Ender’s Game was to me, my brothers, and my friends what the Harry Potter series was to a new generation of readers. The sci-fi book captured our imagination and ignited a love of reading. One of the highlights is a battle game the characters play that is similar to laser tag . . . only it is played in a zero-gravity environment, and when a player is shot his suit is immobilized for the remainder of the game. Even with gravity and low-tech clothing at play, I still imagine I’m a character in the book any time I play a round of laser tag with the kids.

The Book

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Title: Ender’s Game

Author: Orson Scott Card

Recommended Age: 9-12

Book Brief: Once again, the Earth is under attack. Alien “buggers” are poised for a final assault. The survival of the human species depends on a military genius who can defeat the buggers.

But who?

Ender Wiggin. Brilliant. Ruthless. Cunning. A tactical and strategic master. And a child.

Recruited for military training by the world government, Ender’s childhood ends the moment he enters his new home: Battleschool. Among the elite recruits Ender proves himself to be a genius among geniuses. In simulated war games he excels. But is the pressure and loneliness taking its toll on Ender? Simulations are one thing. How will Ender perform in real combat conditions? After all, Battleschool is just a game.

Right?

About the Author: Orson Scott Card is the author of the novels Ender’s Game, Ender’s Shadow, and Speaker for the Dead, which are widely read by adults and younger readers, and are increasingly used in schools.

Besides these and other science fiction novels, Card writes contemporary fantasy (Magic Street, Enchantment, Lost Boys), biblical novels (Stone Tables, Rachel and Leah), the American frontier fantasy series The Tales of Alvin Maker (beginning with Seventh Son), poetry (An Open Book), and many plays and scripts.

Card was born in Washington and grew up in California, Arizona, and Utah. He served a mission for the LDS Church in Brazil in the early 1970s. Besides his writing, he teaches occasional classes and workshops and directs plays. He recently began a long-term position as a professor of writing and literature at Southern Virginia University.

Card currently lives in Greensboro, North Carolina, with his wife, Kristine Allen Card, and their youngest child, Zina Margaret. Learn more about Card and his works by visiting his official website at http://www.hatrack.com/.

The Blast

Stratum Laser Tag

Location:

1455 S. Stapley Drive
Mesa, Arizona 85204

480.545.5500

Cost: $7.99 per person, per game (see below for specials)

Hours of Operation:

Mon, Wed, Thurs – 4:30pm to 9pm

Fri – 4pm to midnight

Sat – 12pm to midnight

Sun – 1pm to 6pm

It’s a Blast! Okay, we get it. You’re not willing to admit that you get a kick out of laser tag because it’s too dorky. That’s perfectly fine . . . just use your kids as an excuse.

Laser tag can be a ton of fun, but we’ve found that it’s much more enjoyable at a center dedicated to this form of entertainment. When a go-kart center or arcade happens to throw a laser tag arena together, it just doesn’t make for the same sort of experience. Stratum happens to be one of the largest arenas in the world, and is one of the best laser tag experiences available. As this is a dying form of entertainment, there is a reason that Stratum still has its doors open.

From their website (at stratumhq.com): “Stratum opened on November 26, 1999. Stratum Lasertag is the World’s Largest Technotainment Laser Tag Arena and Entertainment Center. It is an incredible facility featuring design work from EME Entertainment Design, creators of Caesars Palace Forum Shops and Moving Statues, the Earthquake Dam Ride at Universal Studios, Universal Studios in Japan, as well as many other prominent entertainment designs nationally and internationally recognized. Stratum’s 18,000 square foot full-service entertainment facility includes a 13,000 square foot laser tag arena with 15 different levels 2′ to 20′ in height, 90 towers, bridges, and ramps equipped with 60 vests and phasers. The lasertag arena features a state of the art sound system and amazing light show complete with theatrical lighting, strobe lights, black lights, and more! We also have The Black Hole Time Travel Simulator. The laser tag arena is filled with the 3-D artwork of the country’s foremost arena artist as well. Stratum Laser Tag is a true entertainment destination!”

Extra tips for a Good Time:

• Take advantage of multiple-game discounts. Your kids will use one game to get comfortable with the equipment and arena as well as develop a strategy . . . then they’ll get intense for the next game. (On most days 2 games cost $13.99, 3 games cost $16.99, and 4 games cost $19.99. Also, you can play as much as you can pack in on Thursday evenings for just $14.99!)
• Go with a group. Laser tag is lame when you play solo. The more people you know in the game, the more fun it will be. Stratum recommends calling to make reservations if you plan to have more than 5 people in your group.
• Call ahead to make sure that the night you plan to play isn’t considered a popular night for the “pros”. Your kids won’t enjoy playing with the 30-year-olds dressed in camo and sporting black face paint.
• Wear dark clothing. The lights on your pack will be plenty to make sure nobody runs into you. But your favorite white shirt is like a bulls eye to everyone else in the game.