Action Pursuit Games: Difference between revisions

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Action Pursuit Games (APG) was an American paintball magazine established by CFW Enterprises in 1987. It was one of the earliest nationally distributed publications devoted principally to paintball and documented the sport’s equipment, playing techniques, tournaments, businesses, fields and participants for more than 25 years.[1][2]

The magazine carried the ISSN 0893-9489. It was initially published monthly, later appearing bi-monthly and then quarterly. APG was still being published in 2013, although its final confirmed issue has not been established.[3]

History

Establishment

The premiere edition of Action Pursuit Games was published as volume 1, number 1 in autumn 1987. It was produced by CFW Enterprises from Burbank, California, with Russell Maynard as editor and Dave Cater as associate editor.[1][2]

The first issue combined equipment, tactical and recreational coverage. Features discussed developments in paintball markers, firing techniques, camouflage clothing and introductory advice for new players. Regular sections included industry news, new products, playing fields and technical advice.[2] Although predominantly concerned with paintball, the premiere issue also contained a feature on laser tag.[2]

Advertisements from Pursuit Marketing Inc. and Tippmann appeared in the first issue. PMI promoted its Pursuit Pistol, while Tippmann advertised an early version of the Tippmann SMG-60.[1]

The magazine was published monthly by 1988. Surviving mastheads show that the monthly schedule continued through the first half of the 1990s.[2]

Editorial development

Randy Kamiya was editor by June 1991 and remained in the position through at least June 1994. Dave Cater served as associate editor, while Jessica J. Sparks was initially credited as field editor.[2]

During Kamiya’s editorship, APG published technical features, tournament reports, interviews, readers’ correspondence and directories of fields and paintball businesses. In June 1994, the Los Angeles Times identified Kamiya as the magazine’s editor and reported an international circulation of approximately 80,000 copies.[4]

By August 1995, Jessica J. Sparks had become editor, with Cater continuing as associate editor.[2]

Period documented	Editor	Supporting record
Autumn 1987	Russell Maynard	Premiere-issue masthead
1991–1994	Randy Kamiya	Surviving issue mastheads and contemporary press coverage
1995	Jessica J. Sparks	August and October 1995 mastheads
2013	Doug Jeffrey	Official advertising media kit

These dates record confirmed appearances in the available sources and do not necessarily represent the exact beginning or end of each editor’s tenure.

Ownership changes

CFW Enterprises remained the publisher during the magazine’s early period. Apprise Media acquired CFW Enterprises in August 2005 as part of its expansion into specialist enthusiast publishing.[5]

An October 2005 publishing-industry report recorded an APG subscription list of 13,470. This represented subscribers rather than the magazine’s complete newsstand circulation.[6] The title subsequently operated within the Action Pursuit Group and became associated with Beckett Media.

Later publication

A 2011 bibliographic guide described APG as a full-colour glossy magazine and recorded a change from monthly to bi-monthly publication during 2011.[3]

The official 2013 media kit described APG as a quarterly, full-colour newsstand magazine. Doug Jeffrey was identified as editor, working with Karen Wilhelmsen. Distribution was reported in the United States, Canada, England and Mexico.[7]

The media kit scheduled editions for April and July 2013, a 2014 buyer’s guide and a January 2014 issue.[7] These dates were an advertising schedule and do not, by themselves, confirm that every planned edition was published. The date and number of the magazine’s final issue remain unverified.

Editorial coverage

Equipment and technical material

APG published reviews, technical explanations and advertisements covering markers, barrels, air systems, loaders, protective equipment, clothing and accessories.

Its publication run coincided with substantial changes in paintball technology. Early issues covered pump-action and mechanically operated markers, while subsequent editions documented semi-automatic and electronic equipment.

The magazine also covered experimental and unusual designs. Steve Patrella’s article “Curious Paintguns”, later republished with permission by WARPIG, examined several unconventional historical markers.[8]

Tournament paintball

The magazine reported on local, regional and national tournaments, publishing event reports, photographs, results and interviews with players and team representatives.

