A Multi-Tag Experience

I can count on one hand the number of times I have been able to have a multi-tag experience playing more than one laser tag system inside the same arena, so I was intrigued when I learned what was being offered at Gatlin’s Fun Center in Gatlinburg, TN. This was my first stop on my recent southern tag trip through the Great Smoky Mountain region and it was (literally) three times the experience rolled into one arena!

The reason this site was on my radar is because it was listed on the Gel Blaster Nexus app. As GB Nexus is a new manufacturer in the world of commercial arena laser tag, I am keeping my eyes open for opportunities to play and Gatlin’s is one of the early adopters of their new equipment, which made me take particular interest.

I called ahead a couple of weeks ago and when I asked about laser tag I was told they operate Lazer Runner. That made me curious, so I asked about Gel Blaster Nexus and was told they alternate games using the gellet (gel pellet) projectiles in the same arena where they run traditional Lazer Runner laser tag. Inquiring further about the Gel Blaster laser tag, I was told it could be an option if I asked about it when I arrived…so that’s what I did.

Dan was the first person from the Gatlin’s team to greet me and I explained my specific interest in their laser tag. I appreciate that he and manager Kaitlyn were incredibly accommodating (southern hospitality is a real thing!) and as a result I had three distinctly different game experiences all in the same arena, which I think may actually be a first for me!

I had shown up in time to join a game of the Gel Blaster Nexus gellet game. That is the easiest way for me to describe and differentiate the game type at this moment. By the purest definition (IR signal being sent and received) this technically incorporates a kind of laser tag too, but let’s not confuse matters…I’ll just say gellets. When playing the gellet game it is necessary to mask up and be prepared for the ping of little projectiles.

The Gel Blaster Nexus equipment they are operating is first generation gear, which I am told Gatlin’s bought after seeing it debut at IAAPA in 2023. This is where I also first heard about this manufacturer.

We vested up on the lower level before moving up to the second floor.

As our group walked up the ramp to the upper level where the arena is located I took note of some of the key “intel” for Project Nexus. :)

The game began and we all chased each other around the arena, firing the little gel pellets at each other. I had a good time, but honestly my primary interest was in playing the true laser tag mode, which is a newly added feature of the Gel Blaster Nexus system. I would not have to wait long to try it out. :)

However, we shifted gears (and systems) in between and the next game was where they alternated in their Lazer Runner system. These packs are kept on the upper level and I went back up with a group that was ready to enjoy some more traditional laser tag.

Gatlin's has been operating some form of laser tag since back in the early 90s when they originally ran Q-Zar. They have operated with Lazer Runner equipment for at least nine years in their 3000 square foot arena. I was definitely excited to “go play!”

The arena is a classic Runner build.

The most notable architectural element in this arena would have to be the open, accessible hallways that act as additional side rooms where you can duck in and out.

Of course this arena design includes the elements I would expect to find, like base and sentry pod targets.

However, to see the Gel Blaster portals incorporated throughout the space as well made for a unique photo op, as this combination isn’t likely to be seen together in too many places.

While we were finishing up the game of Lazer Runner, Dan was preparing to get us switched over for a game of Gel Blaster laser tag. Since I have a profile already set up on the GB app, he was able to scan my QR code with a tablet so that this next game would count towards my personal arena stats.

We vested up and I took note of how this gear (version 1) varies a bit from the forthcoming generation of Gel Blaster Nexus equipment.

I find it really interesting to be observing the evolution of this gear from its debut (I first saw it in prototype form) to now. And I was excited to have this opportunity to play using the laser tag (non-gellet) mode.

Because I have only played GB laser tag once before, I tried to take mental note of all the information we were given during the briefing. Dan informed us that we would start with full shield strength and that this would deplete as we took hits. I took greater note this time of the objective to tag an opponent three times before a final deactivation shot. I was also far more observant about the information I was seeing on the phaser screen.

We started a free-for-all game and this really felt like a fresh experience! I had such a great time. With every tag that landed, the lights on the vest would turn from green to red, momentarily when a shield was hit and then longer once the player was deactivated.

And of course you’ll want to tag the portals too!

This honestly felt like a completely different game compared to my only other previous experience with Gel Blaster Nexus (1v1 with Scuba in Orlando) and I had a great time getting to play this system again. It is completely different to be tagging “out in the wild” as opposed to at a trade show demo. I enjoyed keeping my success streak intact. I can still say I am undefeated at Gel Blaster laser tag with a whopping two out of two games under my belt, lol!

This was a very worthwhile trip to Gatlin’s Fun Center! My thanks to Dan, Kaitlyn, Stevie, Sean and the whole team who made my experience so enjoyable. Again, I must shout out that amazing southern hospitality!

I know most people will never realize or appreciate what a unique situation they really have there when it comes to laser tag, but for me it was definitely cool to see how they incorporated the systems to be able to offer three different gaming experiences in one laser tag arena. If you’re traveling through Gatlinburg, it is definitely worth your time to pay a visit to Gatlin’s Fun Center!