StarTrooper

Founded By: Mikael Widing and Per Widing

Originated: 2002 

Personnel of Note: 
Mikael Widing – Co-Owner and Co-Founder

Per Widing – Co-Owner and Co-Founder

First Facility: B1, Bldg. 316, Block 3, Xincheng Xiyuan, Wangjing, Beijing

Equipment Overview: StarTrooper was the first laser tag system in China. Brothers Per and Mikael Widing developed the X-10 system. As quoted from the StarTrooper website: “X-10 has 11 targets, 9 on the vest and 2 on the gun. Each target can display the team color giving a cool feeling in the dark arena. When you are shot the vest will vibrate and flash.” 

Historical Synopsis: StarTrooper was created after the Swedish engineers (and brothers) Per and Mikael Widing went to China on business for the American communication company Ericsson. However, they stayed in China and decided to launch a laser tag company. Originally, they contracted with a local Chinese electronics company, but were not happy with the system so they used their own knowledge of electronic engineering to develop the X-10 system. Mikael Widing is quoted as saying “We came up with laser tag because we wanted an indoor game to play in Beijing. The weather can change, but with an indoor course, there isn’t any fear of changing conditions.” StarTrooper operates in Beijing, Zhejiang province and Indonesia. The Widing brothers own and operate their own company in China called Widing Sports Development and they are credited with being the first to introduce laser tag in China.