Survival of the fittest AKA those who learn stay.

[matteusz]

All other things aside (economic Chernobyl, growing up and getting married, . . .) it seems to me that becoming a long term paintball player is a matter of a few simple things:

1. You have to get past the hype and learn what makes a marker, barrel etc. really work to shoot paint consistently and well. Once you overcome this hurtle the game becomes much more fun because the percentage of time you spend playing (compared to dealing with gun issues) increases.

2. Having learned what makes guns work you soon realize as much fun can be had whoring everything under the sun on the weekdays in search of the perfect guns for you as can be had shooting the things on the field. Of course most of us find out at some point in the quest that we sold the one we really wanted.

3. Lasting play ebs and flows in life but those that stick with it seem to play for the things that make the game good and ignore those that don't.

4. Finally having someone around that likes to play the same style games you do and that you enjoy being around between games. The more the better.

Thoughts?

[mostpeople]

I don't know man.. I'm getting to the point of if you aren't over 18 I probably don't even want to play with you.

Sure I can hoard my parts, but I find that if everyone and their cousin is an agg kiddie with an ego shooting full auto and way over chrono then its not a fun thing at all. Also the lack of refs who care, and they are usually thoe agg kiddies with a weekend job for field perks.

Thats why I have pretty much completely moved away from speeball, and all the way into woods. I learned a lot of skills in speedball, but the people there make me sick. Not to say there aren't those people who don't have trigger discipline in woodsball either..

I guess what I am trying to say is that I really don't like playing with kids/teenagers. Call me an eletist, you might be right, call me a hater, maybe so. But the 'fun' of the game needs to return, and the only way thats going to happen is to get serious about cracking down on the semi only rules, and punishing those who cheat, and I mean serious punishment.

[RogueFactor]

I largely agree with you. I think the only exception is after a while, everything loses that spark. Its like going to Disneyland, or seeing Star Wars. Its never as good as the first time.

I think its more exciting these days to watch the new guys have a blast their first time out.

[B-Pow]

I largely agree with you. I think the only exception is after a while, everything loses that spark. Its like going to Disneyland, or seeing Star Wars. Its never as good as the first time.

I think its more exciting these days to watch the new guys have a blast their first time out.

Nothing ever beats "the good ol days"...even when "the good ol days" wern't that good.

I don't play for keeps, I don't play for glory, I don't play to dominate other players.

I play because it's an entertaining way to waste a day.

People burn out when it's more than just a hobby, don't take yourself or the game too seriously....when the day is over you dumped cash to fling glorified gelitin balls at other people out in the middle of nowhere.

[RogueFactor]

Nothing ever beats "the good ol days"...even when "the good ol days" wern't that good.

My times were good, but my firsts were the best. I really dont look at it as the 'good ol' days'.

Ive been lucky enough to have good times in many facets. The first time I shot a paintball marker, the first time I played with buddies, the first time I played woodsball, the first time I played a tournament, the first time I reffed, the first time I went to a 'Pro' tournament, the first time...The spark was there for all those times. But it was never better than the first time.

But eventually we get used to them, and they lose their spark. Remember when you were a kid and could do the same thing over and over and over and never get tired of it? But at some point, you moved on? Paintball is no different.