| Paintball is a globally recognized sport. Players use | | | | Some paintball masks come with a thermal lens which |
| paintball guns to try and eliminate their opponents in | | | | does not fog up during play. Other useful game |
| simulated war games. When a player is marked by a | | | | accessories are gloves and kneepads. |
| paintball, they are out. The victory conditions vary | | | | While most games consist of two teams in a wooded |
| depending upon the game. Paintball requires specialized | | | | area shooting at each other, the variations are endless. |
| equipment to ensure the safety of the players. While | | | | Creative takes on the game include goals, like protect |
| game gear is highly customizable in price and style, the | | | | the VIP. The VIP has no gun, but does get a trio of |
| minimal equipment needed is a gun, a hopper, paintballs | | | | bodyguards. The goal is to escort the VIP to the safe |
| and a mask. | | | | zone. Speedball tournaments are also very popular. In |
| Paintball guns are also known as paintball markers. | | | | speedball, the terrain is usually small and enclosed with |
| There are two basic styles available for players: the | | | | ample cover. Players must work together providing |
| mechanical marker and the electronic marker. The | | | | cover fire and support to eliminate the other team. |
| mechanical marker does not require electricity and the | | | | There are even special clubs that enjoy reenacting |
| electronic marker uses batteries. The electronic | | | | famous historical battles, like Iwo Jima. Several |
| marker is more expensive and may require a | | | | commercial companies host organized games in large |
| compressed air tank to operate. The benefits of an | | | | spaces, such as warehouses. Different obstacles and |
| electronic marker are they can be fired in bursts of | | | | terrain can be set up and changed depending upon the |
| three or even in fully automatic rounds. The hopper | | | | game conditions. |
| holds the paintballs. The basic model uses gravity to | | | | The popularity of the sport continues to grow as new |
| load the ammo while the agitated hopper utilizes a | | | | players are introduced to the game. Being a vigorous |
| small motor. Most players use standard paintballs that | | | | form of entertainment, there are people that play it for |
| is easy to wash out. There are other options, like | | | | exercise while others enjoy the leadership skills and |
| glow-in-the-dark paint or even professional grade | | | | combat training. The US military and other European |
| ammo. A paintball can travel at speeds over 200 miles | | | | forces use paintballing as part of their field training. |
| per hour, so the protective mask is very important. A | | | | There are several amateur leagues and even |
| good mask covers the player's face, ears and neck. | | | | professional teams that compete worldwide. |