As I promised, I intend to get better at keeping everyone updated.  I have been researching big games.  We have talked about the big one coming up in October in California, the Operation End War, but there are many more scheduled around the country.  I have found a few that I would like to share with you.

First, in St. Paul, Oregon in August there is a game coming up that seems to have become a tradition.  It is called Supergame 40, and it will be held August 20 – 22.  Over 500 players will take part in this three day event, held at Sniperzden Paintball Park in St. Paul.  There are lots and lots of prizes given away at each event.  There is a promise of a minimum of $25,000 worth of prizes, but it is expected that number will be much higher.  In their Supergame event last spring, that number was closer to $40,000.  Wow!!

I went to the website for SniperZden, but there wasn’t a lot of updated information.  This cool map of the park was out there though!!

For the next game on my list, we travel to the East Coast, North Carolina to be exact.  There is going to be a huge game, over a thousand players, at Fulda Gap Paintball Scenario in Taylorsville, North Carolina, to be held November 5 – 7.   Please go to the link for more information.

This event has apparently been ranked in the top 8 must attend events of the year.  It received a lot of attention in the March issue of Action Pursuit Games.   It is apparently a war games scenario with NATO countries versus Warsaw Pact countries.  Fulda Gap is a historic location in Germany that was heavily protected and drew tremendous attention during the cold war.  This particular game was started in 2006, and based on the history of the game, NATO has lost every year.  Perhaps this year will be the year for NATO!!

Once again I was gonna add some pics, but this site has promised to add them this year.  There are some cool videos though on Youtube.  Check this out!!

This is from last year’s even – but it looks like a huge gathering.  And very realistic!!  I mean there are tanks and smoke.  Wow!!

Next, we travel a little further south, still on the east coast, to Bradenton, Florida.  Once again this one is in November, the 20-21.  It is Special Operations Warfare with various scenarios:  Recon Missions, Destroy Objectives, Special Operations Deliveries, Secure and Protect Vital Locations and Assets vital to the mission objective.  This one will be held at Hi-Tech Paintball Park.  Again, please go to the link for more information.  The site has a lot of cool pictures of the fieds and more information on how to contact them to get registered for the game, etc.

Here are a couple of pics of the fields:

There are a lot more pics on their site – check it out.

I tried to find a midwest game going on, but it seems there are some that have already taken place.  I will keep looking, but for now, you coasters can plan to have a blast.  And you midwesters can do a little traveling and camping and just enjoy!!

Well – it would seem I owe all of those who have been following this blog a huge apology.  I have been remiss in my duties to keep you updated, and to offer up features for the last couple of months.  I am truly sorry and can only say I opted to finish my degree – and along with that and working fulltime, (other than running a business), something had to give.  Once again, I am terribly sorry and hope to make up for the lack of attention with the feature for this month.

I have chosen a package deal for you – and one that is currently on sale until July 20, 2010.  That means for the next 12 days you can get an awesome deal on this T68 Assault Paintball Marker Package.  This package normally retails for $600, but until the 20th of July, we will offer it for $450, and include free shipping. (Ground transportation only – see our shipping policy)  This is a T68 Gen6 Magazine Fed Paintball Marker that has been upgraded to a T68 Assault Weapon.  It includes the T68 Enforcer Kit, the internal flexi air system, a rear sight, 10″ rifled barrel, magazine kit, an 18 round detachable magazine, an M4 style charging handle and a 5 year warranty.  Along with the marker, the package also includes a Strikeforce Paintball Vest, a complete rebuild kit and an o-ring kit.

For a few dollars more, you can get a Split Fire Dual Feed adaptor,  which will turn the weapon into a more versatile tool in multiple game scenarios.  With this adaptor, you can switch between the ammo in your magazine and the ammo you carry in your hopper.  Just think – two sources of ammunition to choose from.

Hey, remember that big game coming up in October – Operation End War – that uses only magazine fed weapons?  Well this is another marker that will qualify.  There is a lot of information out there on that game link.  Looks like a really cool game shaping up out there.

Wow – March slipped by and I missed it!!  I am sorry – I didn’t put a feature out here.  Well, I have selected a good one for the month of April.  It is the T68 Split Fire Dual Feed Paintball Gun.

T68 SplitFire Dual Feed Paintball Marker features a dual-source ammunition feeding system, capable of providing two different types of .68 caliber ammunition at the turn of a dial. The T68 SplitFire can carry two types of ammunition simultaneously, and allows the operator to select the most effective projectiles for the situation—then change back as needed.

