Is airsoft dying?

[@tagzac0806]

Im 34 and I've been playing for 25yrs. Airsoft was always a way to hang out with my friends. As I've got older and friends have moved away and started families, a big airsoft game, at least once a year has always brought us back together.

[@AirsoftReviewArgentina]

You have no I idea how lucky you are!

[@Solidcambo]

I'm 34 too and I started playing because my son wanted to get into

[@IJA_Foxlord]

I think the problem is accessibility. Even though there's the meme of Americans driving 2 hours to go to work for example, the closest GOOD field to me is about 2-3 hours away. And most people do not want to commit to a drive that long, making people less willing to try out airsoft. Even though I personally don't care about a drive that long, I've had issues trying to get people on board with that. I think it really leads to an issue where only so many people are going to get into airsoft to begin with, and the amount is cut down even further because there aren't fields that are close enough to make would be players give it a chance. Also there's not a lot of advertisement for new players either. It's hard because there's a lot of active censorship on the part of youtube, but there definitely needs to be a large effort to recruit more beginners. If you just flood the community with beginners, maybe its annoying for some of the higher level players, but inevitably a lot of those beginners are going to drop off while the rest slowly fill in the other areas.

[@Ember34]

anyone else just lowkey drive past a warehouse or large vacant spot and say “man, that’d make a good indoor field” “man, it’d be great if that was an airsoft store” or just have it be more widespread “man wish new people knew about this” “no dude i’m not a psychopath they’re not real guns”

[@patagucci8482]

Youre telling me, the only airsoft field near me is 4 hours away

[@VexingWeeb]

@@Ember34 I don't think airsoft really brings in a lot of money, because if it did there's be so many airsoft fields and there's just so many good spots to make them too. It's just that , due to the risk/reward for it, owners are afraid to make the jump

[@foreststalkerbrothers]

Shame to hear this is a thing in US. I work in the biggest airsoft shop in Czechia ( Eastern / central europe). In 2 years i'm in, the number of people that want to start in airsoft increased MASSIVELY. And this has been going on for about 10 years now. The gear itself got cheap with chinese knockoffs and cheap surplus gear, the airsoft guns themselves are REALLY REALLY affordable - unlike 15-20 years ago, and here where there is no legal limit on power it's HEAVEN.

[@82ismi]

In my region in Germany there are at least 3 fields 15-40 min away, outdoor, indoor, different sice, active local teams, infrastructure of the fields getting better and better, refs active, interesting mission games and so on. None of these fields are commercial - players for players, private associations etc. It's fun to play here.

[@waffles8127]

Sind diese auf dem ASV zu finden?

[@calebwold2795]

I played airsoft when i was 17-20 years old. School, work, and life in general got in the way. Now at 29, I have started getting back into it this past year. Here is what airsoft needs: 1, more 1 day and 2 day operations (also called mini-milsims. These allow players of all type to come and play their preferred style. 2, we need week day evening play. I have a job, house family, and other things in life besides airsoft. I can hardly get one free weekend a month to play airsoft so why not have a Wednesday evening play? Just a few hours long so everyone can have some fun but get back home at a decent time as to not disrupt work/school. I think this is why most people get out of the sport as adults. We just can't leave our wife and kids at home every weekend. 3, more structure and more reffs on the field. The most successful airsoft fields I have seen in my area have had lots of reffs around to keep people from arguing, specifically at your points. If one team is getting beat down, they will grab a few veteran players and have them swap to even teams.

[@FullMetal2006]

I feel you there, I guess I'm kinda spoiled where I am. We have 2 indoor fields and the only day they don't have open play is Mondays, which is set aside for parties or club members. Having to drive hours to get to a field would greatly kill the sport.

[@Hudjunababa]

Available free weekends is a huge consideration for me too. Would love weekday options.

