"The ultimate test in lasertag skill" returns to Texas

The Armageddon Tournament has been called "the ultimate test in lasertag skill". Now in its 8th year, it challenges its participants to play each other once in each of 8 different lasertag systems.

While millions enjoy fireworks and cookouts this July 4th holiday, six teams of players with nicknames like The Brit, Rave and Havok will compete in a test of stamina, playing over forty games of laser tag at seven centers in Dallas/Fort Worth and Houston, Texas.

The Armageddon Laser Tag competition will begin in Roanoke, Texas on Wednesday, July 4. The tour works it way through Grapevine Texas, up to Greenville Texas, then through Houston, Texas. There are seven stops over four days concluding in the Houston Spring Area Saturday, July 7th.

The tournament is hosting its eight competition. Players from England, Sweden, Canada and an Iraq veteran will join U.S. teammates this year. The tournament has spawned a version of this tournament in the United Kingdom.

This is a unique opportunity for dedicated laser taggers. Most players excel only at their home center and equipment. With 7 different locations, 8 different brands of equipment and rules, the champions of this tournament must excel in a variety of situations.

“People don’t realize how different the centers are. It’s like playing rugby in the morning and then playing American football that evening,” noted tournament founder Ricky Vega, who plays as “Dark Angel.”

To play laser tag, teams wear computerized vests lit with LEDs. Players fire their science-fiction style phasers to tag opposing players in large mazes filled with fog and lit with blacklights. Players who are tagged lose points and are deactivated for a short time. The intense competition leads to rapid movements of ducking, leaning and spinning known as “dancing” to the competitors.

“Laser tag, in a tournament structure, allows for active and healthy participation with both old and new friends.” said Erik Guthrie, VP of Marketing for Zone Laser Tag, one of the corporate sponsors of the nationwide event.

Laser tag celebrated it’s 20th year anniversary in 2004. The first center opened in Dallas in 1984. Today, there are over 800 laser tag facilities in North America. The recreational activity has grown into a sport with both indoor and outdoor play. The activity is popular primarily with players ages 7 through 25, although older adults and corporate groups are playing for fun in larger numbers.

“Early on, some people thought laser tag was a fad, but with many facilities enjoying their best year ever— laser tag is here to stay ,” commented entertainment industry author, Jason Bock (a six-year tournament veteran playing as The Baron).

With the large number of games, the tournament is limited to six diverse eight-player teams. Players board a tour bus to drive to each new center. These competitive players range in age from 12 to 45.

“Virtually anybody can play competitive laser tag. It’s easy to understand,” said George Raptis, tournament director and eight-year player.

This year, the tournament is proud to be sponsored by equipment manufacturers LASERTRON, Inc (http://www.laser-tron.com/) and by Zone Laser Tag (http://www.zonelasertag.com/).

More information about the tournament can be found at www.a20xx.com. Information about the United Kingdom version of this tournament can be found at www.ukarmageddon.com.

Tournament Schedule:

Wednesday 7/4/2007

7 AM - 12 PM
DFW adventure park
13055 Cleveland Gibbs Road
Roanoke TX 76262
(214) 417-9887

2 PM - 7 PM
Laser Blast
6834 Wesley Street at Crossroads Mall
Greenville, TX 75402
(903) 455-2820

11 PM - 7/5 2 AM
Main Event
407 W State Highway 114
Grapevine, TX 76051
(817) 416-1111


7/5/2007

12 PM - 3 PM
LaserQuest
6560 FM 1960 West
Houston, TX 77077
(281) 397-6612

4 PM - 9 PM
Track 21
4815 Hwy 6 North
Houston, TX 77084
(281) 200-2600

7/6/2007

10 AM - 3 PM
Lazer Zone
4125 Highway 6
Sugarland, TX 77478
(281) 277-2900

4 PM - 9 PM
LazerRage
612 Cypress Spring Rd
Spring, TX 77373
(281) 355-8900