Later coverage included competitions connected with the National Professional Paintball League, Paintball Sports Promotions and other tournament organisations. Tournament reporting appeared alongside technical and recreational material rather than replacing the magazine’s broader coverage.

Recreational and scenario paintball

Recreational paintball remained an important part of the magazine. Articles addressed woodland tactics, scenario games, safety, equipment maintenance, introductory playing advice and commercial field operation.

The 2013 media kit identified recreational paintball, speedball, scenario play, woodsball and military simulation among the magazine’s areas of coverage.[7]

APG also carried field and retailer directories. These listings, together with contemporary advertising, preserve information about paintball venues, manufacturers and businesses that may not appear in other surviving records.

Historical interviews

APG published interviews with figures involved in paintball’s early development. One example was Randy Kamiya’s interview with Bob Gurnsey, which appeared across the September and October 1992 issues.[9]

Gurnsey discussed the first organised paintball game in 1981 and the development of the National Survival Game. The surviving interview is a valuable first-person account, although retrospective recollections require comparison with contemporary documentation.

Archives and historical value

The magazine’s long publication run provides a contemporary record of changes in paintball equipment, terminology, commercial activity and competition from the late 1980s into the 2010s.

Digitised issues and cover collections are maintained by independent archival projects including Old Paintball Magazines and Bacci Paintball.[2][10] Surviving issues are particularly useful for researching former teams, tournaments, fields, retailers and equipment manufacturers.

References

“Pioneering the Sport of Paintball: The History of PMI”, Paintball History, Daniel Bacci, 31 January 2023.
“Action Pursuit Games Premiere Issues, Fall 1987”, Paintball History, Daniel Bacci, 26 June 2013.
Paintball Magazines and Publications from Around the World, World Paintball Library, revised 8 December 2011.
“Workers’ Romp: Playing War in the Woods Paints Morale a New Shade”, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 1994.
“Apprise Media Acquires Y-Visionary”, Writers Write, 14 October 2005.
“Listline E-Newsletter”, Chief Marketer, 27 October 2005.
Action Pursuit Games 2013 Media Kit, Beckett Media, 2013.
“Curious Paintguns”, Steve Patrella, WARPIG.
“Bob Gurnsey and Paintball Creator’s Memorabilia”, Paintball History, Daniel Bacci, 13 February 2015.
“Action Pursuit Games Magazine Archive”, Old Paintball Magazines.

