that their very first experience often times is with the shittiest and most abused masks on earth. Lenses, even the badass optically enhanced, coated with diamond dust and cocaine rocks, should be cheap. Cheap enough that fields can replace them to ensure that the new kids dont have to remove them just to see. We all know that the kids remove the masks because they are often times single layer lenses that fog extremely bad. Combine the fogging with the fact that they are typically scratched to all hell and thats what the people think paintball is. A sport where you cant see, get shot a ton, and people yell at you for trying to see by removing your mask. Lenses should be cheap and the industry should accept that.

**Fubarius** · 10-24-2025, 09:16 AM

I think one issue is the game got confused as to what it's target audience is.

Is it a game where Mom and Dad drop off little Timmy at the field?
Or is a game where Dad and more adventurous Moms go after dropping Timmy off at soccer practice?

I've had grown men decline invitations to the field since they didn't want to play, and I quote, "a kids game". And I've had kids I've invited to the field (nieces and nephews) not allowed to go because their parents didn't feel they were mature enough for it.

So that gives a target audience of unusually mature children, and immature adults. Kind of explains a lot doesn't it.

Here's a crazy idea, RAISE the minimum age for full size, full velocity paintball. Say to 16. Believe me, NOTHING makes a kid want to do something then telling them they aren't allowed.
Before 16, it's low impact .50 cal, or heck, Gel blasters. Those have already swooped in to fill the hole left at the big box stores. One step above Nerf, but lower velocity so a bit less safety gear, and clear splats to so less vandalism issues.

So with that you get 12 year olds getting Gel blasters to play in the back yard. When they get to 14 they get that birthday party .50 cal game at the field, and the occasional .50 cal open play. And when they get to 16 it's their chance to play REAL paintball.

**nerdcore** · 10-24-2025, 10:26 AM

Originally posted by Fubarius

Here's a crazy idea, RAISE the minimum age for full size, full velocity paintball. Say to 16. Believe me, NOTHING makes a kid want to do something then telling them they aren't allowed.
Before 16, it's low impact .50 cal, or heck, Gel blasters. Those have already swooped in to fill the hole left at the big box stores. One step above Nerf, but lower velocity so a bit less safety gear, and clear splats to so less vandalism issues.

So with that you get 12 year olds getting Gel blasters to play in the back yard. When they get to 14 they get that birthday party .50 cal game at the field, and the occasional .50 cal open play. And when they get to 16 it's their chance to play REAL paintball.

I like this idea, since it defines the target audience much better.

As for how paintball is advertised to general audiences, it really should just remain an occasional activity. Just another option among many options. Emphasize birthday parties, team-building exercises, bachelor/bachelorette parties, etc. Just enough exposure so people know it's a thing they can do, without trying to convert people to the church of splat. Then let individuals (of any participating age) decide how deep down the rabbit hole they want to go. Tournaments should not be the face of the sport, but neither should milsim or woodsball or any specific method or environment.

**$L!mBo** · 10-24-2025, 01:58 PM

to focus on the op topic here, i dont think paintball has "lost its audience".
theres magfed, pump, stock class, scenario, tournament events and recball all over for anybody looking for them.
with social media the smaller shops can get their products into players hands and get instant feedback.
theres tons of youtube videos and guides for beginners. and reviews for any gear anyone wants to research.
if you want to get into paintball, you have all the knowledge and products at your fingertips.
if you want to spend the least amount of time and money possible getting started theres great ways to do that.
there has always been cheaters and folks who show up with attitudes and egos. theres always gunna be rec ballers who dont pay attention to the rules and take things too personal. in any scene, theres folks who 'dont get it' and cause problems.
The players who come out and get bit by the paintball bug are the real audience. They give genuine effort and learn as much as they can. They experiment and keep an open mind. A different breed of person for sure but the real ones will always exist and hopefully paintball will be there when the next crop comes along.
i personally make an effort to invite folks who have never played or only birthday party experience to our outlaw pump games and its been great. if i could show everyone i know how awesome the community and style of pump play is, im sure id have some hardcore lifers. imo its all gotta be For The Players, By The Players

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**RPP** · 10-24-2025, 02:43 PM

Originally posted by Fubarius

Here's a crazy idea, RAISE the minimum age for full size, full velocity paintball. Say to 16. Believe me, NOTHING makes a kid want to do something then telling them they aren't allowed.
Before 16, it's low impact .50 cal, or heck, Gel blasters. Those have already swooped in to fill the hole left at the big box stores. One step above Nerf, but lower velocity so a bit less safety gear, and clear splats to so less vandalism issues.

I have a hard time with this one, but I get your point in trying to navigate our advertizing problem. There are some kids that have no problem taking shots and some adults that cant handel it. That range is always going to change person to person so putting in a hard age makes less sense to me. My first kid started before 10... my second... I have not started and cant imagine starting till at least 13... maybe 12... Time will tell.

