Posted 15 December 2010 - 07:07 PM
I'll add my name to the push for bullpup design.
P90 would be a bonus, but if there's issues with licensing, then an all BT design would be fine. Just take a look at whatever art/design shops are doing the concept art for sci-fi games. I'm always blown away by all the neat looking "futuristic" guns that pop up in console games, miniature games (Warhammer 40K and the like), and pen-and-paper RPG's. No need to copy a real gun in perfect scale, and no worries about the laws regarding "replica firearms" in Canada and other countries if the BT Bullpup is based off a concept design.
As for marketing a bullpup? Easy. The fact that you can run a full-length barrel (with all the advantages associated with that) on a marker that's no longer than a speedball marker minus the barrel, should sell itself. If you have the same sound-dampening qualities of a TM15 shroud built into the BT Bullpup, then you've got a nasty little assassin's tool. Throw on an Apex2 to the front, and you've got something like a p90 with silencer.
Now, if we want to go really crazy, how about the ability to run a TM-series ripclip on it, and perhaps a new low-profile 100round hopper to go with it? On milsim side-fed markers, I tend to find 200 round hoppers a bit bulky, and they tend to detract from the milsim look.
Keep the whole design as modular as possible. That way people can swap out front shrouds for another one if they like. They can swap the grips, if they find something more comfortable. New ways of mounting rails, if they want to do something different. Everyone wants their marker to be unique.
Bullpups have just gotten more sexy and more accepted over the years. Once upon a time, the P90 was considered too weird looking. Now, after seeing them on shows like Stargate, in video games like GTA, and in various militaries and security forces around the world, they just seem cutting edge and cool. Isn't that what most milsim players want to be?
That, plus no other major company is doing this. Only mad-modder basement one-person companies, and it's hard to trust them with your money. I trust BT, which is why I'd pay money for a BT Bullpup.
Oh, and with all this talk of modular design, how about a more mod-able mask?
JT's have long been considered, "modular", but I wonder if there's more potential for it in a mask.
Build a separate set of goggles, with attachment points for your mask parts. You want forehead protection? Snap it on top. Perhaps you prefer a visor? Put that on instead. You want better cheek and lower jawbone protection? Have different lengths of cheek / jaw guards, so that players can choose which one to snap on. Perhaps an optional hanging throat guard, much like the really old Vents Predators had, or perhaps more like what some NHL goalie masks have. Maybe a few options for snap-on fans for more ventilation? Perhaps a top piece for those who keep getting shot on the crown of the head. Perhaps different types of foam pieces so you can custom tailor the exact fit for your particular face / head shape?
With different length parts, the player can choose to go with a really lightweight and small (low profile) mask, or perhaps go with longer pieces if we're big-headed rec-ballers.
With different coloured / patterned parts, players can run with different colour combos to match their team colours or their camo choice of the day.
While I like the design of the E-Vents, I find the jaw protection a bit skimpy for my big head. I own quite a few different masks, from a wide variety of different companies, and while I always find one or two aspects of each that I really like, not one of them is completely perfect for me. With a fully modular mask design, one could tailor the fit, look, and level of protection to each person's personal desires.
Also, as new trends and fashions develop in Paintball, BT would only need to offer a new piece here and there... not a completely redesigned mask and lens system.
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F3, on 21 September 2010 - 11:01 PM, said:
