"tHe StAtE oF tHe HoBbY"
Yes. I understand that I'm writing a blog about airsoft. Go ahead, cringe so hard that your jaw breaks. Unfortunately for you, I'm here regardless. And in order to get into all of the topics, there needs to be some context.
In April of 2021, things are less than ideal. Field attendance is still understandably hampered by COVID-19, meaning prices have gone up to make up the difference. The more expensive prices are therefore making fields less accessible to younger players. I don't see this continuing forever. Field owners know the bulk of their attendees are younger and rental players, so once restrictions are lifted, I predict prices going down.
Milsim events are running back to almost pre-COVID levels. The nature of those larger events makes social distancing much easier to attain. I am personally excited to return to events like Milsim West and Gothic Line.
While on the outside, there is positivity, there are some complaints nI have that seem to dampen the experience. Not enough to make me want to sell my kit and quit, but enough to notice and make me think.
While the whole milsimmer vs speedsofter feude has been around for the past couple of years, it has more recently overflowed out of the internet and into on field interactions. Verbal harassment and even physical altyrcations are more common than they used to be. Part of me thinks it must be all the pent up energy from people just now able to get out of the house, but that doesn't excuse the actions. I tend heavily towards being a typical milsimmer, but I have never thought of someone less because of how they choose to LARP in someone's backyard with rules.
Finally, the most saddening and alarming trend I've been seeing that I hope to actively do what I can to stop. Let me give an example I saw in one of the many airsoft Facebook groups that I am a part of.
"Hey, what's a good starter gun? I have about $200 I can spend!"
"Hah, imagine having a good gun for $200."
"Keep saving buddy. $200 won't cut it."
"That kit isn't accurate."
"No, you need this $600 plate carrier they only made 50 of to be cool."
Ok, that last one was an exaggeration. But you get the idea, and if you have spent any amount of time playing airsoft I'm sure you've seen it. Poor shaming, gear whoring, no matter what you call it, it can be narrowed down to one thing: elitism.
I have been just as guilty of this as anybody. If any of you know me, you know that I have put more money than I would like to admit into my kits simply for accuracy's sake. When people would ask me for advice, I wouldn't stop to consider that, maybe they're still a teenager on a shoestring budget. Maybe they don't care about kit accuracy and just want to wear gear that works. Maybe they don't care that the 416 isn't typically seen with the tanker stock but they like the setup.
Point being, if we as experienced players continue to be elitist snobs about our kit, guns, and gameplay, this hobby is going to die. I know that sounds harsh, but think about your first few times playing at a field. I know that if it weren't for the many nice guys that helped me out when I was just starting, I might not have played for the last twelve years. Sure, go flaunt your cool plate carriers and real helmets. I think it's just as cool as the next guy, but also be kind and welcoming.
Gatekeeping is a problem in any sphere, but with dwindling numbers and big vendors going out of business, now is not the time to keep people out of the hobby. You wont get your next generation of impressionists or milsimmers if you keep calling current rentals and speedsofters "trash" and "poors".
Be kind, be welcoming, show them the way. That is how we bounce back post COVID.
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