Interesting read from 1993

[p8ntball72]

http://www.allbusiness.com/north-america/united-states-california-metro-areas/392588-1.html

I was surprised by some of the statistics, but looking back, those were the glory days of the game.

Do you think paintball will ever see another rapid explosion in growth Similar to the numbers posted in this artical?

I don't foresee mass new upstarts in the future, but more narrowing of the product base with the established businesses getting bigger.

[RogueFactor]

I havent yet read the article, but Ive read similar ones about the explosive growth of the industry. I seriously doubt this industry will ever see that kind of growth again without some major technological advancement.

As far as industry lifecycles go, its my belief that the maurity stage began in the early 2000's and started or began to end ~2005. After 2005 the industry is in the decline stage.

I dont have metrics to back this up...just observation.

[p8ntball72]

I'd like to see basic player statistics.

Such as
? in 10 new players come back a second time, average paint sold to new players at first game, and the average "life span" of players today...

I've seen a major decline of adults {25 to 38} playing the game in my 18 years in the sport. locally adult players are nonexistent.. myself included.

In the next 18 years I don't foresee that many players sticking with it.

When you have an industry producing "disposable" product, I would surmise that the clientele would be shortly behind.

[Z-man]

I think that lack of sticking to it is all from the lack of fun in playing with the general population. Come to one of these group days we plan every month or so and you will get the fun of the game with the enjoyment of playing with friends rather than possible cheating swine.

[Ares]

Good read.:appl:

[Turbo Chicken]

the only way to play for me now is with a group of people i know are honest and will have a good time.

Z-man's got it!

[Steelrat]

I don't think we'll see that kind of growth until paint prices come down, A LOT. The newer bargain electros (PRM, Mini, Ion) all do a pretty good job at a reasonable price point, but paint is too damn expensive. What other sport has such a high entry point in terms of equipment cost, then continues to zing you with such large outlays of cash, other than shooting? With baseball, soccer, football, tennis, etc etc, you can pay a lot for good equipment up front, but actually playing costs almost nothing.

For this reason alone I'd think that airsoft has a brighter future than paintball.

[Steelrat]

Z-man's got it!

I thought he took some antibiotics and it went away?

[Eatem Alive]

I don't think we'll see that kind of growth until paint prices come down, A LOT.
Compared to what I used to pay for a case of paint, the prices have come down, A LOT. We used to pay $120 +/- for a case of RP Scherer. In my opinion, the sport is more affordable now than it ever was...as long as you don't think you need every new item as it comes out.

[mostpeople]

Damn I hate those java popups or whatever they are..

F'ing ridiculous

[Z-man]

I thought he took some antibiotics and it went away?

Just like that 2-Liter... where's that one punk?

Also I agree with Steelrat and Eatem. Prices have come down quite a bit for good paint, but even so... I blow nearly $200 on paint and other consumables in a day of play NOT counting travel cots.

I can ride for 4-5 days in the mountains of Colorado for $200 even with prices like this. It's a fun sport but there is no getting around it; it's a lot of money for a very short day of fun.

[Steelrat]

Just like that 2-Liter... where's that one punk?

Also I agree with Steelrat and Eatem. Prices have come down quite a bit for good paint, but even so... I blow nearly $200 on paint and other consumables in a day of play NOT counting travel cots.

I can ride for 4-5 days in the mountains of Colorado for $200 even with prices like this. It's a fun sport but there is no getting around it; it's a lot of money for a very short day of fun.


It should be there. I'll keep checking this thread for your apology. :nana:

[Z-man]

It should be there. I'll keep checking this thread for your apology. :nana:

While you are doing that go look at my cool little diagram and tell me how amazing I am.

[Steelrat]

While you are doing that go look at my cool little diagram and tell me how amazing I am.

Which diagram? The one with my name in a heart with an arrow through it?

[Z-man]

Actually there were 2.

The first was an XY plot of the relationship of Mosques to paintball fields in California. Statistical data was also compared to the people who attended the fields.

The second was a very progressive diagram relating the playing of Guitar Hero (and any of it's knock offs) to the quantity of male reproductive organs that the player has the desire to experience.

You would have liked them both.

Which diagram? The one with my name in a heart with an arrow through it?

[Steelrat]

Actually there were 2.

The first was an XY plot of the relationship of Mosques to paintball fields in California. Statistical data was also compared to the people who attended the fields.

The second was a very progressive diagram relating the playing of Guitar Hero (and any of it's knock offs) to the quantity of male reproductive organs that the player has the desire to experience.

You would have liked them both.


Hey, I play Rock Band. I'd make you play too, if you were here (or I were there). If they have Still Alive as a downloadable song (free even!) how bad can it be?

[Steelrat]

Compared to what I used to pay for a case of paint, the prices have come down, A LOT. We used to pay $120 +/- for a case of RP Scherer. In my opinion, the sport is more affordable now than it ever was...as long as you don't think you need every new item as it comes out.

It's all relative. To us, who have been playing a while, paint seems much cheaper. But tells someone who hasn't played that a day of play might run about $70-90 for a day of play (including field fees, and more if renting) and they might not take it as well. Sure, it lasts longer than a game of ball, but that's not always an advantage either. It appeals to a very distinct crowd, and that crowd appears to be much smaller than the groups that like the more "conventional" sports.

[Steelrat]

Last edited by Z-man : Today at 01:41 PM. Reason: I added an "s" to Moque so it made it look like it was perfect from the start

I am so very thankful that you corrected my terrible mistake and would like to thank you again for how wonderful you are for having taken the time to keep my ineptitude out of the eye of the general public.

EDIT: as an afterthought I would like to add that I took the time to look at that Definitions thread that you posted an amazing reply in and link the fabulous graph that you made. Zak you are so talented and amazing, I am so lucky to have a friend like you.
http://www.zakvetter.com/pb_relations_wheel.png

[Z-man]

I am so very thankful that you corrected my terrible mistake and would like to thank you again for how wonderful you are for having taken the time to keep my ineptitude out of the eye of the general public.

EDIT: as an afterthought I would like to add that I took the time to look at that Definitions thread that you posted an amazing reply in and link the fabulous graph that you made. Zak you are so talented and amazing, I am so lucky to have a friend like you.
http://www.zakvetter.com/pb_relations_wheel.png

Wow thanks Steelrat. Hearing that form you means so much to me and I am so glad that you took the time to look at the little doodles I make now and then. You are far too kind but yes I am pretty amazing aren't I?

[Steelrat]

Absolute power DOES corrupt absoultely.