Editing Bob Gurnsey (section)

== Commercial paintball fields ==

=== Early field development ===

Commercial paintball fields began appearing during 1982.

National Survival Game was involved in the development of early fields in New Hampshire and the licensing of operators elsewhere.

=== First commercial field controversy ===

The identity of the first commercial paintball field operator is disputed.

Some histories identify Gurnsey's New Hampshire operation as the first commercial field.

Other accounts credit [[Caleb Strong]] or [[Carl McCown]].

In a 1992 interview published in ''Action Pursuit Games'', Gurnsey reportedly identified McCown as the first commercial operator and Strong as one of the earliest operators.[3]

Because the available historical accounts differ, the claim should not be assigned exclusively to one individual without further documentary evidence.

=== Licensing system ===

Gurnsey developed a system allowing entrepreneurs to establish National Survival Game operations.

Licensed operators received access to equipment, rules and the NSG identity.

This reduced the need for each new field operator to develop an independent business model.

=== Expansion ===

A historical account based on early interviews reports that more than 350 National Survival Game fields were operating across North America by the beginning of 1983.[3]

The precise definition of an operating field within this figure requires further investigation.

Nevertheless, the figure illustrates the rapid expansion claimed by the organisation during its early years.