The new "tourney players"

I've been sitting on this since April. But I think this needs to be said. And I may as well take the hit, heaven knows I've been smacked by everyone else in this industry for talking about the 900 pound elephants they would rather ignore. So hell with it, I'll take the potshots.

I really hate to even have to say this kind of thing, but nobody else has. Scenario paintball has become the new "tourneyball".

It's been coming for a long time, but only after the Blanding game can I really put a voice on it. It's one post among many, and it proves the point more eloquently than anything I can write about. If you don't know, "Blanding" was a game where one team was represented by Special Ops Paintball. The other side by Smart Parts. Smart Parts won the day. But this isn't about that, as much as it's about the post-game attitude.

The post I'm talking about comes from a player on the Smart Parts team. Member name "BoogyMan". Post 175 in the thread, well into the self-congradulations and back-patting / chest thumping. And what's said made my blood cold.

"Well the Roughnecks (the 2 of us that were able to make it) are proud to have been a part of one great Spec Ops butt kickin. Maybe next time the will take it a little more serious."

This stopped me mainly because I've heard this before. Perhaps not in those words, but in that attitude. I hear that from tourney players.

It was inevitable, actually, and I've seen this coming for years. But, like everything else in this "sport", nobody cares until it's too late. When large companies began to sponsor teams, the die was cast. Teams no longer go out to play scenario games for fun, but they play to win. They play to get "MTV" or "MVP" so they can represent sponsors and give "shout outs" after the games and get their sponsor logos in the magazines. It's no longer about playing the game and having fun, it's about "the job" and getting "the job" done.

Scenario "teams" are looking for sponsors, they feel that the industry owes them something now because scenario has "come into its own". It's funny, in a way. They do the same things that they complain about when tournament players do the same. They smack-talk pre-game. They smack-talk post game. They'll push the rules to the breaking point, and play the gray. And it's all about winning, and winning at all costs.

And that's only what I've seen first hand. Post event I hear the same things I heard post-event from tournaments. Game fixing, playing favorites, biased reffing and downright thrown events to ensure someone wins. Then there's the cheating. Yep, I've been told point blank that "Scenario Producer A" is a wiping, cheating SOB when he plays, and "Scenario Producer B" lets him do it because of a political reason. I've also been told that "Scenario Producer C" even uses his status as a producer to get his way at events.

(Why don't I name names? I have no proof. I have "he said / he said". I'm not into rumor-mongering. Sorry, I'm not going to do that.)

Why does this all feel familiar? Oh right, tournaments. Scenario players have become the new tournament players. The clothing is different, but that's about the only thing. The emphasis is on winning, and more often than not winning at all costs. At least that's what it felt like the last time I played a scenario game. And I've heard the same phrase used to describe scenario players as tourney guys. "Off the field he's the nicest guy, but on the field he's such an asshole!"

And what do they win? "respect"? Hey, that really feels familiar to me. Most prizes are random draw. So they're only competing for sponsorship dollars which translates into "respect". Specifically, any recognition that will get their picture in the magazine coverage. And that's "resume material", my friends.

I know what you're thinking. It's just how they want to play. Or "So what, Tyger. You're expecting them to not play at 100%?" No, but there's a way to win with class and a way with crass. The term "stand-up player" is used to describe a lot of people but in the end nobody seems to know what that really means. Tournament paintball has long ago forsaken "Stand Up Play", and that suits the style of the tournament set. They justify that "athletes push the rules all the time" and if it works for them fine. That's their world, and if they want to pretend to be athletes they can do that.

(and before you start to bitch and moan, 90% of so-called "tournament players" wouldn't hack it on a professional team, but damned if they don't carry themselves like they're the hottest thing to hit paintball since water-based paint. Just ask them, but slate out an hour to hear the stories and penis-thumping.)

Scenario paintball used to be the format for people to get away from that attitude. It was the competitive game with no assholes allowed. But more and more, as money is poured into the scenario game, morality becomes the first casualty to profits. Not just from the producers, but the players as well. Once there's perceived value in winning, everyone is going to do what it takes to win.

Do they all do this? No. But enough have to make me sit up and think "I've seen this before." There's shining examples of scenario teams who can be classy. However, as with tournament players, all it takes is one team to put a sour taste in a lot of people's mouths. And I can already hear it in 4-5 years. "Scenario play? Fuck that, if I wanna play with cheaters sure, but I'd rather just play with my friends closer to home. I don't wanna spend $300 to get screwed all weekend."

Now, where have I heard that before? Oh, right.

We've seen the cycle play out before. Now I'm just going to wait to see if it plays out again in the same way as tournaments have. Bookmark this post and come back in 2-3 years. If kids are scrambling for a "vintage scenario team jersey" or wearing the latest "padded scenario ballah cap" or talking about using camo neoprene tank covers to induce bouncers in the woods, then you'll get it too. But, by then, it's too late. They're still trying to "clean up" the tourney world, and they've actually forsaken it and said "cheating is going to happen, get used to it."

There comes a point where the insane becomes the routine, and what was once something that caused outrage becomes almost blasé if not quaint. So take a moment to think about that when you talk about your next scenario game. What's more important? Winning or playing? And does your opponents and teammates feel the same way?

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