The T68 SplitFire has a removable carry handle with standard iron sights that are adjustable for elevation and windage. With the carry handle removed, the T68 SplitFire can take any standard scope, sight, or mount on the flattop rail. Like the entire T68 line, the SplitFire has the look, ergonomics, and reliability you need for paintball—with attributes that extend its role beyond the field.

The T68 SplitFire is built with an internal Flexi-Air system that puts your air tank inside the multi-position stock. You may also employ a full-size air tank as a stock, or use an air remote system with a tank in your vest. The T68 SplitFire is able to cycle through thousands of shots without requiring maintenance. When maintenance or repair is needed, the T68 SplitFire is so easy to work on that it can be completely torn down and rebuilt in less than 5 minutes…an armorer’s dream.

But what is really cool about this weapon is that it is magazine fed, as well as hopper fed, with a simple turn of a dial.  Think of the possibilities!  More ammo on board all the time!!  And remember that big game coming up in California that requires a mag fed gun (Operation End War 2010) – this one would qualify as long as you don’t use your hopper, but you would have the long term capability of having the dual feed system.  What a deal!!

Here is a video that gives more detail about this weapon – its features and how it compares to a real military weapon.  It is pretty lengthy, but worth the effort before you invest in a weapon like this.

Our price for this package is $475.  The package includes:

- 1 x T68 Gen6 – Magazine Fed Paintball Gun
- 1 x T68 Split Fire Dual Feed
- 1 x T68 Magazine
- 1 x M4 Barrel Kit
- 1 x M4 Detachable Carry Handle with Iron Sight
- 1 x M4 Style Charging Handle
- 1 x Internal Flexi Air System
- 1 x 5 Year Warranty

We offer extra magazines, changes to the barrel length, multiple air choices.  We also offer free shipping when you order $200 or more, and this would obviously qualify.  (See our free shipping policy)

What would you think of a paintball team called Tactical Force Paintball – sounds like a pretty serious group right??  Well, they are!!  But would you guess that the team was started by a high school junior?

That’s right, Roseville, California Junior Cody Lamont started the team about six months ago, and it has grown to around 96 people.  Now, that sounds like a lot of people on one team, but it seems like this is more than just one team.  It seems to me to be more like an organization.  Cody has organized the “team” into five branches, simulating the military.  He has the Air Force, the Marines, the Army, the Navy and then the Special Forces.  To join the Special Forces ranks, a team member needs to pass certain measurements.

One of the main objectives of Lamont and his fellow team members is to simulate military training and maneuvers.  Many members of the team plan to join one of the branches of the military in the future, and they hope to get a jump on some of the training so they might be a step ahead when they get to their respective boot camps.  Lamont has met with sergeants in each of the branches represented by his team to get insights into what types of training will be encountered, and what he can do to help simulate that training.

The team will compete three times per month, where there will be competitions between branches of the team.  Since this is all new, the first scheduled match is April 19 at Scotts Flat.  My research indicates this is in Nevada County California and the area is dominated by a beautiful 850 acre lake.  The area seems to have camping and recreational areas, but I haven’t found any specific references to a paintball field.  They must plan on woodsball.  They selected this area for its seclusion, so maybe I have the wrong idea….

It sounds like it should be a lot fun for all involved.  Just one word of advice – don’t forget your safety equipment gang.  Even our country’s finest warriors go into battle with full body armor.

In Oroville, California, on February 21, 2010, history was repeated when the North beat the South, once again, in a Civil War Reenactment.  Only this time instead of lead musket balls flying, it was paintballs of various colors.

Saturday, February 20, and Sunday the 21st, history buffs, who also have a passion for paintball sports, seized the Combat Zone Paintball Park in Oroville to reenact the Battle of Antietam, which originally took place 3000 miles away near Sharpsburg, Maryland in September of 1862.  The battle held over this weekend was  modernized, and was complete with story lines, costumes and missions.  Many areas of the battlefield were named after some real battle key locations – there was “Dunker Church”, (a tower of huge pipes), and Sharpsburg Pike Road, (a long open road splitting the tree line).

Fighting was fierce for two days, with the Southern scouts landing some heavy blows to the North during fighting Saturday evening.  But the North came back with a vengeance on Sunday, and beat the South with a score just over 2000 points to the South’s 1100 or so. 

