Baton Rouge plays host to several competitive sporting events, but a laser tag tournament today at Laser Tag of Baton Rouge presents a change of pace.
For the first time in more than three years, this location will host a competitive-style tournament, in which six-man teams will face one another other over the course of multiple laser tag rounds. In each seven-minute round, players must tag competitors on the opposing team to win points for their own.
General Manager Jonathan Saunders said Thursday’s tournament will focus on teamwork and competitiveness.
“It’s a competitive sport,” he said. “There is some form of camaraderie and competitiveness that brings out the best in people.”
The tournament costs team members $15 each with $5 going toward Laser Tag of Baton Rouge, $5 toward a cash prize for the winning team and $5 toward the cash prize pool for a future tournament. The event will begin at 5 p.m. and run until 10 p.m. and will allow participants to sign up until it starts.
Saunders explained the game tends to draw in a range of ages, including children, teens, parents and some University students as well.
“We try to grab a little bit of everybody,” he said. “We think having something like this will get more people involved.” However, Thursday’s competitive event will also draw in the more experienced regulars, which Saunders said will help keep the game play organized.
“We have some regulars here that play a lot, and they’re great teachers for us,” Saunders said. “What we’re trying to do is break them up effectively on all the teams.”
Saunders explained that through these leadership roles, these participants will be able to explain rules to less experienced players, help structure their teams and allow these teams to strategize for each round.
Ryan Leblanc has played the game since he was 10 years old – nearly 14 years ago – and will serve as one of these leaders Thursday. As a Laser Tag of Baton Rouge member, Leblanc plays regularly, often returning about twice a month for special game nights with other experienced players.
Leblanc said this provides a bigger opportunity than simply creating more efficient gameplay.
“It’s just a chance to teach other people how to play and spread the word of how awesome [the game] is,” he said. “We always want new people to show up so we can get bigger and better things.”
Architecture junior Dillon Van Way will also compete in today’s tournament, but he has played laser tag competitively for nearly three years, including a national tournament in Ohio. While Van Way’s appreciation for the competitive side of laser tag has taken him to other states, he said this Baton Rouge location is one of the best he’s attended.
Van Way said he’s particularly excited to see the potential emergence of competitive laser tag in Baton Rouge following Thursday’s event.
“I’m just excited to have a competitive scene here at my home arena,” he said. “It’ll be cool to have Baton Rouge locals be in competition and see how it can grow a scene here.”
 
____ Contact Austen Krantz at [email protected]