A Brief Background Of Paintball
Paintball is a game that has several participants, usually divided into two groups. The objective of the game is to hit as many opponents as possible using flexible balls that burst open when they hit a solid object. The contents of the balls are a substance that contains dye of some sort that ultimately mark the participants when they are hit.
Participants and advocates of the game prefer to use the term markers rather than guns to help downplay possible criticism which are usually drawn to games that may have some aspect of violence.
Medium Of Paintball
Paintball is usually played with markers or specially designed pneumatic guns. These are used with compressed air or pneumatic devices that fire the balls containing the dye. There are some safety regulations concerning the markers used during a game. These include how strong the balls are shot out of the markers and what gear to wear when playing the game.
The balls usually break upon impact and may sting a little when the individual is hit due to the high velocity of the emission. Bruising is to be expected from playing paintball.
Types Of Paintball Games
There are several basic types of games that can be played in paintball. Woodsball, speedball, stockclass and some other variations of the game are the more common. Woodsball is the type of paintball game played in a wooded area and the basic concept of the game is either to eliminate all the participants of the opposing team and to capture the flag of the opponent's base.
Speedball is the paintball game which is played in a field with some especially positioned bunkers or cover areas. Due to the limited area of this type of game, there are fewer members per team, usually three to ten per team. Opponents see each other better compared to the Woodsball game and this ensures faster action and quicker games.
Stockclass games are those games where participants are required to have practically the same kinds of paintball markers with the same specifications. Even the velocity of the ball emissions and the kinds of balls used in the Stockclass game are regulated.
Public opinion of paintball is mixed. Critics view the game a platform that can lead to violence whereas some people view this as an expression or outlet for stress and aggressive behavior for young adults. One of the aspects of paintball that have received criticism is glorifying guns and military influence.