[@frankcastle4194]

We have quiet a few of these mini-milsim type events in my general area. I attended one last weekend. The field has walk on games every weekend but for this event it was a 2 faction scenario that had the entire 95 acre facility in play in stead of running games on single areas like their walk on. I agree that this is perfect for people who have busy lives outside of airsoft. Unfortunately, what seems to be the limiting factor for these types of games in my area is saturation. In Florida we have a narrow window of enjoyable weather and all of these types of games are crammed from Dec to the end of Feb. A lot get canceled because of low sign up numbers because other events attracting more attention

[@brandonwatts9481]

In England, we got a place called reforger near London which does milslims on weekends (usually sunday's) early morning round 9:00 to 16:00

[@iiAnferny]

If the field owners are too stubborn then they reap what they sow. Im currently seeing it in real time and honestly dont mind if I take a break from airsoft if it means losing the only field in the area due to horrible management.

[@chadnoles5671]

I'm currently watching and listening to your opinion I know for me personally I've had to put a halt on playing simply because I've had several injuries (non airsoft related) that have kept me out over the past couple of years I'll be 40 next month and still plan on getting back out there

[@guysmekens429]

41 and still playing.

[@kasxpro]

Im 29 and I just got my first real AEG. Been a while since I have had something that wasn't just a springer. I think there will be more change ahead but I refuse to believe airsoft could die out. I still have more shooting to do!

[@saberrat]

Id love a long story, like we have many factions that do mock battels like seanerios from table top war games and then have a story about witch faction is wining. Affter a year of play the story chnages based on the results

[@Ivan_FPV]

Players should influence the course of the game with their actions (through quests, small tasks, etc.), affecting the development of their faction, and so on.

[@Johnny_Cash_Flow]

I'm an old skateboarder. I started skating in 1993. I've seen the popularity of the sport go from underground counter-culture to being in the Olympics, only to fall out of popularity once again. I see the same thing in airsoft. There are ups and downs in the sport, and relevant companies need to be prepared for the lean times if they wish to survive.

[@tombo6245]

This "decline" has been happening in most outdoor hobby activities, most notably the bike industry. But it's not really a decline, it's just a return to pre-covid popularity. When covid hit, everyone bought bikes, and the demand (and prices) were at an all-time high, but eventually prices and demand returned to normal.

[@FalcoINC]

Bikes are a bit different that buying a full airsoft get up lol. But I kind of get what your pointing towards.

[@masonmax1000]

@@FalcoINC same thing happend with motorcycles as well. people were posting used bikes for over msrp for a new one LOL.

[@CasvalSVER]

It's bigger and healthier than it's ever been, I don't understand these "airsoft is dying" videos I keep seeing. I remember when the only field in my whole home state was this little room with some wooden bunkers and netting inside attached to a paintball/airsoft shop that was an hour drive away. It was basically IRL shipment and it sucked. Now the "worse" field in my entire state is like 10x the size of that with a wooden village inside, tire bunkers, oil drums, old cars, etc and so on.

[@TheGamingPrivate]

I don’t get it either, as Airsoft has been getting bigger heck local fields to a state where I’ve gone has opened two more fields.

[@huskiegaming4957]

mississippi has no fields or stores, the closest is in texas and it’s just too expensive for poverty stricken mississippi. i want to get in it but we got nothing.

[@peterbaan9671]

Where I live we have a host of fields and organizers, so every level of game gets organized pretty frequently: - Practice games - For everybody, really, as casual as it can be, with short games and lots of action - cqb games - Since in cqb you have a 50-50 chance to "survive" by default and with training you can get it to 60-40, it's ideal for everybody, since everybody can score a hit or two during a game - half-sim games - For those who like to try something of a milsim, but not so seriously - milsim games - Ranging from single day, through 24 hours to multiple days - themed events - For larpers and for those who searching for something different - historical games - For those who want to use bolt-action NOT as a sniper and still be useful I'm playing for two years now and what I've heard from the past and what I'm seeing now, we are in kind of a golden age for airsoft.

