There was a time when video gamers were seen as nerdy and uncool, with an unhealthy interest in the weaponry and battlefields of Call of Duty or Fortnite. But no these are no longer niche interests confined to bedrooms and basements - in fact, it’s the new cool. Simulated combat experiences have come to the city centres of West Yorkshire in the form of laser tag - just as dynamic and strategic as our favourite video games, with the added bonus of taking place in real life. You can feel the weight of the pistol in your hand, take cover behind physical obstacles and set your sights on a human opponent. Another advantage is that something’s missing - pain!

But this sport isn’t just for the gamers who’ve spent hours honing their skills on their consoles. Everyone can have a go, and anyone can excel even if it's the first time, with the intuitive gameplay and variety of game modes on offer. And it doesn’t have to be an indoor activity either, open air laser tag is becoming increasingly popular, taking the action to the woodland, hills and valleys of West Yorkshire. Your preferences of location, game type and price are all covered here, so let the fun begin!

Where are the best places to play laser tag in West Yorkshire?

• Leeds: one of the key components of the Northern Powerhouse, Leeds is an edgy, energetic city with a gamut of laser tag experiences to match. Here you can find the classic sci-fi style of the game, set in a futuristic lowlight arena replete with smoke machines, sound effects and neon flashes. Alternatively, you can test your skills in an iCombat brand laser game. This is the closest simulation of modern battlefield combat around, with attention to details such as the recoil you’ll feel from the laser rifle, and the need to reload at the opportune moment.

• Bradford: escape from the ordinary in Bradford with a fantasy themed laser tag experience! Military mission, zombie apocalypse, biochemical warfare, you name it - you can live it here! With expansive indoor arenas and state of the art equipment, playing here will shake you out of your day to day routine and leave you hungry for more! Little ones can get involved too, in a specially designed laser arena, part of a large soft-play complex.

• Wakefield: known as the Merry City since mediaeval times, Wakefield is still a destination for anyone in search of a good time. Outdoor laser tag is all the rage here, with a woodland game zone complete with bunkers, towers and natural obstacles. This is the perfect place to come as a group: work with your friends as a team or face off against your coworkers in some friendly competition to enjoy the thrill of combat with none of the injuries.

• Huddersfield: the 13th Doctor Who, and the first woman in the role, Jodie Whittaker, comes from Huddersfield, but her sonic screwdriver would be no match for the laser blasters that you can get your hands on here. Compete with friends and family in a huge indoor environment to be the champion of the arena. With seasonal specials and midweek deals, you’ll want to come back for more after playing here!

• Brighouse: not far from Huddersfield, you can go wild in this game outdoor madness. There are different types of arms, from pistols to stingers, to suit all ages and a range of natural and manmade obstacles. In addition the team in Brighouse can bring the action to you! If you’ve got a suitable outdoor area, they’ll turn it into an outdoor laser arena and provide all the equipment for a thrilling laser competition.

• Castleford: this town in the East of the county is home to a sci-fi adventure that’s out of this world! An alien spaceship has crashed, and you need to penetrate into the depths of the cosmic interior to explore the mystery, and take out your opponents! When it comes to immersive themed games, this is fun on a galactic scale.

What kinds of laser games are available in this area?

There are game modes for every kind of player to enjoy. Battles in an indoor arena are usually played in teams, or as a free for all deathmatch. In general these games are 20 minutes long, so there’s no time to hang around in the bunker - take courage and chase down the enemies to unleash a laser blast that disables their attack. You’ll be able to book packages for multiple games in one visit, so you can work on your strategy and master the arena. 1 hour matches are also available in some centres, perfect if you want an immersive combat simulation.

If you’re playing in the great outdoors, there’s more space to cover and so the games tend to last longer. You can enjoy up to 2 hours on the battlefield, taking part in a simple shoot ‘em up match or embarking on a strategic mission. An outdoor laser tag game in West Yorkshire is the perfect bonding experience, whether for you and your mates on a stag or hen do, or to get the gang from work pulling in the same direction.

Zombie apocalypse survival, mission scenario, zone defence or vampire health mode, you can choose from a wide variety of challenges, each one guaranteed to get your pulse racing.

Requirements to do this activity

This is a perfect pastime for all ages, as it’s very low-risk when compared to similar activities like paintball which involve projectiles and impacts. This activity, on the other hand, relies on harmless infrared beams. This means that children as young as six can have a go, often using purpose built equipment which is ideal for their smaller stature. The outdoor version, as it takes place in a less controlled environment, usually requires that all players are over eight years old. Just to make sure that everyone’s having a good time, there are game marshalls, who enter the arena and keep an eye on the action.

You don’t need prior experience or any equipment to enjoy this game, just wear comfortable clothes and good, closed-toe shoes. You’ll be given the laser guns, and a vest to register hits, and in an outdoor setting you’ll have a camouflage overall to help you disappear into the surroundings. Bring a bottle of water and a couple of coins for a snack and you’re ready!

Step out of the ordinary and into arena, we know that you’ll step out with a smile on your face!