In a world that seems to become more and more digital by the day, it may feel impossible to take a step back from all of the virtual distractions and find a unique source of entertainment locally, especially in the winter. Aside from the occasional trip to the arcade or movie theater, it’s often more tempting to stay in and default to playing video games or scrolling on TikTok. Thankfully, for Northern New Jersey residents, there’s a one of a kind experience just around the corner that’s well worth checking out instead.
Tac Ops, a mission-based tactical laser tag center, transforms the old way of laser tag into a strategically immersive experience. It’s the perfect activity for people of all ages looking to team-build or experience a new adventure outside of their own living room.
Tac Ops has two locations, Florham Park and Fairfield, and is owned and operated by Florham Park resident Armando DiRienzo. DiRienzo opened the Fairfield location in March of 2020, but had to shut it down just two weeks later due to the pandemic. Despite the original challenge, things turned around quickly when they reopened about six months later. The demand was so intense that a new location was opened just two years later due to the business’ growing popularity. Currently, each location hosts over 10,000 visitors a year with a third location in Princeton currently under construction.
Besides the immersive nature of Tac Ops, DiRienzo thinks there’s one other aspect that makes his business so successful - the staff. “People rave about our staff. We think that they represent Tac Ops more than the actual facility.”
DiRienzo, who is also a financial advisor, was originally inspired to create Tac Ops after thinking about bringing the thrill and strategy behind some of his favorite video games like Call of Duty and Fortnite to life.
“Our goal is to make our arenas very immersive,” DiRienzo explains. “In our Fairfield location, we have a bar and a barbershop (editor’s note: they’re sets). The barbershop smells like aftershave and the bar smells like stale beer just to bring everything to life more.”
Every game has the ability to be completely different from the last. “Just like in video games, every map is different at Tac Ops. We can customize our games because we have hundreds of options. There’s even weapon upgrades,” DiRienzo adds.
There are several different missions to choose from including capture the flag and an elimination mission. As players navigate through the dimly-lit arena, they have to take cover behind things like full size dumpsters to avoid run-ins with other players and constantly strategize their next move. Each role-play type game typically lasts one hour and gives players the opportunity to experience realistic situations as well as combat simulations.
“If you’re a big time gamer, this is never going to be the exact type of thing - but at least you’re getting off of the couch and getting a little active,” DiRienzo explains. “I’ve seen countless people work up a sweat by the end of the game.”
Tac Ops gives both children and adults the chance to get out of the house, get a group of friends together, and invest the passion they have for playing video games at home into a brand new experience.
Tac Ops is located at 373 Route 46 West in Fairfield. Give them a call at 973-532-5688