[@tombo6245]

I think this might be a larger problem for places that don't have a lot of venue options. I live in southern Ohio now, so I'm kinda spoiled with variety. If I want to go to an outdoor, large scale field, I'll go to G2 or Parker's. If I want to play cqb, I'll go to OVI or any of the MK locations. I know that a lot of places like north GA only have like 2 places within 3 hours of each other now, since basically everything except Team Airsoft (the goats) closed. Lack of options for even Open Play might have something to do with it

[@skywardsoul1178]

It's certainly a venue problem if the few options available are stale. We have this issue where every site in the area has the exact same type of game, and it's the same every time. No creativity or variety, nothing really interesting unlike the old smaller sites that died off. It's just "here's a piece of paper, here are some points to hold at X time, run around the woods and shoot people". Boring flat field with way too much of the wrong kind of vegetation in the case of the nearest one. The other's a little more interesting but was ridden with Kicking Mustang wannabes as they didn't chrono people.

[@Airking090]

dont forget MSW picks venues in your state if you really wanted to go to a national-sized milsim event lol meanwhile i live in massachusetts, and my best field choices are in NH and CT respectively

[@FalcoINC]

@@Airking090 Are there really that many places in S Ohio? Im in Columbus and there is hardly anything around here. :(

[@tombo6245]

@@FalcoINC I live in Cincinnati. Outdoor options near me are Parker's in Milford, and G2 in Dayton. I would seriously recommend G2. Indoor places are honestly not my thing, but I think MK has a couple of locations near you. There's also Ohio Valley Indoor in uptown Cincy.

[@Rezolite_]

My biggest issue is accessibility to high quality guns, gear, fields, consumable equipment. All merchants that sell goods seem to shill low quality items to hopefully suck in a quick buck from someone who didn’t know better, and their own internal brands I have to basically special-order anything that’s worth using, if I want a new gun, I have to exclusively buy it from asian retailers because they hold high quality and updated stock and items compared to US retailers.

[@Muddy_Reviews]

You can blame Elite Force / Umarex and EMG for this. They are able to gate keep what comes in and out of the US because they own the TM and rights to the majority of real companies. The 416A5 is a fantastic example you have the EF Umarex Competition A5 and the EF full metal by VFC. The price point difference between these two AEGs is pretty drastic. Their are some great middle range 416A5s but you can't get them in the US. The Arcturus is a great example, their 416A5 is around 300 to 350 US and a solid performer but I you want it you have to find one in Europe or Asia and try and import it and hope it isn't seized by customs.

[@TheGamingPrivate]

High quality new or used gear look at EBay, new guns Evike, fields that’s the problem lol.

[@TheGamingPrivate]

@@Muddy_ReviewsIt’s not going to get seized by customs, when every Airsoft import comes with the orange tip as is…

[@Muddy_Reviews]

@TheGamingPrivate it's more than orange tips, plenty of replicas can seized due to trademarks.

[@FullMetal2006]

I definetly agree with you that more and more people are wanting more structured or objective based games. Team Deathmatch games are fun and all, but they get REALLY boring REALLY quickly, especially when you play 8-10 games in a 4 hour session. So having an objective, even something as simple as capture the flag, is more interesting to me than TDM.

[@ondrefekete8946]

maybe airsoft should adopt same structure as in game squad? i mean take volunteers to lead teams that consists of 8 people and assign 3 of them fireteam leader role and 2 people to lead then assign one of squad leaders role of commander... if you would do this maybe they would create teams on their own later

[@Courtesyflush52]

Idk I've been playing airsoft for 14 years (I'm 28 now) and I think the fields I've frequented have grown in population. It's just less of MY demographic as I age

[@FadeintotheShadows]

People like Silo Entertainment keeps posting. Europe's airsoft scene keeps thriving.

[@Terminatorbart]

🤔🤷‍♂️ This is year five for me! 3D printing custom stuff keeps it fresh for me.

