Being a die-hard fan of video games, especially those intense first-person shooters, diving into the world of laser tag has been an absolute thrill for me. If you’re on the hunt for a fantastic way to have a blast with your buddies, look no further. Armed with infrared-shooting guns, you’re in for a treat as you run around zapping each other in all sorts of exciting game modes.
But hold on, if you’re new to this, it’s natural to take a little time to find your groove and master the game. No need to stress though, because laser tag is far from complex. It’s a game that even the young ones can dive into headfirst. So if you’re up for some action, stay right here and breeze through this piece.
I’ve been entrenched in laser tagging for years, and I’m here to be your guide to help you understand how to play this game, along with the scoring system and essential rules. So, let’s dive in.
The Goal Of Laser Tag
I sense your enthusiasm for your very first laser tag party, so let’s dive right in and unravel the gameplay. Just like those multiplayer shooting games we adore, your mission is to rack up points by targeting your rivals. The particular aim you’ll have in each game will vary according to the game mode you opt for.
How Does Laser Tag Scoring Work?
The way points are tallied in laser tag varies from mode to mode. Most of the time, when players are tagged out, they can respawn at their base. When the match ends, victory goes to the individual or team with the highest score. As for game modes, there’s a range of goal-oriented options to dive into:
- Free For All: In this straightforward game mode, every player competes against one another, striving to achieve the highest number of kills. When the allotted time is up, the individual with the highest score emerges as the winner.
- Team Deathmatch: Two teams go head-to-head until the time runs out. Your objective in this mode is to aid your team in accumulating more kills than the opposing side. The team that eliminates the most opponents claims victory for the round.
- Last Man Standing: A challenging mode akin to free-for-all, yet without the luxury of unlimited respawns. Players possess a set number of lives or health points. Once your health points are depleted, you’re eliminated from the game. As the name implies, the last remaining survivor secures victory. It’s advisable to wait until you’re more experienced before attempting this mode, as rapid eliminations in each match can be rather frustrating.
- Capture The Flag: This mode is a personal favorite of mine due to its strategic nature. The objective is to infiltrate the enemy team’s base, seize their flag, and transport it to your own base. Your team earns points with each successful flag capture.
- King Of The Hill: In the King of the Hill mode, a specific objective within the arena must be captured and defended. Essentially, your team strives to “control” a designated area for a longer duration than the opposing team.
In addition to these typical game modes, you’ll also encounter ‘Infection,’ ‘Domination,’ ‘Highlander,’ and ‘Blood Moon,’ each featuring distinct scoring systems. Know the Pro Tips To Win Laser Tag in any of these modes.
Which Game Mode Is Your Best Fit?
If you’re new to the laser tag arena, you can start with the classic game mode. Here, each tag on an opponent racks up points for you. A fixed number of points, usually around 10, is your reward for each successful tag.
And it gets more exciting! Beyond targeting the usual vest zones, you can also aim for your opponent’s weapon to register a hit. Now, when the battle takes the shape of team deathmatch mode, points come from eliminating rival players.
Remember my fondness for Capture The Flag? It’s a personal favorite. Your team notches up points by nabbing the rival’s flag and safely returning it to your base. On the other hand, King of the Hill mode relies on how long your team dominates the objective for scoring.
All these modes pack a ton of enjoyment and call for quick thinking and skill. Personally, I’ve got a soft spot for team-based games– there’s something remarkable about a group effort to outsmart the competition. If you’re well-acquainted with multiplayer video games featuring these modes, you likely have your go-to choices already locked in.
Also Read: How Much Does It Cost To Play Laser Tag?
Where Can You Play Laser Tag?
Laser tag is great because it is an indoor recreational sport, full of fun. If you’re in the United States, you’ll likely find places to play with your pals without much trouble. And guess what, if you can’t find an indoor spot, you can still play outside.
1. Arenas
With the rise in popularity of games like laser tag, you’ll find different arenas to play. These facilities are basically designed parks just for these types of games.
If you’re in Illinois, consider checking out The Edge – it’s the biggest laser tag arena worldwide, covering a whopping 14,000 square feet. It offers all sorts of unique features spread out over multiple levels.
Other fantastic options include Laser X in Washington, Track 21 in Texas, Area 51 Laser Tag in Ohio, and more. To see what’s available, simply search for local facilities nearby.
2. Your Home
If you and your buddies have enough laser tag gear, you can totally have a home game. Set up the playing area, decide on the rules, and have a blast with your friends. Here’s a more detailed guide.
Sure, your home won’t recreate the exact arena vibes, but it saves you money and time. Plus, you’ll get to be more flexible with the game styles and rules. You can even take your laser tag adventures beyond your home for different kinds of fun and excitement.
Equipment Needed
- Laser Tag Gun: Naturally, the heart of the game revolves around this advanced toy weapon. A laser tag blaster is packed with a display screen, glowing lights, sensors, and a reload button. Personally, I lean toward gear that offers unique abilities. No need to fret; if you’re at a gaming arena, they’ll supply you with a gun set. Alternatively, you can buy your own for home use.
