Gameplay In Paintball

Paintball is played with a potentially limitless variety of rules and variations, which are specified before the game begins. The most basic game rule is that players must attempt to accomplish a goal without being shot and marked with a paintball. A variety of different rules govern the legality of a hit, ranging from "anything counts" (hits cause elimination whether the paintball broke and left a mark or not) to the most common variation: the paintball must break and leave a mark the size of a US quarter or larger. Eliminated players are expected to leave the field of play; eliminations may also earn the opposing team points. Depending on the agreed upon game rules, the player may return to the field and continue playing, or is eliminated from the game completely.

The particular goal of the game is determined before play begins; examples include capture the flag or Elimination. Paintball has spawned popular variants, including woodsball, which is played in the natural environment and spans across a large area. Conversely, the variant of speedball is played on a smaller field and has a very fast pace (with games lasting up to five minutes). Another variant is scenario paintball, in which players attempt to recreate historical, or fictional settings; the largest being Oklahoma D-Day's World War II re-enactment.

Woodsball

"Woodsball" is a term developed late in the history of the game to refer to what was the original form of the game: teams competing in a wooded or natural environment. Recently the term has been adopted to refer to virtually any form of paintball played in natural surroundings, as opposed to arena or artificial fields. Almost always played outdoors.

Scenario Paintball

The scenarios are more evolutionary, more tactical, and more complex than the regular game which was at the base "capture the flag". Certain Big games relive historic moments like D-Day from World War II, being one of the most popular events. Some players even wear the uniforms worn by the soldiers during that time period.

In North America certain parks (D-Day Adventure Park, NPF, Bigfoot Paintball) gained worldwide recognition with their Big Games like Oklahoma D-Day, Diamond Wars & Mega War Game, with its thousands of players. In Québec, one of the most spectacular events was played at Bigfoot Paintball, with a record 976 players for the Mega War Game in 2009. "A couple of times a year, something strange happens in the foothills of Québec…500 players get together for one of the most intense paintball battles in the world. This year was no different."

There is a lot of different mil-sim teams, with their dress code, rank system & game rules that try to simulate actual military ops. The equipment that is available to them has evolved greatly since the time of hand cocked guns and fluorescent colors. Paintball markers can be bought or made to look almost identical to real guns such as the MP5, M16, and AK47 with the aid of shrouds. Smoke grenades, paint grenades, bazookas, ballistic helmets, and tactical vests are also available.

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