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« back | 25.04.2007: INTERVIEW WITH ALEXANDER TARASOV (ATAKA LASER TAG SYSTEM)

:: AN INTERVIEW WITH ALEXANDER TARASOV (ATAKA LASER TAG SYSTEM) ::
(Adopted translation from Russian)

:: Лазертаг системы АТАКА ::

TRUTNEE: - How many sites have been equipped with your system since 2001? How many of them are still running the business at present?

ATAKA: - Since the moment of the invention of our system more we have sold our equipment to more than 30 sites. About 25 of them are active at present time. Besides, opening of new arenas in Kiev, Baku, Abakan, Orenburg and Belovo is planned for the nearest future. We will also renew the old site in Surgut.

TRUTNEE: - As far as I know, you are selling the second – modernized – version of Ataka system right now. What is the difference between the first and the second versions? Do you plan to introduce the third generation of your equipment? I’ve heard some of your potential customers were not happy about the external design of the vest. Are you planning to redesign it?

ATAKA: - In 2002 we introduced our first – experimental – 16-vest set of equipment (the so-called “first version of Ataka”). Then, after the trials we redesigned it. We have redesigned both the external designs of the vest and pahzer and their compositions. Additional measures aimed at increasing of durability have been taken, as well. As a result, in early 2003 we launched mass production of a new improved version of Ataka system (the second generation), the first one being out of the production. In 2003-2004 we conducted intensive trials and eliminated all the known defects. So, nowadays Ataka is rather reliable and durable system. And we are working on the third generation of the equipment, as well.

TRUTNEE: - In one of your marketing materials you’ve mentioned that under the customer’s request it was possible to manufacture some additional interactive devices, such as “mines”, “grenades”, etc. Can you please tell us more about that stuff?

ATAKA: - Unfortunately, we are not manufacturing such devices right now. We prefer to concentrate our efforts on selling and improving of the basic system instead of the additional interactive devices.

TRUTNEE: - Is it possible to deactivate the second trigger of the phazer? You know, many of the regular players prefer to hold the phazer in one hand, letting the second one be free…

ATAKA: - Yes, it is possible. The operator can seal in the auxiliary trigger thus allowing playing with one hand only. Some of the operators do use this feature.

TRUTNEE: - I’d like to honestly confess: for several years I have been gathering all the information concerning the most typical defects of every type of laser tag system being operated at the territory of the ex-USSR. Basing on this, I’d like to ask you some nasty technical questions, but I have never heard any serious complaints concerning your system… Tell me the truth: is your system so brilliantly reliable, or whether your customers are to shy to complain about Ataka? What are the typical claims for repair you receive?

ATAKA: - Frankly speaking, we did had a problem with durability of the vests’ plastic some time ago. It was solved by adding some rubber components to the vest composition. We used to have problems with the loud speakers produced in Russia (now they are replaced with imported ones) and with circuit boards (which are improved by now as well). I should stress your attention to the fact that all the problems were solved in 2002-2003.

TRUTNEE: - Some time ago you mentioned the possibility to divide the players into three teams when playing your system. Is such configuration popular among your customers?

ATAKA: - That idea was not popular, so we decided to omit that feature.

TRUTNEE: - I’ve heard you’re using a trade-in scheme in your business. This looks pretty good for these customers who are not sure about their future success in laser tag business: if a person fails to get profit while running a laser tag arena, he can sell his system back to you… Can tell me some details about this scheme?

ATAKA: - It’s true; we can buy back used Ataka set. There are no “standard” procedures as to the redeeming of the used sets; the price can be formed after considering of the present technical condition of the equipment and basing on the market’s current needs for the second-hand equipment.

In general, the redeeming price for the used equipment can be about 40-60% of the price for new system. Sometimes we can buy several used sets to form some kind of backlog, i.e. about 20-30 vests. Further, this backlog can be divided into separate sets of the equipment, and after refurnishing may be sold at a cheaper price than new ones.

The price difference between new and second-hand sets is as follows:

Quantity of the vests:	New equipment:	Second-hand equipment:
10 vests	USD 15,200	USD 13,300
12 vests	USD 18,000	USD 15,800
16 vests	USD 23,000	USD 20,000
20 vests	USD 27,700	USD 23,800

TRUTNEE: - Mazes: do you provide your customers with services on maze construction?

ATAKA: - We are not building mazes since 2002. The reasons are the following:

1. High transportation expenses;
2. Difficulties appearing at the stage of co-ordination of the works with the customer.

However, we can for free provide the customer with the principal maze scheme and with the drawings of the maze components. Besides, we can provide the customer with a 3-D plan of the facility. Basing on the above mentioned, the Customer may himself build the maze using the local building contractor.

TRUTNEE: - By the way, was it a fortuitousness that the manufacturer of Ataka system is based in Novosibirsk? I mean, do you have any connections with Novosibirsk Instrument-building plant (NIBP), the producer of “Tselik” military laser-based tactical simulator?

