An Opportunity to Play LaserTag.Net

AGR Sports in Houston is a place to enjoy a variety of games with paintball, miniball and tactical laser tag attractions all utilizing the same indoor arena. The reason I went out of my way to visit this site is because they operate with the LaserTag.Net Falcon model laser tag equipment and it is quite rare for me to be able to play this system.

My interest in LaserTag.Net started last fall when I unexpectedly stumbled upon it at a unique arena in Colorado. However, my feeling of connection to this laser tag manufacturer grew stronger after having recently done an interview and update with company CEO Michael Obod via Zoom from his office in Ukraine.

I arrived during a window of time between party groups and was only able to enjoy a short game, but it was enough for me just to get to tag with this gear at all. 

We put on the head sensors prior to heading into the multi-purpose arena.

There I found a variety of inflatable barriers…and I inadvertently discovered that I should not touch them because they were covered in paint!

The basic game experience is comparable to most standard tactical tag, though I noticed a domination tube at the front counter, so I’m sure they can accommodate other game formats with this gear. 

I took home some a couple of souvenirs from the visit including a “best player” medal and a “Stand with Ukraine” T-shirt.

I left AGR Sports feeling appreciative that I was able to have another experience (only my second opportunity) playing LaserTag.Net. Playing this system means much more to me now on the heels of this interview with Michael Obod. The first part was recorded literally 12 hours before the first attack on Ukraine and the second part (the update) was recorded two weeks later.

https://youtu.be/ish3sN6yGZY

I feel like this is worth sharing again for perspective. I enjoyed playing LaserTag.Net at AGR Sports and wish for peace for all in Ukraine and all the individuals affiliated with this laser tag manufacturer.

Comments or Questions?

Contact: Tivia@tiviachickloveslasertag.com

Websites: www.tiviachickloveslasertag.com and www.photonforever.com

Go-Karts, Go Tag!

Two laser tag arenas located inside multi-attraction FECs in the Houston area are part of the same company, but offer two distinctly different tag experiences using Zone Helios CE. 

My first stop was to Speedy’s Fast Track. I met Josh Derrick, the company VPO who told me he co-designed this arena. He put together a game for me to check it out. 

The neon artwork in the vesting room gave an indicator of the design style that was right around the corner when we started the game.

This double level arena is all about the pop culture references, from Pac-Man to minions and other cool accents painted throughout both floors.

I got to play a game with Josh’s son and a few of his friends and I give them big props because those kids threw down for this game! I could tell that they are accustomed to playing together and “running the arena” so I didn’t hesitate to challenge them right back. At one point three of the boys triangulated around me to try to keep me from taking the blue base on the lower level. However, base cracking is not new to me and after a few go arounds I deactivated them all and took the base, to which the game master let out a whoop to see me pull that off. :)

From there I headed up a steep ramp to the second level where I had a much easier time taking the green base and getting my tag and target points. I could tell those boys did not expect me to keep up, but a good challenge is what makes a great game and I appreciate that this is exactly what I got at Speedy’s Fast Track.

Later in the day I experienced their sister location, Go Kart Raceway. This arena was completely different and thoroughly impressive!

As I made my way to the stairs leading up to the arena I could tell this was my kind of place. :)

This arena was a multi-room style, single level game space designed to look like a variety of locations in an old-time town. 

Rooms included a candy store…

A library…

A general store…

And even a jail for the base!

I love arenas like this where a creative theme is executed really well. However, there was one feature that trumped everything else as my favorite element of this arena. Whenever I playing arena I look around for what makes me say “wow! Crossing right across the middle were two intersecting wide green light beams, similar to those you would find in a Laser Maze. This is really memorable!

I would love to see more of this in use. I was so impressed (and unsure whether the beams would turn off at the end of the game) so in the middle of the game I asked the game master if he would take a couple of photos of me standing between the beams. 

He agreed, but also told me he couldn’t take too long doing that because he had to keep an eye on the game. I can’t tell you how much I respect how this young man took his responsibility that seriously! I am impressed that he was more concerned with monitoring for safety and I salute him for being that responsible. I wish I had gotten his name to shout him out for having an excellent work ethic and for doing exactly what a good staff member should when a laser tag game is in progress.

