Lazer Tag
| Lazer Tag | |
|---|---|
 Original Lazer Tag Logo |
|
| Type | Weapon |
| Inventor | Worlds of Wonder |
| Company |
|
| Country | United States |
| Availability | 1985– |
Lazer Tag is a brand name for the infrared pursuit game generically known as "laser tag," "lasertag," or "lazertag."[1][2]
The brand name was created by the toy company Worlds Of Wonder in 1986, appearing at approximately the same time as the home version of the Photon brand.[3]
The Lazer Tag brand name was acquired by Shoot The Moon Products[4] of Pleasanton, CA after Worlds Of Wonder ceased operation in late 1990. Since then, the brand name has been licensed to Tiger Electronics from 1996–1998 and to Hasbro from 2004–present under the Nerf banner.[5][6]
Like Photon, Worlds of Wonder's Lazer Tag brand also inspired a TV series. The animated series Lazer Tag Academy was produced by Ruby-Spears Productions, with one season airing on NBC from 1987-1988. Three Choose Your Own Adventure-style books were released based on the game as well. A boy is briefly shown playing Lazer Tag in the 1988 film Married to the Mob. A Lazer Tag video game was released in the late 1980s for the ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC and Commodore 64.[7]
The last Lazer Tag product as of 2010 is the Two-Player Battle System, featuring the Phoenix LTX. The blaster featured mechanical recoil, a built in vibration system and a physical ambidextrous clip release/reload. It had the same range and accuracy in broad daylight as the older Laser Tag Team Ops (LTTO) system - which set it apart from other consumer grade systems in the market. A detachable virtual green laser scope was packaged with the unit to facilitate aiming.[8]
In August 2012, Hasbro will release an all-new Lazer Tag line, which allows users to integrate their iPhone or iPod Touch units with the blasters. The provided apps convert the smartphones into HUD units, which display power levels and update players' gaming progress on an online leaderboard. Gaming experience is further enhanced with unlockable attacks and gear.[9]
[edit] References
- ^ "You Call These Toys?". Time. 1987-12-07. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,966162,00.html. Retrieved 2010-03-03.
- ^ Cuff, Daniel F. (1988-04-04). "BUSINESS PEOPLE; Worlds of Wonder Loses Its Chairman". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/1988/04/04/business/business-people-worlds-of-wonder-loses-its-chairman.html?scp=4&sq=teddy%20ruxpin&st=cse. Retrieved 2010-08-07.
- ^ Zonana, Victor F. (1987-12-22). "Cash-Strapped Toy Maker Worlds of Wonder Petitions for Chapter 11 Protection". The Los Angeles Times. http://articles.latimes.com/1987-12-22/business/fi-30567_1_toy-maker. Retrieved 2010-08-07.
- ^ [1] Fan website with history of Shoot The Moon
- ^ [2] Insider's website with history of the Lazer Tag brand
- ^ [3]
- ^ World of Spectrum
- ^ "Lazer Tag Nerf Two-Player Battle System". Hasbro. http://www.hasbro.com/nerf/en_US/shop/details.cfm?guid=F0C4410E-19B9-F369-D914-B940ADA55500&product_id=24884&src=endeca. Retrieved 2011-01-25.
- ^ Engadget.com - Hasbro Reinvents Lazer Tag for the Smartphone Generation
