High-tech game of tag hits Manila

By Erwin Oliva INQUIRER.net IMAGINE running around a multi-level, 350-square-meter arena holding a laser gun called a phaser and tagging supposed enemies you find hiding behind a dark wall. For 15 minutes, this high-tech game of tag using specially-made laser-fitted guns allows players (a maximum of 24) to relive a favorite childhood game. "This is not about war. It's more a tagging game," said Maureen Scherrie Delantar, marketing and operations manager of Aslag Philippines' LazerXtreme Arena, noting that children as young as six years old can play the game without risks of getting hurt. Here's a photo I took of Delantar showing the special vest and laser-fitted gun. And here's INQUIRER.net multimedia specialist Erika Tapalla interviewing Delantar. Video taken by INQUIRER.net community evangelist Alex Villafania. Opened two weeks ago to the public, the LazerXtreme Arena in Market! Market! was built with the "family in mind," said Delantar. While everyone is now quite familiar with team-based, simulated shooting games like paint ball and Airsoft, a combat sport which uses specially designed guns that fire pellets, LaserXtreme Arena's laser tag game uses a combination of sensors, laser technology, and customized software to make the experience as surreal as a computer game. Even the theme is partly inspired by computer games. It has a high-tech airlock, which is a briefing room, and a roomful of specially designed vests with blinking sensors that players will wear during a game. All in all, the arena theme looks more like the interior of a spaceship, said Delantar. LazerXtreme Arena is not the first laser tag arena in the Philippines, according to Delantar. There have been other similar operations established in the late 1990s but they were still quite expensive. Delantar stressed that LaserXtreme Arena was designed to be an affordable entertainment alternative for families, friends, and even corporate clients. Apart from the 350-square-meter arena, it also provides several rooms where people can hold functions or parties. "Everything was designed by Filipinos with help from foreign consultants," Delantar said. As of this writing, the laser tag arena is still being outfitted with more special effects lights and haze to add to the spaceship ambience. To complete the high-tech experience, a good dose of music comes blaring from large speakers strategically placed around the arena. Delantar said players can also customize music that can be played during the games. Each player is assigned a phaser, vest, and nickname. At the end of each game, a computer printout of each player's statistics is provided, showing how they fared during the game. Delantar said celebrities have already visited the high-tech laser tag arena. "This is a mental game, which makes it safe for kids. Also there is no pain, no paint in this game," she added. LazerXtreme Arena is located on the fourth floor of Market! Market! in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City.