They had a team come in from Wyoming to play, and most of the other teams were from the California area.  Members expressed a sense of playing out history.  The game was coordinated by Charles Allen, call sign “Damian”.  His company, Tactical Action Warfare has been around for 10 years creating paintball game scenarios, and dominates the West Coast in paintball reenactment games.  They have also held events in other countries.  They will be back in Oroville in July with “Operation Just Havoc”.  They also plan to be in Oregon in April and May, first with a World War II reenactment, and then a game centered around a video game “Return to Castle Wolfenstein”.

Listening to some of the testimonial videos from their web site, it sounds like paintball games arranged by this team are very much family events.

Here is a video of one of TAW’s games in Oregon.  (The field name is Hosking Field, Lebanon, Oregon)

I am not a video game player, so I went looking for Return to Castle Wolfenstein.  I found this video – it is a little lengthy, but it is really cool.  I think this is only level one.  I was a little surprised at the spurts of blood.  I know I know, but as I said, I am not a video player at all, so I wasn’t prepared.

Anyway, it looks like a paintball scenario based on this video game would be just incredible.  I wonder how close they can get to the game??  Wouldn’t it be cool if they simulated a castle…….

Let’s set the scene – it is February, it is below that 32 degree mark outside, and the latest foot or two of snow has a nice crunchy topping of ice so it doesn’t blow around too much with the wind.  In addition to it being extremely cold outside, the latest snowfall is on top of the first couple of feet of snow, so it is really quite difficult to get around outside unless you have carved out pathways with a shovel or snow blower.  Running around in the woods right now with a paintball gun, although it would be blast, would be pretty tough.  So what do you do for fun??

Well, Majesco Entertainment comes to the rescue of you paintball enthusiasts.    They have announced the release of “Greg Hastings Paintball 2″ for the XBox 360, PlayStation 3, and Wii video game entertainment systems.  I  know it’s not the real thing, but hey it could take your mind off your cabin fever.  Mr. Hastings introduces 10 single player and multiplayer game modes that are set in real paintball fields around the world.  How cool is that?  Challenges include three new event branches – Tournament Speedball, Recball, and  Tournament Woodsball – all played on incredible fields with constantly changing weather conditions.  And you can enjoy it all while the snow is falling outside!!  Here is a commercial for the upcoming release.

Players in this game can trade members or become general manager of their own 10 player team.  They can use the money they “earn” from their field to improve their team, making them more competitive.   The more competitive the more tournaments they win, bringing in more “cash” for new gear and even better players.  Greg Hastings has put his 23 years of paintball experience to work making this as realistic as possible.

Here is a short video of another version of Greg Hastings game.  It looks pretty cool!

Are you psyched? Are you ready to shake off the blues and get rid of your cabin fever?  Oh wait – it looks like I must have been talking about February of 2011.  This is scheduled for release in September of 2010.  My bad!

Anyone who has started a business knows that it is important to think outside the box from time to time.  The way to “get ahead” of the game is to be aware of what your target market needs, and what they may want.  Well, I have to say that Thunder Valley Paintball has definitely gone above and beyond in both of these categories.

According to an article I found, the owners of Thunder Valley ordered a paintball dome from China.  It is 150 feet long, 50 feet wide and 30 feet tall.  It weighs in at 7,100 pounds, and provides 2000 square feet of astro turf area to have a blast.  Although it doesn’t seem likely, the dome is portable, allowing the paintball game to come to the customer.  They rent it out to churches or colleges, anyone who has a special event and would like to have the unit on site.

It isn’t exactly a “paintball” game though.  They provide a “reeball”, which looks like and has the same dimensions as a regular paintball, without the mess.  Could you imagine what the “dome” would look like after a few games with regular paintballs? Anyway, this reeball can be used in any regular paintball gun, although Thunder Valley will provide all equipment for the game if requested.

I also visited Thunder Valley’s website.  It looks like a great facility, located in Perry, Georgia.  There several types of fields, and it looks like they have some competitive series, one that starts in the Spring, and one that starts in the Fall.  The Spring session starts next week.  Here are a few photos I found on the site that should give a an idea of what to expect once you get there.

According to the article, last year the facility hosted teams from Georgia Tech, University of Georgia, University of Southern Mississippi and Florida State University.  They also host the Carolina Field Owners Association.  It seems their grounds will accommodate as many as 500  players. Here is a pretty cool video of some teams having a good day!!

It is always good to find a great place to play paintball sports.  I must say – our hats are off to Thunder Valley for taking it a step further and providing a portable sports arena.  I would like to see that for myself!!

I know it is hard to believe, but spring will be here before you know it, and when it gets here everyone wants to get outside and have a little fun.  What better way to have fun than to get involved in a good old fashioned shootout!!