External links

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+'''Action Pursuit Games''' ('''APG''') was an American paintball magazine established by CFW Enterprises in 1987. It was one of the earliest nationally distributed publications devoted principally to paintball and documented the sport’s equipment, playing techniques, tournaments, businesses, fields and participants for more than 25 years.[1][2]
-'''Action Pursuit Games''' ('''APG''') was an American [[paintball]] magazine first published in autumn 1987 by CFW Enterprises. It was one of the earliest nationally distributed paintball magazines, covering recreational play, tournament competition, equipment, manufacturers, teams and the developing paintball industry.[1][2]
+The magazine carried the ISSN 0893-9489. It was initially published monthly, later appearing bi-monthly and then quarterly. APG was still being published in 2013, although its final confirmed issue has not been established.[3]
-Originally published monthly, the magazine later moved to a quarterly schedule. It was still publishing in 2013, although the date of its final issue has not been conclusively established.[3]
 == History ==
@@ Line 8: / Line 7: @@
 === Establishment ===
-Action Pursuit Games was launched in autumn 1987 by CFW Enterprises, with [[Russell Maynard]] serving as its original editor.[1]
+The premiere edition of ''Action Pursuit Games'' was published as volume 1, number 1 in autumn 1987. It was produced by CFW Enterprises from Burbank, California, with Russell Maynard as editor and Dave Cater as associate editor.[1][2]
-The magazine followed earlier regional paintball publications, including ''Frontline'', which began publication in California in 1985.
+The first issue combined equipment, tactical and recreational coverage. Features discussed developments in paintball markers, firing techniques, camouflage clothing and introductory advice for new players. Regular sections included industry news, new products, playing fields and technical advice.[2] Although predominantly concerned with paintball, the premiere issue also contained a feature on laser tag.[2]
-Unlike these regional publications, APG was distributed through national newsstands, providing paintball players across the United States with access to industry news, equipment information and tournament coverage.
+Advertisements from [[Pursuit Marketing Inc.]] and [[Tippmann]] appeared in the first issue. PMI promoted its Pursuit Pistol, while Tippmann advertised an early version of the [[Tippmann SMG-60]].[1]
-The premiere issue, dated autumn 1987, featured articles covering paintball equipment, playing techniques and the development of the sport.[1][2]
+The magazine was published monthly by 1988. Surviving mastheads show that the monthly schedule continued through the first half of the 1990s.[2]
-Early advertisers included [[Pursuit Marketing Inc.]] (PMI) and [[Tippmann]], which promoted their paintball markers through the publication.
+=== Editorial development ===
-PMI's advertisement for its Pursuit Pistol appeared inside the front cover of the premiere issue, while a Tippmann advertisement featured an early version of the SMG-60.[2]
+[[Randy Kamiya]] was editor by June 1991 and remained in the position through at least June 1994. Dave Cater served as associate editor, while Jessica J. Sparks was initially credited as field editor.[2]
-=== Expansion during the 1990s ===
+During Kamiya’s editorship, APG published technical features, tournament reports, interviews, readers’ correspondence and directories of fields and paintball businesses. In June 1994, the ''Los Angeles Times'' identified Kamiya as the magazine’s editor and reported an international circulation of approximately 80,000 copies.[4]
-During the late 1980s and 1990s, Action Pursuit Games became an established publication within the American paintball industry.
+By August 1995, Jessica J. Sparks had become editor, with Cater continuing as associate editor.[2]
-The magazine covered recreational paintball, equipment reviews, technical advice, field operations and national tournaments.
+{| class="wikitable"
+! Period documented
+! Editor
+! Supporting record
+|-
+| Autumn 1987
+| Russell Maynard
+| Premiere-issue masthead
+|-
+| 1991–1994
+| [[Randy Kamiya]]
+| Surviving issue mastheads and contemporary press coverage
+|-
+| 1995
+| Jessica J. Sparks
+| August and October 1995 mastheads
+|-
+| 2013
+| Doug Jeffrey
+| Official advertising media kit
+|}
-[[Randy Kamiya]] served as editor during the early 1990s. He conducted interviews with industry figures and documented developments in paintball equipment and competition.[4]
+These dates record confirmed appearances in the available sources and do not necessarily represent the exact beginning or end of each editor’s tenure.