[@AlbionAirsoft]

I’m not involved in the business side of any of it here in the uk but any issues with a lack of sites or players seems to be much more related to the over arching economic issues here than anything else. People having less time and money but there’s still a seemingly core group of individuals who are happy to come and play on the weekend, I enjoy the calibre of people I get to play with here.

[@yolomasta6940]

We need more roleplay style games like zombie games, apocalypse games, cowboy games, etc, games where people don't need the best gear and is really accessible but has some structure, kinda even some milsim lite style games kinda like a cops and robbers game.

[@FronkStronk]

It's not dying, it's just reached it's threshold. Just like anything that grows, it can only grow so far, reach it's max capacity, and you'll see the growth immediately decline a little. It'll bounce up and down for a bit but that just means it's at its threshold.

[@nick391nm]

I just got back into airsoft after playing through 2 milsim games with American Milsim. The bad part is that there's only 4 outdoor fields in Alabama and none of them are close to where I currently live.

[@CobraAirsoftLegion]

I'm sorry but I'm going to have to respectfully disagree with this video. I think there are a ton of Airsoft promoters doing Middle Ground games that last anywhere from 6:00 to 12 hours to get in the middle. Airsoft is one of the fastest growing Hobbies out there. It has 10 fold increased in the last 10 years to say that this is dying or that there is no middle ground I think is just clickbait

[@CobraAirsoftLegion]

I would also have to say your comment with field numbers dwindling that's not my case. Or any of the other promoters since covid our numbers are all on the rise. Every year we're seeing a small increase. When I started promoting games in 2005 we were lucky to get 100 players now our average is over 150 per game if not more.

[@ch4z_bucks]

​@@CobraAirsoftLegionthis may be true in the US, but in some other places, it's starting to dwindle I believe.

[@Airking090]

it really depends on where you are, at the end of the day. Where fields are located are just as much a matter of popularity, as well as wherever the owner decided to set up shop. I've had 3 fields in my state (massachusetts) close within the last 3 years as a result of the pandemic, the political climate + antigun sentiment getting more and more radicalized, AND the fact that you can't even buy BBs off amazon in this state because it's qualified as "ammunition". they couldnt keep their doors open with 10 people showing up at peak hrs. on the other hand, more popular fields out in the midwest might be growing in popularity because if you're out there, those few fields are *already* your *only* options if you want to make it out to a game. In the 10 or so years ive been playing the game, I've seen the playerbase age with me, but there's almost never enough new players or kids getting into it, even as rentals. Most people out here these days are my age (mid 20s) and there's maybe 3 gradeschooler regulars that come to my field with their own equipment. Hell, let's not forget one of the things detracting getting into this sport in the first place is that it costs an arm and a leg to even begin using your own equipment. Your gun, your ammo, something to transport the gun to the field, the admittance/entry fee, batteries to keep you in-play, might run you between $300-$500 to play your first "non-rental" depending on your budget for a gun. This hobby, to grow in popularity with the youth, unfortunately relies very heavily on cool parents lmao

[@cashas6969]

@@Airking090 one of the MA fields close because it was laundering money. but yeah

[@shakythunder153]

I doubt it, my younger friends are really stoked when they hear about airsoft... which is nice since younger ppl in airsoft means more ppl in airsoft and future for airsoft

[@dagarbster]

I definitely agree the industry is changing and there’s a spectrum of games from msw/ formerly eastwind to pickup / local / backyard games. I agree having a middle progression area of games is great but it’s also a player base issue wanting to skip the progression. I feel ya on not knowing how to fix it but I hope it does heal. Love this hobby and the homies I made along the way

[@huskiegaming4957]

the closest store and field is airsoft GI in texas, 8-9 hours away.

[@jacobstaten2366]

It's very simple. When it first came out when I was a teenager, it was cost prohibitive unless you had wealthy parents or you were an adult. By the time I was an adult, it was mostly children and airsoft guns weren't overtly expensive. Now, the economy is wrecked and even a cheap airsoft gun is not super affordable. There's also the issue of free time. Most people at working age have to work full time or even have multiple jobs just to get by. Even if they have the money, they don't have the time or can't risk injury that could put their income at risk. It really is a leisure activity. There's also the issue of zoning. It's hard to find a good field. Most people only have one local option unless they want to drive quite a distance.

