[.JET]

I must have skipped like three pages because the following was on page two I think. Sorry if this is off-topic, but it's my opinion.

Originally Posted by dpvu

Calgary has seen a big jump in player-base due to clearsoft. The number of new people who sign up on the JOC boards and actually get out to a game is way higher than it was just last year. The clear guns actually perform quite well and you can't even tell unless people are loading up. We went from only maybe 2-3 outdoor games a week during the summer to a skirm almost every week with indoor games 2-3 days every week as well. Without exception, the new players have had a blast and I'm sure many of them will be throwing money into the airsoft sinkhole in no time.

The "concentration" of new players is higher which does worry some people but I think given the nature of airsoft, cansoft is a good way for people to ease into the sport. As a relatively new player, good clearsoft wasn't around when I first started and I wish it was. It would have been easier on the pocket book and I would have been able to buy gear with the money I saved. For example, I used a black vest over a multicam BDU for a few games because I couldn't afford another vest.

Game organizers: If you want serious players, make that clear. A lot of people spend their money on guns (let's face it, the cansofts are still pricey) and don't have a lot left over for BDU, vest etc. In Calgary we run a lot of skirms on smaller fields where I would say jeans are perfectly acceptable. Skirms are where a new player should learn and pick the sport up. We do however run some milsims and I think a gear requirement for those is also acceptable or maybe even a requirement of having one season under their belt.

I understand where the "elitists" come from. You don't want the sport to get watered down by new players. Yes, unprepared players can be a drag on a game (especially when they get dehydrated and get heat stroke). The solution is simple, let the new players run around at skirms and make gear and experience requirements for your games.

I need to agree with dpvu. You can't expect newer players to have the same amount of gear or gun quality as people who have been in Airsoft for years. Don't forget, we're in Canada. Guns that are sold in Canada for 400$ are sold in the US for 180$ - and they are full metal in the US. Canadian laws are not friendly to newer players and I think this is something veteran players need to understand.

I'm new to the sport, but not to the profession (soldier). I know how important quality of equipment is, but I am also only 20 years old. I don't make 50K$ a year and live in my mother's house to be able to invest 10K$ in guns and equipment. That's the same story for every teenager/young adult who wants to enter the sport. I understand the frustration of older players, but you need to take into account that the sport is expensive, and unless you only want veterans in the community, you need to be accepting of new people. I've been to two games, and I was decently prepared. But for other newbies, it was a disaster because of older players' attitudes.

You cannot expect the sport to grow if you do not accept the responsibility of tutoring new people. It's the way it is. The sport is complicated, moreso with Canadian laws. Be appreciative of the fact people actually purchase lower-end guns (150$ is still money, do not simmer down efforts because they are not as big as yours right now) and understand that in time, they too will understand that the more money you inject into the sport, the better the quality of yours gun(s).

I might be coming down aggressive (for a new person around here) but frankly, someone has to do it. I'm an elitist too, but I simply don't have the money to buy higher-quality equipment right now. I've spent 800$ for two different G&G guns, which is already something most if not all other teens wouldn't do. Yes, my rifles are smoked. But they still shoot very well for my current standards, they still have gone through games fine. Not everyone will upgrade before their first game. Some don't even buy a gun before their first games.

Bottom line, there is no way to know either unless you ask, or go to games and see with your own eyes how things work. Give newer players a chance to catch up to you guys. Because if you don't, more people will shy away from the sport because of "arrogant assholes" (was it?) who think they're the shit. First impressions are important, and I bet they were important for all of you too, when you first started out. Don't forget what it feels like to be new. You can't be as open as if you were a seasoned player. I'm still shy at games because I simply don't know anyone. It's normal. It's the way things go. In time, I will bond with other people and I will learn more about Airsoft from them. But that is only at the condition that they agree to take me into their circle.

It's kind of like a new job, really. You get in, you see the older people who look down on you from their high horse and you begin to shy away, unless you gather the guts to confront them in hopes that they will accept you. And if things go badly, you hope for new people to come as quickly as possible so you can make your own little circle.

Is this what you want the Canadian Airsoft community to be like? Cliques everywhere? Or a giant community that helps each other. Sure sounds like a big project, and from what I see, it's well established. I say, stick through the hardships of having to deal with people with lower-end equipment and make them feel welcome. In time, they will learn to appreciate the community and will decide if they want to dish out the money to get better equipment.

It's all an investment, in the end.

//Edit.

Originally Posted by MrRiches

I think ASC should accept the new players with the clearsoft as I find that the majority of the time New Airsofters in the community along with their clearsoft guns are a) More responsible as they are not cocky like most of the more seasoned players tend to be. and b) they out perform the old guys with their cheap clearsoft. I think some "Old guys" are just upset that some kid can outperform them with $200 of equipment vs. their $1000+. I do agree that unprepared players are a pain, but I as do most other players put up with them as they are our future of the sport and we should help them. As far as clearsoft killing the sport... I don't see that happening... we just have more entry level players then ever before and they will eventually buy the higher grade guns. I started off with a P22 walther pistol... thats what got me hooked... since then I've spent thousands into airsoft but it all started with clearsoft. The only thing I don't like about clearsoft is that it takes away from the simulation aspect, but I'm more interested in having fun not about what the next guys gun looks like and I deal with it.

Thanks, that emphasizes my point(s).