| Running through the bushes, your heart is racing; you | | | | little bit longer, more strategic game play, speedball just |
| can hear markers going off in the distance, perhaps | | | | doesn't offer it. In both cases, people are getting tired |
| some big battle is going on. You think it is time to move, | | | | of just spraying paint at each other for the fun of it. |
| you stand up and BAM, the splat of a paintball coats | | | | Scenario ball was then born. |
| the lens of your mask. Some of us enjoy playing and | | | | Unlike Speedball and woods ball games, scenario ball |
| others want to play it. Paintball as a recreational sport | | | | doesn't have a "capture the flag" as its core game. In |
| has a long history and has had its ups and downs, but | | | | fact, scenario ball doesn't focus on shooting anyone. |
| is there room for a new game? | | | | Some games actually penalize you for shooting other |
| In 1976, Hayes Noel, a stock trader, Bob Gurnsey, and | | | | players. So what is the hype of scenario ball? |
| author Charles Gaines were walking home and | | | | The goal of most scenario games is focused on |
| chatting about Gaines' recent trip to Africa and his | | | | achieving multiple/different/real world objectives |
| experiences hunting buffalo. Eager to recreate the | | | | without being shot at in a fixed or natural environment. |
| adrenaline rush that came with the thrill of the hunt, and | | | | Scenario ball usually has two teams, an opposing |
| inspired by Richard Connell's The Most Dangerous | | | | force, OPFOR and an attacking team, SPECOPS. In |
| Game, the three friends came up with the idea to | | | | one game there could be one, two or three objectives |
| create a game where they could stalk and hunt each | | | | for the attacking team and up to three different |
| other. In 1981 in New Hampshire, the group used a | | | | missions for the opposing team. The missions could be |
| "Nel-spot 007" pistol (normally used by farmers and | | | | the same, or they could be different. A high level of |
| ranchers for marking trees and livestock) to fire balls | | | | "strategic and methodical" tactics that reflect military |
| of paint. Twelve people participated in this first game, | | | | training is required for these missions due to restrictions |
| which was a "capture the flag" scenario between two | | | | in game play such as ammunition limits and the blending |
| teams. The winner captured all flags without firing a | | | | of OPFOR and SPECOP missions so they end up in |
| shot. | | | | the same place at the same time. The missions could |
| Since then, the commercialization of paintball took hold | | | | be as simple as blowing up a bridge (fake of course |
| and official, regulated playing fields were created. | | | | but the bomb looks real), capturing a high level target |
| Sponsored teams were created; speed ball leagues | | | | and/or clearing a mock hotel. It is best to complete the |
| then followed and then full out speed ball competitions. | | | | missions within the time frame given without losing any |
| The equipment became light and fast. Aggressive | | | | members of your team. |
| tactics seem to fit this style of game. It was fast, | | | | The equipment can vary from being heavy to very |
| under fifteen minutes and required a team effort. The | | | | light. The speed can be fast but the game time can be |
| important factor is that it is a capture the flag based | | | | over 2 hours. Like in a real military exercise, teams are |
| game in a fixed environment. | | | | given orders and missions secretly after the clock has |
| At the same time, woods ball was slowly favoring | | | | started. It is unknown to the two teams what each |
| those that didn't want to fit into the highly regulated and | | | | other will be doing, where they will be and what time |
| colorful game of speedball. As the name sounds, | | | | frame each team has. This adds an additional variable |
| woods ball is played outdoors. The equipment was | | | | to the game and ensures the focus is on completing |
| cheaper which meant a bit heavier. Low level to high | | | | missions and not just shooting everyone. Ironically |
| level tactics could be used during the game. There are | | | | enough intercept an OPFOR team and eliminating |
| teams that train together but on the average, a woods | | | | them could also be a mission! |
| ball game is made up of a variety of people with many | | | | The problem with scenario ball and the reason why it |
| different experiences and ages. Games could last up | | | | has not caught on is because there is usually an |
| to 30 minutes or so. The game is still capture the flag, | | | | ammunition restriction in these games. An ammo cap |
| but not in a controlled environment like speedball. Many | | | | creates a real limitation of how many rounds you can |
| MILSIM teams fall into this category because of the | | | | bring and prevents you from spraying people with |
| type of training and game play they favor. Many | | | | paint. It causes the team to think about their actions |
| woods ball competitions also fall into this category | | | | before using up their limited paintball supply. Since fields |
| because their core game is still capture the flag. | | | | make money from the sales of paintballs, scenario ball |
| What people disliked the most about woods ball is that | | | | is not their first choice for making money. But I think as |
| there is a lack of team training. Not to say there are | | | | time progresses, money can be made in other areas |
| no teams who train together, but on an average day, | | | | such as entry fees or increase price for air and by |
| when someone shows up to play woods ball, there | | | | allowing scenario ball players to play on slow days of |
| are usually a group of 20 or so people who just met | | | | the week. If fields are willing to build real world |
| playing against another group of 20 who just met. | | | | environments like CQB in Toronto has, then it would be |
| Speed ball offers the control and the team play but | | | | reasonable to charge more without driving away |
| the game seems too quick and for those that enjoy a | | | | customers. |