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{{Short description|Recreational shooting sport and game}}
{{Refimprove|date=November 2008}}
{{About|the sport and technology in general|the branded version with a similar name|Lazer Tag}}
{{More citations needed|date=December 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2019}}
{{Infobox sport {{Infobox sport
| image = Soldat français au CENZUB.jpg | image = Fort Bliss laser tag 120705-A-WO769-016 (cropped).jpg
| imagesize = 200px | imagesize =
| caption = Soldiers of the ] training with laser tag equipment | caption = Players being briefed before a game of laser tag
| nickname = lazer tag, lasertag, lasergames | nickname = Lazer tag, lasertag, laser-tag, lasergames, laser skirmish
| first = 1984 | first = 1984
| registered = | registered =
| club = | club =
| contact = No physical contact between players (contact can result in penalties) | contact = No physical contact between players is allowed; Contact can result in penalties.
| team = Varies depending on game format and level of play (recreational or professional) | team = Varies depending on game format and level of play (recreational or professional)
| mgender = | mgender =
| category = Indoor or Outdoor | category = Indoor, outdoor, mobile, toy
| ball = Laser guns and targets worn by players | ball = Laser guns and targets worn by players
}} }}


'''Laser tag''' is a recreational ] where participants use ]-emitting ]s to ] designated targets. Infrared-sensitive signaling devices are commonly worn by each player to register hits and are sometimes integrated within the arena in which the game is played.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-12-08|title=How do Laser Tag Guns and Sensors Actually Work?|url=https://interestingengineering.com/how-do-laser-tag-guns-work|access-date=2021-12-02|website=interestingengineering.com|language=en-US}}</ref>
Laser tag is extremely popular because Barney Stinson plays it.


Since its birth in 1979, with the release of the Star Trek Electronic Phasers toy manufactured by the South Bend Electronics brand of ], laser tag has evolved into both indoor and outdoor styles of play, and may include simulations of ], ]-style adventure games, or competitive sporting events including tactical configurations and precise game goals.

Laser tag is popular with a wide range of ages. Laser tag tournaments are staged for local, regional/state, inter-regional, national, bi-lateral international, and international levels.


==History== ==History==
In late 1970s and early 1980s, the ] deployed a system using infrared beams for ]. The ] system functions like laser tag in that beams are "fired" into receivers that score hits.<ref>, the Federation of American Scientists Military Analysis Network, accessed 13 November 2006</ref> Similar systems are now manufactured by several companies and used by various ] around the world. In late 1970s and early 1980s, the ] deployed a system using ] for ]. This ] system functioned like laser tag in that beams are "fired" into receivers that score hits.<ref>, the Federation of American Scientists Military Analysis Network, accessed 13 November 2006</ref>


The first known toy to use infrared light and a corresponding sensor was manufactured and marketed in 1979 as the ''] Electronic ] Guns'' set.<ref name="tagferrethistory">, a historical reference to consumer laser tag product from a toy industry insider.</ref> The first known toy to use infrared light and a corresponding sensor was manufactured and marketed in 1979 as the ''] Electronic ] Guns'' set to accompany the release of '']''.<ref name="tagferrethistory">, a historical reference to consumer laser tag product from a toy industry insider.</ref>


]
In 1982, ] 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 '']''. He opened the first '']'' center in ] on March 24, 1984. George Carter was honored by the International Laser Tag Association on November 17, 2005 for his contribution to the laser tag industry. The is engraved "Presented to George A. Carter III in recognition for being the Inventor and Founder of the laser tag industry".<ref>http://www.lasertag.org/news/173-georgte-carter-iii-joins-ilta-board.html</ref>
In 1982, ] 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 '']''. The Grand Opening for the first '']'' center was in ] on 28 March 1984.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lasertagmuseum.com/anniversary |title=Anniversary |publisher=Lasertagmuseum.com |date=28 March 2014}}</ref> Carter was honored by the International Laser Tag Association on 17 November 2005 for his contribution to the laser tag industry. The is engraved "Presented to George A. Carter III in recognition for being the Inventor and Founder of the laser tag industry".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lasertag.org/news/173-georgte-carter-iii-joins-ilta-board.html |title=Georgte Carter III Joins ILTA Board |access-date=14 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720154530/http://www.lasertag.org/news/173-georgte-carter-iii-joins-ilta-board.html |archive-date=20 July 2011 }}</ref>


In 1986, the first ''Photon'' toys were sold, nearly simultaneously with the '']'' toys from ] 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.<ref name="iltahistory"> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060923034444/http://www.lasertag.org/general/history.html |date=23 September 2006 }}, International Laser Tag Association, accessed 17 September 2006</ref>
In 2010, a 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 Star Laser Force to be April 16, 1985.<ref name="lasertag.org">http://www.lasertag.org/museum.html</ref>


