Laser tag comes to IMU

Union Board, in conjunction with Paradigm Entertainment, will sponsor IU's first campus-wide laser tag tournament Friday, from 8 p.m. Friday to 2 a.m. Saturday in the Indiana Memorial Union's Alumni Hall. IU After Hours organized the event, which Director David Dawson said he believes will be successful because of "advertising and word of mouth."\nDawson, who also enjoys the game, said in the past couple years laser tag has become very popular. \n"We try to put a focus on what the students want to do," Union Board Marketing Director Sarah O'Brien said.\nLaser tag typically costs around the price of a movie; but on Friday night it is free to all IU students, which Dawson said he thinks will draw a large crowd. In addition, students can play all night if they choose. Groups will be divided into four to six people. Once a group wins or loses a game, participants can simply sign up again to play.\n"I think it will be a great opportunity for people to get out and have some fun for free," Dawson said.\nThe basic idea of laser tag is similar to the traditional game of tag, but state-of-the-art technology is also incorporated. Participants are equipped with special gear, such as a gun and a vest covered with sensors. The object of the game is to shoot at an opponent's sensors to temporarily eliminate him or her from the game. Teammates must be able to dodge hits from lasers, while also strategizing to earn the most points and win.\nToday laser tag appeals to many extreme sports enthusiasts and resembles paint ball in its rising popularity. The International Laser Tag Association was established in 1996 on account of the game's status across the globe. The association's site, http://lasertag.org, provides information about laser tag's facilities on six continents, including 630 such facilities in North America.\nIn addition to useful information, such as where one can purchase laser tag equipment, the Web site mainly caters to the opportunity for business development through laser tag. The ILTA supplies such entrepreneurs with useful advice about opening and maintaining their facilities. \n"It's really a great game," senior Josh Clark said. "I started playing about two years ago and I try to play a few times a year. It's really just a game of tag, but with high-tech equipment."\nLaser tag has also found its niche in the party sect of the entertainment business. Many facilities market themselves by reaching out to large-party celebrations like birthday parties. Ultra Zone, located in Fort Wayne, offers a special group rate for birthday parties at $10 a person for two games. \nLaser Tag is among several events the After Hours Committee organizes to appeal to students. The committee also considers each event an important mechanism to promote safe activities over the weekend. Dawson said the events are designed as a deterrent from going to the bars and engaging in underage drinking. \n-- Contact staff writer Jen Gossman at jgossman@indiana.edu.