Laser Tag Comes to an Abandoned Mall for Halloween
Dreams of running through shuttered shops with a laser gun in hand become a reality this Halloween, as First Strike Laser Tag turns Tuggeranong’s South.Point shopping centre into a post-apocalyptic battleground. On Thursday, 30 October and Saturday, 1 November, the doors close to the public and the ground floor is transformed into a high-stakes arena for seven 45-minute team-based battles, running from 6:15 pm to midnight.
With each session limited to 18 players, participants don sensor vests, grab laser blasters, and navigate a maze of empty storefronts, loading docks, and familiar yet forgotten spaces. The aim is simple: outmaneuver the opposing team in a deathmatch that blends classic laser-tag thrills with modern storytelling and immersive effects.
An Immersive, Mall-Scape Experience
Co-founder Simon Heery describes the event as a deliberate step beyond ordinary laser tag. “We’re trying to make it immersive for people, so they have that real feel of running around a mall at night with mutants and humans battling it out,” he explains. The experience features blow-ups, costume elements, and a range of gear effects designed to heighten the sense of a living, breathing post-apocalyptic world.
What makes this setup unique is not just the location but the way the game uses the space. Players will traverse roughly a third of the lower floor, from the JB Hi‑Fi entrance to the mall’s center, while also exploiting empty shops such as the former Miller’s space. The loading dock near JB Hi‑Fi adds another layer of eeriness, giving teams a strategic edge as they hunt or defend positions.
From Backyard to Battlefield: The Birth of First Strike
First Strike Laser Tag began as a collaborative idea between engineer Simon Heery and Jon Yagos, sparked by a chance meeting arranged through a Ukrainian laser-tag equipment supplier. They discovered a shared passion for pushing laser tag into unconventional venues, and the Canberra scene has benefited from their adventurous approach since the company’s April launch. Previously, First Strike brought mobile laser tag to backyards, offices, scout halls, and even rented outdoor spaces in Fadden Pines, proving that the game can be both portable and spectacular.
How the Game Has Evolved
Unlike some standard formats, this event borrows heavily from popular video games. The humans versus mutants concept introduces tactical variety: mutants heal by passing through radioactive zones scattered across the battlefield, while humans carry more health and rely on medics to balance the encounter. The result is a dynamic, asymmetric match that keeps both sides engaged and strategic, with distinctive sound effects and in-game cues enhancing the atmosphere.
Battle Plans, Budget, and Future Possibilities
Tickets for the Halloween sessions are priced at $59 per person, with a 10% discount available to groups that fill a slot. Bookings have been steadily filling, driven by returning customers and positive word-of-mouth. If the event proves popular, First Strike plans to make it a regular feature, proving that Halloween can be more than costumes and candy—it’s an opportunity to test new, memorable experiences in real-world settings that echo the thrill of gaming culture.
As Heery notes, the concept aligns naturally with the abandoned mall theme: “Halloween’s a good test run, and the theme fits really well with the abandoned shopping mall.” With the doors closing for the night and a team of six-to-eight players per side, the event balances accessibility with spectacle, inviting both adults and children to step into a world where the ordinary spaces of a shopping centre become extraordinary battlegrounds.
What to Expect on Event Nights
Expect a busy but organized schedule across the seven 45-minute slots, with teams coordinating capture points, hostages or medics, and stealthy sniping-style chases through the shuttered corridors. The setup aims to give players a genuine sense of freedom and danger—without stepping into danger itself—making it a standout Halloween option for Canberra residents and visitors alike who crave live-action, game-informed storytelling in a real-world setting.
