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Assassin (game)
Encyclopedia
Assassin is a live-action game
. Players try to eliminate each other from the game using mock weapons in an effort to become the last surviving player.
Assassin is particularly popular on college campuses; several universities have a dedicated "Assassins' Guild" society, which organizes games for their members. Game play occurs at all hours and in all places unless otherwise disallowed by the rules. Since an elimination attempt could occur at any time, successful players are obliged to develop a healthy degree of watchful paranoia.
, first published in 1982, and different guilds tend to create their own sets of rules and procedures. As such, the specific style of play is likely to vary between one group and the next.
Eliminations (also known as kills) occur when a target is removed from the game because of their targeter's actions. Game rules always list the actions that cause elimination. For example, an elimination could involve wetting the target with a water pistol. Targets that are eliminated tend to remain eliminated. Some rules allow players to eliminate their killer (self- defense).
Airsoft pistols are sometimes used for the game, but not on campuses.
A safe-zone is a place that protects a player from elimination. Safe-zones are declared by game hosts. They are picked to maximize fairness and minimize disruptiveness. You can not be killed at any time while inside of Safe-zone. Safe-zones that increase fairness are places players are required to go and places players live. Safe-zones that decrease disruptiveness are places where formal activities happen. (e.g., classrooms, religious buildings, and workplaces).
Some variations have teams of assassins hunting down other teams. This allows the team to plan out moves tactically, and you only move on once your team has eliminated the entire target team.
Eliminations made in the presence of a witness (or witnesses) might not count and might result in the publication of the assassin's identity.
Game hosts might assign certain items to be worn or actions to be performed that protect the wearer or performer from elimination. These items or actions are called safeties. The safety can last for one specific day or last for the duration of the game. By wearing silly items or performing outlandish actions, players have more fun and can spread knowledge of the game to people not currently playing.
Some games have "police forces", often composed of eliminated players, whose job is to track down rule breakers. Some have time limits on eliminations and penalize players not eliminating. Some allow non-players and eliminated players to participate, acting as informants and bodyguards. Depending on the set rules, an assassin may even be hunted by a group—this is a good way to keep the finalists busy and ensures that all those in the group remain interested as well.
Generally, elimination is carried out using items and methods that cause no actual damage and, in many cases, cannot be mistaken by bystanders for real weapons or acts of violence. People have been arrested by the authorities because of these mistakes.
The most common ranged weapons are water pistols, NERF
-type weapons and Rubber band gun
. Sometimes, non-gun projectiles are used as weapons. Elimination methods often include throwing tennis balls or other soft balls, throwing balled-up sock
s, or shooting rubber bands by hand. Another variation is using water—one must get someone wet to eliminate them. This is extremely effective in a long-term game with many people. In some off campus games players may use airsoft pistols, but these weapons are prohibited on campus.
Melee weapon
s are typically fake stabbing
weapons. Melee weapons are more easily concealed than ranged weapons but require more stealth to employ effectively. Melee weapons must touch a player's body to eliminate them. Common examples of melee weapons are cardboard and plastic knives, spoons, and also toothbrushes. Socks are also used, though they can double as ranged weapons as well. Sharpie markers
can be used as melee weapons by marking on player's exposed skin. Stickers can be used as well, by sticking it to a player's body.
to the victim's food, the insertion of an upright toothpick
with a "poison" label attached, or a piece of paper placed underneath the victim's food with the word poison written on it. Rules might also cover "poison gas" or contact poisons.
Some variants allow "bombs", which may be implemented in various ways. Some require the bomb to "go off" in some way and hence might use alarm clocks or other timers. One technique may be to "e-bomb" a target by either using an e-mail or instant messenger to send a file to a target in order to kill them. This attachment may be a word document, audio file, or an image that shows that the target is dead and the assassin that killed them. Another technique is the "car bomb", where the assassin puts a tape or CD in the victim's car audio system. When the victim starts the car and audio, they will hear the assassin saying that they were just "car bombed". Another car-bomb variant allows one to shoot and kill the person while they are in the car, but, in order for this kill to be achieved, the assassin must be using the Nerf Rocket Launcher or equivalent. An assassin may also bomb a victim by sending him or her a package in the mail with a dart and/or letter saying, "You're Bombed." The victim is eliminated as soon as she or he opens the package and reads the note.
