As another year draws towards a close, it’s that time again when I reflect on the fabulous adventures that AIRSOFT ACTION has allowed me, and all the members of the AA LEGION worldwide, to embark upon and, once again, 2025 has proved to be a bit of a wild ride to say the very least!
I can’t ignore the fact that the world’s, and to some degree especially the UK’s, economy has had its share of ups and downs this year, and this has reflected on how things have worked for the magazine and all its many valued contributors. I’d be lying if I told you that it hasn’t been a TOUGH year financially without a doubt, not just for us but for the industry as a whole, but coming back from MOA EXPO (and with SHOT and IWA still ahead of us) I’m pleased to be able to say that there are most definite glimmers of optimism for the future.
We’ve seen a number of companies REALLY struggling during 2025, and obviously this has had an effect on the revenue generated through advertising that keeps AIRSOFT ACTION alive, but where we’ve sadly seen some of our media colleagues fall away I’m pleased to tell you that AIRSOFT ACTION is very much alive and kicking! Although every business (and business model!) needs to continually evolve in a changing marketplace, we have this well in hand and even though things will (and have to) change, the team and I aim to continue providing the same high-standard of content that you’ve come to expect from us.
Once again I’m pleased to tell you that AIRSOFT ACTION remains in the very top-sphere of airsoft media globally, and the fact that we’ve been nominated by you, our readers, in the PLAYERS CHOICE awards again this year for “Best Airsoft Magazine (Print or Digital)” and “Best English Language Airsoft News Website” really tells you all you need to know! Will we win? That’s still to be decided by all of you but our hopes, as always, remain high…
And this recognition has gone even further again this year, as AIRSOFT ACTION has become an official media partner to both IWA and MOA EXPO. This shows just how far our reach goes, not only in the player community worldwide, but also within the very industry itself! As the first airsoft magazine to appear next to all the big-name “real steel” publications that grace the IWA Media Partners page, I could not have been more proud of the members of the AA CREW, and it’s a vindication of all their professionalism and hard work that this recognition has been graciously given.
And as that the “AA CREW” continues to grow, I must express my thanks as always to Stu, Dan, and Miguel for their steadfast support as my Deputy Editors, and to all the “AA Regs” who strive to contribute their very best to the magazine each and every month… Thank you team, you guys rock! No matter how small your input might be it is truly valued, and it has helped AIRSOFT ACTION move in new directions with excellence and consistency of reporting and writing at its core, winning awards, accolades and new media collaborations, with more yet to come.
And what of those “airsoft adventures”? Well, although it’s been a hard year it’s still been a very cool one, with members of the team heading off to shows like SHOT in the USA, IWA in Germany, and MOA in Taiwan so as to provide full coverage of the latest and greatest new products, technologies, and industry directions. We’ve visited distributors and manufacturers, workshops and factories, and even got our noses into boardrooms sometimes!
We’ve been in games large and small, from Sunday Skirmishes through to some flagship MilSim events, and everything in between. We’ve had range days and workshop days, we’ve collectively shot hundreds of new AEGs and GBBs, and we’ve tried out some true “next gen” kit and tech along the way, both airsoft and “real deal”.
So, has airsoft continued to be the adventure for us that it always has been? In some respects yes, and in others no… But why “no”, I hear you ask? Whilst all of us at AIRSOFT ACTION love to shoot and to play, and often refer to airsoft as “our beloved game” this particular world continues to shift upon its axis, and spin off in new directions that are not always positive. We still see divides and fractures in our community globally and the continued trend of online “shout first, shout loud, and cancel everyone that doesn’t agree with us” still appears to hold sway on many occasions…
Thankfully, we have also seen communities this year start once again to hold their ground against vitriolic and antagonistic behaviour from the “chairborne warriors” out there, and indeed start to form lines of communication outside of the now-usual social media channels, new places that are great to spend some time talking airsoft… Here I have to give a shout of recognition out to the likes of Rob at AIRSOFTER WORLD and Bridges and his team at HEAVY RECOIL CLUB for showing us new and positive directions where airsoft debate and discussion can thrive healthily with input from all.
So, a tough but yet again positive year for everyone in the airsoft industry, and ultimately another successful one for the global airsoft community as whole and for AIRSOFT ACTION. As I look to the future I know that there is now the strongest, most cohesive team that the magazine has ever had in place, and the short term future for us is looking solid. With “biz done” at MOA EXPO, and potential “biz to get done” at the coming shows the next evolution of AIRSOFT ACTION is upon us, and 2026 will undoubtedly see us moving into new territory once again.
As I said at this time last year, “the airsoft world continues to grow and flourish, and as a part of it AIRSOFT ACTION will be there to comment, advise, cajole, enlighten, and I hope entertain!” We will continue to focus on airsoft products that we have tried, tested, and abused before we recommend them to you, and we will continue to constantly cast our net wider to find stories of events and games along with insights to the businesses and player communities that make our shared world of airsoft truly unique.
Once again, after another year at the helm of the “AA ship”, I thank you all… First and always to the players and our readers, but also the game-runners, the retailers, the distributors, the manufacturers, the creators, and everyone that is any way linked to moving airsoft onwards yet again… Truly, I thank you! I, and we, look forward to speaking to more and more of you next year!
As we shut down AAHQ later today bar a few bits of admin next week before we head off to be with friends and family for the festivities, thank you all for continuing to read and support AIRSOFT ACTION; both I and the entire AA Crew wish you all a very HAPPY CHRISTMAS if you celebrate it, and all the very best to everyone for a peaceful, prosperous, and above all, exciting year of shared airsoft adventures ahead.
See you all again in January with a new issue on 15th as always!
