There’s something new inside my local laser tag arena. Check out these custom targets that have just been added!
Up until now the extra targets here have been housed in the classic Laserforce shield plastics, just like the bases, and that has been the standard design that I’ve come to expect to see in most LF arenas (either that or tablet beacons). However, this new hexagonal design is NOT an official LF product, but rather the result of some real ingenuity from several laser tag techies who came up with their own clever way to creatively enhance the look of their arena elements.
Made from a translucent 3D printed design (as opposed to a pricier plexiglass) these original designs house the LF target board components (along with something additional to power it…that’s as techie as I get) to make them glow brightly through the opaque surface.
I think that this target must have taken on a temporary personality of its own, because at the beginning of the night it seemed to be just begging for my attention, beckoning me to look up!
And once I took notice, everything fell right back into place and all the targets functioned as they normally would, changing colors to reflect whether you could get bonus points, rapid fire or start a “radiation storm” by tagging them.
Now, some people may think I spend too much time on minutiae (like devoting an entire video to “The Ding”), but I think it’s worth noting if and when changes make a difference to the game. In this case, my first question about the custom targets was whether it was by design or by “happy accident” that they cannot be hit from all angles as easily as the original targets could.
What I mean by that is the edges are much thicker plastic, so they can still be easily hit from the front, but no longer from the side. I don’t see this as either a pro or con necessarily, but I was curious whether that had been a conscious decision or just a byproduct of the design. I think it was the latter.
How does that change the game? Not much, but very slightly if you are accustomed to the nuances of a particular arena. For example, my M.O. when playing games of Challenge Royale here has been to circle the arena to get the bases and tag the target on the closer front wall while running towards it from the side from about a third of the arena back and tagging it from the sight line over the barrier while I am in motion. I can’t do that any longer! ;) If I am approaching from that same angle now I have to get closer to it and reposition myself to tag it from a more forward-facing position. Is this a problem? No, just a tiny change. If anything, that might make it more interesting in the beginning for players like me to get acclimated to. For most players I doubt it will make any noticeable difference other than from an aesthetic perspective.
Aesthetically, I love it! I felt that way when I first saw this design in use at an arena in Louisiana as well. I think this looks very sharp with clean lines and geometric appeal. Actually, whether intended or not, it reminds me a bit of a nod to Photon. Whatever the case, the style is very appealing and I want to acknowledge how cool it is to see ingenuity like this being implemented. Custom is always cool in my eyes, so for me this new look is “right on target!”
Comments or Questions?
Contact: Tivia@tiviachickloveslasertag.com
Websites: www.tiviachickloveslasertag.com
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