Editing Hayes Noel (section)

== Origins of paintball ==

=== The survival debate ===

During the late 1970s, Noel and Gaines debated whether a person accustomed to the competitive environment of a major city would be more capable of surviving a dangerous encounter than an experienced outdoorsman.

Noel argued that the psychological qualities required to succeed in financial trading could be useful in a survival situation.

Gaines believed that practical outdoor skills, including hunting and fieldcraft, would provide an advantage.

The argument continued over several years.

=== Martha's Vineyard discussions ===

During the summer of 1980, Noel and Gaines spent time together on Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts.

They rented a house with their wives and friends.

According to Gaines's later firsthand account, the men continued debating survival skills during the visit.[3]

Noel described the excitement of stalking another person through wooded terrain.

Gaines challenged his conclusions about the experience.

The discussions helped establish the idea of creating a more formal test.

=== Competitive personalities ===

Gaines later described Noel as exceptionally competitive.

The two men regularly challenged one another in sports and informal wagers.

Their friendship and rivalry were important influences on the eventual development of the Survival Game.