Other weapons include poisonous animals (usually a rubber spider, snake, or lizard placed within the victim's backpack or book) and various manners of simulated traps. If an innocent manages to find a trap or animal before the intended victim, there is no penalty; it simply does not function. For example, if a friend finds a rubber snake in a victim's backpack and reveals it to the victim, the victim does not die, but the killer is still in the game.
In a capture elimination, a player eliminates his or her target by coming into possession of a specific item. Capture eliminations are exactly like tackles in flag football. Some common objects used as capture objectives are flags, articles of clothing, and clothespins.
The winner will receive a substantial prize. Worthy of not just a physical prize, but a title.
placed a one-year ban on the Assassin Game. The administrators of the school placed the ban after the police had been called by a person who observed one student bringing a NERF
gun to class.
Currently, the University of Texas at Dallas
and Loyola University New Orleans
can call disciplinary proceedings on a student who engages in a game of "assassin, killer, or variations thereof."
On March 31, 2009, in Fife, Washington
, a Costco
, several car dealerships and small businesses were evacuated when a "bomb" was left by someone playing Assassin. Several local police and fire departments responded as well as the Explosives Disposal team from the Port of Seattle
, the FBI and the BATF. The bomb was a box "found in a flower bed, contained a magnet and a beeping motion sensor" with the words "bomb, you're dead" written on it. The "bomb" was defused. The man who left the package later turned himself in to authorities.
Currently, Hunter College High School has a ban on this game,and any student caught playing will be expelled.
On May 12, 2009, an incident involving the Assassin game happened behind a North Hampton, New Hampshire
, restaurant, where an employee spotted a man in dark clothing with a gun. He called the police, and the student in question did not resist but simply walked to his car and explained the game to the police. The man turned out to be a high school senior from Exeter, New Hampshire
, waiting for another high school student to come out of her job at the restaurant with a water pistol in hand.
Live-action game
A live-action game is a game where the participants act out their characters' actions. Live action gaming was created in 1978 in Branford, Connecticut, USA, by John Dillon III and Walter Gailey.-Play overview:...
. Players try to eliminate each other from the game using mock weapons in an effort to become the last surviving player.
Assassin is particularly popular on college campuses; several universities have a dedicated "Assassins' Guild" society, which organizes games for their members. Game play occurs at all hours and in all places unless otherwise disallowed by the rules. Since an elimination attempt could occur at any time, successful players are obliged to develop a healthy degree of watchful paranoia.
Game play
The Assassin game has several published variants, such as the Steve Jackson rules book KillerKiller (role-playing game)
Killer: The Game of Assassination is a live action role-playing game derived from the traditional assassin game. Created by American game designer Steve Jackson and first published in 1981 or 1982 by his own game company, Steve Jackson Games, Killer is one of the oldest set of rules having being...
, first published in 1982, and different guilds tend to create their own sets of rules and procedures. As such, the specific style of play is likely to vary between one group and the next.
Rules
Game hosts (also called umpires or referees) begin by advertising that a game is being set up and instruct potential players to send in their personal details. Once enough players have signed up, the game host assigns targets to the players. A player is usually told the personal details of their target as collected by the game host. The aim of the game is for players to track down and eliminate their targets until only one player remains. When a player eliminates their target, they get the victim's target(s). If only one player remains, the game is over.Eliminations (also known as kills) occur when a target is removed from the game because of their targeter's actions. Game rules always list the actions that cause elimination. For example, an elimination could involve wetting the target with a water pistol. Targets that are eliminated tend to remain eliminated. Some rules allow players to eliminate their killer (self- defense).
Airsoft pistols are sometimes used for the game, but not on campuses.
A safe-zone is a place that protects a player from elimination. Safe-zones are declared by game hosts. They are picked to maximize fairness and minimize disruptiveness. You can not be killed at any time while inside of Safe-zone. Safe-zones that increase fairness are places players are required to go and places players live. Safe-zones that decrease disruptiveness are places where formal activities happen. (e.g., classrooms, religious buildings, and workplaces).
Some variations have teams of assassins hunting down other teams. This allows the team to plan out moves tactically, and you only move on once your team has eliminated the entire target team.
Eliminations made in the presence of a witness (or witnesses) might not count and might result in the publication of the assassin's identity.
Game hosts might assign certain items to be worn or actions to be performed that protect the wearer or performer from elimination. These items or actions are called safeties. The safety can last for one specific day or last for the duration of the game. By wearing silly items or performing outlandish actions, players have more fun and can spread knowledge of the game to people not currently playing.
