Steradian Laser TagAnytime, Anywhere
So what exactly is the Chimera System?
The Chimera System is a group of technologies that work together to enable new ways for laser tag guns to communicate with each other and the internet. The Chimera System consists of the special electronics in the X-Series guns, a USB Chimera Hub to talk to the guns from your computer, and the LaserTagScores.com website. We group all these parts of the system under one name, Chimera.
But what does all that stuff actually DO?
The quick answer is that Chimera provides easier setup and control for the field owner and more game variety for the players. That’s just scratching the surface, though. Below are details of all the advantages of the Chimera System.
1. Long-Range Game Management
Each X-Series laser tag gun features a sophisticated Chimera radio frequency (RF) module. This RF module sends and receives data not just from the game operator’s laptop, but also from every other X-Series gun in range. This creates a “mesh network” of radios, where each gun passes on and repeats any signal it receives, ensuring that important scoring and status data is constantly updated across the entire playing field.
The Chimera mesh network provides nearly unbreakable communication between the guns and operator’s laptop. Whereas older game controllers have to be used close to the guns in order to set up a game, the Chimera System enables a field owner to set up games even when players are all the way on the other side of a forested game field or indoor arena.
2. Programmable Game Content
Previous laser tag guns have electronics that work like a pocket calculator or an appliance like a microwave oven; they can have a variety of functions, but they can’t do anything that isn’t programmed into them when you buy them. A microwave oven, for example, might have a bunch of different Defrost settings, but it can’t play tic-tac-toe.
The X-Series guns are more like a handheld game system or a smartphone with apps. They’re not limited to their factory programming. Instead, you can not only change the gun’s settings, but add entirely new settings.
Here’s an example. An older laser tag gun might allow you to change a range of settings, like rate of fire, ammunition, or even the sound the gun makes. But, what if you want a completely new sound? What if you wanted to play the game where your guns makes a noise like a chicken squawk when it fires? Or, what if you wanted to play a whole new game style, like making the gun’s shots affect only players whose names begin with the letter “G”? Simply choose the game you want at LaserTagScores.com and play! The older gun can’t do that, not without completely reprogramming its internal electronics (usually by disassembling the gun and replacing the circuit board).
The Chimera System’s RF mesh network enables changes like these to be made in seconds, as easily as you might download a new game into your smartphone or plug a different cartridge into your handheld gaming system. Simply download Chimera System games from the internet to your laptop, and then wirelessly install them to all your guns at the same time with a push of a button.
Your LaserTagScores.com subscription includes eight of the most popular laser tag game types (such as Team Deathmatch, Zombies, and Civil War). New games will be released regularly, and can be purchased individually; if your players aren’t interested in playing with (for example) Fairy Magic Wands, you don’t need to pay for the game. Look forward to themed games (magic, cyborgs, post-apocalypse, etc.), puzzle games, rainy-day indoor games, and much more!
3. Fast and Easy Game Setup
The Chimera RF mesh network facilitates all game management functions from a single laptop computer. Just install the Chimera browser plugin as described in the User Guide, plug in the Chimera USB Hub, and you’re ready to go! To start a game, use the drag-and-drop interface to select the teams and game options, and press Start. The radios take care of the rest: the guns announce a game start countdown, automatically turn on when the game starts, and shut off when the game ends.
4. Online Scoring
The LaserTagScores.com website is part of the Chimera System, linking your field and laser tag games to the internet. On LaserTagScores.com, your field or arena gets its own personalized page, complete with your logo, message, and an optional link to your company’s website. You can use your LaserTagScores.com page to promote your field and manage games, and your players can use the page to view scores from all the games your field has played.
During a game, when a player scores a hit, they get instant audio confirmation from their gun (“Nice Shot!”). At the same time, both guns (the shooter and the target) send their data over the Chimera RF mesh network to the Chimera Hub, which then uploads the data to the internet. Seconds later, any player with a smartphone can immediately find out who hit whom, when, and what the current score is. After the game ends, the scores stay available on your LaserTagScores.com page, enabling players to share and compare their scores via Facebook and Twitter.
Learn more at the Lasertagscores.com product page.