Ever wonder why paintball looks so different today compared to the 80s?
Initially, paintball was a stealthy game played exclusively in the woods with players in camouflage. Iconic brands like Dye, JT, and Tippmann emerged, with huge dreams of growing the game. However, the gloomy woods limited visibility and accessibility, creating a need for change.
- O-rings are color coded by size, eliminating the headache of matching up sizes
- This 360 piece Players Kit contains 18 of the most common sized o-rings found in paintball equipment (20 of each size)
- Kit includes o-rings sorted by size/color in individual compartments
By the mid-90s, paintball’s popularity surged with the introduction of electronic guns like the Shocker and Angel. Players traded their camo for bright, eye catching gear, and speedball fields started to emerge.
In 1996, WDP hosted the Hyperball World Championships in England, marking a shift away from the traditions of woodsball. Players moved into arenas with round, providing better camera angles and a futuristic look. Bright neon colors replaced camouflage, symbolizing a new era for paintball.
The standardized bunkers made the game much more professional and spectator-friendly. Despite initial drama, Hyperball fields began popping up at local paintball fields all over the world, introducing a new way to play.
In 1997, airball was introduced by SupAir at the 7-man World Cup in Toulouse, France. These inflatable bunkers were easier to set up and transport, allowing tournaments to be held anywhere. Airball’s vibrant colors and professional appearance transformed the sport’s accessibility and appeal.
Hyperball and airball helped paintball transition into a marketable extreme sport, leading to faster, more intense games and new formats like Xball. Today, their influence is still felt, showcasing how far the sport has come.
