Editing Charles Gaines (section)

== First paintball experiments ==

=== October 1980 ===

In October 1980, Noel visited Gaines at his home in South Newbury, New Hampshire.

The two men tested the Nel-Spot pistols in Gaines's backyard.[1]

=== First duel ===

Gaines and Noel fired paintballs at one another.

The experiment demonstrated that the equipment could be used in a recreational contest.

=== Stalking game ===

After testing the pistols, the men entered the surrounding woods.

They attempted to stalk and eliminate one another using the marking pistols.

Gaines later described the experience as exciting and physically demanding.

=== Distinction from the first organised game ===

The October 1980 experiments involved only two participants.

They should be distinguished from the first organised twelve-person paintball game held in June 1981.

The earlier experiments lacked the formal rules, field boundaries, flag stations and larger participant group of the subsequent event.