[@FalcoINC]

I used to play paintball quite a bit in mid-late 2000's. I really enjoyed the couple fields I played at because they didnt just to TDM all day. They would do smaller 15 on 15 OBJ based games and a lot of those were 1 life rounds. It made it more enjoyable knowing you had to play smart and stay alive or your team dwindled down. I dont care for the 2-3 days events at all. I just want to be able to drive someplace close on a weekend or even WEEKDAYS! (please!) after work or something and play 2 -4 hours worth and go home. I just want to get in a few good games and not have it be a walking simulator to hopefully stumble across enemy players. Another thing I notice about airsoft that I didn't see as much with paintball is the "special forces commandos" that some airsoft players try and be vs just the casual or new/younger player. Ive heard a lot of them say they are overwhelmed with teams some times. And feel defeated going against a squad of ex infantry rangers with 1000 rifs. I really wish I would see more casual players mixed in with the GI-Joes lol. And I think having more access to nearby field options and smaller structured games would help a lot.

[@russiantroubleyakutsk1612]

I used the play with airsoft as a kid. Problem is that they kept breaking.

[@TacticalAnthony]

Accessibility and costs universally, Philippines "airsofter" here, and usually the best airsoft fields are extremely far away from my hometown (if the event is worth going to, I will go to it by plane) but most of the time, I never go to those events. Furthermore, the prices of airsoft gear are extremely high- If you want a budget friendly kit, it would still cost you 5,000+ pesos (even with Chinese knock-offs/off-brands), which is absurd.

[@gamernon764]

Starting playing airsoft since 2016 with 7 friends till now we play atleast once a month.

[@ondrefekete8946]

i personally think that airsoft will gain in popularity because night games with thermal devices that you can get from china for 300 dolars will attract more people since its different than what everyone expirienced before

[@luxeguns1438]

I think social media soft ban and demonetization of Airsoft content plays a big part of this decline. Would-be players don't see videos from influencers such as Novritsch or others much anymore. Many influencers are closing down their channels because they are no longer able to generate income, or had their channels banned outright. The resulting negative impact on Airsoft has been huge. In today's digital world, such a coordinated ban by so many platforms would spell death for any industry.

If you keep at it, people leave then come back. I'm 52 now and we play pretty much every weekend.

[@ADMTrevor]

I feel like in the Midwest usa we have alot of milsim light or big games events with objectives. A ton of fun, not too serious but a big step up from open play.

[@gregoryfranks7347]

I would like to see more things like G&G does or tactical runss and shooting competitions. timed and scored runs through a tactical course and do classes like gbbr only and pistol only. I really don't play much I use them for training and I like drills and stuff some more of that would draw in some different kinds of players . perhaps 3 gun style competitions. maybe fields change a couple things and set up a few lines with a room clear and threats/civilians course thru their field one day a week if people like it they could do a weekly shooting contest or do 2 evenings where its only timed and scored runs and target shooting. just what I'd like to see. cheers

[@didiersenecal5352]

No it’s growing in fact. Love the social part of the game, friendships you are creating. It’s getting expensive since Covid and have to say for new players it’s getting harder to get a good replica at a normal budget. What goes against it it’s in fact the view of non players who think we are frustrated military people. Maybe they are the frustrated ones and they should join instead of judging.

[@Random_240]

For me at least, it's the economy. Inflation has made things more expensive but I transitioned to just milsim only. However we've seen slow times in airsoft before and it will more than likely make a comeback again. So I'm not worried.

[@53ns3i]

From what ive seen, although im from Southern Africa, aitsoft is expensive for us so that is a factor, but because of that, guys with money to buy good gear are fewer than most players, who run basic and beginner builds, and airsoft sux when you got poor hardware.