In March 2009, upon the ], the German government announced that it would ban games such as laser tag and ], claiming that they trivialize and encourage violence. It later retracted this assertion.<ref>{{cite news|date=9 May 2009|title=Germany moves to outlaw paintball|work=BBC News|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8041320.stm}}</ref>
In 1986, the first ''Photon'' toys hit the market, nearly simultaneously with the '']'' toys from ] 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.<ref name="iltahistory">, International Laser Tag Association, accessed 17 September 2006</ref>


In 2010, a 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 16 April 1985.<ref name="lasertag.org">{{cite web|url=http://www.lasertagmuseum.com/ |title=History of the laser tag industry |publisher=Laser Tag Museum |access-date=29 April 2014}}</ref>
==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 ] 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 far-fetched scenarios inspired by ] and video games.

], objectives, effects of being tagged, the amount 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:

''']''' – This where a player steals the opponents flag and takes it back to their own base in order to score a point or win the match (depending on score system).

''']''' – The team with the VIP must hide and conceal him 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.

'''"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 can become 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.

'''] or ] Matches''' – where each player's equipment performs a different function.


==Equipment and technology== ==Equipment and technology==
] and ] lights]]
At their core, laser tag systems typically use infrared signaling to track firing of the laser. In indoor play, a visible laser combined with theatrical fog typically provide the visual effect of firing, while having no actual role in transmitting the fire signal.
]
Laser tag systems typically use infrared signaling to track firing of the beam. In indoor play, a visible light combined with ] typically provide the visual effect of firing, while having no actual role in transmitting the fire signal. Despite the name, laser tag equipment does not fire ]s, due to the potential dangers involved.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.polyphoto.com/tutorials/LaserTag/NoRealLasers.html|title = No Real Lasers in Laser Tag aka Lazer Tag}}</ref> Some laser tag may use additional equipment to simulate control points, ] boxes, portable med kits, landmines, grenade launchers and ].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://wielkaspluwa.pl/czym_jest_laser_tag/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180830174251/https://wielkaspluwa.pl/czym_jest_laser_tag/ |archive-date=30 August 2018 |title=Czym jest laser tag? > Wielka Spluwa}}</ref>


== See also ==
In all but the most basic of systems, the infrared signal sent by the laser 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.

===Indoor equipment===
Indoor laser tag is typically played in a large arena (may be dark or may not) 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 ], so there is a large design focus on performance and game play under these conditions.

===Outdoor equipment===
Outdoor equipment requires different design concerns 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 light weight 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===
] star motif, and back]]
The Second Zone World Laser Tag Championships<ref> (]; main site ]), Megazone Finland, accessed 2009-05-10</ref> were staged at Megazone in ] over 30 May - 4 June 2009, with teams including ],<ref>, Zone 3 - ACT, accessed 2009-05-10</ref> ], ], and the host country, ].

Results<ref>, accessed 2009-06-06</ref>:
* Team
** 1st - Legends (USA)
** 2nd - Finland 1 (FIN)
** 3rd - Finland 4 (FIN)

* Team Eliminator
** 1st - Legends (USA)
** 2nd - Finland 1 (FIN)
** 3rd - TAPSA (FIN)
** 4th - Aus Boom (AUS)

* LoR ("Lord of the Rings")
** 1st - Snoopy (USA)
** 2nd - DoT (USA)
** 3rd - Sevron (USA)

* Doubles
** 1st - Plaag & jor (FIN)
** 2nd - Cyber & Slick (USA)
** 3rd - Homicide & Punisher (USA)

* Solo
** 1st - Assassin (USA)
** 2nd - 1-Plaag (FIN)
** 3rd - Sinclair (AUS)

The 2011 International Championships are being held in Syracuse, NY, America. The dates for these events are the 5/11/2011 - 11/11/2011.

===Bi-Lateral===
Bi-lateral international championships have included:
* USA v Australia
* Australia v South Africa <!--Personal knowledge User:Peter_Ellis.-->

===National===
National tournaments are conducted in various countries, including:
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]

===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.{{Or|date=May 2008}} Ultrazone, when it had corporate-owned sites, ran tournaments up until about 2000. ], 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.<ref name="ltwc">, LaserTron World Championships, accessed 28 October 2007</ref>

LaserStorm may have the most successful tournament scene, as they have regularly held ongoing regional tournaments in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Colorado, Michigan, Florida, Kansas, California, Wisconsin, and New York for the past decade. The "LaserStorm National Championship" is entering it's 16th consecutive year (2012), 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. The most recent Laser Storm National Tournament took place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in July 2011, with Pennsylvania team "Extreme Dump Truck On Fire" taking the 1st place title. This was the 15th annual national-level Laser Storm tournament.

