Laser tag is a tag game played with guns which fire infrared beams. Infrared-sensitive targets are commonly worn by each player and are sometimes integrated within the arena in which the game is played. Since its birth in 1979, with the release of the Star Trek Electronic Phasers toy manufactured by the South Bend Electronics brand of Milton Bradley, laser tag has evolved into both indoor and outdoor styles of play, and may include simulations of combat, role play-style games, or competitive sporting events including tactical configurations and precise game goals.
Laser tag is popular with a wide range of ages. When compared to paintball, laser tag is painless because it uses no physical projectiles, and indoor versions may be considered less physically demanding because most indoor venues prohibit running or roughhousing.
Video Laser tag
History
In late 1970s and early '80s, the United States Army deployed a system using infrared beams for combat training. The MILES system functions like laser tag in that beams are "fired" into receivers that score hits. Similar systems are now manufactured by several companies and used by various armed forces around the world.
The first known toy to use infrared light and a corresponding sensor was manufactured and marketed in 1979 as the Star Trek Electronic Phaser Guns set to accompany the film.
In 1982, George Carter III began the process of designing an arena-based system for playing a scored version of the game, a possibility which had initially occurred to him in 1977 while watching the film Star Wars Episode IV. The Grand Opening for the first Photon center in Dallas, Texas on March 28, 1984. Carter was honored by the International Laser Tag Association on November 17, 2005 for his contribution to the laser tag industry. The award is engraved "Presented to George A. Carter III in recognition for being the Inventor and Founder of the laser tag industry".
In 1986, the first Photon toys hit the market, nearly simultaneously with the Lazer Tag toys from Worlds of Wonder and several other similar infrared and visible light-based toys. Worlds of Wonder went out of business around 1988, and Photon soon followed in 1989, as the fad of the games wore off. Today there are laser tag arenas all over the world bearing various names and brands, as well as a large variety of consumer equipment for home play and professional grade equipment for outdoor laser tag arenas and businesses.
In 2010, a news article appeared claiming that Lee Weinstein developed and opened the first commercial laser tag facility. In June, 2011, the ILTA posted the results of a public record request from the City of Houston showing the opening date for Weinstein's "Star Laser Force" to have been April 16, 1985.
Maps Laser tag
Game mechanics
Laser tag systems vary widely in their technical capabilities and their applications. The game mechanics in laser tag are closely linked to the hardware used, the communication capabilities of the system, the embedded software that runs the equipment, the integration between the player's equipment and devices in the facility, the environment, and the configuration of the software that runs the equipment.
The resulting game play mechanics can result in anything from the highly realistic combat simulation used by the military to fantasy scenarios inspired by science fiction and video games.
Rate of fire, objectives, effects of being tagged, the number of lives, and other parameters can often be altered on the fly to provide for varied game play.
Specialty games
Along with standard team or solo matches, where one team or individuals try to tag the members of the other team or players repetitively, many laser tag venues will feature specialty matches. These matches vary based on equipment manufacturer and the level of technology of the system. Often they have various objectives and missions and demonstrate the technological capability of each system.
Specialty games include:
Capture the flag - this is where a player steals the opponents' flag and takes it back to his or her own base in order to score a point or win the match (depending on score system).
Protect the VIP - The team with the VIP must hide and conceal them for a set length of time while the opposing team tries to eliminate the VIP within the given time limit.
Stealth or Invisibility matches - Where the lights indicating a player's target sensors are deactivated.
Base-centric matches - where a team must defend a base while simultaneously attacking the opponent's base. Many prominent laser tag game systems, including LASERTRON, LaserBlast and Zone utilize this game format.
"Borg" matches - where players on a team share a pool of commonly held resources.
Juggernaut matches - One player is allocated as the 'juggernaut' and gains points for staying as the juggernaut. Other players attempt to eliminate this player and thus become the juggernaut themselves. Similar to Domination-style games.
Elimination matches - where a player is eliminated if tagged a certain number of times.
Domination matches - where a player gains points for possessing a field target for certain lengths of time.
Role-Playing or Character Class-based games - where each player's equipment performs a different function.
