Star Laser Force
Founded By: Bill Lewis
Originated: April 16, 1985 Date Closed: December 31, 1986 (Assumed)
Number of Locations: 1
Personnel of Note:
Bill Lewis – Founder
Lee Weinstein – Technical Engineer
First Facility: 5810 S. Rice Avenue, Houston, Texas
Equipment Overview: Star Laser Force equipment included a helmet and chest pod with battery pack worn around the waist, phaser and a helmet that featured either red or green flashing lights. Theresa infrared beam could reportedly reach a distance of 100 feet and space-like audio sounds would indicate when a player’s tag either connected or it would sound like it trailed off if they missed when they fired at an opponent.
Historical Overview: Star Laser Force founder Bill Lewis was inspired by Star Wars (much like George Carter III was similarly inspired) and that prompted him to begin working on his laser tag idea with engineers. Engineer Lee Weinstein helped him to develop this system and the two opened the first Star Laser Force site in Houston in April 1985. Believing this was the first operational laser tag site, Lewis was disheartened when he learned that Carter had already opened his Photon facility in Dallas. “That was one of the lowest days in my life.” says Lewis, “I thought I had a unique idea then opened the paper to see a similar concept already going. It was a heavy blow to my ego.”
However, Star Laser Force had a significant impact in inspiring the technology and development of the World’s of Wonder Lazer Tag brand. Weinstein reported “The son of one of the directors of Worlds of Wonder was a regular at Star Laser Force, and that led to the highly popular Lazer Tag brand”.
Memories from a Player: Quoting excerpts from an email dated December 4, 2012 and sent to the Laser Tag Museum at that time by Star Laser Force player Allen Huffman:
“I remember having to walk down a long hallway (or covered walkway) to get to the building entrance. I remember hearing the Star Wars Creature Cantina song playing through bullhorn speakers my first visit.
The only thing I remember about the entrance area was a Gauntlet arcade machine. I do recall they had a special package deal where you got a T-shirt and game(s), which is how I ended up buying a shirt.
As to the game itself, after you suited up (in modified BMX padding with a two-digit LED counter on front), you were taken into a small room. The guide would then trigger a recording of a blast off sound effect, as we were being flown to the surface (or whatever the theme was). He would then push open a sliding door to let us in to the arena.
I do not recall how teams were handled, as I get things mixed up with other arenas I have seen over the years. Either they let one team out first, then the other, or they sent us off in different directions.
The arena itself had some very unique things. I found it far more interesting than the more high-tech, polished (but sterile) Photon arena that I played later. At one end was a two-story area that they called the jail or fortress or something. You could go up top and shoot through some windows. Did they have bars?
At the other end was a spaceship. You could walk up to it via a ramp and be in the bridge with kind of a console with buttons and such (kind of looked like parts from a submarine or something). There was a large “viewscreen” which was a (plexi?)glass window that looked out to a painting of a planet — Saturn and its rings, I think? You could actually go back there, and be between the painting and the console, looking out towards the game area. I remember this because if someone shot you through the glass, their light could bounce back and zap them.
In the dozen or so arenas I have played since, that spaceship and planet painting still stands out. I wish I could remember more details.
Star Laser Force was great fun.”
Another Star Laser Force player, Charles Peklenk has compiled information about this system on his blog which can be found at http://starlaserforce.blogspot.com/?m=1