Fun Facts about Laser Tag
As you crouch behind a glowing pillar, hoping to surprise your opponent as adrenaline pumping music courses through your veins, you might wonder, How did I get here? How did such an exciting and next level of game of tag come into existence and get you into the thrilling position of hunting, running, chasing, and tagging your friends, family, and coworkers?
You might be surprised. The history of laser tag is pretty straightforward, but there are a few fun facts hidden in its 30-year past that are worth knowing more about. From Star Wars to mass games, here are a few of the weirdest (and most entertaining) facts about laser tag.
The military used laser tag first.
You play laser tag for an exhilarating game of fun and challenges. But did you know that the very first use of laser tag was by the military? Or, at least, the very first use of laser-tag like technology occurred in the military. It was hardly a game. In the late 70s, as infrared technology was developed, the U.S. military put that technology to use in their combat training.
Instead of careening around an arena trying to take out opponents in order to score points and bragging rights, soldiers would use the technology to practice handling combat situations. The lasers could be fired and the shots registered without actually risking harm to any of the troops.
And while laser tag has evolved into a game that is more popular than miniature golf in some parts of the country, it also still serves an important military function, and not just in the United State. Armed forces internationally also use systems similar to laser tag for combat training and practice.
Laser tag was inspired by Star Wars.
Nobody thought about taking similar infrared technology and turning it into a game, at least not until George Carter III sat down to watch Star Wars IV. The Star Wars franchise has inspired everything from home décor to clothing to those annoying light sabers your kids fight with around the house. Most of these trends tend to fade in popularity over time, but that day, the movie sparked an idea that has endured for more than 30 years.
Inspired by the scene where Princess Leia and Luke Skywalker fight stormtroopers with phaser-like guns, Carter decided to turn the fight into an arena game using the then-new infrared technology. The Star Wars-themed game opened as the Photon center in 1984, with the laser mimicking the weapons on Star Wars, and the duck and shoot style of play mimicking the heroes’ moves in the movie.
So the next time you jump around an obstacle to take out an opponent, just think: If Princess Leia hadn’t done it first on the big screen, you might just be stuck at home today.
Laser tag games have gotten pretty big, and expensive.
Laser tag is usually a relatively inexpensive game (especially if you take advantage of some of the amazing deals here at iT’Z). And it usually doesn’t involve large crowds of people. For example, a typical game includes 4 to 6 people, with the largest arenas holding up to 50.
However, there have been times that laser tag broke the boundaries to become an exceedingly expensive and/or big game. For example, one arena in Russia (which has since closed) used to charge the equivalent of $20 for every 15-minute laser tag session. With the right deal, that is almost enough to play unlimited games at iT’Z.
And don’t forget about size. One unforgettable game in Australia in 2013 boasted a whopping 436 players. Just imagine trying to dodge that many lasers! Here at iT’Z, you won’t encounter either exorbitant prices or mobs of players. What you will find might just be even better than a record-breaking game: A fog-filled obstacle course that challenges you to embrace all the exhilaration of the game without leaving you broke or overwhelmed by a crowd.
There is a laser tag museum.
Want to know what the first laser tag guns looked like? Wonder how the vests have evolved over time? Need to learn more about indoor laser tag vs. outdoor laser tag? Curious about the major players in the laser tag industry? Look no further than the laser tag museum, located in Louisville, KY. With more than 100,000 visitors every year, there is no question that the history of laser tag is of interest to many of the more die hard game fans out there.
Of course, if you prefer some action, you can ditch the museum and spend your time playing modern day laser tag at iT’Z. We might not have a display of old school laser tag guns on the wall, but we do have the latest technology, a modern, edgy environment, and everything you need for a blood-pumping, heart racing, exhilarating game.
Laser tag has Texas roots.
When we offer you incredible laser tag experiences in our DFW locations, we are only following in the footsteps of a tradition that started right here in Dallas. That first laser tag arena, name Photon, opened in Dallas in 1984. The first of its kind, it engendered an entirely new type of game that people of all ages are still enjoying today. Here at iT’Z, we offer the latest technology and the most modern game experience so you can enjoy laser tag as much as those first visitors did, right in the same area where the game started more than 30 years ago.
Laser tag can be an exhilarating way to spend an afternoon or an evening with friends, family, or coworkers. A little bit zany, a lot exciting, and with plenty of challenge in between, it is the perfect game for almost all ages. And while it may have begun as a military exercise and an homage to Star Wars, it now stands on its own as a family-friendly way to enjoy a fun activity with friends, family, or even coworkers.
