Ok. Considering that I'll probably be able to grab up all the various guns pretty soon, I'll review the rifles, then the pistols, then accessories and attachments as I can. The first review I have will probably actually be on basic gameplay with no tech data beyond the basics needed to play with any gun and setup. It'll be basically a "learn game sounds" style review with game objective and mechanics laid out as neatly as possible.
Signed: Dakotah Rickard On 1/10/12, Charles Rivard <wee1s...@fidnet.com> wrote: > I don't mind waiting for a full review. I like the idea of separate > podcasts for rifles and pistols, and one being a game overview, but however > you choose to do it will be OK. > > --- > Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Dakotah Rickard" <dakotah.rick...@gmail.com> > To: "Gamers Discussion list" <gamers@audyssey.org> > Sent: Monday, January 09, 2012 7:42 PM > Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Laser Tag > > >> Turns out, guys, that I was wrong about the Phoenix LTX. Hasbro >> released it as the Phoenix, then Nerf, which is a subdivision of >> Hasbro, took it over and resold it without the neat accessories as >> something else, something along the lines of the Nerf Two-player >> battle system, but then they discontinued it. In short, if you want >> one of these, get it second-hand. >> >> Also, if you search for laser tag, you'll find a lot of stuff. Most of >> it sucks. Don't buy it. >> Essentially, stick with Light Strike. Yeah, it may not be the very >> best ever made, but it's really pretty good, and it's got a lot of >> roleplay value too. I'll point that out when I get the podcasts done, >> as I don't really feel like bugging my wife into making the youtube >> video look decent. >> >> That brings me to another point. Unless I get strangely lucky and I >> can get ahold of a pistol early, it'll be at least April before I have >> all three rifles and all three pistols. Right now, I have all three >> rifles, and I could review them, but I want to know what you guys >> want. >> >> Either I can do an individual podcast on each specific piece of >> equipment, as well as a sort of introductory podcast to the game, or I >> could just do a podcast on the game, then a podcast on the rifles, >> then a podcast on the pistols, then the rifle accessories as they >> arrive, and so forth. >> the advantage to the podcasts being on each piece of equipment is that >> you could jump to the piece of equipment that you have, or whatever >> you are considering purchasing. If I do it combined, I'll probably be >> more brief since there's more to cover, and it'll be a little easier >> to take it in all at once, but there's still the haphazard nature of >> the thing, doing the podcasts as the new stuff arrives. >> >> Finally, I could just wait until I have everything, including vests >> and the I.T.S., a turret device, and then release it all at once as >> either one huge podcast or as a huge project of them. The thing is, >> it'll probably be at least June before that happens. Good, because >> people will be more likely to be able to go outside in comfortable >> clothes to play. Bad, because you guys may not like the idea of >> waiting. >> >> Please get back to me on what you all prefer. >> >> Signed: >> Dakotah Rickard >> >> On 1/1/12, fred olver <goodfo...@charter.net> wrote: >>> This Lazer Tag thing sounds great. I think it could turn out to be a >>> great >>> way to introduce blind folks to gaming. >>> >>> Fred Olver >>> ----- Original Message ----- >>> From: "Dakotah Rickard" <dakotah.rick...@gmail.com> >>> To: "Gamers Discussion list" <gamers@audyssey.org> >>> Sent: Saturday, December 31, 2011 8:20 PM >>> Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Laser Tag >>> >>> >>>> Ok, would you guys prefer something long written and detailed or >>>> spoken and detailed? >>>> If you guys want a decent review, there's plenty on youtube, like I >>>> said, but I'd be willing to do another especially for us and from our >>>> perspective with our needs. >>>> >>>> Either way, I'll try for conciseness, if you guys want, or I can just >>>> write. >>>> >>>> Either way, I want to give you guys as much info as I can. As I said >>>> also, I'm not buying the LTX, because I'm going to buy all the Light >>>> Strike I can. >>>> Obviously, the LTX stuff will have less of a review attached to it. >>>> >>>> Nerf bought stuff out from under that laser tag company and changed a >>>> few things. I honestly can't remember what they changed. >>>> >>>> However, I'll do what I can. >>>> >>>> Signed: >>>> Dakotah Rickard >>>> >>>> On 12/31/11, Charles Rivard <wee1s...@fidnet.com> wrote: >>>>> While I probably wouldn't buy them they are interesting to read about, >>>>> so >>>>> >>>>> if >>>>> you want to do a more in depth review, I'd be interested. This would >>>>> be >>>>> a >>>>> great article or two for the Audyssey magazine! >>>>> >>>>> --- >>>>> Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. >>>>> ----- Original Message ----- >>>>> From: "Dakotah Rickard" <dakotah.rick...