New Laser Tag Industry Report

Using the latest technology, SATR3 features more than 350 emulations and many new game features.

“We redesigned our laser tag system from the ground up to be flexible. And you can benefit from this flexibility," said Nicole Lander, co-founder of Battlefield Sports.

If an operator wants to run traditional family-friendly laser tag games, they can.

If they want to run fantasy live-action players, they can. 

If an operator wants to go with a horror theme, they can. 

We have changed the laser tag industry forever. The key element is variety. There is a convergence between eSports and live-action gaming. 

"The traditional style of laser tag since the 1980s is now obsolete. Dead, buried, and cremated,” said Nicole.

Laser Tag Industry Flashback

Over the thirty or so years, laser tag has become a staple in family-friendly entertainment.

Today, there is a convergence of styles with the popularity of eSports and game-play, such as Battle Royale, with live-action role-plays. 

New technology has meant new entertainment options.

The original 1980s Worlds of Wonder Lazer Tag enabled players to play in daylight in their backyard. It came in two models: a futuristic high-tech pistol and a high-tech rifle. The game was to shoot your friends' sensors, which were separate from the weapons. The system also offered accessories like helmets and caps, which had integrated sensors, and other accessories like sentinels and mines. Worlds of Wonder even created a cartoon called "Laser Tag Academy" to promote their products. 

And it worked. 

However, the Laser Tag industry had a controversial start. 

When laser tag first burst onto the entertainment stage, there was a huge controversy.

You may remember your parents (or grandparents) debating whether or not to buy you a laser tag set for Christmas.

In 1986, "Lazer Tag" was one of the most popular Christmas toys, particularly in the USA. 

But pundits said that laser tag glorified gun violence and promoted war-like behaviors in children. 

The truth is kids have been playing "tag" since year one. 

A stick could be imagined as a gun. The game of “chase” where you're “it” is perennial. 

"Hide & Seek" has gone "Hi-Tech". 

The true beauty of early Laser Tag was that it ended the age-old arguments over who was or wasn't hit because the weapon's computer sensor registered a hit from the infrared beam. 

The early controversy did little to dampen the success and longevity of the laser tag industry.

Today, we have weapons-grade active entertainment.

Laser Tag Industry Outlook: Market Research

While the initial Lazer Tag toys worked in daylight, the commercial laser tag industry started in dark, foggy mazes with pew-pew pistols and vests. 

It was not until Battlefield Sports offered the market professional laser tag equipment that worked outdoors that laser tag was played outside as part of the commercial entertainment experience. 

Since then, the industry has seen a significant decline in stand-alone laser tag facilities. There has also been a surge in multi-activity operations. Laser Tag is now part of the entertainment mix, along with paintball, high-ropes courses, and mini-golf, to name a few.

There has also been a trend for multi-activity Family Entertainment Centers (FEC). Bowling attractions, ninja warrior courses, and laser tag combinations are becoming more and more common. Existing venues are adding new attractions like live-action gaming, eSports, and escape rooms to leverage their assets. 

After Covid, many in the laser tag industry are experiencing a bounce back. Post-pandemic people are keen to play again. 

Especially as new technologies offer new game-play options.