So, I'm not much of a gun violence enthusiastic, but I thought LaserQuest was a pretty fun place to hang around. The basic rule for winning - or accumulating points - is shooting down opponent players. Sounds similar to Paintball? It actually is so, except for the lack of pain and restraint game environment.
A game lasts anywhere from 20 to 25 minutes, time during which you are equipped with a protection vest and a laser gun. The vest is important for two reasons. First, it protects you from the laser radiations. This does not mean that radiations are harmful for the human body, if exposure is kept to a relative minimum. However, try not to trigger the laser at another player's eyes, as prolonged radiation could seriously damage his/her eyesight. The vest also has four light sensors, which capture the enemy's laser signal, when you get shot. It is important, and only fair, that you do not hide your sensor receptors.
Before going in, think of a nickname that you would like to use. I was "Deathknight". Yes, some people use provocative names. I chose mine based on a World of Warcraft character class, that I used to play - some few months back.
A mandatory informative session is held by the Marshall (your all-time staff reference during the game) previous to each game, during which equipment usage and basic rules are explained. The game takes place in a neon-lighted three floors high labyrinth. You move from level to level by diagonal ramps, instead of stairs, as to avoid falling down and hurting yourself, given the strained lighting and competitive - somewhat violent - nature of the game. Running, climbing, jumping, sitting, kneeling and lying down are prohibited, for the obvious reason of preventing all risks of injury. After the info session, the Marshal guides you to a preparatory room, where all players must equip their protective vests and laser guns.
As mentioned above, the vest serves two important purposes: protection from radiation and capturing an opponent's hit. To all vests are attached laser guns, both of which are clearly identified to the player's nickname. The vest has four sensors. If you get hit to either one of those target points, you lose points. When your gun hits either one of the opponent's sensors, you win points. There are also additional sensor receptors on guns, so you could target either the vest or the gun of your opponent. On the vest, sensors are situated in the front, back, and on each shoulder. On the gun, sensors are to be found on each side and in the front. All sensors are identified by flashing lights - as to get a better grasp of your target.
After a preliminary countdown, the Marshal leaves you on your own. In case of emergency, or equipment problems, just hold your gun up high and yell "MARSHAAAAAL"! Not to worry, he is patiently keeping an eye on the game from an upstairs cabin, and will promptly respond to your distress call.
You now shoot away at opponent players. There are two different kinds of games offered to the wide public: solo games and team games. During a solo game, your purpose is to shoot down any other player, all targets being identified by red-green-blue lights. During a team game, you should only shoot players of the opponent team, being either red-colored only, or green-colored only. The more on-target shots, the more points you will accumulate.
When you get shot, your equipment gives out a warning sound, along with a short vibration, all the while automatically shutting down for the next five seconds. During these few seconds, you can either hide and cry in a corner - if you wish, or find a better shooting spot, since no one will be able to shoot you. The equipment restarts, and you are free to fire away.
What I found particularly fun about this LaserQuest labyrinth was that the construction in itself allowed you to shoot through walls, mirrors, floors and ceilings. While it is more challenging to defend yourself, it is also easier to aim at opponent targets without being seen.
As for the 20 to 25 minutes game duration, I walked in there thinking it would not be enough. But, to be quite honest, I was surprised at how much effort I had put into those few minutes, and came out of my first game quite sweaty.
At the end of the game period, all equipments shut off. You are to report back to the preparatory room and leave your vest and gun on the indicated hanger. As you are walking out of the labyrinth, to the waiting room, computers calculate the number of points - hits and losses - of all players. After a short waiting time, the Marshall comes out to distribute report sheets, which indicate your total number of points, which players you have shot and who shot you (only uses players' nicknames), along with targeted sensors and number of hits. The first three places are announced out loud, and all players burst into cheering and clapping.
There is a two-game limit per player, per day. A game costs 9$. Membership prices go down to 6$/game. I recommend making reservations beforehand, since the place gets particularly crowded on holidays and weekends.
So, there you have it! I came in 11th, out of 27 players, during my first game, which I thought was not too bad for a newbie.
BZ
Before going in, think of a nickname that you would like to use. I was "Deathknight". Yes, some people use provocative names. I chose mine based on a World of Warcraft character class, that I used to play - some few months back.
A mandatory informative session is held by the Marshall (your all-time staff reference during the game) previous to each game, during which equipment usage and basic rules are explained. The game takes place in a neon-lighted three floors high labyrinth. You move from level to level by diagonal ramps, instead of stairs, as to avoid falling down and hurting yourself, given the strained lighting and competitive - somewhat violent - nature of the game. Running, climbing, jumping, sitting, kneeling and lying down are prohibited, for the obvious reason of preventing all risks of injury. After the info session, the Marshal guides you to a preparatory room, where all players must equip their protective vests and laser guns.
As mentioned above, the vest serves two important purposes: protection from radiation and capturing an opponent's hit. To all vests are attached laser guns, both of which are clearly identified to the player's nickname. The vest has four sensors. If you get hit to either one of those target points, you lose points. When your gun hits either one of the opponent's sensors, you win points. There are also additional sensor receptors on guns, so you could target either the vest or the gun of your opponent. On the vest, sensors are situated in the front, back, and on each shoulder. On the gun, sensors are to be found on each side and in the front. All sensors are identified by flashing lights - as to get a better grasp of your target.
After a preliminary countdown, the Marshal leaves you on your own. In case of emergency, or equipment problems, just hold your gun up high and yell "MARSHAAAAAL"! Not to worry, he is patiently keeping an eye on the game from an upstairs cabin, and will promptly respond to your distress call.
You now shoot away at opponent players. There are two different kinds of games offered to the wide public: solo games and team games. During a solo game, your purpose is to shoot down any other player, all targets being identified by red-green-blue lights. During a team game, you should only shoot players of the opponent team, being either red-colored only, or green-colored only. The more on-target shots, the more points you will accumulate.
When you get shot, your equipment gives out a warning sound, along with a short vibration, all the while automatically shutting down for the next five seconds. During these few seconds, you can either hide and cry in a corner - if you wish, or find a better shooting spot, since no one will be able to shoot you. The equipment restarts, and you are free to fire away.
What I found particularly fun about this LaserQuest labyrinth was that the construction in itself allowed you to shoot through walls, mirrors, floors and ceilings. While it is more challenging to defend yourself, it is also easier to aim at opponent targets without being seen.
As for the 20 to 25 minutes game duration, I walked in there thinking it would not be enough. But, to be quite honest, I was surprised at how much effort I had put into those few minutes, and came out of my first game quite sweaty.
At the end of the game period, all equipments shut off. You are to report back to the preparatory room and leave your vest and gun on the indicated hanger. As you are walking out of the labyrinth, to the waiting room, computers calculate the number of points - hits and losses - of all players. After a short waiting time, the Marshall comes out to distribute report sheets, which indicate your total number of points, which players you have shot and who shot you (only uses players' nicknames), along with targeted sensors and number of hits. The first three places are announced out loud, and all players burst into cheering and clapping.
There is a two-game limit per player, per day. A game costs 9$. Membership prices go down to 6$/game. I recommend making reservations beforehand, since the place gets particularly crowded on holidays and weekends.
So, there you have it! I came in 11th, out of 27 players, during my first game, which I thought was not too bad for a newbie.
BZ
