Expensive toys

By Peter Suciu

“I killed seven that game,” yells the experienced paintball player with the Autococker, “Woohoo!” Seven kills in one game is impressive. Of course, those seven were armed with rental pump guns, and six out of the seven have never played paintball before, but who cares because seven is the lucky number! Now this massacre continues all day and each game the owner of the Autococker, his buddy with the Minimag and their friend with the Shocker, come off the field victorious. They are proud of their victories and each can boast that they killed “seven in one game.” Of course, those seven may never return again. The experienced player with the $800 gun had a grand time, the newbie thought it sucked!

This isn’t an article saying “throw away that expensive toy and use a rental,” but it is saying we as the experienced player need to keep the playing field level. It’s great to be able to brag about winning and we’ve all been there. I’m as guilty as anyone else, recently 4 of us took out seventeen opponents. After the game I said to a friend who was our fodder “good game,” and he replied, “no, actually it wasn’t!” I thought about it and he was right.

The next week I didn’t have fun when I was on the team against three really experienced players who truly played as a team. And I certainly didn’t have fun when I tried to get my family (including parents, sister, brother-in-law, uncle and cousin) into the game. That day, ten of us (including a couple of other newbies) got to take on the refs at an indoor field that my wife and I had never been to before. The four refs took us out game after game until I complained and said “let’s mix it up.”

There are things we can do to make paintball fun for all. They include:

• Mixing it up. If you win more than a couple of games and totally wipe out the other team, then things need to be evened up. Hey, you might not be able to play every game with your pals but this is better – you get to shot them!
• Communicate. I’ve played all over the country and it amazes me that some of the die-hard players aren’t friendlier! Hey, I’ve blown a small fortune on my gun too, but more importantly I introduce myself and say things like “you play here often.” It might sound like a pick up line but it helps determine who knows the field and opens a dialogue. Next, if you show up with three friends (and you’re on the same team) and there are five other guys on your team, then talk to them. Come up with a plan. Everyone wearing the same color armband is on your team for that game at least. Talk to them, make them feel welcome.
• Elimination is fun but is there something else? I love elimination, it shows who is top dog. But it’s also not newbie friendly. Our local (NYC) indoor field is small but it’s big enough to play some center flag. I’ve seen 12 year kids who have never played before, who spent all day hiding in bunkers suddenly come alive and go for the flag. It gives the newbies a goal, something that carries over from other sports. And it requires team work, thus communication again.
• Fair shooting power. Sure you blew that vacation money on a paintball gun, but then you’re in a game where everyone has pumps and you’re Mr./Ms. Semi-auto. That’s great, but for games like that maybe try to play with a pump for a game or two, use a stock gun, or at least limit your ammo supply. After all, doesn’t it get boring to take out a bunch of 11-year-olds game after game? Even limiting the ammo (say using only 30 paintballs) will make the game more challenging. Plus I personally find it fun to stay in after running dry on ammo. The challenge becomes taking a bunker and forcing someone to surrender.

Basically the sport will continue to grow if new players find the game to be enjoyable. No one likes to lose so newbies should be encouraged and given a fair chance when playing. If experienced players decide that open season on newbies is part of the game, the game won’t survive. It’s pretty simple to see. Regulars at the field don’t generally pay as much to play or for their gear. They become friends and valued customers, but they could also be driving away potential new business.

So if you want the sport to thrive and grow, adopt a newbie! Make them feel like they are part of the team! It will be good fun for all and eventually today’s newbies will give you a run for your money in tomorrows game!