From the moment that the new game format of X-Ball was announced on March 5, 2002, everyone knew there was one glitch in the otherwise dynamic new style of play: paint. Playing hour-long games with unlimited points would require so much paint that only the top sponsored teams would be able to afford it and the practices it would require. Then as the PSP morphed X-Ball into RaceTo with a more limited number of points per game, things got a bit better. And across the Atlantic the Millennium Series also went to the RaceTo style of play, again in an effort to reduce paint consumption.
But it still wasn’t enough. Enter the new M500 format.
The Millennium Series debuted its newest creation, the M500 in their opening event in Puget-Sur-Argens, France, and by all accounts it was a hit. The M500, now just in demonstration mode, is a simple concept that the league hopes will yield great results. In simple terms the M500 format will limit a player’s paint to 500 rounds per point and the game will be played in the standard RaceTo format. Each player can access the field for each point with one loader (220 round loaders) and two 140 round paintballs pods. Before starting each point at the start base, players can switch pods between teammates. The game is then played using the normal RaceTo format.
At the Med Cup this past March the Millennium Series first rolled out the new M500 format in demonstration matches between Edmonton Impact and Houston Heat and Frankfurt Syndicate and the TonTons. Right off the bat it was obvious that the limited paint encouraged much more movement. Back players were less stationary, snake players crossed the 50 more quickly and point times were down compared to the unlimited paint format.
I spoke with Millennium Series owner Stephen Baldwin and asked him if the league was happy with the first roll-out of the M500. “Yes we were happy with this trial. All four teams also seemed to embrace the format. The games went as we had hoped they would, with more action and talented moves than the games played on the current format. This exhibition is part of an ongoing process to see what tweaks will be needed and to figure out where the number of balls should be. It did appear that the figure of 540 balls per player per point was the right number for this field layout.”
Speaking about the goal of the M500 Stephen commented, “Our objective with the M500 is to increase the enjoyment of playing paintball whilst reducing costs, or at least allowing teams to control their budgets better. On the statistics we collected during normal games and the M500 games, it was clear that at least on this field layout paint use was reduced by about 35%. We feel it is important for the future growth and wellbeing of the sport to re-focus the game away from mass paint use towards enjoyment and more skillful play.” He continued, “We have several trial events going on in Europe using the M500 format in order to gain as much knowledge as possible and to gauge team reaction, so far so good. It is our plan to use the M500 format, (or the final version of), in 2016 in all Millennium divisions. We are also in discussion with other Pro Leagues who are talking in positive terms about converting to this format for 2016. With consultation amongst all stakeholders, including leagues, players and sponsors, we would hope that this format could become the world-wide standard.”
One demo down and many more to come as the Millennium Series will continue to refine the new format before the start of the 2016 season. So as the Millennium prepares to use the M500 exclusively in 2016, how about the other leagues? I talked to Tom Cole, President of the NXL recently and he said, “We are not currently planning on any kind of limited paint [format] at this point but it is something we are looking into. I personally like limited paint. Tom has also been quoted in an interview at PbNation.com as saying, “We are working with the Millennium to create a more uniformed format but it is a work in progress.”
Keeping the game of tournament paintball exciting, fresh and watchable is important. Making the game more affordable for all levels of play is just as important. We all know as the pro leagues go, so go the feeder leagues, regional leagues and standalone events. If limiting paint and encouraging more player movement works at the highest level it will work at every level.
If you’ve not seen the M500 be sure to tune into the Millennium Series Bitburg, Germany event coming up May 8-10 at www.Paintball.Media and check it out. After all, it may be the game format everyone will be playing in 2016.
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