Laser Team Challenge: It's Laser Tag on Steriods

Case Study: A Unique Indoor Experience in Michigan

Unlike any indoor laser tag arena in the USA Jim and Carol Makowske's laser battlefield, Laser Team Challenge, is a one-of-a-kind.

Laser Team Challenge, the laser tag operation has held its ground in downtown Alpena, Michigan, since 2004.

It continues to give players a live-action gaming experience, unlike any other laser tag joint.

 Jim and Carol have achieved remarkable success in their town of around 10,000 population by continuing to innovate with their Battlefield Sports laser tag equipment.

The Makowske's operation started with the "classic" system. They upgraded to Battlefield Sports' digital SATR system.

Always keen to innovate, Jim and Carol recently added the SATRWARE software.

 

What Laser Team Challenge Offer

Laser Team Challenge runs out of a 45,000 sq ft facility across 3 levels.

 

Mike Gonzalez, from the Alpena News, reports that teams that face each other can sometimes have different rule sets between the two to replicate different themes.

As an example, Makowske said that he can replicate the Battle of Normandy by having one team on the second floor to play the Axis troops as the other team runs through the main floor’s double doors and plays the Allies landing on the beach.

He said Allies players can get shot and “die” in-game, but they can revive themselves at a respawning point as many times as they want to replicate the large number of soldiers that invaded.

Axis players only get one life, but Makowske said the upper-level advantage allows them to last longer.

Jim using the SATRWARE game management app

Gamers on Point

This brand of laser tag is popular

 

 

 Jim reminisces about when he first upgraded to the SATR digital software system.

"We had our first use of our equipment for tactical training. Our State Police used the equipment for dog handlers.  A team of four police on track carried our equipment. The handler had a spitfire in a pouch on his back with the sensors on the head. A spotter carried a spitfire programmed to replicate their handgun. The bad guy carried a morita with a 3X9 scope. Everyone was set on two hit points. 

The exercise was designed to train the team to take cover when they come under fire rather than to take offensive action. The bad guy positioned himself at the edge of a large clearing that he crossed. He would engage the team by discharging his handgun (with blanks) at the same time he takes his first shot with the Morita," he said.

"The teams were used to training with paintball or simulated munitions – neither are long-range or exceptionally accurate. The results were half, or more, of each team were killed.

The handlers realized just how vulnerable they were. Their path is predictable, they are focused on their dog and they are easy to locate. The shots were taken more than 300 feet and were accurate. The paintball / simunition strategy was negative training and encouraged false assumptions – at least in outdoor track situations," said Jim.

Each playing session is usually $20 and lasts for more than two hours, with different game modes switched around every hour. Carol Makowske handles the financial and business side of the Laser Team Challenge, while Jim Makowske handles the games and rules.

 

"This is like laser tag on steroids," said Jim.

 

"In the end, everybody has fun," said Jim Makowske.

To learn more about the exhilarating laser combat experiences offered by Laser Team Challenge visit their website at https://www.laserteamchallenge.com/

 

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