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Technical Questions [Back to Top]
The activity is called “Lazertag”… are there any actual lazers used?
There are no actual lazers used, the “lazer” term is used merely a marketing term to make clear that the “guns” don’t fire projectiles of any sort. The “guns” actually fire harmless infrared signals, just like a television remote control.
How do I know when I have been “shot” by another player?
When you are shot by another player, your “gun” will make an audible “ouch” sound. The LCD display of your “gun” will temporarily display the word “ouch”, and your health reading will also decrease (the amount it decreases by will depend upon what kind of weapon you were shot with, i.e. a machine gun does more damage than a pistol). If another player gets very close to hitting you with a shot but is slightly inaccurate, your “gun” will make a “peeaoow” sound like a bullet ricocheting… this is your cue to run for it!!!
How do I know when I have “shot another player”?
When you successfully shoot another player, you may be able to hear their “gun” make an audible “ouch” sound (if you are close enough). You will also see the sensors on their head momentarily flash.
How do I know when I am dead?
When you are “killed” by another player, your gun will make an audible “screaming” sound. At this point, the LCD screen on your “gun” will display the word “dead”, and you will be unable to shoot any more.
How do I know when I have killed another player?
When you successfully kill another player, you may be able to hear their “gun” make an audible “screaming” sound (if you are close enough). You will also see the sensors on their head illuminate and stay illuminated.
Where is the actual barrel on the “guns”?
The actual barrel on the “guns” is the tube with the glass lens in it; the infrared signals are fired from just behind the lens. It is essential that this part of the gun is not obscured when you shoot, even if you can see your opponent through the scope on your gun.
Can my “gun” run out of ammo?
Yes, just like a real one! Each “gun” holds a different amount of rounds (ammo), and every time you shoot this will decrease. Whenever you are getting low on ammo, you may push the reload button on your “gun” to simulate the changing of the gun’s clip (magazine). When you have used all of your rounds (ammo) and clips (magazines), you are unable to shoot any more, and become something of a “sitting duck”!
Can I be shot whilst I am reloading?
Absolutely, so take care with choosing when to press the reload button! Depending upon the type of gun you are using, reloading takes anywhere from 5-12 seconds.
Can I shoot through trees / vehicles / barriers / etc?
Anything that blocks the line of sight will block the infrared beam of your “gun”, therefore you will not be able to shoot through it. With this in mind, you cannot shoot through tree trunks, vehicles (though you might be able to shoot through vehicle windows) or other solid objects. Leaves, on the other hand, only provide partial cover; the easier it is to see through the leaves, the easier it is to hit somebody stood amongst them.
Do I have to wear a hat? It messes up my hair!
All players must wear a hat during game play. Stitched to the front and back of each hat is a small piece of Velcro, and this is used to attach the gun’s sensors to you. We don’t have time to glue the sensors to your head!
Hospitality Questions [Back to Top]
Where do we park?
When you pull into the Trereife Park site, you arrive straight in the car park. This car park is FREE for use by customers of Covert Combat.
Where do we go once we have parked?
Our welcome centre is located in our ex-army marquee, which is sited just through the iron gate which separates the car park from the Trereife Park site itself.
Are there toilets on site?
Yes, don’t panic, we might be into all-things “military” but we don’t have pit latrines here! There are clean and well-maintained toilets (including wash hand basins with running water) on-site for our customers to use.
Can we smoke on site?
Yes, you are welcome to smoke in the main car park of the site providing you dispose of your cigarette butts carefully. Smoking is strictly forbidden in the marquee and game zones, due to the high risk of fire, and the recent smoke-free legislation. Players are also forbidden from smoking whilst playing, since a lit cigarette could pose a burn hazard to other players.
In game packages where a meal is included FREE, can we forgo the meal and spend the extra time playing Lazertag instead?
Unfortunately, this is not generally possible as we need to free up the “guns” before the end of your booking slot, ready to set up for our next group.
Can you cater for vegetarians / vegans / allergy sufferers / etc?
Given advance notice, we can generally cater for all special dietary needs without any problems, though our usual menu may have to be adjusted to make this possible.
We are currently in the process of compiling allergy information for all of our food and drink products – the tabulated results will be added to our website as soon as possible.
Do you have any party invitations we can send out to invite people to our party which we are holding at your site?
Yes, absolutely. Our professionally-printed party invitations are carefully designed to be suitable for use for players of all ages, and for parties of all types.
Invitations are included FREE with our two-hour birthday party package. For a small fee, they can also be supplied for players booking one of our other packages.
Safety Questions [Back to Top]
Is there a minimum age limit for players?
We are insured for players down to the age of 6 years old. Providing a child is aged 6+ and can manage the weight of the guns (click here for gun specs), they are fine to participate.
