Technabob » laser tag

Hasbro Nerf Lazer Tag System Uses iPhone and iPod: No Bazooka Mount for iPad?

Lambert Varias — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 18:00:47 +0000

Hasbro will soon launch an augmented reality laser tag blasters for the iPhone and iPod Touch. Sorry Android users, you’ll have to wait a while; Hasbro will release the complementary Android apps after they’re done with the iOS versions. Launching this August, the Nerf Lazer Tag System will make use of two blasters with a slot to mount an iPhone or iPod Touch to display “gear and remaining power” as well as the virtual laser projectiles. No word if the app will emit sound effects or if you’ll have to shout “pew pew pew” while you’re playing.

As you might have guessed, the blasters will need two things to work. Actually make that seven: six AA batteries and a free complementary app (shown below). According to Hasbro’s announcement, the Lazer Tag system will be able to detect shots fired from more than 700ft away. That range is reduced to 250ft in bright sunlight, although I’d say that’s still a generous distance to work with. The Lazer Tag system will also feature unlockable equipment and leaderboards.

The app will also have a single player mode where the user hunts and fires at virtual targets while still earning points and unlocking goodies, none of which will make up for how pathetic you’ll look when you’re playing the game on your own.

As I mentioned above, the Lazer Tag system will launch on August 1 and will be available for order from Hasbro’s online shop. The blasters will sell for $40 (USD) each, but you can also get a 2-pack for $70. Hopefully you won’t have to incur the costs of broken iPhones and friendships as well.

I have edited this post to reflect the correction and added information provided by Lazer Tag software engineer Brian “TagFerret” Farley. Brian works for Shoot the Moon, the company that holds the rights to the Lazer Tag brand name. He’s also the co-inventor of the popular Lazer Tag Ops line, so if you meet him in the battlefield I think it’s safe to say that you’re toast. Thanks Brian!

[via Engadget]

Barbie Powerwheels + Xbox 360 Controller + Nerd Power = Wi-Fi Warthogs

Lambert Varias — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 12:52:09 +0000

Where lesser men see a child’s toy when they look at a Barbie Powerwheels toy car, imaginative folk like Tim Higgins see a really fun real world Halo spinoff. Higgins’ Wi-Fi Warthogs are controlled using Xbox 360 controllers and a laptop mounted on each Warthog. Like the video game Warthog, the controls for the gunner and driver are separate, and you can switch between the two on the fly. The mounted laser gun makes it possible to play Warthog-laser tag, but Higgins says that the laser gun can easily be replaced with other types of weaponry, like a water gun.

The video below shows Higgins and one of his Wi-Fi Warthogs at last year’s Professional Developers’ Conference. Unfortunately there’s more coding talk than Warthog fun in the video.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

I think the man behind the camera vacillated between boredom and confusion as he interviewed Higgins. I kept hoping that Higgins would stop explaining and use his toy some more. Programmers and Powerwheels modders can check out the Coding4Fun blog for more details on both the software and hardware aspects of the Wi-Fi Warthogs.

[via Oh Gizmo!]

Homemade Laser Tag Will have Friends Lining Up to Play

Karen M. — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 11:00:34 +0000

Let’s take a trip down memory lane… back to, oh, say, 1998. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, but regardless, we all played laser tag with gusto. Now you can play it in your very own home!

Yeah, I know, I’m excited too! Apparently if you have a good deal of time on your hands you can get a $2 toy gun and a laser pointer, work your mojo, then strap a tupperware container filled with wires to your stomach. That’s it- now you’re all set for a battle royale.

This was created by some guy in New Zealand who put up a helpful webpage with an instruction set, parts list, and a bunch more pictures in case you’re interested in busting one of these out for yourself. Or, if you’re lazy like me, you could just forgo all the wiring mumbo-jumbo and run around a dark room with toy guns shouting “pew pew pew!” and leave it at that. Oh wait, that’s what I did last weekend.

[via Make:]