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.

],<ref>, accessed 20 April 2009</ref> a multi-system tournament has operated since 2000 giving players of many diverse systems the opportunity to play against each other in 10 or more different systems to see who is the best "cross-system" player. The tournament was founded by Ricky Vega in Dallas, TX and changes location every few years. In 2000, 2001 and 2007 the tournament took place in ], in 2002, 2003, and 2006 it took place in ], in 2004 and 2005 it took place in ], ] and ], and in 2008/2009 it was held in the NY-NJ-PA region. Armageddon took place in the OH-KY-IN region in 2010. U.S. Armageddon takes place every year on the week of July 4. 6–8 teams of 8 players per team compete over a four day period on these different systems. Armageddon is now also held yearly in the United Kingdom and in Sweden. Many Armageddon players frequently play in international, national, regional, and local tournaments for multiple systems and may travel to the multiple Armageddons through the year.

== Non-Commercial Clubs & 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:
*TagCon, UK - Annual event bringing together multiple clubs together for skirmishes and workshops.
*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.
*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.

==German law==

In May 2009, Germany announced it would ban games such as laser tag and ], claiming that they trivialise and encourage violence. It retracted this assertion a few days later.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8041320.stm|title=Germany moves to outlaw paintball | work=BBC News | date=9 May 2009}}</ref>

==See also==
*] *]
*]
*]
*] *]


==References== ==References==
{{Reflist}}
<references />


{{commons category|Laser tag|Lasergame}}
==External links==
*{{dmoz|Sports/Laser_Games|Laser games}}


{{Lasers}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Laser Tag}}
{{Authority control}}
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Latest revision as of 12:57, 8 January 2025

Recreational shooting sport and game This article is about the sport and technology in general. For the branded version with a similar name, see Lazer Tag.
This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
Find sources: "Laser tag" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (December 2021) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Laser tag
Players being briefed before a game of laser tag
NicknamesLazer tag, lasertag, laser-tag, lasergames, laser skirmish
First played1984
Characteristics
ContactNo physical contact between players is allowed; Contact can result in penalties.
Team membersVaries depending on game format and level of play (recreational or professional)
TypeIndoor, outdoor, mobile, toy
EquipmentLaser guns and targets worn by players

Laser tag is a recreational shooting sport where participants use infrared-emitting light guns to tag designated targets. Infrared-sensitive signaling devices are commonly worn by each player to register hits 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 close quarter combat, role play-style adventure games, or competitive sporting events including tactical configurations and precise game goals.

Laser tag is popular with a wide range of ages. Laser tag tournaments are staged for local, regional/state, inter-regional, national, bi-lateral international, and international levels.

History

In late 1970s and early 1980s, the United States Army deployed a system using lasers for combat training. This MILES system functioned like laser tag in that beams are "fired" into receivers that score hits.

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 release of Star Trek: The Motion Picture.

Indoor laser tag event

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. The Grand Opening for the first Photon center was in Dallas, Texas on 28 March 1984. Carter was honored by the International Laser Tag Association on 17 November 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 were sold, 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 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.

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 16 April 1985.

Equipment and technology

Laser tag vest with infrared sensor and LED lights
Laser tag pistol

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. Despite the name, laser tag equipment does not fire lasers, due to the potential dangers involved. Some laser tag may use additional equipment to simulate control points, respawn boxes, portable med kits, landmines, grenade launchers and hand grenades.

See also

References

  1. "How do Laser Tag Guns and Sensors Actually Work?". interestingengineering.com. 8 December 2019. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
  2. Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System, the Federation of American Scientists Military Analysis Network, accessed 13 November 2006
  3. TagFerret's Laser Tag History Page, a historical reference to consumer laser tag product from a toy industry insider.
  4. "Anniversary". Lasertagmuseum.com. 28 March 2014.
  5. "Georgte Carter III Joins ILTA Board". Archived from the original on 20 July 2011. Retrieved 14 May 2011.
  6. History of Laser Tag Archived 23 September 2006 at the Wayback Machine, International Laser Tag Association, accessed 17 September 2006
  7. "Germany moves to outlaw paintball". BBC News. 9 May 2009.
  8. "History of the laser tag industry". Laser Tag Museum. Retrieved 29 April 2014.
  9. "No Real Lasers in Laser Tag aka Lazer Tag".
  10. "Czym jest laser tag? > Wielka Spluwa". Archived from the original on 30 August 2018.
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