Equipment and technology
At their core, laser tag systems typically use infrared signaling to track firing of the beam. In indoor play, a visible light combined with theatrical fog typically provide the visual effect of firing, while having no actual role in transmitting the fire signal.
In all but the most basic of systems, the infrared signal sent by the gun when it fires is encoded with information such as the identity of the pack from which it originated. This coding allows for scoring and may also act to discourage interference from unauthorized devices in the playing area.
Despite the name, laser tag equipment does not fire lasers, due to the potential dangers involved.
Indoor equipment
Indoor laser tag is typically played in a large arena (may or may not be dark) run by a commercial laser tag operator. The packs are tightly integrated with the devices inside the arena. The arena devices, and the packs themselves may be linked into a control computer for scoring and control over game parameters using radio equipment or infrared links. The game computer often serves to control other game effects and to manage player scores.
The dimensions of an indoor laser tag arena makes for close quarters, so there is a large design focus on performance and game play under these conditions.
There are many different brand names of indoor laser tag equipment manufactured by various independent corporations. Typically commercial laser tag sites will only utilize one specific brand of laser tag equipment. Equipment may be rented, purchased outright (commonly with exclusive repair agreements with manufacturer), operated under franchise, and in rare cases self-manufactured. Laser tag equipment is often branded as having the same name as the corporation which manufactures and installs it (e.g Laser Storm was manufactured by Laser Storm Inc.). Common brand names include/included (but are not limited to):
- Delta Strike
- Q-Zar/Quasar
- Laser Quest
- Laser Blast
- Laser Zone
- Laser Tron
- Darklight
- Laser Maxx
- Laser Force
- proshut lasergames
- novus attractions
- Vector
- Laser Storm
- Actual Reality
Individual brands of laser tag equipment will often have a significant number of iterations, with significant upgrades often designated with sub-names to differentiate between other iterations. (e.g. names of various Laser Zone iterations include "Infusion", "Nexus", "Helios", in addition to others) These iterations can potentially represent large differences in the physical appearance of the equipment and the UI/functionality of the accompanying software and equipment itself. Typically, a given brand name of laser tag equipment will be referred to using its original brand name regardless of which individual upgrades/iteration a center operates.
Outdoor equipment
Outdoor laser tag equipment reflects design concerns that are different from indoor equipment. The equipment is generally expected to function well at longer ranges, even in daylight, so higher output power and specially designed optics are often a requirement. The units themselves are normally constructed of machined aluminum or a poly-carbonated plastic to withstand the abuse the outdoors brings. Players usually wear lightweight head sensors to receive hits. Operators typically either run games like indoor laser tag where you count the number of times you tag other players, or scenarios often approximate real-world combat, or a laser tag version of paintball games. Many paintball fields are adding laser tag to attract and groom players who are too young to play paintball. Some theme parks are adding outdoor laser tag facilities.
Competitions and tournaments
Competitions and tournaments are staged for local, regional/state, inter-regional, national, bi-lateral international, and international levels.
International
The First Zone Worlds Laser Tag Championships were hosted in the United States. Ultrazone's San Diego site in California hosted Worlds I from 2-7 August 2003.
Worlds I featured 12 teams from Sweden, Finland, Canada and the United States. The tournament was played on v5 equipment and took place between 11 pm to 6 am.
Results:
- Team Eliminator
- 1st - BOC (U.S.)
- 2nd - Zonegods (U.S.)
- 3rd - Ground Zero (U.S.)
- Team Scoring
- 1st - Ground Zero (U.S.)
- 2nd - Zonegods (U.S.)
- 3rd - BOC (U.S.)
- Doubles
- 1st - Mr Freeze, Ace (U.S.)
- 2nd - Skywalker, Merlin (U.S.)
- 3rd - Slick, Punisher (U.S.)
- LOR
- 1st - Punisher (U.S.)
- 2nd - Pound Dogg (U.S.)
- 3rd - Merlin (U.S.)
The Second Zone World Laser Tag Championships were staged at Megazone in Tampere, Finland during 30 May - 4 June 2009, with teams including Australia, Sweden, U.S., and the host country Finland.
Results:
- Team Scoring
- 1st - Legends (U.S.)
