For several
weeks I have been wanting to check out an arena to the south of me that runs
Lasertron and I had never been to before. My hope after learning about this
place was that it would be a good spot for me to get some Tron practice closer
to home. But after playing there...well, let's just say I don't think this is
going to replace any of my other go to spots. The one thing I'll say I did like
was the aesthetic. The arena had a cool industrial theme.
But as for the
rest of it...here's what happened. I showed up at the arena for what was
supposed to be unlimited tag 7-11. They also offer roller skating here and one
wristband would get you access to both for what sounded like a pretty good price.
Well, shortly after 7:00 I bought my pass and was told to add my name to the
list for tag. There were already a decent number of names on the paper so I
asked when the next game was going in. I was told they would play when they had
enough people (the group on this list wasn't enough to start after 7:00?) and
that I might just want to get my skates now until tag is announced. So I did. I
got quarters, rented a locker for my shoes and hat (no hats permitted in the
skating area) and laced up my skates.
No sooner were
the skates on then they called "cheerleaders, laser tag". Damn. OK,
so I forfeited the locker rental, put my sneakers back on and got in the
line...with a REALLY rowdy group of cheerleaders. I actually had the thought
that I'd rather play against the football team!
Well, it didn't matter because
the game master curtly stopped me from going in and said this wasn't part of
unlimited laser tag. I'd have to wait and unlimited would be announced. Sigh,
but ok. Back to rent the locker a second time and put my skates back on and
figured I'd get out there and skating would be like riding a bike...it's not! I
used to be pretty good (thank you Sandy for that lie about skating resulting in
skinny thighs...that got me to a decent level of ability back in the day)...but
as soon as I stepped out onto the rink I realized this was a MISTAKE! Fortunately
by the time I got to the opposite end of the rink there as an announcement to
change direction and I just made my way back to my locker, put my sneakers on
yet again and returned the skates. That's not why I came here anyway. I wanted
to play some tag, so I just waited by the arena entrance. Some time later I
hear unlimited tag called and "first 24 people come to the entrance!"
First 24 people? Was this about to be a free for all just to get a spot in
line? Apparently, because I was already right there when several young (but old
enough to know better) players just shoved ahead to make sure they got in. They
counted heads as the first 24 people went in...weird way to do it, but ok.
I looked at my
watch and as of 7:45 I had not played any tag, but I was at least now standing
in a briefing room (no benches or seats)...a very TINY briefing room with 24
people about to watch the Lasertron instructional video on a monitor on the
wall. I've seen this video several times in the past, so instead I focused on
how claustrophobic this space was making me feel. Very uncomfortable.
Then we went
into the vesting area. Code names were pre-assigned to the vests, so you would
just grab whatever number you wanted. Mine was green 16 - Hawkeye. The game
master instructed the green team to follow him as he walked us over to our
recharge station (no bases in this arena). Then as he was shouting additional instructions
(shouldn't this all have been covered in the briefing room?) he realized that
the settings were wrong on the equipment, so he left our group there while he
went to make adjustments. This at least afforded me time for a photo op in the
arena.
It actually
afforded us PLENTY of time as we are just standing there, waiting. It's about
8:00 now...still haven't played any tag. Eventually the game begins and,
well...it's sort of Tron with no bases. Essentially just tagging the other
players. But since it's Tron that feels very unsatisfying because nobody is
immediately tagged out (this is where my Zone bias comes into play...I'm not
really a big Tron fan in the first place). Now, I know how to do this and I go
take care of business with the red team, periodically returning for a recharge.
However, this arena feel very tight. There is no running, but there is plenty
of close quarters because (in my opinion) the arena does not comfortably handle
this many people. So I'm feeling like I'm playing like a sardine. Normally my
first move would be to get to the higher level, but somehow keeping a sight
line to the recharge station feels more advantageous than fighting the crowd of
my own team to go up and down the ramp.
When the first
round (out of two consecutive rounds) ended and we were called back to the
recharge station my pack informed me that I was the high score player. In
fairness, it was only the high score for my particular team. The other team
cannibalized this team pretty well, but such is Tron and the overall outcome of
that round was about what I expected based on what I saw happening.
The game
master warned a couple of people on my team that they were coming too close to
running and if it continued they would be thrown out. I'm surprised that was
actually possible in this space. Then we played through the second round and I
just didn't feel like anything was comfortable in this arena. I don't think my
team did either. Many of them clustered at the recharge station (which the game
master loudly suggested made them easy marks...gee, thanks for alerting the
other team to that). This made actually using the recharge station a bit more
challenging. I went through the motions, but this was not the experience I
hoped for. This was not likely to improve my Tron playing since the elements I
might want to practice were missing (like the bases) and the atmosphere didn't
have the right vibe to make me want to stay. So I didn't.
It was ten minutes
after 8:00. I left after one game (or two rounds if you want to look at it like
that). In the parking lot someone did shout "good game" to me as I
was getting into my car. Props for some courteous clientele, yet both of us
were leaving one game into the night, so...there you go. I checked my GPS and
realized I was equidistant between going home or going to Albany. Let's make
something out of this night...Albany, here I come!
I got to Zero
Gravity and the evening was quiet. A game was in progress, so I just chatted
for awhile about my experience earlier in the night. Since the players in the
arena were not signed up for additional games I was treated to a one on one
with a staff member on the house. What a nice surprise! So I went in for a solo
round with Josh. He played quite well and I deliberately spent more time on the
floor than on the bridge, so it made for a more evenly played game. I must say,
I was impressed. We came out of there with scores quite close. The edge was in
my favor, but it was a pretty well balanced round and I appreciated that. Good
game Josh!
Then a group
showed up and I bought a two game package to go into the next couple of rounds
with them. No high pressure, but it was a decent couple of rounds and coming
out to this arena definitely redeemed my night. I ended things there around
11:15, but I had a second wind (and a Dunkin' Donuts in sight) so I figured it
was worth the short drive to go visit Spare Time while I was in the area
(knowing they are open later into the night) so I got my caffeine fix and
headed to the third arena of the night. Well, it was quiet here too. Sometimes
I think that's just what Friday nights are becoming. But there was a game
master here who was willing to go one on one, so I said let's do it!
Alli got the
ok to break away for a solo round and we headed in. I commented to her about
how much I really do like the look of this arena. Playing one on one gave me a
much better appreciation for the playing space also. It's small, so a small
game is appropriate here (I'd almost hate to see this place with too large a
crowd). Going one on one really in a way feels like hunting...like you have to
"stalk your prey" so to speak. Alli played well, but I was getting
into the game and got into my strategy space. She commented after the game that
I had killed it and every time she turned around, there I was...and could I
show her how I did that. Thanks Alli, I appreciated the good game!
Considering
how far I have to travel, even when I arrive at an arena during a slow time I
still want to feel like making the drive was worth it. I definitely felt like
both these arenas at the end of the night made it worth it, and that's a credit
to the employees. Half my issue with the first stop of the night was that I
didn't feel like it was a great "customer" experience even despite my
gripes with the playing experience. But I give big props to both Zero Gravity
and Spare Time for being enjoyable places to play with staff members who take
good care of their players. Three arenas in one night...turned out to be a
great evening after all!
Comments or questions?
Contact: tivia@tiviachickloveslasertag.com
