International recreational sports laser tag and hyper grid come to Thiruvananthapuram

“Do you want to try this again?” asks Govind Ajayakumar — co-owner of Sector7 Games located in Kazhakuttam, Thiruvananthapuram— a few minutes after I sat down to catch my breath, playing hyper grid — a game, which requires the players to move on a 12*24 touch sensitive rectangular course with illuminated tiles of evolving colours. As I began, I was chased by a wave of red tiles. I ran, leapt and dove onto the blue-and-white tiles, to earn points, qualify and stay alive in the game.

Hyper grid at Sector7 Games | Photo Credit: Nainu Oommen

I had five lives, meaning I could step on the crimson tiles only five times. The timer was also set at five minutes, even though I went through all my lives and energy in less than two minutes. “That was our easiest level,” says Govind smiling, before he armed me with a plastic gun and armoured me with a black vest dotted with LED lights and censors.

Little did I know, Govind was warming me up for a battle at the gaming centre’s laser tag arena, possibly the only one in the city.

Laser tag, a global recreational sport popular as a “corporate team outing activity” in cities like Bengaluru, has players battling it out with plastic model guns which emit infrared laser rays targeted at opponents. The objective is to hit the rays on the opponents’ vests.

Laser tag equipment at Sector7 Games | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

“I have always liked laser tag and saw a gap for it in Thiruvananthapuram. We started working on the idea in August 2024 and began functioning on March 15 this year,” says Govind who is also currently working at a private company in Bengaluru. “Even when we go for team outings, I always push for laser tags even though we have multiple options like escape rooms or go karting there,” adds the 31-year old who partnered with his former schoolmate Ajesh Anil to open this venture.

The laser tag range at Sector7 Games is a dark room spanning around 1500 sq ft, with ramps and plywood partitions of different heights and fluorescent blue reflective tapes stuck on their edges, acting as hideouts. The players are armed with rechargeable equipment imported from Russia. They must be agile, alert and accurate while running through obstacles and taking down their opponents. “The games are physically taxing, and it can actually feel like a workout,” says Govind.

Inside the laser tag range at Sector7 Games | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Four types of laser tag battles can be played here. Best of best refers to a match with the players competing individually. Two to 10 players can play the game simultaneously and each will have five lives when they begin. However, even if they run out of lives, the players will be revived in a few seconds and can fight again. This goes on till they run out of time and ultimately, the scoreboard reveals the winner.

“Another mode, base station is played in teams. The players must attack their opponents and their enemy bases. For each hit on their opponent, they get two points and for each hit on the base, they get 10 points,” says Govind. In this mode, the bases are revived after a small interval and the players are revived at an area called the energiser. Another team game called control point includes capturing the three bases in the field for as long as they can while attacking.

The laser tag sessions are charged at ₹349 per person for 20 minutes. “Within this period, we give them a five-minute trial period to get used to equipment. We have given 20 minutes so that people can enjoy it thoroughly. However, with all the running and climbing, people are completely exhausted by that time.”

The hyper grid which has 10 levels and three difficulty modes, is priced at ₹199 for 15 minutes. Players can also compete in teams and against each other in this game. Sector7 Games also offers a few games to be played with a Virtual Reality headset. These cost ₹99 for 10 minutes.

“Ideally, we want to open more such centres in Thiruvananthapuram as there aren’t many premium entertainment options for young adults in the city. We are aiming for corporate team outings while birthday celebrations are also common in these centres.”

Sector7 Games is located at first floor, Soorya Enclave, Kazhakuttam. Laser tag: ₹349 per person for 20 minutes; hyper grid: ₹199 per person for 15 minutes; VR games: ₹99 per person for 10 minutes. Contact: 8921426693