- Laser Tag Vest: Now, how do you keep track of those hits from infrared beams? That’s where the vests come in. These vests have special infrared sensors placed in specific spots – like the shoulders, abdomen, and back. When you get hit in any of these areas, the vest vibrates to let you know you’ve been tagged.
Note: You do not have to buy guns and vests separately. Get the best laser tag set to maximize the fun.
How To Play Laser Tag? A Guide For Beginners
Now that you’re familiar with laser tag modes, scoring, and the gear, let’s delve into how to play this game. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the game step by step.
Step 1: Choose A Spot
Laser tag arenas offer diverse play areas with different layouts. Head over with your pals, ask about age limits, and pick a spot to play. The cost usually ranges from $10 to $50 per person. If there is no facility nearby, create your own play zone at home.
Step 2: Organize The Teams
Unless you’re going for a free-for-all or last-person-standing mode, divide the crew into two to four teams. More teams mean a fiercer competition. Make sure experienced players are evenly spread for a fair match.
Step 3: Get Your Gear On
After establishing the teams, put on your laser tag vest, making sure to secure the straps properly for a snug fit. Loose straps might trigger the sensors (indicating a hit). Moving on, pick up your laser gun and take a moment to familiarize yourself with its features and the display screen.
Step 4: Know the Rules
Most arenas give a quick rundown before games. Learn about the game mode and scoring. Know the rules; they usually have do’s and don’ts (like no running). Next, study the map well – you’ll perform better knowing the layout.
Step 5: Start Playing
Unless there’s a base or starting point, find a safe spot within the facility, away from foes. If you’re supposed to start at a certain place, find cover and dash there when the game begins. Buzzers, lights, or announcements cue the start.
Step 6: Tag Your Opponents
From my experience, I can advise you to aim for the sensors on opponents’ vests – hits count only if the infrared beams hit a sensor. Your laser tag gun makes a ‘dink’ sound when you hit. Depending on the mode and rules, a hit might knock out a player or ‘stun’ them briefly. A stunned player can’t shoot and might be invulnerable to more hits.
That’s the scoop – you’ve grasped laser tag basics, so dive in and gain firsthand experience. Using cover smartly can give you a real edge.
For more insights, check out this video explaining the fundamentals of playing laser tag.
How Long Are Those Games?
The length of a laser tag game isn’t set in stone and can differ from arena to arena and mode to mode. On average, it’s about 15 minutes. A session is made up of several games, and it generally lasts from 30 minutes to 2 hours.
Rules To Follow In Laser Tag
Similar to any sport, laser tag has its own set of rules you should stick to. While there might be a bit more flexibility when playing at home, the story changes when you’re at a professional arena. A chunk of these rules is there to keep things fair, while the rest aim to avoid any mishaps, injuries, or damage to the equipment.
- No Contact With Other Players: To start, avoid any physical contact with opponents, including pushing or hitting.
- Sensors Should Be Visible: Ensure that you don’t cover or obstruct the sensors on your vest in any way. This is a fundamental aspect of good sportsmanship.
- Wear Close-Toed Shoes: Players are required to wear closed-toed shoes while participating in a laser tag game. If you didn’t come with appropriate footwear, the facility might offer rental shoes. Refer to these tips for wearing the right gear on the playfield.
- Obey Attendants: Follow the instructions given by the attendants at the zone. Any disrespectful behavior towards them could lead to your removal from the game without a refund.
- No Running, Climbing, or Crawling: Laser tag facilities typically prohibit these activities for safety reasons.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yes, playing laser tag is extremely fun. Apart from all the activities it offers, it also promotes teamwork and involves a lot of strategizing.
Although laser tag arenas are usually dark or dimly lit, you can also play it in daylight. The only disadvantage is that if your specialized gun uses an ultraviolet light beam for aiming, it won’t be visible.
If your gun has a scope, aiming with it should be fairly easy. Otherwise, just hold the gun at level with your eyes and aim down the sights.
Unlike other similar recreational sports involving gel blasters and paintball markers, you don’t need to wear safety glasses. This is simply because the infrared beams are not harmful like lasers.
Playing laser tag while pregnant is not advisable due to the risk of falling or bumping into obstacles. Many facilities have specific guidelines on this matter, with several of them prohibiting pregnant women from participating. Here is a more detailed guide covering the key considerations for playing the game while pregnant.
Laser tag, as we’ve seen, is quite simple to jump into, and the range of game modes adds a lot of value. Particularly when playing at home, you can let your imagination run wild and make your own game rules. The only thing you need is a laser tag set with guns and vests. You can get these at an arena or buy them for home fun, just like I did.
I trust this article has answered all your questions about laser tag, and I’m certain you’ll have an absolute blast when you finally give it a shot.
It’s exciting that the winner of the Free For All laser tag game mode is the person with the highest score at the end of the designated period. This mode pits players against each other to get the most kills. We’ve been talking about doing something fun together for ages, and I thought laser tag would be a blast. It’s been so long since we’ve all hung out and just let loose, so I thought, why not? Plus, who doesn’t love a little friendly competition and running around like kids again?
That sounds great! Have a blast!