@gmail.com> >>>>> To: "Gamers Discussion list" <gamers@audyssey.org> >>>>> Sent: Saturday, December 31, 2011 7:07 PM >>>>> Subject: [Audyssey] Laser Tag >>>>> >>>>> >>>>>> All right, folks. I'm bringing this up because of personal interest, >>>>>> because this is a gaming list, not necessarily just computers, and >>>>>> because I seriously think some folks would find this interesting. >>>>>> >>>>>> When I was a kid, I loved playing Lazer Tag, that's with a z and it's >>>>>> branded. My brothers and I had loads of fun shooting at each other, >>>>>> and they didn't always win, either. My set was basically just a couple >>>>>> of blasters that you velcroed onto your arm with a trigger and a >>>>>> button, with which you had unlimited ammo, a huge blast you could only >>>>>> use once, and a shield button that gave you a dinky five second >>>>>> protection from damage and sounded somewhat like a washing machine on >>>>>> overload. The health meter beeped at a certain rate to let you know >>>>>> how banged up you were, and the whole thing was so simple that to call >>>>>> it accessible is a joke, because it wasn't complicated enough to be >>>>>> unaccessible. >>>>>> A lot of my friends played Laser Challenge, which was nearly as >>>>>> accessible, but it was incompatible with my gun, so we never really >>>>>> played together, and why should a parent by another perfectly good >>>>>> laser tag system. >>>>>> >>>>>> Well, Lazer Tag with a z and Laser Challenge all kind of flopped away >>>>>> like used fads, not for me but for average consumers. I've been >>>>>> looking online for decent laser tag style stuff for years, now, with >>>>>> little success, unless I wanted to pay out the nose on Ebay or Amazon. >>>>>> However, in the space of just a month or so, I struck gold. >>>>>> >>>>>> My mom actually pointed out the product while we were talking about >>>>>> toys I might get for my kids, just as a neat little thought. She >>>>>> didn't know how meaningful it was for me. She told me about Light >>>>>> Strike laser tag, a new system from WowWee toys, a reputable company, >>>>>> most recently, before Light Strike, known for Paper Jams products. >>>>>> >>>>>> While researching this awesome system, I came across the Phoenix LTX, >>>>>> now the Nerf Two-Player Laser Battle System, yet another relatively >>>>>> new system based on an older, more expensive platform. >>>>>> >>>>>> I'm going to give a very brief overview of what I found from both >>>>>> systems, and what I want to know is do any people on this list care to >>>>>> have me do a more extensive review, possibly in podcast or youtube >>>>>> form, of the light Strike stuff, which I've actually handled and am in >>>>>> the process of purchasing? I can add to the plethora of reviews out >>>>>> there, but mine would add a few from the blind perspective. If you >>>>>> like, let me know. >>>>>> >>>>>> Anyway, I'll tell you about the Phoenix first, then I'll write on >>>>>> Light Strike, then I'll compare and contrast. >>>>>> >>>>>> The Phoenix LTX, which I'll shorten to LTX, is a roughly $70 U.S. set >>>>>> of two pistol-style laser guns. They have a Nerf sort of look to them, >>>>>> according to friends I've asked. They host switches and sliders to >>>>>> control any functions for setting up a game, unusual in an age of >>>>>> buttons and touchscreens. the LTX supports up to three different >>>>>> teams, although the older, no longer produced, LTTO system adds >>>>>> functionality and complexity. The guns feature a built-in recoil >>>>>> simulating hammer that wiggles the weapon when fired, and reloading >>>>>> feels more interactive, as you release a false clip and then smack it >>>>>> back into the grip of the weapon. The only other control is the shield >>>>>> trigger, located near the firing trigger, which allows you to burst >>>>>> your limited shield throughout play. It may or may not, research is >>>>>> inconclusive, come with a shotgun accessory for each gun and a scope >>>>>> accessory for each gun by default. >>>>>> >>>>>> the Light Strike guns come in two different sets, Strikers which are >>>>>> like pistols, and Assault Strikers which are like carbines. the >>>>>> pistols and carbines are also divided up into Orange, Yellow, and Red >>>>>> sets, which are Human, Robot, and Alien respectively. These variances >>>>>> affect the styling of the weapons, arrangement of buttons, and voice >>>>>> of the weapon, but have no effect on function, besides comfort with a >>>>>> particular style of grip and button arrangement. The Strikers, the >>>>>> pistol form, are about $25 U.S., while the Assault Strikers, the >>>>>> carbines, are about $35, with accessories running from $10 to $14, and >>>>>> $25 for the targeting vests and automated turret, the I.T.S. which is >>>>>> beyond the scope of this overview. The Light Strike weapons feature >>>>>> several different fire modes, and the Assault Strikers have a reload >>>>>> button which resembles a loaded clip of ammunition already in the gun. >>>>>> The pistols are controlled by buttons to access different functions, >>>>>> but the carbine Assault model features somewhat sensative touch-based >>>>>> controls. I can personally use either with fair to good results. The >>>>>> Assault Strikers can accept four different accessories, the scope >>>>>> which is a sniper rifle augment, the Rapid Fire System, which is a >>>>>> machinegun augment, the refractor launch system, which is a >>>>>> shotgun/grenade launcher augment, and the enemy scanner, a radar and >>>>>> damage booster augment. The Strikers and Assault Strikers come with >>>>>> targets, although only those which come with the Assault Strikers make >>>>>> sound. >>>>>> >>>>>> The two systems are