I don't think the game is in a state, I just think too many players think you have to shoot loads of paint to be a good player
I agree - I've been playing for a year on a tight budget - I've been borrowing a mates old autococker, no ramping, I'm totally useless at walking the trigger on it, and I couldn't afford to waste any paint by just laying it down - I was limiting myself to a hopper per match!
Needless to say, me and my team (
http://fade2gray.com - shameless plug) won a few tournaments at the Northern Quarter this year, and are hoping for bigger and better things next year.
It aint the marker, it aint the rate of fire, and it aint the paint - it's the person behind the marker that makes a good player.