Editing History of paintball (section)

== Development of modern tournament paintball (1990s) ==

=== Professional competition ===

The early 1990s saw the emergence of more organised national tournament competition.

The [[National Professional Paintball League]] (NPPL) developed as a player-led organisation intended to establish consistent tournament rules and standards.

Its competitions were predominantly based on the traditional 10-player format, with teams competing for points through eliminations and flag objectives.[5]

Other competitions, including the [[International Amateur Open]] and [[Paintball World Cup]], became established fixtures of the tournament calendar.

=== Introduction of speedball ===

Early tournament paintball had been played largely on woodland fields.

In 1989, [[SC Village]] in California introduced an arena-style format known as [[speedball]], featuring a smaller playing area, constructed bunkers and a central scoring objective.[6]

During the 1990s, artificial-bunker tournament fields became increasingly common.

[[Hyperball]], using large corrugated plastic pipes, became a popular alternative to woodland competition.

Inflatable bunker systems, particularly [[Sup'AirBall]], subsequently made tournament fields more portable and configurable.

By 2000, the Paintball World Cup had moved entirely to constructed concept fields.[7]

=== Marker technology ===

The introduction of reliable semiautomatic markers significantly changed competitive paintball.

The [[Autococker]], developed by [[Bud Orr]] and Worr Game Products, and the [[Automag]], manufactured by [[Airgun Designs]], became two of the major tournament marker platforms of the early 1990s.

Electronic markers subsequently introduced new firing systems and controls.

The [[Shocker]], developed by PneuVentures and marketed by [[Smart Parts]], and the [[WDP Angel]] were introduced to the paintball industry in 1996.[8]

Compressed-air systems, electronic loaders and improved protective equipment also became increasingly important in competitive play.