This war game, as it turned out, has a rather interesting history. It turns out that back in the eighties of the last century, Japan already knew what airsoft was. True, the name of this military-sports game was different. And the essence was as follows. Deprived of the right to create its own army, the country found a way out of the situation by organizing exercises on the principle of a military game.
Then they began to create analogues of military weapons, which, being an exact copy of the present, were intended for shooting with balls. On the one hand, these were real tactical exercises, but on the other, a sports war game. In Japan, Europe, USA, airsoft is called "Airsoft", which translates as "soft air". In the late nineties, the game came to Russia, where it quickly began to gain popularity. The number of airsoft players who join teams is increasing annually. The basis is a single weapon and camouflage.
What is airsoft in Russia
The game has features. Due to the lack of refereeing and paint (as in paintball), the integrity of the player is considered an important criterion here. If the ball hits any part of the player’s body, he must immediately acknowledge his “death” and leave the game. An unfair approach to competitions has a negative impact, depriving other participants of the possibility of a comfortable pastime. The organizers of the maneuvers take appropriate measures, trying to conduct the game honestly.
Airsoft rules imply the participation in such competitions of persons who have reached the age of majority, who are mentally healthy. Airsoft guns are pneumatic. As cartridges - balls, the diameter of which is from 6 to 8 millimeters, made of environmentally friendly plastic. The mass of such a "cartridge" is 0.12-0.43 gr. There are unwritten laws of the game, also called "gentlemen's agreements", formed in the late 90's. In particular, participants are not allowed to wear camouflage, which was previously chosen by well-established teams. The same applies to the names of units.
A characteristic feature of airsoft can also be called the resemblance to the popular computer game "Counter Strike". Introducing yourself inside the "COP", you can more or less understand what airsoft is. In addition, this game creates a real atmosphere of hostilities and related conditions. Due to the lack of special training grounds, such events are held in uninhabited places. By participating in airsoft, teams of players strive to model or reconstruct existing paramilitary units. What is such a simulation? In imitation of a combat unit, including appearance. In this case, slight deviations are allowed.
As for reconstruction, we are talking about the most accurate reconstruction of the military unit, taking into account the smallest details. There are teams of players who do not seek modeling / reconstruction. These airsoft players are nicknamed "Pokémon." The thing is that reconstruction and modeling imply a real dedication to the airsoft movement. External surroundings require considerable financial investments, but bring true pleasure to the participants of the competition. "Pokemon", outfitting haphazardly , somewhat blur the big picture.
What is airsoft, known as the "game of friends"? Such a phrase is now considered obsolete and can cause a condescending smile from a seasoned airsoft player. The game of friends was called the phenomenon in question when it was a novelty in the countries of the former CIS. In those days, the company gathered for the company of well-known people who simply wanted to have a good time: have fun and relax. Today, a huge number of people gather to participate in such competitions, new teams of players constantly appear. Naturally, to know so many people personally is simply impossible.