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NOTE: THIS PROJECT IS NOT IN THE FINAL STAGE. INFORMATION DISPLAYED HERE MAY NOT REFLECT THE FINAL PRODUCT! The marker has already undergone several large changes after this version was prototyped. Pictures and information is subject to change!
Another note: Corruptor is my personal codename for this project. When it reaches market, it'll most likely be known under a different brand name.

Background (2008):
An associate of mine named Bronc liked the idea of releasing a new marker based off the successful FEP Quest platform in the near future. Quests were a top contended for more popular markers released in the same era (2002-2004); some of its features were ahead of their time, though other parts of the marker were reminiscent of its age and wouldn't last too long up against today's marker technology. The company FEP originally attempted to redesign the platform in 2007 (to be called the Q8), and were on their way to release it, but the company went out of business soon after. The Q8 was a good step forward however it was still nowhere near a top-end marker. It was essentially a classic Quest with an integrated front reg mount and better cosmetics; nothing too spectacular overall.

As stated some of the Quest technology was very well thought out, such as the simplicity of their firing assemblies. However, Quests still needed a lot of work before being brought back up into the cutting-edge world. Development for the new "Quest-like" marker officially begun in Spring 2008. After examining of the Q8 prototypes, I concluded the platform was incapable of sustaining all the features planned for the redesigned top-end design. Of these features included a frame-routed air supply, integrated LPR, feature-packed electronics (OLED, etc), and the general architecture of a modern marker where things aren't simply crammed together under the frame. These things couldn't coexist in the classic Quest, so a heavy redesign was imminent.

After this realization, I returned to the drawing board to find a new solution to the new design from a new angle. All of the proposed high-end features were already things I had designed in the past with my own prototype design projects, so this new marker turned into a reshuffling and combining of my unreleased prototypes into a new system that would combine the best of their features. This new hybrid marker, which I later codenamed Corruptor, was born from the basic elements of these two prototypes:
1. Shadowmachine concept prototype (created in 2005) using the body layout, solenoid system, and general board layout.
2. Sapient prototype (created in 2008) using the frame, trigger, bi-directional regulator, integrated ASA, and feedneck. Please note that to this date my Sapient is the most advanced marker I have ever created. It has features that no current marker platform can even implement.
3. Classic Quest firing assembly. As mentioned, its simplicity and lack of "housing" components make it ideal for a low-maintenance marker.
These systems were all mingled together to become the Corruptor, a completely new marker offshoot. This was briefly known as the Kelevra or K1 in 2009-2010, although that name was dropped later.

Here are some of the original concept teasers created for promotional purposes during the investment process:

My higher-developed prototypes are all designed with reliability and user-friendliness placed above all other concerns. Marker technology has reached the point where the outdated standards by which we judged markers (weight, max firing speed, efficiency, etc) have become less and less important as field and tournament rules continue to change. To reflect this I turned most of my designs inside-out in 2008, to concentrate more on the internals and how they were arranged, rather than developing new markers with useless abilities.

I designed every aspect of this marker, including but not limited to the redesigned firing assembly, frame and general ergonomics, regulators, majority of the electronics hardware, and nearly everything else. I continuously listen to what people want on the side of the field so I know where time needs to be spent and what features are more important than others. My job of repairing markers for years and years has lent me the unique perspective and awareness between "what works and what doesn't" which is personified in most of my work, paintball or otherwise. The base design "Sapient" prototype is actually my most advanced concept so I'm happy to say some of its ultra-reliability and serviceability have been carried over to the new marker. The goal is to make a marker that, when it breaks, can be quickly and easily fixed yourself without having to send off to the factory or an airsmith like me to do it for you. There are no stupid custom seals, no custom screws, just logical components that fit together and are arranged such that the complexity is reduced as far as possible for the end-user. Why isn't this done with other markers? Well the easiest answer is because it's very expensive to create elaborate parts like those found in the Corruptor. I'm a machinist and engineer primarily and perhaps I just have a different way of looking at things. In addition to this I also design many of the production-side aspects of the equipment including troubleshooting and diagnostic utilities, assembly fixtures, batch machining tooling, automation accessories, and many other apparatus.

The Corruptor features all the classic performance items needed to comprise a high-end marker. Veteran players will no doubt notice some interesting trends re-appearing here from so-called "outdated" markers that were discontinued years back. These include the board system similar to that of the classic Impulse, hassle-free incarnation of the AKALMP eye wiring system, trigger adjustments from elder markers, back-mounted operator buttons and LED found in Bushmasters and other markers of the era, and some other subtle salutes to past designs combined with a new-age layout.

Prototyping: (2009-2010)
Contrary to what people may assume, this marker has indeed been in development for quite a long time. I originally begun the prototyping process in July 2009. Each of the Corruptor prototypes was created using a combination of Haas SuperMinimill CNC and Okuma LC-20 lathe, with a few other parts made on a Haas VF-2 mill or HL-20 lathe.

Frame fabrication.

Body machining in-process.

Below are some of the internal components being used in this prototype version. Again, much of what you see has already changed.

Development for this project is ongoing and will be updated when more pictures and information becomes available. In the meantime you can follow this and some other projects on Facebook if you have an account:
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