I'm not exactly a n00b, I played about 10 years ago, in the late '90s, but it's been a long while and the game has changed big time. I've changed too, I went from pimpley face skinny kid with a chip on his shoulder to married man in the Army... With a chip on his shoulder. I've been looking to get back into paintball so I've put in alot of research over the last 2 weeks or so - looking at markers, trying to find the best buy on my budget and soaking in general intel from a couple of forums.
I just had one question; What is the age range of the majority of paintball players now? I ask this because almost every thread I read, on almost every forum people either seem like they're only 12 years old just because of their general attitude and what they talk about ("I was at school and this other kid...") or they're complaining about rich kid's parents buying them primo gear - which tells me that they gotta be kids because a guy my age wouldn't worry about some snot nosed punk with a loaded mommy and daddy.
Don't get me wrong, I got nothin' against any kid on the field. It's better that your paintballin' than sitting aroung playing video games. Believe me, it's a terrible habbit and a worse way to spend your time. So don't think I'm a troll comin' in here and burnin' any young studs on my first post, I just don't think it would feel right if I were on a field with a buncha' guy's not even half my size!
you'll find that most players are still in highschool. I'm 22 and I feel liek an old fart playing paintball in some places. It's so strange to see the immaturity in players these days. I sit back and wonder if I was ever like that at one point.
That's what I'm afraid of, is feeling generally old. It was cool when I was a kid and so was everyone else, it just seems like everyone that played back then have either moved on or if they kept playing they're either on a team and sponsored or own a pro shop. I had hard enough time dealing with young kids pwning me online in shooters, walking to the deadzone with some splat on my mask compliments of little jimmy would really suck.
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I'm 27 I started in the mid 90's and played all through high school but I quit for a while in college because paintball is expensive and you can only eat so much ramen in a week. The one thing I really like about paintball now is that I have a good job and while I'm not as quick and fit as the kids my equipment is much better and that gives me a small edge over them.
I'm 23 and I can definitely see where you are coming from. At the local field I play at most of the players there are around 18 or so which makes me feel a little on the old side. But at the same time I don't really care if they think they are hot stuff, It just makes it that much sweeter for me when I hit them hehe. I wouldn't worry about it, just go back into it and have a good time.
PS Like matrix said I bet you will find more mature players in scenario games and even woodsball, since a lot of the young guns play speedball.
I'll be 38 this June. I have been playing paintball for 21 years, when in 1987 I got my first Splatmaster. 21 years later and 10's of thousands dollars I'm still having fun. Paintball knows no age. I like the fact that when a younger player asks me something old school I can answer it from experience and not about reading it somewhere.
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Well, just looking at the poll and reading what's been said, it doesn't sound all too bad. Even the younger players seem to be in their later teens and have an air of maturity about them. I know paintball is timeless, I knew a guy that was in his mid 40's and still rockin' a pump marker (he was suprisingly accurate too, he would alway's talk about only needing one shot) and I've heard about retired guy's n their 60's still ballin'. So I'm sure everything will be fine, besides, even if I were the oldest chump on the field, after the paint starts flyin' I really don't think it would matter. And I guess this would be a great opportunity to start playing scenarios, too.
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hush dean. Did i miss that pump event? I was looking forward or meeting up with you.
This forum has an above-agerage user age. make a post about this in pbnation.com and you'll get an overwhelming amount of 14-18 yrs old.(among flames upon flames about how many times something like that has been posted, how they hate your mother, your race, your age etc etc etc)
hush dean. Did i miss that pump event? I was looking forward or meeting up with you.
This forum has an above-agerage user age. make a post about this in pbnation.com and you'll get an overwhelming amount of 14-18 yrs old.(among flames upon flames about how many times something like that has been posted, how they hate your mother, your race, your age etc etc etc)
to be honest, I don't think you should feel like that. paint splats on anyone, regardless of size. oh and btw im 14
but would you feel comfortable playing paintball with a bunch of 8-10 year olds? It's the same situation for us older guys. We'll do it, but it's a very unfomfortable feeling for a little while.
I think Matrix get's it (not that everyone else doesn't), I'm fine with playing with a younger crowd, it would probably just be a little uncomfortable at first. But I checked out my local field and there seems to be a good mix of players, a wide age range. And I'm gettin' some friends of mine into it as well. Besides, like dukemaniac12 said "...Paint splats on anyone..."
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but would you feel comfortable playing paintball with a bunch of 8-10 year olds? It's the same situation for us older guys. We'll do it, but it's a very unfomfortable feeling for a little while.
I have no problem playing with younger players. I look at it the same way when I am ski instructing younger kids. Some younger kids are really good for their age and just help me stay on the top of my game because really who wants to be beat by a 10 year old.
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