[@Biggy_Queso]

Would the increase in cost for military surplus also be hurting new players who want to go into milsim? We always see the progression of players from shirt and jeans to combat uniforms and Gucci gear. But gear is just getting up there in price, and down grading in quality. It might not be a major factor, but the cost always comes up when your regular player wants to expand on their gear but sees the price barrier to get through just to have find and role play their favorite unit/ military

[@TheJcmcd]

I think some of it is field prices too. I know for me I generally have to pay for 2+ people every time I go and and $35 a head it gets expensive especially when you have to get drinks and food as well. By the time it’s all done I end having to spend $100+ for one day of Airsoft. And I know at my local field we get like 6 games in before they close, that’s a lot of money for 6 games.

[@elchalesxq7146]

Man, every christmas tons of kids join the sport so I think airsoft is gonna be good for a while

[@mowoau]

These is a lot of airsoft :) and Europe events! where we all gather few times a year + weekend games.

[@Mr.WarwickBot]

Recently went to my first game in like 8 years. Was really fun there was a good bit of people, and I’m talking more people into coming next time.

[@MellowGhetto]

The future of airsoft is on the horizon. Those who know ... Know. FIELD OF FIRE

[@thomashenry-pq4jb]

Legends never die…

[@WMPT82]

Playing for 20 years, play every weekend, have wife and kids, noticed an evolving comunity, the hardcore players are old and is getting harder for them to do more than a day of airsoft, milsim games are not viable, people go for better guns and low cost aliexpress gear, a lot of cod players that get a reality check when they go for their first game, the game is evolving, my gear is evolving and the rules are evolving. I live and play in an island, Azores in Portugal.

[@reaperairsoftsf53]

I think local fields suffer from time to time is do to lack of different game style every weekend the exactly samething .. I wish more creativity in games I see players give owners ideas on how to make game play more interested and owners just brushoff the ideas and then say " airsoft is just loosing popularity and people wants play paintball " but is not you are not listening to your customers .

[@frankcastle4194]

Here's my experince so take it at face value. My two sons and I (13&16) have been playing for almost 3 years. We own an arsenal of guns. Everythings HPA,Snipers,LMGs,speedsoft builds etc. We have a really nice indoor arena locally and 1 basic and 1 really nice outdoor field within 1.5hrs from home. We enjoy airsoft. One weekend we might be running our crafted ghillies and the next we're running around indoors in Dye I5s with ESG build. All that said,in my area i have noticed a SHARP decline in the attendance at the outdoor fields. I live in Florida and outdoor is kinda "seasonal" since its so hot and humid here for 7 months out of the year. You bagan the video talking about the "progression" from begginer to "milsim west" players. I think its worth pointing out that we have no desire to ever do an event like that. Weve done a few local all days "milsim/scenario/events" and will do them again. I think there are plenty of people that just like playing at their local fields as long as there's good turnout and you dont have a toxic player base.

[@huskiegaming4957]

it’s not even alive in mississippi except a small facebook group due to there being no fields or stores. mississippi has nothing and we can’t eat the cost of shipping since it’s the highest poverty state and everything is just way too overpriced. a TM hi capa is $160 at the cheapest not counting tax and shipping. it would be nice for it to come here but no 1 ever does.

[@danielwarner4616]

Airsoft is growing not dying, but there is definitely not as many adult players in the US, as it makes more sense for them to spend their precious time and hard earned money on collecting, practicing, and hunting with real steel firearms rather than comparatively cheap toys that can break easily. There's definitely a bigger distribution of older players in other countries. Its kind of always been this way however, just a bit more pronounced due to demographic change and airsoft not changing much and losing a bit of what made it exciting when it was newer. I do think you see more adults get back in when they have kids who get into it though which makes it fun again.

