Well, think about it this way...

I hate the new design. I think it sucks. I think it takes a gun with a very
unique look and makes it look like a million other markers (back block aside).


Now the problem.

WGP (k2) wants to have what tippman has....they want that mid to low price
range market, and they want it badly. Its unfortunate that it appears they're
going to be letting the high-end market go to grasp that market....but really,
its not surprising. Think about it from their standpoint.

How many players, percentage wise , will really know the difference? I mean,
honestly, how many players could tell the difference between two sets of
pneumatics without looking at the pneumies? 99% of paintball players dont know
shit about the gear. As such, voila, here ya go, a cocker (which they've all
heard raved about) for the price of a tippman. Voila, WGP catches the newbie
market, voila sales go through the roof. I can practically see the thought
bubble:
WGP Exec: Hmmmm....well, we sold 3 million guns at 350 bucks a pop last year.
Tippman sold 4 times that for 250. So if we release a cocker for 250, its safe
to say that we'll likely sell 4 times more guns.

Obviously I made those numbers up, I've no idea how many guns any company sold
last year (though I would be curious to find out)...but it just goes back to
what we all feared about paintball....its again becoming less about the
players, and more about the business. Hell, time was when a new team could get
a full sponsorship, practically sight unseen. Now? For a new team, good luck
getting ANYBODY to give you a damn thing. Last sponsorship a team I played for
had was a 'buy in' type. You give a shop 200 bucks, they give you stuff valued
at 250. Oh joy, oh rapture.

Business. Thats all this is about now people. Looking to make a buck, and
screw the lowest common denominator, the player. Hell, just look at where the
game is going. X-Ball. Great. Up close, personal. Absolutely a shitload of
fun. Also a good way to ensure alot more paint gets used alot faster. A
brilliant piece of work to stimulate paint sales without looking like thats
what you're trying to do.

In short, the 'cheapening of the cocker' is not surprising...and folks, much as
I hate to say it, expect to see alot more similar things going on in the very
near future. As someone I was once sponsored by in New England said, "If mags
were a hundred bucks, I'd buy a hundred of em.". Well, congratulate WGP.
Maybe they've hit that threshold where eveyrone will buy them. Me? You won't
be able to pry my 'old style' eclipse out of my cold, dead fingers.

Anyway sorry for the diatribe and rambling. I need to remember not to post
when I'm tired and just in from a drinking binge.

Mitch
The Big Habeeb