Lazer Zone

Founded by: Michael Dragos

Originated: September 30, 1984 Date Closed: June 12, 2009

Number of Locations: 9

Personnel of Note:

Michael Dragos – Owner and Founder

Kim Dragos – Co-Owner

Tom Wilson – Silent Partner

Bruce Vinkler – Project Manager (1985-1987)

First Facility: 2200 W. Lawrence Avenue, Chicago, IL

Equipment Overview: Lazer Zone equipment included a phaser which attached to a battery pack which was fixed onto the player’s belt. Players would also wear a head piece with target sensors where players would aim their tags to be able to score points against their opponent. Lazer Zone phasers were the first in the industry to include a visible beam. Founder Michael Dragos is quoted as saying, “We have the only gun with a visible beam, otherwise you don’t know if you missed by an inch or a foot.”

As quoted from a Lazer Zone brochure: “It’s played in our giant arena filled with laser Shields, Battle Towers, and power Stations…immersed in black light, fog and pounding music. Our arena has a red and green team side and is divided to make the game more fun as well as safer. Next, add our exclusive computerized game system with Video Scoreboards, Earthquake Audio, and Cyborg Game narration and you have the world’s best laser game. 

First, each player watches a training video to learn how to play. Then we pick teams and suit-up with laser gear. The laser has an information panel that displays power level, ammo level, and personal score. Each player starts with a power level of 7 and 50 shots of ammo. 

When a player is zapped the laser generates an explosion sound, the headgear flashes with an explosive burst of red and yellow, shooting is disabled for 5 seconds, and the power level drops by one. 

After 5 seconds the laser emits the auto reset sound and is ready to fire again. After 7 hits the power level drops to 0. Then the laser will not automatically reset. It talks and says ‘Proceed to Power Station.’ When you run out of ammo pulling the trigger generates an out of ammo sound. In either case… 0 power level, or no ammo you must return to your Power Station to recharge or reload. There is one power station on each side.”

Power Stations and Attack Towers were interactive elements added by Lazer zone around 2000. Players could enter their own power station and could attack the opposing team’s Power Station from this location. A team would receive 20 points for hitting the target that would “blow up” the enemy team’s power station. This would be evident from the resulting explosion sounds and strobe lights.

Laser Zone utilized forward infrared transmitter technology and is credited as being the first in the industry to use forward IR. A flash of light emitted from the barrel of the phaser along with the infrared beam. This may have served as inspiration for the equipment developed two years later by Laser Storm.

Historical Synopsis: Lazer Zone is considered the industry’s second laser tag system, as their first facility opened about six months after Photon. The first Lazer Zone site was located at 2200 W. Lawrence Avenue in Chicago, IL on September 30, 1984. Having lasted for almost 25 years they are also one of the industry’s longest operating companies.

Michael Dragos had only opened Lazer Zone 6 months earlier the history of laser tag would have been forever changed. But he didn’t. Dragos opened up his first Lazer Zone on September 30, 1984 at 2200 W. Lawrence Avenue in Chicago, Illinois.

Bruce Vinkler served as the Project Manager for Lazer Zone. Mr. Vinkler reached out to the Laser Tag Museum and shared that his responsibilities during his time with Lazer Zone included: “locating and evaluating potential venues for this active entertainment. Once a site was procured, he took each location from design through build out. General maintenance and ongoing development of additional features at club locations rounded out the work week.”