Paintball sports are something the whole family can get involved with – whether it is just outside in your backyard, or at a facility designed for paintball activities.  What we want to feature for the month of February is a package that includes everything a person needs to get started in the sport, (except air and ammo – you will need to fill your tanks and grab some paintballs – then off you go!)

This package includes a T68 Gen 6 Tactical Carbine, your choice of a 48 ci 3000 psi Air tank or a 20 oz. CO2 cylinder, a pair of Hawkeye Anti Fog Basic Goggles, your choice of a Tactical Harness or Strikeforce Tactical Vest, 4 Paintball Pods and a remote line.  The normal retail price for this package is $599, but we are now offering all of this for $359.   That is a discount of $240 – not a bad deal!!

Now, the T68 Tactical Carbine includes a body rail that allows attachments such as: laser sights, flashlights, grenade launchers, or a vertical grip! The weaver style flattop rail, which is a standard feature of the T68 Tactical Carbine, will also allow the user to mount a scope, sights, and all standard military attachments. The T68 Tactical Carbine also comes with the M4-style charging handle—standard!

Another item to note, this weapon as described is a hopper fed paintball gun, and the hopper does not come with the package as described.  It does come with the hopper adaptor however.  Hoppers can be purchased for as low as $4.99, but this weapon can also be upgraded to become a magazine fed paintball gun.  I have heard it said that beginners should stick with a hopper fed gun until they can gain the confidence needed to be able to hit what they are aiming at, thereby reducing the number of rounds of paintballs required.  (Magazines hold fewer rounds than hoppers, so take this into consideration before upgrading to a magazine fed weapon)

For those of you who are considering that big game coming up in California in October, Operation End War, know that this weapon can be upgraded with a magazine kit that will make it “legal” for that game.

As promised, we have found another location to enjoy your paintball sports.  It is TAG Paintball, in Hollister, CA.  It is located in northern California and it appears to have some pretty good deals and pretty cool fields.

The rates are reasonable and the equipment offered for rental is top notch.  You are required to buy all your paintballs on location.  It is posted that the youngest age allowed is 12, but a mature 10 year old might be able to play too.  And get this, parents get in on the fun for free – they just need to buy their paintballs.  They even offer a money back guarantee that you are going to have a great time.  What a deal!!

The way we heard about this location was through hearing the news about a huge scenario paintball game coming up in October.  It is called Operation End War 2010, and is sponsored by Real Action Paintball.  It will be held at TAG Paintball on October 2-3.  Campers are welcome.

They have created a scenario where this will be the war to end all wars.  There has been a nuclear exchange, the Middle East and all their oil is gone and Russia now has a commodity everyone wants, Siberian oil, and it is running low.  So the Marines must, as always, save the day.  Sounds like great fun, so get your gear together, hone your battle tactics and get ready for war.

To register, contact Roland at TAG Paintball, 800 TAG 5150.  Registration deadline is September 1.

This game will allow magazine fed paintball guns only. (43 cal or 68 cal) These are some examples:

While looking through some industry news, I came across an article related to an eye injury caused by being shot by a paintball gun.    This particular injury was not acquired during a paintball game or training.  Rather it was inflicted during what may be a miscommunication.  The victim was walking through a park and came across an unattended paintball gun, so he picked it up.  Allegedly, a few minutes later the owner of the gun insisted the gun be returned, and when it didn’t happen fast enough he started shooting.

Now, the owner gave a different story to the police, stating that the victim, (and others who were with him), actually charged him and he fired in self defense.  I guess the courts will need to sort that out, but the victim was taken to the emergency room with a “significant” eye injury.  The alleged perp was arrested and charged with aggravated assault and a weapons offense.  A pair of Hawkeye or V-Force Goggles would have prevented the eye injury, but given the circumstances no thought was given to safety at the time.

Paintballs can hurt when they hit.  Along with eye protection, there is a great case for adding a tactical helmet as well.  Watch this video to see how this young man reacted to getting shot in the head.

And I bet this one wishes he was wearing some body armor or at least a vest. That’s going to leave a bruise!

Speaking of bruises, look at what these dummies are doing!

I know that paintball sports are a lot fun, but it can be a bit dangerous as well.  Please – anyone who picks up a paintball gun with the intent to use it against an opponent – use a minimum of eye protection.  There are many products out there that will help minimize the damage done to your body after a day of fun on the paintball range, (or in the field, or in the woods, or wherever you happen to play).  Please play smart, play safe and have fun!!