[@gemsonluna]

in my experience the regular sunday games that we have are declining in players due to adulthings. so the team that is in charge of the field is lacking the passion but they do still participate in their competitions but the quality of the field that we are playing at is degrading and the percentage of new players coming in is almost 1 to none every year. even the younger people dont even play as much anymore due to academics. its pretty rough to experience that the hobby is at a choke point every after event. edit: for scale, last year the people that usually play is around 20 people but nowadays its only around 10 people we have to go to other fields in order to enjoy the game again

[@uzzy1364]

I cant speak for airsoft in america but I'd say airsoft in the uk is doing well as a new player myself only getting into it early febuary. I guess what i would want to see more in airsoft as a new player is more themed games with rules that shake stuff up and how you play the game. Looking at it from the perspective of a pc game, once the meta is figured out rules need to adjusted to balance out stronger builds. The problem with airsoft is theres no difference between someone with an lmg and and an m4. You cant balance a class or a style of play when the lines between them are so blurred. Other then that though i think the barrier to entry into airsoft is a lot easier now with a lot of companies offering aeg with a lot of features at budget price points as well as gbbr now becoming better and cheaper with TM mws clones becoming more avalible. I dont think it will be to long before we see a polymer body mws clone going for $250usd or mabye even lower as each company competes to under cut one another.

[@bloodxviii7546]

we need updates on fields, the field i went to always seem to play the same games they never change the maps they always put the new guys VS the group of try hard HPA kit teams and the balancing is completely off, Its the lazy field owners that arent even trying.

[@T238dotnet]

maybe introduce the ranking system to airsoft so noobs won't get wrecked

[@darkshock42mlg05]

It's a way for me to get out of the house and indonit kind of causally I do eventually want to do some of the smaller milsims in my area. For the memorable games I did that was ruined by me. Eating McDonald's for breakfast was Operation Scag me which was a borderlands 2 themed apocalyptic event. That's actually the story behind the vladoff sticker on my AKS74u. The thing I was taunting me was there was a porta potty but was locked and I can't drive. But the event goes. He plays Hyperion bandits or vault Hunter. Ball tenders are kind of freelance. Bandits and Hyperion are shooting each other and because I got something that was very important and I was a vault hunter there was actually a bounty on my head because the NPCs actually talked

[@josephmontanaro2350]

Juat started watching, retured referee, worked at 2 fields that closed (one like 10+ years ago, one during the pandemjc), i feel overall the sport is going strong but localy qe have lost many of the fields (we still have some but wwy less overall), played for over 20 years, i dont think the sport is dieing but like a lot of similar hobbies is suffering from the curent economy

[@Mikolt1911]

The economy and inflation is hurting the game as well!!!

[@jhorn64]

considering all the good fields near me closed up leaving only a single indoor field which is too much like CoD to be any fun as I like long strategic games. The nearest outdoor field to me is now nearly 4 hours away which is not worth it for games that only last a few hours. Much of the eastern US is too over developed that there isnt much land available to have good large fields and what land is available sells for insane prices.

[@fanofCOH]

east coast is all trees bro, the urban sprawl is the minority

[@grajver6309]

Problem is lack of good fields only one close to me is some shit arena that does not enforce their rules unless its bans on shotguns or shields

[@abram4806]

I’ve been playing airsoft for the last 6 years and this year has been the year I’ve actually been playing mostly on real fields but now most of them are now being shut down due to land issues from farmers and old people now it’s either go back to the group that we go to friends private property /fields and make our own stuff up but never get enough players to play or it will be like a 2v2 or 3v4 or drive3 hours to get to the last outdoor field. Indoor I can’t play due to my guns being way overpowered. I use Ak-74M and ak-12 E and Ls and just not a fan of indoors. Airsoft is amazing but once the fields close down there’s nothing to do really. I went to the MSW shali a couple days ago and I’m all for that but I can’t get experience or practice or fun without spending $300 on a ticket. We need people to start making Airsoft fields there been lots of land great for it and abandoned things that I think would be amazing for airosft but nobody puts the effort or the landowners don’t like the idea and think it’s a waste of money and time even though that it’s going to rot there for the next 100 years 😅.

