The most basic game rule is that players must attempt to accomplish a goal without being shot with paintballs. When a player is hit, and the ball breaks rather than bounce, they must raise their marker to indicate that they are out, and leave the playing field or move to appointed waiting areas.  Depending on the agreed game rules, the player may return to the field and continue playing, or is eliminated from the game completely.

The particular goal of the game is determined before play begins; examples include capture the flag (BUNKERVILLE) or Elimination (THE SCRAPYARD).  Paintball has spawned popular variants, including woodsball (THE PIT), which is played in the natural environment and spans across a large area.  The variant of speedball  is played on a smaller field and has a very fast pace, with games lasting up to five minutes.  Another variant is scenario paintball, in which players attempt to recreate historical, or fictional settings such as THE BANK.