If a child cannot manage the weight of the guns, there is always the option for them to participate as a medic or ammo carrier using our advanced electronic Utility Boxes (click here for details).
Does it hurt when you get shot?
Absolutely not. Because our guns fire invisible beams of harmless infrared, just like your television remote control would emit, you do not feel any pain when you are shot. Well, except perhaps to your ego!
Are all games supervised?
Yes, all games are carefully supervised by our marshals. All marshals are fully trained, and have undergone enhanced checks with the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB).
Will it damage my eye sight if I get shot in the eyes by the “lazers” from these “guns”?
No, absolutely not. Our “guns” do not actually fire lazers but rather invisible infrared signals, just like a television remote control. The manufacturers of the infrared emitters used in the “guns” state that in recent safety studies carried out in the USA, eye injuries were found to be impossible. Infrared waves are low frequency, long wave length, and low energy.
Do I need to wear goggles or other protective clothing when playing?
Because our “guns” do not fire any projectiles, generally there is no need for players to wear protective clothing.
We do ask players to wear goggles whilst playing in the woodlands, though this is merely to reduce the risk of low branches, etc hitting you in the eyes (picking eyeballs off branches is a messy and unpleasant job!). Our goggles are rather cool-looking “tactical” goggles styled on those used by special forces worldwide, so most people are only too pleased to wear them!
What happens if it rains / snows?
Outdoor Lazertag can be played in most weather, including rain and snow. If inclement weather is suspected, we advise players to bring waterproof and/or warm clothing as appropriate (plus a change of clothing), as games will continue as normal!
What happens if there are strong winds?
Games will generally continue as normal during strong winds, so we would advise players to bring some warm clothing. If winds became dangerous during a booking, we would temporarily stop game play. If strong winds significantly decreased the amount of time you got to play for, partial or complete refunds would be given at the discretion of the duty manager. If dangerously strong winds are predicted, we will try to contact you in advance to avoid a wasted journey and to offer you the chance to rearrange your booking..
What happens if there is a thunder / lightning storm?
Game play would always be temporarily stopped in the event of thunder/lightning storm. If such weather significantly decreases the amount of time you get to play for, partial or complete refunds would be given at the discretion of the duty manager. If thunder/lightning is predicted, we will try to contact you in advance to avoid a wasted journey and to offer you the chance to rearrange your booking.
Can I wear open-toed shoes whilst playing?
Sandals may be making a fashion come-back, but unfortunately they are not suitable for use on the “battlefield”! All players must wear sensible shoes with enclosed toes.
Do I need to be fit and healthy before I can play outdoor Lazertag?
Game play can involve intense physical and mental exertion.
All players need a reasonable level of fitness, but you certainly don’t have to be an Olympic athlete to give it a go! Many of our less agile players can play an active role simply by finding a good “sniping” position and shooting at people from afar; remember, our “guns” have a range of around 130m (426.5ft)!
If you have a medical or mental condition or complaint which you think could endanger your life or wellbeing, or the life or wellbeing of any other participant (whether during or after participation in the game), you will need to obtain the permission of your doctor before taking part.
We also ask that you declare to us, in writing, details of any relevant medical information or history that may affect you as you play, or may be needed in a medical emergency (e.g. details of insect sting allergies, asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, etc).
Your safety and well-being is our number one priority.
Other Questions [Back to Top]
Do you accept credit / debit card payments?
Currently, we are unable to accept credit/debit card payments, however we will regularly review this situation.
In the meantime, we are happy to accept payments by BACS, cheque, postal order or cash.
Can you run games on a site other than your own (for example, my garden)?
Yes, we are fully insured to run our business on a mobile-basis.
Many of our barriers are portable, and because our “guns” do not fire projectiles, sites do not require screening, etc.
We will need to risk-assess the site you have in mind before we agree to run a game from it, and we also need to ensure that we have the land owner’s permission to use the land.
If you would like a quote for our mobile service, please get in touch with full details and we’ll do our best to assist.
Doesn’t this kind of thing just encourage gun crime?
No, we definitely don’t believe this to be the case.
For many years now, people have been blaming different things for gun crime… “gangsta culture”, films, rap music, computer games, TV, etc. No doubt paintball, airsoft and lazertag have also been considered as causes of gun crime by some people.
The fact is that the there are two elements to gun crime; societal elements (poverty, prejudice against a particular group, etc) and people elements (mental illness, bad attitudes, etc). This means that there will always be a small minority of people who feel they have the justification and the right to use real weapons against another person, whether that weapon is a gun, a sword, a knife, a vehicle, or their fists and feet.
By strictly supervising our games, and by only allowing use of our “guns” in a disciplined and controlled environment, we believe that outdoor Lazertag will actually help to educate people about the dangers of guns, ultimately discouraging them from illegally using the real thing.
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