By: Benedict Smythe
Submitted: 2008-08-02 05:17:25 | Word Count: 515
If you’re new to paintball, here are some useful FAQs that can help you get to know the game better.
What is Paintball?
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Paintball is one of the emerging sports brought about by people’s interest in simulated combat games. In this sport, players are divided into teams where the primary aim is to eliminate the opponents by shooting them with paintball guns. Paintball gun pellets are breakable gelatin balls filled with paint. These paintballs are usually shot from carbon dioxide powered guns or with the use of air compression.
The first game of paintball was played on June 27, 1980 in New Hampshire. This sport is different from any other sport because it does not require the players to have direct contact with each other.
Paintball has a large following, with 10 million Americans playing the sport religiously. In terms of safety, paintball is considered one of the safest sports with fewer injuries compared to soccer, basketball and baseball.
Paintball can also be played outdoors or indoors.
How did it start?
Back then paintballs are used to mark trees from a distance and to mark cows. Initially, it was made from wax, but it was not durable so makers switched to soft gel capsules to store the paint. Soft gel capsules will be able to stand the projectile (from the shooting) and at the same time will break easily upon contact with anything.
The game was formulated to simulate the act of hunting down of animals with the use of paint guns instead of real hunting guns.
What is the equipment needed?
There are different variations of the game and of course, different equipment is needed. But the following are the basic equipment that needs to be used to ensure safety during a paintball game.
Mask – This protects the player’s face not only from paintball hits but also whenever the player falls down face first.
Paintball Marker
Paintballs used to mark or ‘take down’ other players.
If you are just a beginner when it comes to paintball, get ready to shell out more or less $100 for the basic equipment. If you’re on the advanced levels, there are tools out there to improve your speed, accuracy of shooting and comfort. If you don’t want to spend too much on equipment and just want to give the sport a try, you can choose to rent equipment from the paintball field where you are playing and get ready to spend anywhere between $10 to $80 per day.
What are the different types of paintball games?
The simplest and most traditional paintball game is to take out the opposing team’s players one by one. The game has evolved from a so called hunting game to different variations. Some players incorporate a goal for the game. An example of which is getting the opponent’s flag to win the game. Another variation is ‘king of the hill’ in which the teams try to get the base of the opposing team in order to win. The team which gets to hold the opponent’s base for the longest time wins.
