People had a game in Des Moines
They use the game "Capture the Flag" to Reclaim the City
Should we also have this game in HK?
From the
http://www.crimethinc.info/shop/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3397
And I am directed to this link through channel_zero's Xanga
http://www.xanga.com/channel_zero
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greetings everyone, from the des moines underground.
almost 2 months ago, a handful of us were considering ways to bring people together here in our fair city (Des Moines), and hopefully create a network of freinds who would otherwise not interact . . . We wanted people to interact as equals, rediscover themselves and their neighbors and step outside of their normal boundaries just a bit.
CrimethInc. Secret Agent Michael Bauman, organized an impromptu game of urban Capture the Flag to be played at the end of a local punk rock show. The word spread through the mosh pit and into the lobby and when we showed up to play at the meeting place. . . dozens of people; crust kids, high-schoolers, locals of all stripes (including a crack feind who would prove troublesome later on) were waiting to play. After a few games, everyone was cold, and out of breath, the drugged zombie had threatened a few players with an alarm clock and the cops had shown up (to tell us to stop bothering the man--we were trying to avoid him as it was) and left without any question about why upwards of thirty kids were chasing through parking garages with an upside down american flag and a jolly roger. We felt so empowered, we decided to continue it.
After over a month of gametime, we’ve learned so much about the power we have over our city and it’s emperors. We’ve written a comprehensive guide to the game, a short mission statement and a list of demands; we’ve set up an email address and been in the newspaper (the reporter actually played two games with us, and ended up calling the other team to cry “help, i’ve been captured by the enemy and am now in jail, you gotta’ break us out, please!” only to find he had called the wrong number--without even trying, he had now involved one more unsuspecting assailant.) We’ve come a long way since that first game, and we’d like to encourage others to start playing in their town.
For our promotional flier, we wrote:Capture the Flag is a game that teaches and encourages urban exploration, cooperation, affinity action, and stealth reconnaissance
Each game begins with two or more equal territories with an even amount of players assigned to each territory. Each territory designates a flag; flags can be anything you want them to be: a briefcase, a road-cone, a giant jolly roger, a half-burnt American flag, anything. The team then places their flag somewhere within their territory. The placement is generally someplace visible from three or more directions, within arm's reach of the shortest person playing and easily removable by one person. After placing the flag, the team then designates a Jail or Prison space where they can keep imprisoned opponents. Once these designations are made the game can begin.
The objective of the game is to capture the opposing teams flag and return it to your territory. Each team must invade other territories to capture a flag, the catch is that they risk capture themselves upon entering a foreign territory. If someone is caught in another player's territory, that player has the option of taking them to their Jail area. While escorting the invader to Jail they must hold hands with their opponent on the way to jail. If the escort releases grip, the invader can try and escape by retreating back to her territory, if she does so without being retagged she has broken free. Each team member may only escort one person to Jail at a time.
If an invader manages to capture another flag, they must return to their territory without being captured (tagged), if they are captured they must immediately drop the flag and be escorted to Jail. Only one person may guard the flag, but must stay 10 paces away. All other teammates must stay 15 paces away. If an invader manages to find the Jail and tag a teammate imprisioned there, he has initiated a Jailbreak at this moment everyone in jail may go free and must return directly to their territory. They may not be recaptured until they return to the territory. Only one person may guard the Jail at one specific time, and must stay five steps away from it at all times. All other teammates must stay 10 steps away.
The game ends when one team has captured all of the flags in the game and returned them to their territory. If more than two teams are playing, flagless teams may "recapture" their own flag and return it to their base, and must do so before capturing any other flags. Once the game is over, people may want to play another round. if so, it is wise to switch teammates and territories. Not only does this give people a chance to explore territories with different perspectives, but it also builds connections between players that would otherwise stay opposed to one another throughout the entire series of games.
Variations:
Unarrested: You can replace the flag for a person, which must stay in constant motion via escort through respective territories. This person has been captured and must be returned to their territory. Up to three people may escort the Arrestee and only one person may hold the Arrestee's hand. When a team rescues the Arrestee, they do not get free passage to their territory. The must return without being captured. Once their fellow teammate has been returned the game is over.