-In June 1994, the ''Los Angeles Times'' reported that APG had an international circulation of approximately 80,000 copies.[5]
-The magazine also published advertising and directories for paintball fields, retailers and equipment manufacturers.
-Its coverage included developments in both recreational and competitive paintball, particularly during the expansion of national tournament circuits in the United States.
 === Ownership changes ===
-In August 2005, Apprise Media acquired CFW Enterprises, including Action Pursuit Games and its associated publishing operations.[6]
+CFW Enterprises remained the publisher during the magazine’s early period. Apprise Media acquired CFW Enterprises in August 2005 as part of its expansion into specialist enthusiast publishing.[5]
-The acquisition formed part of Apprise Media's expansion into specialist magazines covering sport, recreation and other enthusiast markets.
+An October 2005 publishing-industry report recorded an APG subscription list of 13,470. This represented subscribers rather than the magazine’s complete newsstand circulation.[6] The title subsequently operated within the Action Pursuit Group and became associated with Beckett Media.
-An October 2005 publishing industry report recorded 13,470 subscribers for Action Pursuit Games. This represented the subscription list rather than the magazine's total circulation.[7]
-The publication subsequently became associated with the Action Pursuit Group and Beckett Media.
-By 2006, the publisher was also developing an expanded online presence for Action Pursuit Games.[8]
 === Later publication ===
-Action Pursuit Games continued publishing during the late 2000s and early 2010s.
+A 2011 bibliographic guide described APG as a full-colour glossy magazine and recorded a change from monthly to bi-monthly publication during 2011.[3]
-Its 2013 advertising media kit described APG as a quarterly publication and identified Doug Jeffrey as editor, working with Karen Wilhelmsen.[3]
-The magazine's advertised coverage included recreational paintball, speedball, scenario games, woodsball, military simulation, equipment testing and industry news.
-The media kit identified distribution in the United States, Canada, England and Mexico.
-Its publication schedule included issues planned for April and July 2013, a 2014 buyer's guide and a January 2014 edition.[3]
+The official 2013 media kit described APG as a quarterly, full-colour newsstand magazine. Doug Jeffrey was identified as editor, working with Karen Wilhelmsen. Distribution was reported in the United States, Canada, England and Mexico.[7]
-The precise date of the magazine's final published issue has not been independently established.
+The media kit scheduled editions for April and July 2013, a 2014 buyer’s guide and a January 2014 issue.[7] These dates were an advertising schedule and do not, by themselves, confirm that every planned edition was published. The date and number of the magazine’s final issue remain unverified.
-== Editorial content ==
+== Editorial coverage ==
-=== Equipment and technical coverage ===
+=== Equipment and technical material ===
-Action Pursuit Games published reviews, technical articles and advertisements covering paintball markers, protective equipment, air systems and accessories.
+APG published reviews, technical explanations and advertisements covering markers, barrels, air systems, loaders, protective equipment, clothing and accessories.
-Its articles documented developments from early pump-action markers through the introduction of semi-automatic and electronic equipment.
+Its publication run coincided with substantial changes in paintball technology. Early issues covered pump-action and mechanically operated markers, while subsequent editions documented semi-automatic and electronic equipment.
-Technical material published by the magazine included articles on marker mechanisms, barrel technology and unusual or experimental paintball equipment.
+The magazine also covered experimental and unusual designs. Steve Patrella’s article “Curious Paintguns”, later republished with permission by [[WARPIG]], examined several unconventional historical markers.[8]
-Some articles were subsequently republished online, including Steve Patrella's examination of unusual historical markers, ''Curious Paintguns'', preserved by [[WARPIG]].[9]
+=== Tournament paintball ===
-=== Tournament coverage ===
+The magazine reported on local, regional and national tournaments, publishing event reports, photographs, results and interviews with players and team representatives.
-The magazine reported on organised tournament paintball, including national and regional competitions.