incompatible, but they have more similarities than >>>>>> differences. Both use infrared light to transmit and receive >>>>>> information, both feature the necessity to reload ammunition, both do >>>>>> not resemble real-world guns, both require monitoring of ammo, >>>>>> although the Light Strike Striker pistols are not reloaded, they >>>>>> overheat if fired too quickly, which works like a reload. Both systems >>>>>> offer accessories to enhance gameplay. Both systems use the guns as a >>>>>> target. >>>>>> >>>>>> Light Strike differs here, as the company also makes a target vest >>>>>> which provides a larger target area in center of mass, gives more >>>>>> health, and allows for pairing more than one gun with the vest for >>>>>> duel carry. the LTX is more technically perfected with a longer range, >>>>>> a less restricted fire rate, the recoil and ammo simulation, and a >>>>>> bigger gun-based targeting area. >>>>>> >>>>>> The Light Strike is more about roleplay and tactics. Which weapon to >>>>>> select, which subtype of weapon, as the guns all have several weapon >>>>>> types, augmented by accessories. According to a review by Urban >>>>>> Tagger, a reliable source, and based upon my own conclusions, the >>>>>> Light Strike are slightly more durable. >>>>>> >>>>>> I'd like to add one more thing. Both systems are quite accessible, the >>>>>> LTX winning out on that ground because it announces which team the >>>>>> player is on, which the Light Strike system does not. However, both >>>>>> are very easy to play. >>>>>> >>>>>> If you guys want more than what I've given, I'll either do it myself >>>>>> or point you to someone who already has. I've done plenty of research >>>>>> on both. >>>>>> >>>>>> Signed: >>>>>> Dakotah Rickard >>>>>> >>>>>> --- >>>>>> Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org >>>>>> If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to >>>>>> gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. >>>>>> You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at >>>>>> http://mail.audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. >>>>>> All messages are archived and can be searched and read at >>>>>> http://www.mail-archive.com/gamers@audyssey.org. >>>>>> If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the >>>>>> list, >>>>>> please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> --- >>>>> Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org >>>>> If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to >>>>> gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. >>>>> You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at >>>>> http://mail.audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. >>>>> All messages are archived and can be searched and read at >>>>> http://www.mail-archive.com/gamers@audyssey.org. >>>>> If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the >>>>> list, >>>>> please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. >>>>> >>>> >>>> --- >>>> Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org >>>> If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to >>>> gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. >>>> You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at >>>> http://mail.audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. >>>> All messages are archived and can be searched and read at >>>> http://www.mail-archive.com/gamers@audyssey.org. >>>> If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the >>>> list, >>>> please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. >>> >>> >>> >>> --- >>> Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org >>> If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to >>> gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. >>> You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at >>> http://mail.audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. >>> All messages are archived and can be searched and read at >>> http://www.mail-archive.com/gamers@audyssey.org. >>> If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the >>> list, >>> please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. >>> >> >> --- >> Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org >> If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to >> gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. >> You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at >> http://mail.audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. >> All messages are archived and can be searched and read at >> http://www.mail-archive.com/gamers@audyssey.org. >> If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the >> list, >> please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. > > > --- > Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org > If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to > gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. > You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at > http://mail.audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. > All messages are archived and can be searched and read at > http://www.mail-archive.com/gamers@audyssey.org. > If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, > please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. > --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. 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