Smile, Obey the Computer, and Keep Your Laser Handy.
I've been a player, a repair tech, a game marshal, a store manager, an arena designer, and even an advisor to existing owners, potential new owners, and manufacturers. Occasionally, I still get e-mails asking my opinions on laser tag. For anyone who is seriously looking to get into the laser tag business, please contact the International Laser Tag Association. They have the tools and materials you need.
I used to really love laser tag. Laser tag was my life. I lived it. I breathed it. I even slept it a couple of times. I started playing laser tag shortly after Worlds of Wonder went out of business. Worlds of Wonder were responsible for coining the name Lazer Tag, as well as bringing Teddy Ruxpin into the world. Maybe it is good they went out of business.
Anyway, they went out of business, and Toys R Us was selling their equipment cheap. My friends and I went and gobbled up as much as we could and started playing on a regular basis out in the woods. Then I moved, And got involved in other things, and didn't even really think about laser tag again until I was introduced to Q-Zar in 1994. I was in heaven. I became a regular player, even got a job and began working my way up the ranks.
I moved again, got transferred to the local Q-Zar, went to work for a construction company that built Q-Zars, and then got highly involved in the rest of the industry.
Well, things change. I haven't played a game of laser tag in about 7 years. Things happened, and I'm not sure I am at liberty to discuss the things that happened on a web page.
Recently I had an opportunity to take a quick walk through the current world of laser tag. What has surprised me the most is almost all of the technology is still basically the same. The only thing that has changed now is that there are less players in the industry, and everyone is now, for the most part, playing nice with each other. It was, mostly boring. Do I miss it? Only slightly. If anything, I am motivated to possibly start playing again. That and my plans to donate just about everything I have laser tag related to the laser tag museum that will be opening soon.
Also, recently discovered This Clip that is an old Worlds of Wonder Lazer Tag commercial. I actually remember seeing this on TV.
Below is a list of the many laser tag centers I have visited and usually played at. Some of these I have pictures of, but I have taken that down for now. Not all of these still exist. In fact I would be surprised if more than half are still around. If you are looking for a place to play laser tag, I suggest going to the International Laser Tag Association.