Editing Warped Sportz (section)

== History ==

=== Establishment and expansion ===

Warped Sportz was established in 1994 as a paintball business in Nebraska, United States.[1]

The company expanded beyond local retail operations to develop an international presence in paintball equipment sales, custom marker manufacturing and branded merchandise.

During the late 1990s and early 2000s, Warped Sportz operated a network of retail locations and authorised outlets.

A contemporary listing in the [[WARPIG]] store directory identified the company's international headquarters at 1206 Avenue M, Kearney, Nebraska, in October 2002.[4]

The company marketed itself as an action-sports retailer combining paintball equipment with skateboarding, clothing and other merchandise.

In July 2002, Warped Sportz announced an authorised outlet programme, allowing independent paintball retailers to dedicate sections of their stores to Warped Sportz products and Avalanche merchandise.

One of the first documented outlets was established through East Coast Paintball in Howell, New Jersey.[5]

=== Dark Angel markers ===

Warped Sportz became particularly associated with the '''Dark Angel''', a customised version of the British [[WDP Angel]] electronic paintball marker.

The Dark Angel incorporated distinctive body machining, anodised finishes and selected mechanical upgrades.

A contemporary review published by the New Zealand paintball team Mercenaries Star described the Dark Angel as an officially recognised custom Angel produced outside the United Kingdom.

The review documented features including a modified low-pressure regulator, shortened trigger, select-fire circuit board and distinctive teardrop body machining.[2]

The Dark Angel was used by professional players associated with Avalanche, including [[Chris LaSoya]] and [[Rocky Cagnoni]].

The product range subsequently expanded to include custom versions of later Angel platforms.

=== Chris LaSoya signature markers ===

Warped Sportz developed signature electronic markers associated with professional player Chris LaSoya.

The '''Elements Angel''' was marketed as LaSoya's 2001 signature model.

In June 2002, Warped Sportz announced the '''Chris LaSoya Signature Series Dark Angel IR3''', also known as the '''CLASS'''.

The marker was designed by Ed Poorman and based on the WDP Angel IR3 platform.

Contemporary manufacturer information described the CLASS as incorporating more elaborate milling and anodising than the earlier Elements Angel.

It was offered in champagne, pewter and ocean finishes.

The company announced a limited release of 15 markers per month.[6]

The CLASS was supplied with Warped Sportz's lifetime labour warranty and WDP's parts warranty.[6]

=== Association with Avalanche ===

Warped Sportz was closely associated with the professional tournament paintball team [[Avalanche]].

Ed Poorman was involved in the team's ownership, while Warped Sportz supplied customised equipment and branded merchandise.

Avalanche players were prominent users of Dark Angel markers during the team's late-1990s and early-2000s tournament campaigns.

The team included players such as Chris LaSoya and Rocky Cagnoni, both associated with the Dark Angel product range.[2][3]

Avalanche won the 1999 [[National Professional Paintball League]] professional 10-man series championship.

The team also recorded tournament victories during the period, including Las Vegas and Dallas in 1999 and Nashville in 2000.[3]

The association between Warped Sportz and Avalanche contributed to the visibility of the Dark Angel range in professional tournament paintball.

=== Later field operations ===

Warped Sportz subsequently expanded its focus towards recreational paintball field operations.

According to the company's own history, it began concentrating on organised paintball parks in central Nebraska around 2010.[1]

The company operates '''Warped Sportz Adventure Park''' near Wood River, Nebraska.

The facility offers recreational paintball, low-impact paintball and other outdoor activities.

Its playing areas include woodsball, airball, hyperball and themed recreational fields.[7]

The company's current activities include field operations, paintball equipment retail and equipment servicing.