Discussion Board: NPPL 2012 New Rules and Regulations
February 2, 2012 in Featured, Front Page, Leagues, NPPL, Opinion
Discussion Board: NPPL 2012 New Rules and Regulations
We want to hear from YOU on the latest changes in the NPPL.
In a recent newsletter on behalf of the NPPL it is revealed that new rules and regulations will be set in place for 2012.
The most important change coming to the NPPL in 2012 seems to include a required ROF-fi technology (produced by Virtue Paintball LLC.) to be attached to all electronic paintball markers used in the NPPL (NPPL ROF Document). This technology is said to track player rate of fire statistics using Wifi (RF signals) which report data to a virtual NPPL “hub” (NPPA Ranking system) among other variants.
“The network effects of automatically “sharing” some of your key stats with thousands of Facebook friends, Twitter followers, etc. can not be overlooked. With Rof-fi statistics, paintball has a chance to not only legitimize itself as a serious, high tech sport, but to leverage the network-effects of social media to increase awareness and interest in the sport of paintball.” (More information on the ROF-fi system).- Virtue Paintball LLC
This all sounds well and good on paper but we must ask what is the responsibility of a “piggy-back” chip technology produced by Virtue in line with NPPL regulations and marketing principles?
Additional questions arise-
Will the NPPL produce media and marketing campaigns beyond social networking based on this information? It is almost assured. Clearly, social media is a valuable means to an end but there is no explanation on how players, advertising or provided sponsorship will directly benefit or be affected. How will the NPPL use such information past this idealist future? This isn’t the first time such a system has been suggested or the description of a utopian paintball world pitched by a private company or Major League Paintball.
How does one improve a faulty system of authority by automating results they themselves did not create? Should the NPPL do so?
Case by case, most players would agree that the basis for this decision, unregulated rate of fire, is not the root cause of the issue: a league which has understandably lost participants due to poor reffing and bad calls is the problem. Rather it is suggested the required use of this product is the extension of a surface context, a mismanagement of the rules and a clear avoidance of fair and proper policy made in part by the NPPL.
Why require anything at all? The argument is cicular in this case.
The regulation change does not go to address the actions of players but instead requires the collective into justifying a product placement. With such a valuable asset as automated and processed analytical information, where is the transparency provided for fans, players and teams? What assurances can be made? Will players be rewarded for producing and providing this information as participants under the NPPL/NPPA—and if not, what incentive is provided to play by the rules and use this technology? Is there any at all?
Are there any protections given towards the players for using this technology? What about their personal information? There are none listed or cited.
Despite misgivings, the technology is sound and stands to benefit major attraction for end users. That isn’t the issue- nor is the thought of a required purchase. There is a clear disconnect that somehow using technology will improve performance in officiating results on behalf of the NPPL regulatory staff and that by requiring such integration, everyone will benefit. Based on the working history of the league- we must disagree.
We want to know what you think.
Comment and share your thoughts with us- we would like to hear from YOU on this issue.


PLAYER OPINIONS