| Airsoft gun games: some basics. | | | | - Capture the Flag - two teams have their own |
| Many on-line shooting game enthusiasts are | | | | flag that the other team is attempting to capture |
| turning to airsoft gun games as a way of taking | | | | and take back to their base. |
| their shooting skills to another level. Read on to | | | | - Other games include - Stalkers, Manhunt and |
| find out why. | | | | Last Player Standing. |
| Some background | | | | The Rules |
| These types of gun were developed back in the | | | | Although there are legal requirements around the |
| 1980`s in Japan. At the time a real gun was | | | | use of the guns themselves, the rules for the |
| actually difficult to acquire so the airsoft gun was | | | | game are more informal but contain some basic |
| developed as an alternative option for those who | | | | universal guidelines. |
| were enthusiastic about guns. | | | | - If the body or gear (but not the weapon) is hit, |
| So what are airsoft guns? They are non-lethal | | | | the player is out. |
| reproductions of real fire arms, either in the | | | | - When hit, the player shouts 'I am hit' and raises |
| original size or a smaller version. They are divided | | | | his arm. |
| into three types according to the way in which | | | | - After being hit, the player must go to the safe |
| they are powered. The three groups are | | | | zone. |
| spring-powered, electric powered and gas | | | | - After the hit, the players must not talk with |
| powered. | | | | each other |
| The first versions were spring-powered. Then | | | | - Friendly fire counts as a hit. |
| came the electric powered guns and finally in the | | | | Safety: Some Basics |
| 1990`s we saw the growth of the gas-powered | | | | For your own safety and the safety of other |
| gun. Ammunition for these guns is plastic pellets | | | | bear in the mind the following:- |
| varying size between 6mm and 8mm. These | | | | - Do not show your guns in plain public view. |
| 'bullets' or 'bb's` vary also in weight with the | | | | - Play air soft games in designated areas and not |
| lightest being around 0.12 grams all the way up to | | | | public places like parks etc. |
| 0.88 grams. Experts tend to use a bullet weighing | | | | - For personal safety wear goggles, a long sleeve |
| around 0.2 or 0.25 grams as they are the best | | | | shirt, and boots. Do not remove goggles while a |
| for accuracy and distance. | | | | game is in process. |
| In the 1990`s fighting grounds developed where | | | | - When in the designated safe zone always keep |
| groups of gun enthusiasts could gather to indulge | | | | your guns safety on. Failure to comply may get |
| their interest in pretend 'war games'. Here two | | | | you banned from a particular location. |
| people could fight each other or teams could | | | | So, are you interested in airsoft games? |
| compete with each other. As interest has grown | | | | Enthusiasts offer a word of caution. Soft may be |
| in this 'hobby' or 'sport', rules and game formats | | | | the name, but it is not for the soft-hearted. Are |
| have developed along with the guns and gun | | | | you prepared to be shot or to spend your time |
| accessories. Specially designated fight areas have | | | | dodging bb's? Still interested? It is recommended |
| also developed. Commentators suggest that | | | | that you look for a knowledgeable company who |
| airsoft gun games developed out of the paintball | | | | can advise you on the best model of gun for |
| game. | | | | your requirements. There are many suppliers on |
| Airsoft Game Formats | | | | the internet. Whether you are a rookie or |
| There are a number of game formats that you | | | | full-blown enthusiast, try to look for a supplier of |
| can be involved with including:- | | | | 2nd Generation Airsoft guns as they will have the |
| - Prison Escape - here you are a prisoner and you | | | | most up to date information about gun quality and |
| have to try to escape with a few other prisoners | | | | be able to supply the latest models of gun and |
| down an escape tunnel. | | | | accessories. |