Everything is BIG in Texas!
It’s no secret that everything is BIG in Texas! And I certainly had a big experience with the unique laser tag equipment and arena I found at TX Laser Combat in Plano.
This was the start of a massive ten-day long tag trip that would have me traveling from one side of the country to the other and it gave me a reason to start this journey with a visit to Texas. I had been invited by owners Paul and Malorie Korney to visit their tactical arena and see how they have completely redesigned a space that had formerly been operated by a different laser tag business. They purchased the arena space after the franchise of the other business closed last December and they have been operating it as their own new business since about February of this year. Having seen it previously, I could really appreciate how much they have done to start fresh and make it something completely different!
The most interesting thing to me was seeing all the completely unique laser taggers in their armory.
Rather than going with one of the major manufacturers, they have opted to build their own laser tag equipment in-house by putting the tech inside of airsoft shells.
Malorie explained that they wanted to create something especially durable and they have built 19 different models for players to choose from.
Most players begin with a Level 1 standard tagger they call the Havoc.
A six dollar upgrade allows you to choose from Level 2 options like the Hornet (pistol) or Havoc SMG, offering a full-auto version of their standard gear.
Level 3 is pretty much everything else on the walls of the Pew Pew Depot, including the Pink P90 I selected.
Upgrades to this model are not just cool to play, but a portion of the proceeds from certain tagged like this benefit causes such as the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. They also support the Wounded Warrior Project (a cause close to my heart) with the FN Scar upgrades, demonstrating how this veteran and woman owned business really cares about giving something back, which is awesome to see.
My Pink P90 would come into play (and greatly impress my teammates) later on, but first I had to check out something even more eye-catching…the Level 4 options that really make a BIG impression!
Let’s go through this step by step, as these are unlike any laser tag equipment I have experienced before!
First, I needed to put on a Bluetooth head sensor, paired specifically to my tagger of choice. One thing I like about these head sensors is that you put on a clean headband first, then the head sensor attaches very simply with strong Velcro.
This is a smart and hygienic way to keep the head sensor comfortably right where it belongs.
I learned about each of the Level 4 options and had a chance to try them out one by one.
The Incinerator acts like a flame thrower (though looks a bit like a super soaker) and requires ten shots to deactivate a player.
The green Quad Rocket Launcher blasts a wide area so you can tag multiple players at once. This one reminded me of that time Scuba saw me with some massive tag gear and asked “is that really necessary?” The answer is nothing we do is “necessary”, but it certainly is big fun!
The TAR-21 Sniper is a more precise tagger.
And the Tommy Gun (which to me slightly resembles a metal detector) also has a wide spray area.
Well, I want to try them all, so I was joined by some of the TX Laser Combat staff inside the arena to see what this original laser tag equipment could do!
Talk about fun!
It was great to see and sample the variety from among the 19 models available to play.
We finished up just in time for me to join a public group session for an hour of tactical tag inside the 16,000 square foot facility.
The players were divided into two teams, red and blue, and assigned our taggers for the session. We then watched an original animated briefing video to learn about the game formats.
Each team was led to our respective base and taught how to respawn by pressing a button while having the tagger in proximity.
A map of the arena hung in one corner, so we could strategize where we wanted to go once the game started.
There are so many unique spaces to explore in this two story, massive arena. I noticed that, among the many changes in theme and decor, there has also been carpeting added since I last played here, allowing us to be a bit more stealth as we move up and down the levels.
I also really enjoyed all the little inside jokes I found referenced throughout the two floors.
Our first game was Team Deathmatch. It’s a typical way to introduce a session and a good chance to just explore the arena and get your bearings. I was a bit surprised to learn there was no individual score keeping here, just team outcome. However, I can see some merit to focusing less on individual glory and more on supporting the overall team goal.
The second game was called Pirate Booty and uses movable “ships” as interactive props.
The red team started as the “pirates” and had to start downstairs, but could then move up or down, while the blue team “defenders” had to stay upstairs only. The goal is to retrieve the opposing team’s flag and return it to the ship. For the third game we played a second round of Pirate Booty, but the teams reversed roles.
For the fourth game called Commanding Viictory we had to defend “the general” who has one life.
Our fifth game called 10 Seconds to Midnight requires you to diffuse a device by holding button down for five seconds. I do enjoy games with cool props!
Our sixth and final game was one where the Super Mutant has more health, but one life and the object is to get his flag and take it back to your spawn base.
All of these formats got the teams working together. We had a particularly lively young player who immediately was the apparent team captain, giving us all direction. It was nice to have an all-ages experience where everyone really played a role and had fun pursuing the team objectives.
I had a wonderful time playing some unique tactical tag at TX Laser Combat. My thanks to Paul and Malorie for the invitation and shout out to Sidney and the entire team for making this a high-quality experience for all involved.
After I left, I realized I had worked up an appetite, so I stopped by McDonald’s for what they called a Texas meal.
I had never seen this at a McD’s before, so I kept the box as a souvenir. This was at the start of my trip. Who would have ever guessed that by the end I would be hanging on the other side of the country out in California with Bettina Bush, the voice of the iconic McDonald’s “I’m Lovin’ It” campaign and she would sign this box that I had randomly kept as a Texas memento!
Side note…she is a voice actress known for many things (including being the voice of Rainbow Brite), but apparently I am the first person to ever ask her to sign a McDonald’s meal box, lol.
And it turns out she and her daughter have both enjoyed playing laser tag in California. So what did she have to say about laser tag?
So, yeah. My tag trip started with a BIG Texas experience. :)
Comments or Questions?
Contact: Tivia@tiviachickloveslasertag.com
Websites: www.tiviachickloveslasertag.com
Comments