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Darkzone

Darkzone
Sport Darkzone
Founded 1999
No. of teams 22
Country  New Zealand
 Australia
Most recent
champion(s)
Western Australia - Knights

Darkzone, Laserzone, Megazone, Ultrazone and Zone 3 are a group of laser skirmish sites that use laser tag systems manufactured by P&C Micros of Melbourne, Australia. These systems and sites are sometimes collectively referred to as being a part of the "Zone Empire" and in most cases incorporate the word "Zone" in their name.

The names Darkzone, Zone 3 "Megazone" and Laserzone are more commonly used in Australia while Ultrazone is used in the U.S.. Canada is also known to use the Darkzone name. Not all Zone Empire sites are known by these names, even in these regions; some sites use the Zone equipment and have their own distinctive name.

Zone sites are in the business of providing both recreational and competitive indoor laser games (or laser tag). The games require players to wear vests, or packs that contain a number of infrared sensors, and carry around a laser emitting phasor which activate these sensors and deactivate the hit player's pack and phasor for a period of time. There are many different kinds of game formats, many of which are team-based and played with three teams total. In most cases the games are played in large indoor arenas.

Many Zone sites run weekly leagues in which players of various skill levels compete. Regular leagues are run in Darkzone Perth (WA), Laserzone (QLD), Zone 3 (ACT), Laser Realm (VIC) & Megazone (SA). There are also inter-site competitions, such as a North vs. South competition between the sites based in Western Australia, the two SE Queensland sites and the state competition for the Victorian sites. Once a year there is also an annual National Titles competition between sites from all over Australia and New Zealand. The National Titles has been running since 1999 and has had between 18 and 22 teams attend each year since 2004.

Vests, or packs, are strapped onto players, and have on them a number of sensors encased in clear plastic which are designed to detect the infrared light which is shot by the phasors. Six sensors are located on the front and back of the pack, on each shoulder and on the phasor itself. The sensors are surrounded by coloured LEDs which light up in the colour of the player's team. Players are known to be active when their pack lights are flashing. When a player's sensors are shot by another player, the player is said to be deactivated, and will remain this way for a number of seconds. During this time the player's sensors and pack lights are turned off, along with the player's phasor, so he or she cannot shoot for this time either. The player will be reactivated after a period of time that differs depending on the game's settings.


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