[@jaredchin2731]

More 12 to 24 hour events.

[@grillzbearz1512]

There are plenty of event hosts out there that fit into this middle category. They might be not be 36 hours straight events but thats not everyones cup of tea. Maybe its just me but I think the player community might be more of the issue with the hobby. There are a ton of great teams and individuals out there but there has also been an increase in turds over the years too

[@jonathanbevan7030]

Short answer.. no

[@VexingWeeb]

idk i feel more like milsim or people who play for fun and like the experience are really nice and welcoming. But speedqb and those indoor,cqb,fast paced players are quick to shit and be toxic towards new players. I've played at fields, i've worked at a field, and milsim-esque people are very nice and quick to help new players while speedqb players are quick to be like "my team is shit" instead of help people. and speedqb players are more common to run into for newer players bcz they're most common at CQB fields, and cqb fields I feel bring in newer players due to gear not being as important (cbq don't need a good gun for range, jsut any gun even cheap 100$ or less aegs will work here) not saying speedqb is cheap (cos its not) but since they're cqb/indoors, new players run into these players and get turned away. There's plenty of times where I notice players just feel singled out or outcasted when there's a lot of speedqb players bcz they refuse to want to cooperate or work with new players and see them as just targets. No one wants to play when they go to play and feel like they're alone. On top of this, airsoft doesn't seem to get really much attention. I only know airsoft bcz my friends in highschool told me about it. otherwise, I'd never know. Barely anyone I talk to doesn't know or they say "it's like paintball right?" , there's just no way for people to know airsoft even exists except from word of mouth or hopefully it shows up in someone's recommended and then they decide to look it up and find out there's one near them. Furthermore, anyone new might look into trying out a rental before getting into the sport. Rentals be hella expensive at fields and they're usually absolute dog shit. and I get , yeah rentals are passed around a lot and they go bad because of it. But this feels likeits quick to turn people away too. they don't realize that the rentals are just absolutely horrible vs a new version of the same model and they play and think "i can't aim, I can't see where I'm looking or if i'm hitting anyone" and that turns them away too. I get alot of instances where someone thinks "damn, airsoft is expensive. it costs me 30$ (around 30 , it fluctuates of course depending on the field) to just play, and then almost 15-20$ to get a rental (not to mention bbs) i spent almost 50$ to play today" (which it can hit that or exceed if you have to drive far bcz gas ) or more depending on the field and its cost. only brand spanking new players get rentals (a few times i've seen younger players get them bcz their parents don't allow them to own one) and when new players coem in, and feel like they're spending so much money just to not have a good time and be alone, it isn't going to make them want to come back.

[@johnnystacks9468]

You hit the nail on the head, been in Airsoft for about a year, started running it at 51. Structure and quality of venue (layout, challenging modes with and end goal) are what make the experience. Also, in states like NY (cancerous Kathy Hochul) there has a been a purposeful policy effort to make getting into the sport challenging, hoping that changes with Trump back!

[@Obamayomomma-b9u]

No it’s really not things are super advanced and it’s even getting over to KZbinrs and they wanna try it and then their subscribers wanna try and there are so many cool things now it’s not going anywhere

[@Spider-Too-Too]

milsim laser tag

[@Kaizer10155]

It’s not dying

[@dand6520]

At this point just join the Army

[@TheRealSPOOKAirsoft]

Nuh uh

[@bigguns126]

Is water need to do is deter people away from loser speedsofting hpa platforms.

[@martinmateev7517]

No?

[@lolosghost1643]

I think that the problem is just life it self. I mean people need to go work, or raise a family and much more. And it also doesnt help that everything is just so expensive everywhere you go. And those facts doesnt leave much over for a hobby like airsoft. I played airsoft since i was at school. I used to play once every month. But now when i got older. It has been now like 4 months ago when i last played. Its not that i have complety stopped. Or loose intressed. But i am just occupied by other things that i worry about. Its just not easy. 🫤