Building a Laser Tag Arena

Laser tag is a military-sports real-time game focused on "eliminating" opponents or special scenario devices using weapon mock-ups equipped with infrared pulse emitters. Although laser tag appeared relatively recently – in 2001 – it is rapidly gaining popularity and can easily compete with traditional military-tactical games like paintball and airsoft. Laser tag has already been recognized as an official sport. New gaming clubs are opening all over the world, and more and more people are learning about laser tag. A standard laser tag club is unimaginable without dedicated laser tag arenas (playing fields). Therefore, it is worth delving into the topic of building these playing fields.

Let's start with the theory. The most important aspect when creating your own laser tag arena is to calculate the economic feasibility of building different types of arenas. There are 2 main types:

• Arena-based (indoor) laser tag arenas;
• Outdoor laser tag fields.

Regardless of whether your club will focus on arena or outdoor laser tag, the creation of the gaming zone will consist of two stages: construction and theming.

Construction

When considering the construction plan, account for the necessity of two zones: the entrance zone and the gaming zone.

Entrance Zone: This includes space for clients' outerwear; storage for game vests; a workstation equipped with a computer and a screen for translating game statistics. Additionally, the initial pre-game briefing takes place in the entrance zone.

Gaming Zone: This is the actual laser tag maze or open field. The main requirement for the gaming zone is player safety, so its design must minimize the risk of injury during the game.

If you decide to open an arena-based laser tag club, the playing field will most likely be located in a shopping or entertainment center. Depending on your investment, you will need to choose the initial square footage parameters. The calculation is based on data about the number of players simultaneously playing laser tag:

• 12 players – 200 – 250 sq. meters;
• 20 players – 250 – 300 sq. meters;
• 30 players – 300 – 400 sq. meters;
• More than 30 – from 400 sq. meters.

When creating a maze for arena laser tag, it's also worth considering that you will need a briefing and waiting area. The approximate area required is:

• 12 players – 15 – 20 sq. meters;
• 20 players – 25 – 30 sq. meters;
• 30 players – 30 – 40 sq. meters;
• More than 30 – from 40 sq. meters.

A few words on the specifics of building a laser tag maze.

The gaming zone should be designed for special lighting, fog/smoke effects (proper ventilation and fire alarms must be functional, emergency exits easily accessible, and primary fire extinguishers placed throughout), and appropriate musical accompaniment. Soundproofing of the laser tag arena may be necessary. Walls and floors should be made of wear-resistant materials. Game lighting (possibly colored) should be installed at a rate of 1 lamp per 10 sq. meters of gaming area, plus standard lighting for maintenance.

Theming

In terms of theming a laser tag maze, there are no specific limitations. Therefore, the cost can vary widely. The optimal solution is to give the laser tag arena a theme. However, you shouldn't overdo it with decorations. The laser tag arena certainly shouldn't look too boring and cheap, but on the other hand, expensive theming won't necessarily play a role in increasing profits.

For example, outdoor laser tag. Building such a field is not much different from building a paintball field. But the budget is determined based on available funds and the size of the field. We will describe several scenarios:

1. When there's no money, no land, but the laser tag club is open (comprehensive information on how to find a suitable outdoor field for laser tag can be found here). 
2. When you have your own land and a budget.

As expected, two zones are used: the entrance zone (briefing, changing, game start) and the gaming zone.

The entrance zone should include a small room, the size of which depends on the maximum number of players participating in a game simultaneously. This room requires basic amenities – lockers for changing, hangers, and restrooms.

As for the playing field, ideally it should be fenced around the perimeter. With a small budget, obstacles on the field can be made from wooden walls, tires, scrap metal, crates, wall panels, shields, and lumber waste – essentially, anything that can be acquired cheaply and delivered quickly. The laser tag field should be designed so that neither team has an advantage at the start of the game. Plan for at least 3-4 approaches to any point or cover. There should be no single-path corridors, as they are tactically disadvantageous (e.g., a sniper can cover the entire field and be impossible to flank – a clear design flaw).

If the field has hills and high ground, it's ideal to build sniper positions or towers on them. Natural cover is essential – hills, trees, bushes, ravines. It's perfect if the field has semi-destroyed (but safe for games) buildings.

When building a laser tag field for your club, you can draw inspiration from virtual maps from computer games (Counter-Strike, Battlefield).

Field cleanliness is as important as quality equipment. Therefore, it's advisable to fill puddles and holes with sand, etc. Proper water drainage must be ensured to prevent stagnation on the field.

Everything described above can be done yourself, without resorting to designers and specialists.

Lighting is also an important aspect. Generally, you can manage without it, but having a lit field allows for games even late in the evening and at night (an undeniable advantage over competitors). The lighting should not be spot-based but should cover the entire perimeter of the laser tag field.

And since we're on the subject of winter: the core of laser tag equipment is electronics. Modern technology allows for games outdoors even at temperatures below -30 degrees Celsius. However, moisture is detrimental to the kits, no matter how well assembled they are. Therefore, in winter, it's recommended to move to indoor arenas. Construction might be expensive, but the result is worth it, as laser tag transforms from a seasonal into a year-round entertainment.

Remember, your own laser tag field is the foundation of your laser tag club's operation and future.

Planning to build your own field? LASERWAR can help create an original and safe laser tag arena. We design custom fields for military-tactical games. Any style, any size, any design. Learn more about the service in the "Laser Tag Fields" catalog. You can order a laser tag field project through our managers.

Below are examples of existing laser tag fields and paintball fields: