Laser tag Dallas refers to a recreational activity or sport played by individuals or team by tagging targets using targeting devices that emit infrared. The targets are sensitive to infrared and are worn by every player and some integrated within the arena. It was introduced in 1984 when the Star Trek Electronic Phasers were released. Since then the sport has evolved to include role play style games, combat simulations, outdoor/indoor styles of play, competitive events like precise game goals and tactical configurations.

As opposed to paintball, this game is painless since it has no physical projectiles and people of all ages can enjoy playing it. Even less physical are indoor venues where running and roughhousing is discouraged. The application and technical capabilities are responsible for the wide variety of systems used. The integration between the equipment used by the players and devices inside the facility, the hardware used, the embedded software and the environment are closely linked to the mechanics of the game.

The game play mechanics are derived from realistic military combat simulations to far fetched video games as well as science fiction inspired scenarios. Game plays can be varied by altering rate of fire, the amount of lives, effects of being tagged, objectives and other parameters. There are standard solo and team matches as well as specialty games where players try to tag one another repetitively.

Specialty matches vary depending on the level of technology and equipment manufacturer. They often have various missions and objectives and they also demonstrate the capability of each system technologically speaking. Some of these games include capture the flag where in order to score points players steal flags from the opponents and take them to their own base. Protect the VIP is another specialty game.

Also among specialty matches are games such as juggernaut matches, stealth or invisibility matches, borg matches, domination, role playing, elimination and base centric matches. The system tracks laser firing using infrared signaling. Firing visual effects are provided through a combination of visible laser and theatrical fog. An infrared signal that is encoded with information such as the identity of the pack from which the signal originates is sent by all systems except the most basic ones.

The coding is also used to discourage any unauthorized devices that may cause interference inside the arena as well as to provide a way of tracking scores. Indoor arenas are large and run by commercial operators and they may either be dark or not. There is a tight integration between the devices found within the arena and the packs carried by the players and both may be linked to a control computer that controls scoring and other parameters. The same computer also manages games effects and scores.

There are different design concerns when it comes to outdoor equipment requirements. Even in daylight the outdoor equipment is expected to function properly at longer ranges which means specially designed optics and higher output power are required. Typically the units are made with poly-carbonated plastic or machined aluminum to be able to withstand abuses experienced during outdoor matches.

Light weight sensors are worn by players through which they receive hits. Laser tag Dallas groups are found in many countries all over the world. These clubs use on site tools for instance Yahoo, Google, Meetup and Facebook and others have their own websites.