Laser tag is one of those industries where, at first glance, everything looks the same. Colorful lights, futuristic equipment, fog, music, a scoreboard at the end — simple, right? In reality, anyone who runs a laser tag arena knows it’s far from simple. The difference between an “average” system and a world-class solution rarely lies in the big, flashy features. The truth is much more brutal: is the small things that matter. And nowhere is this more obvious than in the daily workflow of running games efficiently, safely, and without stress.
This is exactly where many systems fall short — they look good on paper, but when staff must actually use them, the cracks appear. Slow configuration. Limited access possibilities. Inflexible control. Players standing around waiting. Staff running back and forth to restart something that should have been automated.
That is how you lose revenue, momentum, and customer satisfaction.
Zone’s Helios and O-Zone ecosystem were designed from the opposite perspective: start from the operator, build tools for every scenario, and give staff multiple redundant, reliable, lightning-fast ways to control the game flow. Because in real arenas, no shift is identical, and your team needs the right tools at hand — literally.
Below are the key access methods that make a Zone system fundamentally different. And each exists because operators asked, tested, suggested, broke things, improved things, and worked hand-in-hand with us to create a control ecosystem that actually makes sense.
1. Midas Touch Control System.
The Midas device is the main gateway to the entire O-Zone control software. It’s not just a remote. It’s a multifunctional management tool built to handle everything: arena settings, game configuration, pack diagnostics, live control, etc. Most arenas use this as their primary control interface — because it’s stable, fast, tactile, and built for constant daily use. It’s your “command center in your hand,” ready when you need the full power of O-Zone without compromise.
2. Tablets: Mobility Without the Limitations
Sometimes, full control isn’t necessary. Staff just need to move quickly between briefing room, vesting area, and arena entrance.
That’s where tablets shine. They provide a fast, reliable, web-based touch interface for starting games, assigning teams, handling basic admin tasks. The advantage is simple: full control + mobility + speed. Staff can stand exactly where the players are, manage everything on the spot, and reduce crowding and delays. For high-throughput venues, this is a lifesaver.
3. Mobile Phone Control With IR Beam
This is the “why doesn’t every system have this?” moment. O-Zone allows staff to use a standard mobile phone as a control device — ideal for ultra-fast team assignment, quick status checks controlling the arena without running back to a console, game and vest control.
Even better, the included IR Beam feature of provided phones turns the phone into a rapid team-assignment tool, letting staff change pack modes from a distance in seconds. Minimal movement, maximal efficiency. This is the sort of detail only operators appreciate at first — until they realize how much time it saves.
4. Command Cards (NFC)
Some tasks shouldn’t require a full device at all. Command Cards solve exactly that. Each NFC card can perform an action assign team colors, change language, activate one-hand mode, run diagnostics, enable special modes, or even game start and many more.
Staff simply tap the card to a pack — instant action. No menus. No searching. No mistakes.
This reduces training time, eliminates confusion, and gives every team member safe, limited access to only the functions they need. Operators love it because it keeps workflow tight and eliminates the possibility of staff touching settings they SHOULDN’T be touching.
5. Hall Start Button — The Unsung Hero
Some devices aren’t glamorous but are absolutely essential. The Hall Start Button is the perfect example: a small, durable, physical device that lets staff: start a game, pause a game, abort a game. In a real arena, that’s gold. A simple, reliable button solves dozens of micro-challenges that happen every day. And yes — this is one of those “devil in the details” solutions that operators swear by.
6. Any PC or Web-Enabled Device
Finally, because O-Zone is web-based, any PC, laptop, or device capable of displaying a website can function as a control station.
This adds redundancy and flexibility: temporary control point during events, backup stations in case of device failure, remote access for diagnostics. No special hardware required. No limitations.
Why This Matters...
Most laser tag companies talk about features: more LEDs, different sounds, new phasers. But features don’t keep a business running smoothly — workflow does. Every arena has its own pattern, high-volume birthday traffic, competitive nights, school groups, private events, mixed-age sessions, corporate teambuilding
One method of control is never enough.
Zone’s ecosystem is built to let operators choose how they want to work, not force them into a rigid system that looks good in ads but suffers under real pressure.
Flexibility is not a luxury. It’s survival. And this is exactly what separates professional laser tag systems from the rest of the market the small things, the thoughtful details, and the understanding of what operators actually face every single day.
If you want to learn more about our systems — and see why so many arenas choose Zone — visit lasertag.com.