Addicts to digital games usually become restless with them after a while, even when they are as hugely successful as Fruit Ninja, the Angry Birds and Counter Strike (CS). Sitting motionless in front of a screen takes its toll on most people and that is why more physically interactive, "real-life" versions of these games have proved such a big hit recently.

And the landscape of interactive games in Shanghai features the whole breadth of participatory activities, including intense, sweaty and very competitive sports.

Like a laser beam

Laser tag is mostly a recreational team sport where players attempt to score points by tagging targets, typically with a hand-held infrared-emitting targeting device, which looks like a gun that fires colorful lights. The device also records the points earned by each player. Each player in the game wears an infrared-sensitive, vest-like outfit, which makes the player a vulnerable target to the opposing team.

Since its birth in 1984 in the US, laser tag has evolved into both indoor and outdoor styles of play, and may include simulations of combat, role-playing games, or competitive sporting events. "In the West, it is seen as a weekend family game, whereas in China it mostly attracts adult players," Zhou Rong, the owner of X-Club, the first laser tag-themed bar in Shanghai, told the Global Times.

At X-Club, the laser tag game involves at most 24 participants divided into three teams, marked with red, blue and green respectively on their devices and vests. The players "shoot" members of other teams to score points. Shots mistakenly targeted at your own team members do not incur a penalty. Shots landing on the actual gun or waists of opposing players earn a team 50 points; those at the shoulders, 200 points, and on the back, 100 points. "We are happy to be able to offer such a recreational sports games to people who are usually couch potatoes," said Zhou.

Each round of the game takes about 15 minutes. "It's like playing a real-life version of the digital game CS!" Fan Yiting, a keen player, told the Global Times at X-Club.

Besides the laser tag game, X-Club also offers karaoke facilities and a lounge bar. Non-participants can also watch the on-going action on two big screens. The venue is also open for birthday parties during the daytime and on weekends.

X-Club

Add: B1/F, 366 Zhaojiabang Road

肇嘉浜路366号B1楼

Tel: 3221-0565

The great escape

The digital version of the Escape the Room game is a point-and-click adventure game which requires a player to escape from imprisonment by manipulating their surroundings. The player has to find a way to escape from a mysterious room which usually consists of a locked door, and several objects as well as hidden clues or secret compartments. The player must use these objects to interact with other items in the room to find a way to escape.

The real-life version of Escape the Room, however, is much more adventurous, such as those organized by the online community, Puzzle Tribe, who add a "vampire" theme into the proceedings. Puzzle Tribe organizes games every weekend in various venues around the city. During April the theme was two vampire tribes called "Ventrue" and "Caitiff" and the team decked out the rooms involved with skeletons, fake blood, and dismembered body parts. The players are given only one hour to figure out a way of escaping from the room using the clues left around by the organizers. 

Tao Tuo holds Escape the Room games all-year round. For example those that took place at Mao Livehouse last winter involved a format with no particular theme. All the clues in the room led to the discovery of one final key which opened the door of the room. Recent games run by Tao Tuo have been held at Haixing Square on Ruijin Road South. For details of future Tao Tuo events go to taotuo.net.

Tao Tuo

Tel: 5465-3465

People playing Escape the Room Photo: CFP

Two players taking part in a Ray War game Photo: CFP

Give war a chance

Ray War is the simulation of a real outdoor battlefield, adopting the low-frequency infrared technology used in military maneuvers with lasers, wireless communication devices and specialized data-processing software. Compared to paintball and BB ballets (which also imitates a real war zone), shots in Ray War cause no pain. Only vibrations, flashes and sounds are used to inform players they have been shot.

The Ray War organized by Shanghai Top-Outward is originally designed for ice-breaking events for companies as it only takes group reservations (more than 10 people). The players can choose from 10 scenarios to take part in, which includes jungle warfare, positional fighting and hostage rescue.

Professional instructors are available at Top-Outward so players do not have to worry about how to put on the equipment and how to use the weapons and communication devices. The "battlefield" is located in a wide-open, outdoor space in Sheshan in the suburban Songjiang district.

Contact the following game organizers for details of their latest events and venues in Shanghai. 

Shanghai Top-Outward

Tel: 6475-0889

Shanghai Ray Battle

Tel: 400-677-6093

Grand Laser Strike Association

Tel: 400-050-2228