History Of Laser Taggers

History of Laser Taggers

Battlefield Sports Has a Rich History of Laser Tag Gun Design

Why is there a variety of gaming gun models in the Battlefield Sports arsenal?

Nicole Lander and Peter Lander started with a few thousand dollars and an idea -- to take a video game and experience it LIVE. And just like in a video game, players need to be able to select a model that suits their gaming style.

Do you prefer to sit back and snipe your opposition from afar? Do you prefer to run in and attack, kamikaze-style?

 Or do you prefer to play with a bit of both close-quarters battles and range engagements?

 

The History of Outdoor Laser Tag Gun Production

        Inspired by the famous Colt Revolver from the Wild West, Nicole Lander, co-founder of Battlefield Sports, was adamant that each gaming gun produced needed a serial number. Ironically, the Colt 45 was a copy of the patented Smith & Wesson Volcanic pistol, according to Wikipedia.

To add to the intrigue, many copies or near-copies of the original Peacemaker were made.

Serial numbers were significant; collectors value the lower serial numbers. All Battlefield Sports gaming guns still have individual serial numbers to this day. These serial numbers are a kind of timeline, giving one a glimpse into the history of the gaming gun and its owner. 

 

The History of the Spitfire: The Stalwart 

 

But it had a nasty bite its range was around 50 yards in daylight. Just like a sports car, the very first Spitfire was designed by Jerry Keagan, a friend of Peter Lander. And it was light and lean. It was made of tin/antimony alloy (top right in the image). In the end, it was decided that this alloy, though allowing intricate detailing, was too soft for commercial use, and the material was switched to aluminum.

Some refer to it as the Spitfire Uzi because of its quintessential Uzi-like fins - forward and aft. In 2014, the Battlefield Sports team redesigned the iconic Spitfire and produced a new, more compact design.      

That same year, Battlefield Sports donated the number 21 of the Spitfire model to the Laser Tag Museum. The Spitfire model is still a stalwart of the Battlefield Sports arsenal. And the Spitfire is still in the current product line-up. 

 

The History of the Cobra: The Workhorse

This model was first introduced into the Battlefield Sports armory way back in 2010. 

Did you know we still have some of the originals from our live-action gaming arsenal today? The first batch was gray polycarbonate, and we made 2,050 units. 

They quickly sold out. 

Since then, we have made the cases even tougher with fiber-reinforced polycarbonate and black.  For a decade, the Cobra has been the best-selling laser tag gun model. It is a real workhorse. It is popular with adults and children alike. It works well in the rain, overcast, and sunshine. 

 

 

The History of the Morita: The Powerhouse 

The Morita rifle comes in two formats: as a sniper rifle and as a Square Automatic Weapon (SAW). The Morita is a powerhouse gaming gun.

The History of the Berserker: The Classic

The gaming gun "Berserker" was named after the Norse warriors depicted in Old Norse literature as having fought in a nearly uncontrollable, trance-like fury.

 

The Berserker is uniquely made of marine ply, which means it can theoretically float (although submersion voids the warranty!!) John built hundreds and sold them all over the world. They were shipped with the Battlefield Sports Classic (pre-2009) technology. 

The Berserker was one of the first commercial outdoor laser tag gaming guns ever built. The Berserker is an example of a discontinued laser tagger. 

This model is no longer in production. 

 

A Brief History Of Laser Tag Equipment

There you have it. A brief history of just some of the laser tag equipment in the Battlefield Sports' arsenal.  From huge metal monsters like the Morita Sniper to compact and lightweight Cobra SMG. There's something for everyone.

Which is your favorite?