What is a laser tag? This name is most often used in relation to laser paintball. This is a military-applied game that takes place in real space and time. Each player has his own weapon and a system of sensors mounted on the body. There are two main areas of this game: arena and non-laser tag.
Both directions of the game are based on general principles, but nevertheless they differ significantly. In the arena laser tag, the sensors are built into a special vest, so the style of the game is somewhat limited in actions: avoid collisions, it is forbidden to lie and run. Arena laser tag is held indoors, in a maze. Non-free gives the player greater freedom, including in actions. Sensors in this direction of the game are mounted only on the headband.
Game principle
Not everyone knows what laser tag is and what the principle of this war game is. The essence of laser paintball is to defeat the enemy’s sensors with an infrared ray emitted by the player’s blaster. Getting into the sensor is not accompanied by physical sensations. Basically, one hit is not considered "deadly." Although the course of the game largely depends on the software settings. Weapons can be set to various damaging effects. It is also possible to choose an indicator of "armor" and the amount of "health".
After the enemy’s sensor is hit, an audible signal will sound and the number of hits set for the weapon is removed. After the total number of hits received by the player exceeds the specified value of "health", his blaster is turned off, and he is considered to be "killed".
Game equipment
To create your own laser tag, you need the following set of equipment:
- Radio point with which the whole system will work. To increase the playing area, you need to expand the radius of action. To do this, you need to purchase several radio points and combine them.
- A computer with software installed on it. Software is purchased with the radio channel or downloaded from the manufacturer’s website.
Here, in principle, is everything you need to play laser tag equipment. But it also requires special weapons. This part is the most expensive in the system. The weapon can be anything, as it is universal and interchangeable, but domestic buyers most often prefer to imitate a Kalashnikov assault rifle. Manufacturers recommend purchasing a set of ten pieces and at least one target - laser tag weapons require shooting, like the real one.
Types of weapons for the game
Weapons used in laser tags are of two types:
- Models of laser pistols and blasters.
- Imitation of fighting types of firearms.
For the game, you can use lighter types of machine guns and laser pistols - space weapons, similar to which can be seen in science fiction films. It has no resemblance to combat types, either externally or in firing modes. Such a weapon has a larger angle of impact, there are many possibilities to make it regenerative.
Game examples
To make it clearer what laser tag is, one can cite such examples of the game: find and seize the territory of an enemy, conduct operations to rescue hostages, destroy the enemy on their territory, free or capture several main points to establish control over them. Missions can be as many as you like, according to your desire.
What is the difference between laser tag and other types of war games?
The closest to laser tag games are airsoft, paintball and hardball. In airsoft, players copy the uniforms and weapons of world famous divisions. The enemy shoot plastic balls that are dispersed by the energy of compressed air. Firing range - only a few tens of meters, the cost of a shot is low. The defeat of the balls at close distances is rather painful; at the end, the blow is practically not felt.
In paintball, the enemy is defeated by paint balls. From protection, a mask is required to prevent a bullet from entering the player’s face. The firing range is several tens of meters. The hit is painful even at the end.
Hardball is considered the most traumatic kind of war games. Here, firing is carried out with steel balls or lead bullets due to the spring or compressed air. Special equipment requires tight protection for the whole body, a scarf for the neck and a face mask. The hit is rather painful even at the end. The firing range is much greater than in paintball or airsoft, but less than in a laser tag game.
Now recall what a laser tag is. In this game, the enemy is defeated by a coded infrared signal. This game does not require special protective equipment (if military models with an infrared laser are used, special glasses are needed to protect the retina). The cost of a shot is zero, the firing range is up to 200 meters in the sun (in dark time or in normal weather, the range increases significantly).
Of the modern types of entertainment, the laser tag game is considered the most harmless. Here, they just direct a beam of light at you, which is detected by a sensor system. The big advantage is that there are no delays when shooting. Laser tag weapons shoot accurately and quickly, almost like real war machines. The principle of its work is based on hit or miss. That is, if you have five lives, then they should get into you five times. In addition, the player can program the weapon at his discretion, for example, to make a shorter range, many lives, ammunition or remove his fire.