SGMA 2006 numbers...what's in store for 2007?

[RogueFactor]

Here is a link to read the whole story for yourself: http://www.warpig.com/paintball/articles/news/sgma07/

Here are two quotes from the story that are pertinent:

The bad news is that the total number of paintball players in 2006 appears to be about half of that estimated by the smaller survey taken in 2006 – something that will be a hard shock to companies that made buy-outs and investments over the last year.

According to the 2007 survey, the larger number of players leaving made for a 14% drop in total paintball participants - a bitter pill for the industry to swallow if it is the beginning of a trend.

[bryceeden]

This is all old info. What are you trying to get at Rogue?

[RogueFactor]

This is all old info. What are you trying to get at Rogue?

...what's in store for 2007?

Ummm? I thought I was asking what you all think will be the consensus for 2007?

[MedicDVG]

I think as the economy stagnates, consumer prices increase, and 'disposable' money is less available, the casual player (1 or 2 times -- birthday, bachelor party types) will dry up.

I think there is a loyal base of die-hard players, but I see them too picking and choosing more on when they are going to play. The guy who plays every weekend with the walkons is not going to be around.

I think that we on this forum represent the most stable part of the industry (No BE I am NOT calling you stable). We are the mature generation (Ibid BE) and we choose to participate in this sport to the best of our ability. We have invested in our gear and baring any gun whoring or impossible to pass up deals, aren't falling into the model year trap like the 12 year olds are. When we spend, we spend on quality and therefore aren't as attractive to the industry and their marketing. That and we are mostly Mag oriented here and while we will try something new on occasion, we still return to the AGD standards that seem to last forever. So while we may be the most stable (see above BE) demographic in the paintball world we are not the most attractive demographic for the marketing geniuses. That leads us to become frustrated and jaded when we see something like the Dynasty package we all know is smoke and mirror mass production crap.

So my prediction for 2008.

Expect more of the same...

Expect a stagnant marker retail market as fart parts floods the industry with their mass produced crap at $160 and lower driving resale down as well and creating a damn near giveaway for Chinese produced mass market BS to be the new paintball trend.

I expect more store and field closures as the price of playing takes an upwards turn due to the stagnant economy, gas prices, alien cow mutilations, and the Illuminati. 14% I think is only the first shot fired, I wouldn't be suprised if it is more like 18-20% by the end of 2008.

I expect that more people will become disillusioned by the alleged 'professional' nature of our tourney scene (coupled with costs) and there will be a decrease in competitive ball. I also see companies limiting their sponsorships which also would reduce participation in the tourney scene.

I expect to see the scenario scene slowly metamorphosing into all that we hate in the tourney scene as corporate dollars are harder to get and win at all costs takes over in that arena again. I also predict that someone will be seriously hurt by a known safety problem (not enough refs, poor chrono enforcement etc.) at a large event that will rock through our industry.

I expect that I am wrong on at least 40% of the time, but who cares about that as long as I am correct the other 75% right?!!:banana:

[Meph]

Consensus?

Cost of living is skyrocketed, work benefits are being cut, health care premiums going up, gasoline prices continuously go up... Yea the time for expendable income isn't as broad these days.





I blame NAFTA.

[MedicDVG]

I blame Aliums!! :clap::clap:
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