Paintball and Lazer Quest: Which is best, and how is your local?

[Sabre]

Having only been to lazer quest I can't comment on which is better. However, since we have at least 1 die hard lazer quester and I'd imagine a bunch of people who have done at least one I thought it would be nice to bring a discussion from elsewhere over here.

It all started with a podcast that went on at legth about an all day paintball session that included various arenas where they played CTF and the like. Descriptions of cool action hero moments and glorious failures were abundent. The day ended with everyone who was at the place getting together in a castle like area for a 100 man game of infection (infection is a game mode where defenders hold off attackers and when a defender dies, he moved to the attacking team)

This is typical of both lazer quest and paintballing descriptions I hear.

That kind of paintballing is nothing like paintballing here where you rent a gun, buy expencive ammo and simply shoot each other in some trees or a yard with a log in it.

Same with lazer quest. Here it's crap, its a maze like building made of wood, cover doesn't work, one side glows in the dark where the other doesn't. Somehow in one case my stats said I got more Friendly Fires then shots I actually fired, but when I hear people talking their lazer quest always sounds awesome. Secret weapon stashes, tales of epic action movie moments. Here it's about as engauging as pointing a finger and saying 'pew'.

So, this brings me to what I want to talk about. What is your experience like if any. It's getting to the point where I'm starting to think I've been to either a really bad lazer quest place or people are just exagerating. Most likely a mix between the 2. What's your opinion?

["User"]

In North America we call it laser tag, while I believe in the U.K. any form of laser tag is typically referred to as Lazer Quest or whatever.  I've searched for Laser Quest (the corporation and brand that I play) and I get YouTube videos that show other systems that are NOT the Laser Quest I know in North America.  Just from your post, I think Laser tag in general over there is called Lazer Quest - kind of funny.

From my experience, most laser tag systems (and sites) are pathetic and have no competitive base.  But then again, I play a highly competitive and physically athletic system (most popular in North America and probably the world) and all their locations are corporately owned (at least in North America), which makes running tournaments and 3 day national tournaments that much easier.  Laser Quest locations in the U.K. that use the same gear I use (Guildford and Swindon come to mind, the U.K has a couple dozen sites), are not corporately owned but are franchises and such have slightly more leeway when it comes to doing what they want, but the organization that made the tournament scene so successful in North America over the last 15+ years isn't that good over the pond.

As far as which one is better it depends on your preferences.  Laser Quest over here doesn't have nearly as many competitive "nerdy" players as some people think (heck I probably look more nerdy with the glasses then anyone else I know) and in fact most players are taller and more athletic in general than your average joe.  Which I know for a fact is the same with competitive paintball players.  Laser tag is cheaper and you don't have to waste a lot of money on paintballs.  However it's not as "manly" obviously but that very well suits some people.  I know dozens of LQ players who also play competitive paintball and each has it's pros and cons, in the end it all really comes down to what you're most interested in.  Paintball of course is also televised on occasion and laser tag as a general sport isn't at that level yet because there hasn't been an "official" defined set of rules that can cover all the different systems and since there ARE so many systems, many players prefer one exclusive system as their "home system" and won't really want to play anything else.

[Sabre]

Your right about the name. I think it's like Hoover, Speedo, Jet Ski or Biro. Technically a brand name, but used to describe the object even of a different brand. Don't quote me on this, but Laser Quest the brand started off in Britain, but is more popular in the US.

I don't believe a game has to be super competative to be fun. From what you describe, and my cynisism and of course sods law makes me believe that the ones here are just those kids home versions in a dudes yard with some plywood.

As for being atheltic, that not only makes sence from an excersise point of view, but a status one. As with gamers on the whole, most of them are middle class, or at least better off working class. Let's face it, it's an expencive game which is why its resevred for special days (stang nights, birthdays ect) and if you have the money to play regularly you likely have better food, living conditions ect.

[Showtime 1-1]

I really like lazer tag (wow, I never knew it was called something else across the pond...), but I'm terrible at it. I'm a big target, and no matter what I do, I always end up getting cornered or something.

Paintball, on the other hand, I'm not so bad at. I used to have a long-barrel special, and for whatever reason it used to have some serious stopping power, albeit a very slow rate of fire if I didn't want to jam the thing. I was able to overcome my camouflage difficulties by nailing any attackers in the chest. Then I sold the gun to by a dirtbike, and I haven't played since.

So, I guess I like Paintball more, even though I go for lazer tag much more often.

["User"]

Your right about the name. I think it's like Hoover, Speedo, Jet Ski or Biro. Technically a brand name, but used to describe the object even of a different brand. Don't quote me on this, but Laser Quest the brand started off in Britain, but is more popular in the US.

In Manchester in 1989 yeah...too bad that center closed down.

[Dublinthefox]

I'd have to go with lazer quest. I've had some bad experience with paintball. Mostly getting shot in the a$$.