- 2nd - Finland 1 (Finland, EU)
- 3rd - Finland 4 (Finland, EU)
- Team Eliminator
- 1st - Legends (U.S.)
- 2nd - Finland 1 (Finland, EU)
- 3rd - TAPSA (Finland, EU)
- LoR ("Lord of the Rings")
- 1st - Snoopy (U.S.)
- 2nd - DoT (U.S.)
- 3rd - Sevron (U.S.)
- Doubles
- 1st - Plaag & jor (Finland, EU)
- 2nd - Cyber & Slick (U.S.)
- 3rd - Homicide & Punisher (U.S.)
- Solo
- 1st - Assassin (U.S.)
- 2nd - 1-Plaag (Finland, EU)
- 3rd - Sinclair (Australia)
The Third Zone Worlds Laser Tag Championships were hosted in the United States. Syracuse, New York site hosted Worlds III in 2011.
Results:
- Team Scoring
- 1st - God Pals (Finland, EU)
- 2nd - Identity Crisis (U.S.)
- 3rd - Coast to Coast (U.S.)
- Team Eliminator
- 1st - God Pals (Finland, EU)
- 2nd - Legends (U.S.)
- 3rd - Coast to Coast (U.S.)
- Solo
- 1st MilkY (Finland, EU)
- 2nd NiQ (Finland, EU)
- 3rd DoT (U.S.)
The Fourth Zone Worlds Laser Tag Championships took place at Sunshine Coast, Australia from 31 August 2014 to 5 September 2014.
Results:
- Team Eliminator
- 1st - U.S. Legends
- 2nd - Australia Tasmania
- 3rd - Europe, Finland
- Team Scoring
- 1st - U.S. Legends (80,925)
- 2nd - Australia Maroons (66,830)
- 3rd - Finland, EU (65,849)
- Solos
- 1st - Archibald (Team Rizz)
- 2nd - Xylitol (Finland, EU)
- 3rd - Ninja (Australia - Team 7)
- Triples
- 1st - Ace, Dot, Triggerhappy (U.S. Legends)
- 2nd - Beefy, Wooldot, Mad Cans (Australia - Maroons)
- 3rd - Slick, Punisher, Snoopy (U.S. Legends)
- LoR "Lord of the Rings"
- 1st - Punisher (U.S. Legends)
- 2nd - Snoopy (U.S. Legends)
- 3rd - Ace (U.S. Legends)
The Fifth Zone Worlds Laser Tag Championships took place in Belfort, France from 20 August 2017 to 25 August 2017
Results:
- Team Competition
- 1st - GP (FIN)
- 2nd - Cobras (NZ)
- 3rd - Legacy (FIN)
- Triples
- 1st - Darkomen, Milky, Niq (GP, FIN)
- 2nd - Dexter, jOr, Meizi (GP, FIN)
- 3rd - Mouldy, Ace, Gustice (Cobras, NZ/AUS II, AUS)
- Solos
- 1st - jOr (GP, FIN)
- 2nd - Popeyes (Cobras, NZ)
- 3rd - R (Legacy, FIN)
- Lord of the Rings
- 1st - Quutamo (GP, FIN)
- 2nd - Mumin (Majestic 5, SWE)
- 3rd - Xylitol (Legacy, FIN)
- Team Elimination
- 1st - GP (FIN)
- 2nd - Legacy (FIN)
- 3rd - SFP (FIN)
- French Format
- 1st - GP (FIN)
- 2nd - Cobras (NZ)
- 3rd - SFP (FIN)
The Armageddon cross-system tournament was created in 2000. Whereas most laser tag tournaments are limited to competition on one brand of laser tag equipment, the US Armageddon Tournament takes place over several days and is composed of a number of individual competitions held at multiple sites, each on different brands of laser tag equipment. The team with the most cumulative victories/points across all is the winner. The United Kingdom, Russia, and Sweden have operated/are currently operating tournaments utilizing the same format and bearing either the name "Armageddon" itself or local variations of the word. The location and route of the tournaments is traditionally varied every couple of years to provide a more varied scope to the equipment and arenas that are a part of the tournament.