+Later coverage included competitions connected with the [[National Professional Paintball League]], [[Paintball Sports Promotions]] and other tournament organisations. Tournament reporting appeared alongside technical and recreational material rather than replacing the magazine’s broader coverage.
-Its coverage included events associated with the [[National Professional Paintball League]] (NPPL), [[Paintball Sports Promotions]] (PSP) and other tournament organisations.
+=== Recreational and scenario paintball ===
-Articles and photographs documented teams, players, equipment and tournament results.
+Recreational paintball remained an important part of the magazine. Articles addressed woodland tactics, scenario games, safety, equipment maintenance, introductory playing advice and commercial field operation.
-=== Recreational paintball ===
+The 2013 media kit identified recreational paintball, speedball, scenario play, woodsball and military simulation among the magazine’s areas of coverage.[7]
-Action Pursuit Games also published material aimed at recreational players and commercial paintball field operators.
+APG also carried field and retailer directories. These listings, together with contemporary advertising, preserve information about paintball venues, manufacturers and businesses that may not appear in other surviving records.
-Topics included playing techniques, scenario games, woodland paintball, safety, equipment maintenance and the operation of paintball facilities.
-Field directories and advertisements allowed readers to identify commercial paintball venues and retailers.
 == Historical interviews ==
-Action Pursuit Games published interviews with individuals involved in the establishment and early development of paintball.
+APG published interviews with figures involved in paintball’s early development. One example was Randy Kamiya’s interview with [[Bob Gurnsey]], which appeared across the September and October 1992 issues.[9]
-One notable example was Randy Kamiya's 1992 interview with [[Bob Gurnsey]], a founder of the [[National Survival Game]].
-The interview appeared across the September and October 1992 issues and documented Gurnsey's recollections of the first organised paintball game in 1981 and the subsequent commercial development of the sport.[4]
-The September 1992 interview was later digitised and republished by paintball historian [[Daniel Bacci]] through ''PaintballHistory.com''.
-These interviews provide firsthand accounts of paintball's development, although historical recollections require comparison with contemporary documentation.
-== Historical significance ==
-Action Pursuit Games provided a continuing printed record of paintball during a period of rapid changes in equipment, tournament formats and commercial participation.
-Its early issues documented the transition from manually operated markers to semi-automatic equipment, while later issues covered electronic markers and professional tournament competition.
+Gurnsey discussed the first organised paintball game in 1981 and the development of the [[National Survival Game]]. The surviving interview is a valuable first-person account, although retrospective recollections require comparison with contemporary documentation.
-The magazine also preserved advertisements, photographs and information about manufacturers, retailers, playing fields and teams that subsequently ceased operating.
+== Archives and historical value ==
-Surviving copies have become reference material for paintball historians and equipment collectors.
+The magazine’s long publication run provides a contemporary record of changes in paintball equipment, terminology, commercial activity and competition from the late 1980s into the 2010s.
-Digitised issues and cover scans are maintained by independent archival projects, including Old Paintball Magazines and [[Bacci Paintball]].[1][10]
+Digitised issues and cover collections are maintained by independent archival projects including Old Paintball Magazines and [[Bacci Paintball]].[2][10] Surviving issues are particularly useful for researching former teams, tournaments, fields, retailers and equipment manufacturers.
 == See also ==
-* [[Paintball]]
+* [[Paintball magazines]]
 * [[Paintball history]]
+* [[Randy Kamiya]]
 * [[WARPIG]]
 * [[Bacci Paintball]]
-* [[Daniel Bacci]]
 * [[National Professional Paintball League]]
 * [[Paintball Sports Promotions]]
@@ Line 124: / Line 109: @@
 == References ==
-# [https://paintballhistory.com/action-pursuit-games-premiere-issues-fall-1987/ Action Pursuit Games Premiere Issues, Fall 1987]. ''Paintball History'', Daniel Bacci, 26 June 2013. Documents surviving copies of the original issue.
+# [https://paintballhistory.com/pioneering-the-sport-of-paintball-the-history-of-pmi-with-jeff-perlmutter/ “Pioneering the Sport of Paintball: The History of PMI”], ''Paintball History'', Daniel Bacci, 31 January 2023.
