Thursday, July 10, 2025

Tivigeddon: Side Quests Begin with a Blast!

“Tivigeddon” started three years ago when, (long story short) a system was dropped during Armageddon and I decided that, rather than lose the entire day, I would Google a few laser tag sites along the route back to the hotel and play just for fun with anyone who wanted to tag along (pun intended). That’s how these post-tourney side quests began and now I plan them into my route ahead of time. However, I’m always happy to add a bonus stop and it wasn’t until the morning of Day 2 that I learned about a new laser tag arena, less than a year old, at Incredibowl Entertainment Toledo in Toledo, OH. It was so close to the tournament site that I knew this had to be our first stop at the end of the day. So we loaded up a couple of cars and Scuba, Dave, Logan and Tunns joined me for a game with staff members Brie and Rosie to experience this new arena.

We were greeted by John (the general manager) and Patrick (facilities manager), who led us back to the arena entrance and showed the CyberBlast Pro packs, all wireless charging on the racks. 



We picked up our packs and Scuba and I took a selfie cam photo on the phaser together.



Then we watched the briefing video. Even though we were all familiar with the video content, what caught my attention here was the way the monitor was cleverly built into this Aztec ruins themed focal-point display. Presentation is everything and this was a very nice set-up inside the combined briefing/vesting room.



I do like to see the theming extend all the way through the experience, from the entrance to briefing and vesting, all the way into the arena for the “main show” and that’s what we found here.


The single-level arena is sharp looking and the HD graphics are easily recognizable as the work of Art Attack. In fact, based on this view, I’ll go out on a limb and guess that this is one of the very arenas currently pictured on the Art Attack home page. 



It’s much brighter under the black lights than my photos reflect, but trust me when I say that the HD graphics pop, the arena looks impressive and the theme is well executed.





There are raised half-bridges for elevation on either side, each flanking one of the two animated projection targets.




I noticed plenty of additional targets scattered along the walls, but as always, I made a move for the bases first.



Scuba was ready to deny those base hits!



We enjoyed tagging around the space and the game was light, fun and a really great way to decompress following the tournament. We checked the scoreboard…Tunns, nicely done!



While my focus is always on the laser tag, Scuba kept his eyes on the arcade and the bowling. We agreed that that the long screen with animations popping up across the row of bowling alleys was a unique eye catcher.



And as we left, Scuba pointed out the step and repeat selfie wall, knowing that this is something I recently discussed at Amusement Expo, as I advocate for every entertainment center to have some kind of dedicated station branded with their logo as a place for photos. This matters because people can take pics of their memories AND promote your business (even if they don’t realize it) all at the same time.



Thank you to Incredibowl for the hospitality and a really enjoyable experience!





Comments or Questions? 

Contact: Tivia@tiviachickloveslasertag.com 

Websites: www.tiviachickloveslasertag.com

and https://tiviachick.wixsite.com/photonforever

and https://lasertagmuseum.com

Wednesday, July 9, 2025

Armageddon 2025 - Day 4

Armageddon, Day 4. This is the point where you just leave it all on the field, which is what we all did during the final leg of the tournament at Zap Zone in Brighton, MI.


It all comes down to Blast…or does it? Well, let’s set aside the actual math for the moment. 


Zap Zone appears to have some fresh remodeling since the last time Armageddon played here.



I’m certain that this logo carpet is a new addition.



Once we settled in, Cope gave the Blast briefing from atop his perch on the ledge of the roller rink.



Time to get this show on the road! 


The top two teams had already emerged, but this was still likely going right down to the wire to determine the placements. We had been neck and neck with the Void tussling for 3rd and 4th. But…math. Penalty points were about to make a big difference and, yep, we had a couple. So, knowing what would likely happen, barring an extreme turn of events, there was nothing to do but go play Blast and have fun. That’s exactly what we did!




We entered the arena for the first game and prepared for the 12 life elimination format with shots every two seconds (a timing rhythm I find difficult to sync with).


Let’s play some Hyper Blast!



