Editing Paintball Games International (section)

== History ==

=== Establishment ===

Paintball Games International began publication in March 1989, during the early development of organised tournament paintball in Britain and Europe.[1]

The publication developed an international readership, covering competitions and equipment from both European and American markets.

During the 1990s, PGI documented the growth of British tournament teams and the emergence of European competitions.

The magazine also published technical features, interviews and equipment reviews, providing information about developments in paintball marker design and manufacturing.

=== International expansion ===

PGI was distributed in the United Kingdom and internationally, including the United States.

A historical publishing directory maintained by [[WARPIG]] identifies Maze Media of Colchester, Essex, as the magazine's publisher.[2]

The magazine was subsequently associated with Aceville Publications, another Colchester-based publishing company.[3]

By May 2000, PGI was being advertised to international subscribers, including readers in North America, Europe and Australasia.[4]

The publication generally appeared monthly, with glossy full-colour issues of approximately 110 pages during the 2000s.[2]

Its principal editorial focus was tournament paintball, although recreational games, equipment and technical subjects were also covered.

=== Tournament coverage ===

During the 1990s and 2000s, PGI provided extensive coverage of major paintball tournaments.

The magazine reported on the [[National Professional Paintball League]] (NPPL), [[Paintball Sports Promotions]] (PSP), [[Millennium Series]] and other international competitions.

Its reporting included tournament results, photographs, interviews and commentary concerning professional teams and players.

PGI also documented the introduction of [[Sup'AirBall]] and the transition towards inflatable-bunker tournament fields.

The October 1997 issue discussed the development of inflatable tournament fields in France and their implications for competitive paintball.[5]

During the 2000s, the magazine continued covering professional speedball, including developments in X-Ball and seven-man tournament competition.

=== Editorial contributors ===

Several established paintball journalists, players and industry figures contributed to PGI.

'''Peter "Robbo" Robinson''' was associated with the magazine's tournament coverage and served as its United States editor. Robinson was also an established professional player who competed internationally.[6]

'''Joshua Silverman''' worked as an associate editor after previously contributing to American paintball publications including ''[[Paintball 2Xtremes]]''. He wrote the ''Promoter Diaries'' column, discussing his experiences organising tournaments through the [[Carolina Field Owners Association]] (CFOA).[7][8]

'''Olly Bell''' contributed technical articles under the name ''Gun Doctor'', documenting paintball marker operation, maintenance and historical equipment.[9]

Other contributors included the writer known as '''Baca Loco''', who published equipment reviews, tournament reports and the opinion column ''View from the Deadbox''.[10]

The magazine combined contributions from experienced tournament players with technical reporting and industry commentary.

=== WELT digital magazine ===

During 2007, the publishers associated with PGI developed '''WELT''', a digital paintball magazine.

WELT used an interactive online format incorporating photographs, written features and multimedia content.

Unlike PGI's subscription-based print format, WELT was distributed free online.

The digital publication continued after PGI ceased print publication, with issue eight released in December 2008.[11]

=== Closure ===

Paintball Games International ceased publication in 2008.

The final published edition was issue 233, dated August 2008 in Britain and September 2008 in the United States.[1]

Former contributor Joshua Silverman subsequently identified issue 233 as the final edition and preserved an unpublished column originally intended for issue 234.[8]

The magazine's closure was reported within the paintball community in September 2008.[12]

Former editor Peter Robinson later attributed the decline of paintball magazines during this period to the economic recession and the increasing movement of paintball journalism towards internet publishing.[6]