Bi-Lateral
Bi-lateral international championships have included:
- USA v Australia
- Australia v South Africa
National
National tournaments are conducted in various countries, including:
- Australia
- USA
- Sweden
- Finland
- UK
- Germany
- Netherland september hosted by Laser tag Amsterdam
2013 United States Nationals Results. Las Vegas, NV
- Team Scoring
- 1st S.M.A.S.H
- 2nd San Diego
- 3rd Baltimore
- 4th Vegas
- 5th Hawaii
- Team Eliminator
- 1st S.M.A.S.H
- 2nd San Diego
- 3rd Baltimore
- 4th Vegas
- 5th Hawaii
- Warlords
- 1st S.M.A.S.H
- 2nd Baltimore
- 3rd San Diego / Ace
- 4th Vegas
- 5th Hawaii
- Solos
- 1st Triggahappy
- 2nd Crescent
- 3rd Ace
- LOR ("Lord of the Rings")
- 1st Snoopy
- 2nd Im not Psycho
- 3rd Slick
- Triples
- 1st Snoopy, Slick, Triggahappy
- 2nd Crescent, Ecko, Im Not Psycho
- 3rd Ace, Dot, Blaze
Regional and local
Individual Laser Tag systems often develop active tournament scenes. Unfortunately, due to the business practice of manufacturers not owning sites, these scenes tend to last only a few years and are player-organized and run. Ultrazone, when it had corporate-owned sites, ran tournaments up until about 2000. Laser Quest, with corporately-owned sites across North America, have operated the North American Challenge (or NAC for short) since 1995 and many local tournaments throughout the year. Laserforce has also maintained an international tournament scene for many years. LaserTron has also supported a tournament program for the past three years.
LaserStorm may have the most successful tournament scene; it has variously featured ongoing regional tournaments in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Colorado, Michigan, Florida, Kansas, California, Wisconsin, and New York from the early 90's until today. The "LaserStorm National Championship" is still held yearly, with the best teams from those regions traveling to one chosen host site every summer for a week long tournament to crown the yearly National Champions, and the best player in the country.
Darkzone (the Australian name for Ultrazone) has recently had its 10th annual National tournament also cementing it as one of the most stable competitions running in the world.
Non-commercial clubs and events
Around the world clubs have come and gone with the different eras of one brand or another becoming popular and then fading again. The early Worlds of Wonder, or 'WoW', Lazer Tag brand gear sparked up clubs around the world and inspired development of other gear that is still in use today. Laser Challenge and Electronic Survivor Shot also inspired many clubs to form in the US. More recently the Lazer Tag Team Ops gear by Hasbro sparked multiple clubs across the United States. Home made or "Do it yourself" DIY gear has also been popular. In the U.K. the WoW signature is still in use by many clubs today, however much of the gear is manufactured by club individuals from scratch. In the US, Miles Tag was created as a DIY gear which was adopted by other clubs such as the Australian group that calls their gear FragTag. Although many clubs, and there events, there are a few events that have become large enough to stand the test of time. Among these are:
- Dropzone, UK - Annual event, with themed Live Action Role Play adventures where the storyline is the key element and Laser Tag gear is used as a means to resolve conflicts. The UKLTA also run TagCon, UK
an annual event bringing together players together for workshops and discussion of the hobby and monthly events at an Airsoft site 'Wickham'.
- LaserStorm, AU - Annual themed event that has multiple days of military simulation.
- TagCon Midwest, USA - Annual event hosted by clubs from the midwest with the backing of Steradian Tech.
- Tagfest Northwest, USA - Annual event that draws in mostly members from clubs all over the northwest and other alumni members from as far away as the country of Bermuda.
There are Laser Tag groups across the globe in many countries. Most clubs have some sort of site taking advantage of tools on sites like Yahoo, Google, Facebook, and Meetup, and a few have websites of their own.
German law
In March 2009, upon the Winnenden school shooting, the German government announced that it would ban games such as laser tag and paintball, claiming that they trivialize and encourage violence. It later retracted this assertion.
See also
- Airsoft
- Paintball
References
External links
- Laser games at Curlie (based on DMOZ)
Source of article : Wikipedia
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