Ultimately, I was very pleased with both of my laser tag experiences. Sometimes at FECs like this you find the laser tag treated like an afterthought, but both these locations offered me an excellent game experience in two distinctly unique arena settings.

Comments or Questions?

Contact: Tivia@tiviachickloveslasertag.com

Websites: www.tiviachickloveslasertag.com and www.photonforever.com

Texas-Size Surprises at Laserzone

One of the best experiences I had during my entire trip was a visit to Lazerzone in Sugar Land, TX. This is a huge arena at 12,000 square feet, which I imagine puts them not only among the largest arenas in Texas, but at this point quite possibly also among the very largest in the entire country! And in true Texas style there were a few HUGE surprises to be found inside as well.

I chatted with owner Pat about the multi-level arena that she and her husband have operated using Laserforce for the past 24 years. They offer 20 minute game sessions for a really good price and I was excited to check it out for myself. I had my chance to play in between the party groups with Darion, James and Dontrell from the Laserzone staff.

This arena rocks! It is a beautifully convoluted map that leads you up, down and around three stories.

Normally I look for bases (or targets as they call them here) on the ground level, but to my surprise (spoiler alert) you have to look up to find them hidden among these domed housings hanging from the ceiling!

There are also beacons strategically placed throughout the arena. Some can be seen, but not shot from certain angles, which makes it a little more interesting. Floor grates sporadically placed throughout also allow for more shots to be taken from unexpected directions.

However, the most interesting arena elements to me were the ones that enhanced the aesthetic. This arena does not rely heavily on theme, but there were two things I noticed that were really standout accents. One was this awesome archway tunnel.

And the most memorable feature in this arena was the GIANT phaser prop hanging from above, but positioned between levels as a center point for the living arena targets. 

Why have I not seen this before?! When you target the barrel of the giant phaser you will hit the targets that activate the living arena warbot, which in this location booms with a male voice. I have only ever heard the female voice option up until now, so this caught my attention too.

This arena really stands apart. The party group really seemed to be having a blast as well. I was thoroughly impressed with this one and I would definitely recommend paying a visit to Laserzone if you find yourself in the Sugar Land area.

And as long as I am making recommendations for awesome experiences in Sugar Land, I would also suggest that you follow up your laser tag game with a visit to a little local eatery called Lupita’s Mexican Restaurant just up the road. I don’t usually take photos of my food, but these stuffed avocados were AMAZING! 

I’m so glad I got to enjoy two fantastic experiences while traveling through this corner of Texas.

Comments or Questions?

Contact: Tivia@tiviachickloveslasertag.com

Websites: www.tiviachickloveslasertag.com and www.photonforever.com

Crossfire at Track 21

For as much laser tag as I play, you might think I have experienced most of the special game formats available on a variety of systems. However, since many arenas stick to the standard games this is not always the case. Although I thought I had played most Laserforce games simply by virtue of being a member in Syracuse, I did get a chance to try something for the first time while visiting Track 21 in Houston, TX.

I enjoy playing Gen 6 because it was the first Laserforce that I ever played, but up until this point I cannot specifically recall playing the game they call Crossfire. I put on a pack and got ready to play.

The game master gave a briefing, but from her description it sounded like we were about to do team standard, so it wasn’t until the game was underway that I noticed something different was happening. 

As there were only six of us playing, she requested that we limit ourselves to playing in the lower level, so I did not get to see how this arena played on the upper level beyond this ramp.

So instead I headed for the bases. My first indication that something was unusual was that the bases were off.

So I just focused on tags throughout the rest of the lower level floor.

That’s when I discovered that it was taking significantly more tags than usual to deactivate the other players. Welcome to Crossfire!

I clarified the instructions and learned that in Crossfire you have to tag your opponent 10 times to deactivate them. That was actually quite fun and added a more interesting dynamic! Almost like the LF equivalent of how Delta Strike typically plays. Since LF does have a few emulation games I wonder if this was the inspiration for this format?

Regardless, it was fun to do something a little different and I really enjoyed my experience playing at Track 21.

Comments or Questions?

Contact: Tivia@tiviachickloveslasertag.com

Websites: www.tiviachickloveslasertag.com and www.photonforever.com