1+(604) 791-0028
the amusement archive for startups
Easily one of the best and most popular tried and true amusement attractions for fun centers, family entertainment centers and indoor party centers is laser tag.
As we know, this business is all about through-put. The more customers you can find and the more capacity you have to pull customers through your attractions, the more revenue you can earn. High through-put attractions (with the right customer focus and effective marketing) general equates to higher revenues.
As with other attractions like miniature golf, go-karts, soft contained play or paintball, laser tag has the potential to drive a lot of players past the checkin counter.
What I find very interesting, is the influx of new equipment and providers from a 'non-traditional' market place. Over the last few years especially, traditional laser tag and laser tag equipment manufacturers have been challenged by a new form indoor and outdoor laser tag equipment from manufacturers who have seen a need in the market for a less expensive, turn-key system, that offers the same high through-put options for non-traditional laser tag installations. It could be the current economic situation, access to funding being difficult to find for many, or it could also be the simple need to find alternatives to pricey stand-alone laser tag equipment, with options that let you diversify your revenue opporunities.
I have the great fortune of speaking with literally hundreds of amusement business owners and new amusement entrepreneurs every month, who find our sites and are either looking to grow their existing attractions business, or start an arcade or family entertainment center business of their own. Through-out these conversations when it comes to laser tag a new market paradigm of less expensive, easy setup, turn-key operations has begun to emerge.
By this, I don't mean the tried and true game of vest and laser tag gun as a system for fun centers is on the way out, just that new technology on the way in has enabled much smaller, budget minded amusement developers to afford the exciting game of laser tag by reduced need for hardware, arena setup (networking and cabling) and bulky desktop computers. Available games and the sophisitication of arena gameplay are very much similar in nature, with the added benefit of far more capability when it comes to attracting an older, "Gamer" demographic.
This smaller operator may be an existing paintball business that is looking to brand-out from the current hard-core paintballer fields by using outdoor laser tag equipment to extend their current asset, or for established indoor centers wanting to attract a more adult core market with coed birthday parties and/or the mid-week opportunity of a corporate event or other group that is not so interested in the younger feel of the traditional vested laser tag equipment.
Similarily, amusement rental companies because of the through-put and excitement of laser tag are looking to offer their customers the same great experience, off-site at any location their customer would choose. Group games for churches, inflatable party centers and more are finding these wireless systems to offer a low initial investment with a high ROI potential when effectively marketed and operated. Swing on over to our catalog request page to receive a sampling of laser tag equipment suplliers and supporting services if laser tag is on your radar.
Having the option to save real money on these wireless, mobile indoor and outdoor laser tag systems holds a lot of interest for event companies, paintball operators and the stand alone laser tag developer who is looking for a cost savings without losing on equipment quality or game play in their fun center startup. Traditional "quality" vest-gun laser tag systems will cost you somewhere in the $2,500 to $3,500 per vest range, plus added costs for interactive bells and whistles, computer systems and installation. "Multi-function", quality indoor-outdoor laser tag equipment can be found for under $1,000 each and they are turn-key. Minimal hardwire setup, and mobile handheld operating systems.
When it comes to system quality, resilence and play-a-bility, from our experience and things heard, the differences are minimal and in many cases, these new indoor-outdoor laser tag systems offer operational efficiencies or unique games beyond those of the tradidional vested system. Certainly, the vest-gun laser tag system has been around for 20 plus years now and has had all of that time to evolve within the stand alone family entertainment center market. Vested laser tag systems have proven themselves time and again as one of the main attractions for attracting a strong repeat and diverse amusement customer. If you are interested in either system, stop by S.M.A.R.T. Laser Tag for a rundown on all your options.
I guess time will tell, but as of right now in the conversations had, the low initial costs and customer feedback these pioneering laser tag operators have been receiving from their guests seems to point to a successful new amusement product.
If you would like more information on the startup of a laser tag center feel free to reach out to us at 1+(604)846-6572 or book a free no-obligation chat with our office anytime. Thanks for hanging out with us.
Try our FREE, no obligation telephone consultation service. Book some time with us and get your startup questions and concerns answered.
"I just wanted to say thanks for taking the time to chat with me. This was a very valuable conversation as it gave me a whole lot more to think about. Although I have done some research, our conversation opened my eyes to things I was unaware of. From lease negotiation and startup costs to a much better understanding of what and how our local community and area demographics play into our fun center planning. Time well spent and I would recommend others who are researching their startup, give your office a call. You were extremely selfless with information and provided an encouraging view based in Reality. Thank you."
"Thanks for taking the time to chat with us, we really appreciate your time and insight. We had some idea of project scope, but had no idea about all the minutia and details to consider for startup location and our funding. After speaking with you, we came to the realization that ultimately the project we were considering is more of our time than we can commit to, and would not have discovered this reality until much further along. Thanks for helping us determine our path forward."
"This was by far the best thing I have done for my fun center startup. You provided such great and unbiased information, some of which I did not want to hear, but so glad that I did. I now have the focus of mind to proceed with a lot more confidence and direction. I just want to say again, thank you for sharing these insights and your experience."
"I wanted to say thanks again for all of your time in answering my many questions, and helping to make me better understand the steps needed to see our dream of a family entertainment center business in reality. For the first time in this journey I understand how and why to prepare our plan for funders, and how to match my own abilities and financial resources to accomplish my goal. And yes, I would recommend others do take advantage of this service, I can’t imagine to find this much experience and honest at any price, none the less for free. Thank you."
Family Entertainment Center is part of the FEC Network.
Don't miss an issue - signup to our FEC Newsletter.
No worries, we are spam free and respect your privacy. You can unsubscribe safely at any time.
Office: 1+(604) 791-0028
Monday - Saturday 8am - 6pm
On the web since 1999, the FEC Network is the online amusement business resource for startups, owners, operators and suppliers.