Airsoft... Amazing fun!

WHAT A BLAST!! I played a game called "Airsoft" last night with some friends from my formal employer Corillian. I've played paintball before, and this is way more fun. You use very real-looking weapons that shoot BB-sized plastic rounds. It doesn't hurt (too bad) when you get hit, and the game play seems so real. When the games started my heart was racing and my adrenaline was pumping and I was sweating profusely (and not just from the heavy camo).

I'm the guy in the middle, and I've got an M16 (Click here to enlarge the pic). The others have M4's. Some guys brought 9MM pistols too, one had a laser pointer on it. One guy had a scope with his rifle. They spend almost as much money on these toy guns and accessories as they would spend on the real versions. They have short-range radios with headsets, and look like they're ready for real combat. Pretty impressive. And I must say, the game-play is intense and addictive.

We played several different game types, like capture the cooler, and VIP. VIP is where a small number of assassins insert themselves in the woods, while the rest of us have to guard a VIP from one point to another. There was also the downed pilot. That's where one guy inserts himself into the woods as a downed pilot. The rest split into 2 groups, the rescuers and the insurgents. Both groups are looking for the pilot, and the pilot doesn't know who is who.

It was fun! I'm definitely playing again! Depending on the budget, I may soon be the proud owner of a plastic M4......