Editing Charles Gaines (section)

== National Survival Game ==

=== Founding ===

Gaines, Noel and Gurnsey established [[National Survival Game]] (NSG).

The company commercialised the recreational activity developed during the 1980 experiments and 1981 game.

=== Ownership ===

In his 2024 account, Gaines stated that the three founders each held a one-third ownership interest.[1]

=== Division of responsibilities ===

The founders divided their responsibilities.

{| class="wikitable"
! Founder
! Principal responsibility
|-
| [[Hayes Noel]]
| Initial financing
|-
| [[Bob Gurnsey]]
| Day-to-day business operations
|-
| '''Charles Gaines'''
| Publicity and promotion
|}

=== Initial financing ===

According to Gaines, Noel contributed approximately $20,000 in initial financing.

The company purchased marking pistols, paintballs, protective goggles and other equipment.

=== Starter kits ===

National Survival Game sold packages containing the equipment required to organise recreational games.

The packages included:

* Nel-Spot marking pistol
* Paintballs
* Protective goggles
* Compass
* Game rules

=== Mail-order business ===

Gurnsey assembled equipment packages and fulfilled orders from his home.

Gaines was responsible for generating publicity and encouraging interest in the activity.

=== Early expansion ===

National Survival Game developed a network of commercial field operators.

The business expanded during the early 1980s as more people became interested in recreational paintball.

=== International development ===

The activity spread beyond the United States.

Commercial fields and organised games subsequently appeared in Canada, Europe, Australia and other regions.