-# [https://paintballhistory.com/pioneering-the-sport-of-paintball-the-history-of-pmi-with-jeff-perlmutter/ Pioneering the Sport of Paintball: The History of PMI]. ''Paintball History'', Daniel Bacci, 31 January 2023. Documents the launch of Action Pursuit Games, Russell Maynard's editorship and advertisements in the first issue.
+# [https://paintballhistory.com/action-pursuit-games-premiere-issues-fall-1987/ “Action Pursuit Games Premiere Issues, Fall 1987”], ''Paintball History'', Daniel Bacci, 26 June 2013.
-# [https://www.beckettmedia.com/mediakitpdf/apg2013.pdf Action Pursuit Games 2013 Media Kit]. ''Beckett Media'', 2013. Official advertising document recording editorial staff, distribution, publication frequency and planned issues.
+# [https://www.worldpaintballlibrary.com/COMPLETE%20WHOLE%20Revised%20Guide%20DEC%208%202011%20Latest.pdf ''Paintball Magazines and Publications from Around the World''], World Paintball Library, revised 8 December 2011.
-# [https://paintballhistory.com/bob-gurnsey-paintball-creators-memorabilia/ Bob Gurnsey and Paintball Creator's Memorabilia]. ''Paintball History'', Daniel Bacci, 13 February 2015. Includes scanned pages from Randy Kamiya's September 1992 interview with Bob Gurnsey.
+# [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-06-26-fi-8925-story.html “Workers’ Romp: Playing War in the Woods Paints Morale a New Shade”], ''Los Angeles Times'', 26 June 1994.
-# [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-06-26-fi-8925-story.html Workers' Romp: Playing War in the Woods Paints Morale a New Shade]. ''Los Angeles Times'', 26 June 1994. Identifies Randy Kamiya as editor and reports circulation of approximately 80,000.
+# [https://www.writerswrite.com/apprise-media-acquires-y-visionary-10142005188 “Apprise Media Acquires Y-Visionary”], ''Writers Write'', 14 October 2005.
-# [https://www.writerswrite.com/apprise-media-acquires-y-visionary-10142005188 Apprise Media Acquires Y-Visionary]. ''Writers Write'', 14 October 2005. Industry acquisition announcement documenting Apprise Media's August 2005 purchase of CFW Enterprises.
+# [https://www.chiefmarketer.com/listline-e-newsletter-102705/ “Listline E-Newsletter”], ''Chief Marketer'', 27 October 2005.
-# [https://www.chiefmarketer.com/listline-e-newsletter-102705/ Listline E-Newsletter, 27 October 2005]. ''Chief Marketer''. Records the acquisition and Action Pursuit Games' subscription list of 13,470.
+# [https://www.beckettmedia.com/mediakitpdf/apg2013.pdf ''Action Pursuit Games 2013 Media Kit''], Beckett Media, 2013.
-# [https://www.ocbj.com/news/niche-publisher-starts-web-site-to-catch-tokyo/ Niche Publisher Starts Web Site to Catch Tokyo Drift]. ''Orange County Business Journal'', 18 June 2006. Reports Action Pursuit Group's plans to redesign the magazine's website.
+# [https://www.warpig.com/paintball/articles/funkyguns.shtml “Curious Paintguns”], Steve Patrella, ''WARPIG''.
-# [https://www.warpig.com/paintball/articles/funkyguns.shtml Curious Paintguns]. ''WARPIG'', Steve Patrella. Historical equipment article originally published in Action Pursuit Games and republished with the author's permission.
+# [https://paintballhistory.com/bob-gurnsey-paintball-creators-memorabilia/ “Bob Gurnsey and Paintball Creator’s Memorabilia”], ''Paintball History'', Daniel Bacci, 13 February 2015.
-# [https://oldpaintballmagazines.smugmug.com/Action-Pursuit-Games Action Pursuit Games Magazine Archive]. ''Old Paintball Magazines''. Historical issue and cover collection organised by publication year.
+# [https://oldpaintballmagazines.smugmug.com/Action-Pursuit-Games “Action Pursuit Games Magazine Archive”], Old Paintball Magazines.
 == External links ==
-* [https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.actionpursuitgames.com/ Action Pursuit Games website archives]
+* [https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.actionpursuitgames.com/ Archived Action Pursuit Games website]
-* [https://oldpaintballmagazines.smugmug.com/Action-Pursuit-Games Action Pursuit Games historical magazine collection]
+* [https://oldpaintballmagazines.smugmug.com/Action-Pursuit-Games Digitised historical issues and covers]
-* [https://paintballhistory.com/action-pursuit-games-premiere-issues-fall-1987/ Original 1987 issue at Paintball History]
+* [https://paintballhistory.com/action-pursuit-games-premiere-issues-fall-1987/ Premiere issue at Paintball History]
-* [https://www.beckettmedia.com/mediakitpdf/apg2013.pdf Action Pursuit Games 2013 media kit]
 [[Category:Paintball magazines]]
+[[Category:American magazines]]
 [[Category:Paintball media]]
 [[Category:Paintball history]]
 [[Category:Paintball in the United States]]
+[[Category:Magazines established in 1987]]

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