**The Jayster** · 10-24-2025, 08:40 PM

Where to start? I'll do this with bullet points (in no particular order);

-A huge problem I've seen has always been that fields and pro shops are overwhelmingly staffed with wanna be speedball pros. Now, many are smart and knowledgable, but many others believe that paintball starts and ends with speedball.

-Ditto for the industry: even the biggest paintball companies are very small, niche companies and you can tell they put speedball above all else because of their staff.

-Speedball used to be the 'kool' draw for kids 25 years ago but not anymore. It was a fad. The 'draw' reverted back to playing war.

-Sports in general, even the affordable ones, are seeing a fair amount of decline. People on the whole are getting lazier and spend more screen time than ever. I also think that as video games became more realistic and advanced, kids don't have the drive to go outside and shoot at each other.

-Airsoft stole a decent chunk out of paintball. Ironically, airsoft is not doing that much better anyhow.

-I'm 50, a family man and a banking professional. Sometimes I do get the 'oh you're playing a kid's game?!' vibe from colleagues.

-I played my first game ever on secluded but public land when I was 15 (we didn't know any better). Nowadays some Karen would have us swatted. Even doing so on land you own can be a problem.

-When I started playing as a regular in the early 90's, the bulk of players were blue-collar types with decent jobs. You don't see that as much nowadays. It is as if the industry turned its back on that market segment.

-Many older kids or young adults that play paintball use it as an excuse to get high and/or drunk.

-Say what you will about Nerf, there are some very cheap (and safer) options that shoot surprisingly better than the basic darts (Nerf Rival, half-lenght darts at 150fps, etc.), enough so to scratch the itch for the younger kids who want to emulate what they see in their video games.

-Laser tag systems and games are getting more advanced and popular. They're 100% safe, no need to constantly buy reusables and they succeed because they tap into the video game culture so central to kids. I bought 3 sets of those for me, my son and my daughter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBPzJ90vlJA

**Tarsun2** · 10-27-2025, 08:04 AM

there was one game i played at the end of the day at a local field.
they had different groups playing each other in different fields throughout the day. at the end of the day, they divided the entire population into two groups; i think it was 60v60 or 70v70 (something like that.) We played in one of the smaller, more open, fields with rigid bunkers and whatnot (no trees).

it was insane and i remember it to this day. it reminded me of a hot summer night with the swarms of gnats flying around. you couldn't tell where the paint was coming from. absolute insanity.
i think that was the closest ive come to this nerf style event.

Nerf is a different animal. Look at it from a safety perspective. Someone gets hit in the eye with a nerf dart and its not a huge deal; imagine that with paintball...
Nerf does not make a mess, does not need netting for the spectators, loses velocity quickly, can reuse the ammo over and over again, can be played indoors, and lets be honest; it dosent hurt...
everything is more expensive now across the board, i dont think the cost issue is holding PB back as much. i think it all boils down to safety. i can give my kids a nerf gun and let them go to town and be reasonably confident that no one is going to get hurt. more importantly, no one if going to get seriously hurt.

i know i kindda wrote off cost but it does play a part in the scene. You dont need an air/co2 tank, dont need to pay for refills or drive to a location to refill, dont need a hopper, dont need a full face mask, you can reuse the nerf darts, and maintenance is non existent. Comparing nerf to paintball is like comparing power wheels to the car scene. (or maybe airsoft to actual firearms) thought the sport intent is wildly different; so maybe not a great example.

**Trbo323** · 10-27-2025, 10:55 AM

Originally posted by Tarsun2

Nerf is a different animal. Look at it from a safety perspective. Someone gets hit in the eye with a nerf dart and its not a huge deal; imagine that with paintball...
Nerf does not make a mess, does not need netting for the spectators, loses velocity quickly, can reuse the ammo over and over again, can be played indoors, and lets be honest; it dosent hurt...
everything is more expensive now across the board, i dont think the cost issue is holding PB back as much. i think it all boils down to safety. i can give my kids a nerf gun and let them go to town and be reasonably confident that no one is going to get hurt. more importantly, no one if going to get seriously hurt.

I can't really agree with this because your logic is that everyone is playing as unsafe as possible. Is the possibility there to lose an eye? Yes but so is the possibility of getting hit by a car walking home from school but we don't stop kids from doing that, we teach them to be mindful of traffic. Teaching best safety practice is a far better idea than not allowing. If they have that background of safety they can take care of themselves. If they don't, someday Jonny is going to invite your little one over and pull out the paintball gear. There's about nothing more tempting to kids than the forbidden fruit but now unknowing of best safety practices if Johnny doesn't also have masks that's not going to stop your kids. That's a dangerous situation and it's because you stopped your kids from playing and learning.

My daughter is 5 and has never played but even she knows that a mask is very important for paintball because I taught her that.

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Has paintball lost it's target audience?

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