ATAKA: - It’s true that at the stage of designing of Ataka system we co-operated with the specialists of NIBP; yet at present time such co-operation occurs on an occasional basis only.

TRUTNEE: - Are you planning to introduce an outdoor variant of your equipment?

ATAKA: - Yes, we are developing an outdoor system right now. I think,, the new system will be introduced this summer. We are planning to equip the new system with GPS – for easy tracking of the players.

TRUTNEE: - At present time Ataka is the most popular laser tag system in the countries of the ex-USSR. Do you plan to introduce your system to the international market as well?

ATAKA: - At present we are concentrating at the domestic market. But should we receive any request from an international customer we will be ready to sell our system to hi, too. Right now we are holding the negotiations with potential customers from Czech Republic and United Arab Emirates.

TRUTNEE: - Thank you for your answers!

25th ANNIVERSARY OF LASERFORCE ARENA IN BRISBANE

February, 2013: - 25th Anniversary of the World's Longest Running Laser Tag Site - Laserforce Brisbane - was celebrated in Australia.

When Laserforce was first established by the Kelly brothers in 1988, many believed it was little more than a passing fad. Now 25 years on Laserforce has become a multinational success, with 120 sites world-wide using the Australian made technology. "It's amazing the technology we have now compared to what we had when we first started" - Founder, Len Kelly said.

The original arena in Brisbane Australia has a database of over 320,000 registered players and it is still growing ever more popular with the young and the older for family fun, kids and teen birthday parties, corporate events and professional league. Please, Read more »

:: Lasersport Ultimate Fighter Championship ::

WILL LASER TAG GO A BOXING-LIKE SPORTIVE EVENT?

October, 2012: - LSUFC - Lasersport Ultimate Fighter Championship - is seen as a "1 vs 1" laser tag duelling, a unique lasertag tournament that can parallel a boxing or MMA event.

The produced during the tournament video may contain a polished event feel much like a modern televised MMA/Boxing match. Match ups can be edited as a lead in to the event, statistics may be displayed, a referee will announce the fighters, intro music will be played, winners will be announced, etc.

What do you think of such type of event? The opinions of regular players, as well as operators, are badly required. Please, Read more »

:: LaserMaxx Virtual EVO 5 ::

LASERMAXX PRESENTS VIRTUAL LASER TAG SIMULATOR

November, 2011: - Dutch laser tag manufacturer - LaserMaxx - presents an on-line laser tag game simulator. The game is done in a very realistic manner and virtually simulates their EVO-5 version of the equipment. The virtual player has an option to chose one of 5 different arenas (at present time; looks like more layouts will be added soon) and and may fight against his/her virtual opponents. Also, the players will be able to create their own arena layouts of different types. The game simulates laser tag game VERY precisely, with all the obstacles, traps, lights, fog you can find at a real arena. The official release is expected in the nearest time.

:: Poligon 64 ::

POLIGON 64 PRESENTS WIRELESS VERSION OF THE EQUIPMENT

September, 2011: - Russian laser tag manufacturer - Poligon 64 - developed and starts marketing of the wireless version of their outdoor equipment. Among the other features of the new version are: realistic sounds, use of two phasers simultaneously (the primary and auxiliary weapons), wireless 'phaser-sensor' connection, etc.

EAAPA MAGAZINE & LASER TAG

August, 2011: - The main topic of the latest issue of the published in Russia EAAPA magazine is the prepared by TRUTNEE.COM analytical survey devoted to laser tag industry. The survey provides the readers with the detailed and clear instructions on how to open their own laser tag facility.

EAAPA magazine is published by "Smile-Expo" (the organizer of the industry's biggest exhibition in Russia - ЕААРА) in co-operation with Russian Union for Pleasure Industry Associations (SAPIR/APLIA) and is distributed for free throughout the territory of Russian Federation and nearby countries. Available in Russian only.

:: Laser Tag Museum ::

LASER TAG MUSEUM

July, 2011: - The opened in 2005 to general public non-commercial Laser Tag Museum in Louisville (USA) has accumulated many materials of the history of the world laser tag industry – from the very dawn of laser tag era and till the present time.

Yet, to make the full-scale presentation of the industry, even more materials are needed - especially the laser tag products that are predominantly in Europe and Asia: samples of the old laser tag equipment (such as Reflex, Pulsar, early Laser Quest, Q-Zar ver.1-4, etc.), cool laser tag t-shirts, membership cards, unique posters, old manuals, flyers, brochures, informational video tapes, pins, patches, bumper stickers and other related items.

We are addressing all the laser tag enthusiasts asking for their help in creating the true world’s laser tag display. If you can help – please, contact either the ILTA staff (mitchlasertag.org / +1 317-786-9755) or TRUTNEE Administration (trutneenarod.ru). Your help will be much appreciated.