That first game was what it was, but for me, the memorable moments came during our second and third games. I was pleased that I pulled the top placement on my red team and second place for that game, as it was my personal best showing of this system. 



But the third game we played was intense to watch! The game was all tied up right until the :30 second to go mark. We lost it by a scant two points, but what a nail biter!



Around this time Kelly trolled Slayer by calling him over and handing him two player badges belonging to Nobody and RNT. More penalties?! On the heels of our team already having those earlier penalty points, I doubt he found it as funny as the rest of us did to learn that Nobody was flagged for “being too nice” while RNT’s infraction was saying “golly gee wilikers!” Nice prank Kelly!


Our last game was played against the actual Blast team. They probably could have done the very same things they did without following us to our starting positions and calling them out before the game began, but when is overkill not a good time for all? XD 


However, we thank them for their props to us on holding them off longer than any of the other teams. We lost, but we didn’t go out quickly!


You’d think that once all the games were over that, well, the games would be over. Now, what’s interesting is this…it was determined that one of the packs used in two of our games was unable to be hit on the pack, only the phaser. This was determined significant enough of an equipment issue that we were entitled to replay those games. Whether or not we would was dependent on the Ricky vs Void result of the last game. If Ricky’s team could pull the win then we would have definitely replayed, but if not, then the numbers were such that even if we tied it up in replays, those penalty points would still put us in fourth place.


Cut to the chase…that scenario did not play out so we saw no point in taking our replays and we simply congratulated all the teams on a great showing.


And we took some fun group shots as well before the awards ceremony.



George had 3D printed some really cool awards.





The full awards ceremony will be included in my upcoming podcast. The shorthand on the results is this…


5th Place - Ricky

4th Place - Plausible Deniability

3rd Place - Void


And as for first and second place? A tie!!! Typically there would be tiebreakers in place, but in this case both teams were dead even (right down to THEIR penalty points) so both OF and Here Comes the D will share this year’s first place honors! Congratulations!



Special awards were also given and I want to thank everyone for voting for me to be the spirit award winner of “Most Enthusiastic” this year!




I really appreciate this honor because it really represents what I try to be about as I share all my laser tag adventures.



Time for team props!



Slayer - Thank you for all your hard work captaining, organizing and cat herding. Since the first time we played together ten years ago (seriously, ten years?!) to now, you rock!


RNT - It’s surprising to me to look back on just how many times we have played on the same team at this and other tag tournaments. Even more surprising is more often than not you are coordinating the tourney at the same time. I admire your dedication and appreciate your strategies and guidance. Hope we get to play again soon!


Selenago - What a year! Thank you for having my back, both in and out of the arena. I am thankful to have you as a teammate and a sounding board and I hope you save me some of those cookies!


Axman - I admire your skill and passion for both the game and for growing the scene. I am glad to have you as a friend and as excellent competition whenever we play in Syracuse. Glad that this time we were on the same team!


Mama Bear - It’s so nice to be on a team with you! Playing alongside your entire family is a very cool dynamic…and in two years I’ll make you a map of all the tag arenas around Maddie’s college!


Nobody - Having known you for several years now, you have matured into a really amazing young woman with a lot of skill in the arena. Keep focusing your potential like you are and you will continue to become a force to be reckoned with!


Sakura - You are already a force to be reckoned with! Lady, you are a powerhouse and a lot of fun. I had a great time playing tag with you again. Sorry the pickle got your bag checked!


Tunns - I’m so glad you joined us! It was wonderful having you on the team and I’m really glad you came along for some Tivigeddon adventures too!


Big thanks to Zap Zone Brighton for hosting the final day of Armageddon 2025!



And thank you to everyone who made Armageddon 2025 such an awesome time! See you all next year…if not sooner!



Comments or Questions? 

Contact: Tivia@tiviachickloveslasertag.com 

Websites: www.tiviachickloveslasertag.com

and https://tiviachick.wixsite.com/photonforever

and https://lasertagmuseum.com