How to Choose a CYBERTAG Game Scenario for Your Group

There is no universal scenario in arena laser tag that works equally well for a child’s first visit, a family game, a corporate event, or an experienced regular team.

Some groups need to quickly understand the rules and start playing right away. Others are more interested in capturing objectives, assigning roles, and developing tactics. That is why a scenario should be chosen not by its catchy name, but by the group’s composition, session length, experience level, and the capabilities of the arena itself.

CYBERTAG software includes ready-made scenarios with different game mechanics: team-based and individual, dynamic and tactical, with or without automatic respawning, as well as scenarios featuring bases, flags, Energizers, and other game events. Their parameters can be adapted to a specific venue.

We have put together recommendations for choosing game modes — from “Confrontation” and “Tag” to “Bomb Planting,” “Energy Battle,” and “Zombie Apocalypse.”

FOR FIRST-TIME PLAYERS: A CLEAR OBJECTIVE AND A QUICK STAR

If a group is playing arena laser tag for the first time, it is better not to start with complex modes involving multiple objectives and lengthy briefings. Players need time to get familiar with the equipment, understand how hits are registered, where the game zones are located, and what happens after they are eliminated.

Good options for a first game include:

“Confrontation.” Two teams earn points by hitting and eliminating opponents. The team with the highest score wins.

“Shootout.” The objective is simple: eliminate all players on the opposing team. Players automatically respawn and quickly return to the game.

“Tag.” When a player loses all health, they are not eliminated but switch to the other team. This keeps the game dynamic and is easy to explain before the round begins.

These scenarios help the administrator see how confidently the group navigates the arena, while giving players time to get used to the pace of the game.

FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES: CLEAR RULES AND EMOTIONS

For family groups, winning is not the only thing that matters — having a shared storyline is important too. Scenarios with a clear objective, noticeable game events, and something to talk about after the round work especially well.

You can have a look at:

“Capture the Flag.” A player must take the flag from the opponent’s base, carry it back to their own base, and activate it. The team has to protect the flag carrier while preventing the opponents from doing the same.

“Football.” One player receives a virtual “ball” that must be delivered to the opponent’s base. The ball can be passed between teammates.

“Zombie Apocalypse.” Players are divided into humans and zombies, after the defeat they switch sides. The roles are given again in each new round.

“Lone Zombie.” The zombie role passes from one player to another, while being the zombie at the end of the game is not good at all.

Before launching these modes, the administrator should briefly explain the objective, how to interact with the game object, and what happens after a player is eliminated. If players understand exactly what they need to do, the scenario is no more difficult than a standard shootout — but it can create much more excitement.

FOR CORPORATE TEAMS: ROLES, COORDINATION, AND A SHARED OBJECTIVE

Corporate groups usually get more out of scenarios where victory cannot be achieved through accuracy alone. These modes encourage players to communicate, divide responsibilities, and handle several objectives at the same time.

Suitable options are:

“Checkpoints.” Teams capture and hold ALDs. Points are awarded for controlling the objectives, so players need not only to attack but also to defend captured points.

“Bomb Planting.” A player picks up a virtual bomb at their base and must plant it at the opponent’s base, while the opposing team tries to defuse it in time.

“Confrontation — Base Capture.” Teams can earn points both by taking out opponents and by capturing bases.

“Energy Battle.” Each team has a limited amount of energy stored at its base. Players collect energy during encounters, deliver it to their own base, and can reduce the opponent’s energy supply.

These modes naturally create different roles: players can defend the base, escort the teammate carrying an important objective, distract opponents, or attack a control point. After the match, the team has plenty to discuss — not just the final score, but also the decisions and tactics that shaped the game.

FOR REGULAR PLAYERS: RISK, TACTICS, AND COMPETITION

For regular players, the challenge is to get a new experience on a familiar arena. For them, you can use scenarios where the survival conditions, the consequences of mistakes, or the rules of interaction between players change.

For example:

“Rating Battle.” Everyone plays for themselves. When a player is eliminated, they lose points, while successfully eliminating an opponent helps restore health.

“Last Hero.” After being eliminated, a player leaves the current round. The last surviving player receives an additional rating bonus.

“One Shot.” Each player has only one health point, making every hit decisive.

“Chaos.” Players do not know who their allies are: all teams use the same basic color, and team affiliation can only be determined by how the equipment reacts when a player is hit.

“Radiation.” During the game, ALDs become dangerous one after another, the safe area gradually shrinks, and the match ends in a fight for survival.

These scenarios require a more detailed briefing and a preliminary test on the actual arena. The rules should be challenging because of the gameplay — not because they are difficult to explain clearly.

HOW TO TAKE THE ARENA’S CAPABILITIES INTO ACCOUNT

Choosing a scenario depends not only on the group. Before launching the game, check:

• the number of players in the session;
• the age and experience of the players;
• the duration of the game;
• the number of available ALDs and Energizers;
• the location of the devices;
• player routes and visibility of objectives;
• the administrator’s ability to explain the rules and control the match.

HOW TO BUILD A PROGRAM FOR A SINGLE VISIT

A single session doesn't necessarily have to consist of identical rounds. A more interesting option is to gradually increase the difficulty.

YOU CAN USE THIS SEQUENCE:

Start with a Confrontation or Shootout to get the group comfortable.

Go to Capture the Flag, Football, or Checkpoints to add a general objective.

Finish with an emotionally intense scenario such as “Zombie Apocalypse,” “Chaos,” or “Last Hero.”

That’s how the players first understand the basic rules, then try out team tactics, and ultimately end up with a scenario they'll want to discuss and repeat the next time they visit.

The main advantage of CYBERTAG scenarios not in the great amount of modes. It's that the same arena can offer a variety of gaming experiences: introduce newcomers, engage families, unite corporate teams, and maintain the interest of regular players.