Real paintball snipers are a relatively new concept in paintball since the introduction of First Strike rounds into the UK paintball market. That is the ability to shoot further than standard paintballs with more accuracy but with the same velocity.
First strike rounds are not like paintballs, they consist of a paint filled projectile with a solid plastic finned skirt. this allows the projectile to spin and stabilise as it is fired at its target, giving greater range and accuracy.
Snipers as a concept of playing style however that has been around since the birth of paintball games. Gillie suits, long barrels and bolt action paintball markers have always gone hand in hand with the sniper look.