Capture the Bag: You can replace the flag for a briefcase or backpack and place it someplace public. The opposing team must infiltrate this public area and capture the "bag" and return it to their territory. Some examples of public places are: bus stops, outdoor cafes, playgrounds, etc. Working through crowds and public scenes remains a challenge for both teams, and incorporates the public into your game. A good example of this is when a team hid a briefcase at a table at an outdoor restaurant and the invading team approached the manager and mentioned leaving a briefcase at their table. When the manager went to retrieve the case there was nothing the defending team could do to defend it.
Things to Consider
It's important to make sure boundaries and territories are understood by everyone, it can be extremely confusing to attempt a game when there is a misunderstanding about boundaries.
It often helps to have someone acting as a neutral party and making some signal when flags exchange hands and the game is over. Bells, fog-horns, whistles, car alarms, and fireworks are excellent ways to do this. Nothing is more frustrating than not knowing when the game is over while trying to find a nonexistent flag.
When playing outdoors in an urban environment, it is important to consider the role of cars and streets. Nothing spoils the positive atmosphere of a game of CTF like someone running in front of a 4-door sedan going 40 mph. Some ways to avoid this are to allow "free passage" across streets or establish neutral areas around busy streets. Be safe, don't get caught up in the game and stop considering your safety or the safety of your playmates.
These days, kids incorporate all the "modern conveniences" into every aspect of their lives. It might be beneficial to address the use of cars, cell phones, or anything else that might be used in a game that throws the odds. Sometimes it works out to use these things, and sometimes it just ruins the whole game. On the other hand, it might be interesting to actually integrate something into the game, such as a cell phone to call a pay phone to distract the Jail guard in a jailbreak scheme.
Make sure everyone is having fun, and no one gets carried away, or angry. At the end of the night, it doesn't matter who ran the fastest or who made an amazing jailbreak, it's about the transformation a boring cityscape went under in just one night. It's about demanding some excitement from that dull concrete and corporate architecture. If you succeed at that, everyone should walk away from the game feeling more comfortable playing and having fun where they "aren't supposed to", less alienated by their town, or even inspired to carry out further reclamations in a desperate effort to inspire more people to participate rather than spectate.
Here is an article that appeared the Des Moines Register (local newspaper)
the Register wrote:On a friday night in the Court Avenue district, you will encounter bar crawlers, out-to-dinner couples and a smattering of homeless people. But there is a new contingent: teams competing in games of Capture the Flag.
“I think it will be interesting onve it gets warmer and older people start playing,” said Michael Bauman, 23, who acted as team captain March 4. “There are about 15 to 20 regulars and we are gaining people every week. Lots of people come back.”
The group doesn’t identify organizers or planners. Instead, word is spread through e-mails to freinds, postings on Web communities and recruiting interested passers-by leaving area businesses. It makes it tough to seperate the players from the bar patrons. The guy walking by might have just left a show at the Vaudeville Mews, or he might try to grab your flag.
“It’s good exercise and it’s fun,” said Katharine Settle, 18. “Something you can do late at night and meet a lot of cool people.”
The players set territories and a neutral zone each week. New players are informed which businesses have asked that players walk, instead of run, by their storefronts. Also, for saftey reasons, players must walk across streets with their hands raised. The players hope their respect for the rules will allow their games to continue unimpeded.
“Capture the Flag is not illegal,” Bauman said.
Fliers distributed downtown give a mission statement that includes, “Demanding some excitement from that dull concrete and corporate architecture.” Also, “We plan to demonstrate our rights on these streets every Friday until we’re introduced to every nook and cranny of every alleyway and every parking garage. Until we’ve met every neighbor of every neighborhood, we won’t stop playing.”
the mission statement reads:
We’ve lived, worked, studied and loved for lifetimes here in Des Moines. Yet, somehow we still feel alienated and intimidated by our city, and frankly, we’ve had enough. All we demand is the right to play in our streets: the ability to feel safe and secure in the town we live in. We plan to demonstrate our rights on these streets every friday until we’re introduced to every nook and cranny of every alleyway and parking garage. Until we’ve met every neighbor of every neighborhood, we won’t stop playing. We invite you to join us this Friday at Nollen Plaza for a game of capture the flag, we’ve been waiting to meet you and look forward for this fridays game!
Questions and comments can be raised to the group before each game at the plaza. For any further information, please contact us via email: [email protected]
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