Some games have "police forces", often composed of eliminated players, whose job is to track down rule breakers. Some have time limits on eliminations and penalize players not eliminating. Some allow non-players and eliminated players to participate, acting as informants and bodyguards. Depending on the set rules, an assassin may even be hunted by a group—this is a good way to keep the finalists busy and ensures that all those in the group remain interested as well.
Methods of elimination
Direct
In a direct elimination, a player uses a fake weapon to touch his or her target. Two direct elimination types are ranged and melee.The most common ranged weapons are water pistols, NERF
Nerf
Nerf is a toy brand created by Parker Brothers and currently owned by Hasbro. The acronym NERF stands for "Non-Expanding Recreational Foam". Most of the toys are a variety of foam-based weaponry, but there are also several different types of Nerf toys, such as balls for sports like football,...
-type weapons and Rubber band gun
Rubber band gun
A rubber band gun, often abbreviated to RBG, is a toy gun used to fire one or more rubber bands .RBGs are often used in live-action games such as Assassins, in which they are common, popular and effective toy weapons. They are also common in offices and classrooms...
. Sometimes, non-gun projectiles are used as weapons. Elimination methods often include throwing tennis balls or other soft balls, throwing balled-up sock
Sock
A sock is an item of clothing worn on the feet. The foot is among the heaviest producers of sweat in the body, as it is able to produce over of perspiration per day. Socks help to absorb this sweat and draw it to areas where air can evaporate the perspiration. In cold environments, socks decrease...
s, or shooting rubber bands by hand. Another variation is using water—one must get someone wet to eliminate them. This is extremely effective in a long-term game with many people. In some off campus games players may use airsoft pistols, but these weapons are prohibited on campus.
Melee weapon
Mêlée weapon
A melee weapon is any weapon that does not involve a projectile — that is, both the user and target of the weapon are in contact with it simultaneously in normal use...
s are typically fake stabbing
Stabbing
A stabbing is penetration with a sharp or pointed object at close range. Stab connotes purposeful action, as by an assassin or murderer, but it is also possible to accidentally stab oneself or others.Stabbing differs from slashing or cutting in that the motion of the object used in a stabbing...
weapons. Melee weapons are more easily concealed than ranged weapons but require more stealth to employ effectively. Melee weapons must touch a player's body to eliminate them. Common examples of melee weapons are cardboard and plastic knives, spoons, and also toothbrushes. Socks are also used, though they can double as ranged weapons as well. Sharpie markers
Sharpie (marker)
Sharpie is a manufacturer of writing instruments whose products are sold in over 20 countries. Originally a name designating a single permanent marker, the Sharpie brand has been widely expanded and can now be found on a variety of previously unrelated permanent and non-permanent pens and markers...
can be used as melee weapons by marking on player's exposed skin. Stickers can be used as well, by sticking it to a player's body.
Indirect
In an indirect elimination, a player plants an object where his or her target will be eliminated by it or changes his or her target's environment in a specific way, as defined by the variant's rules, that results in an elimination. Some variants allow "poison", which can be implemented by adding strong flavors such as Tabasco sauceTabasco sauce
Tabasco sauce is the brand name for a hot sauce produced by US-based McIlhenny Company of Avery Island, Louisiana. Tabasco sauce is made from tabasco peppers , vinegar, and salt, and aged in white oak barrels for three years. It has a hot, spicy flavor...
to the victim's food, the insertion of an upright toothpick
Toothpick
A toothpick is a small stick of wood, plastic, bamboo, metal, bone or other substance used to remove detritus from the teeth, usually after a meal. A toothpick usually has one or two sharp ends to insert between teeth. They can also be used for picking up small appetizers or as a cocktail...
with a "poison" label attached, or a piece of paper placed underneath the victim's food with the word poison written on it. Rules might also cover "poison gas" or contact poisons.
Some variants allow "bombs", which may be implemented in various ways. Some require the bomb to "go off" in some way and hence might use alarm clocks or other timers. One technique may be to "e-bomb" a target by either using an e-mail or instant messenger to send a file to a target in order to kill them. This attachment may be a word document, audio file, or an image that shows that the target is dead and the assassin that killed them. Another technique is the "car bomb", where the assassin puts a tape or CD in the victim's car audio system. When the victim starts the car and audio, they will hear the assassin saying that they were just "car bombed". Another car-bomb variant allows one to shoot and kill the person while they are in the car, but, in order for this kill to be achieved, the assassin must be using the Nerf Rocket Launcher or equivalent. An assassin may also bomb a victim by sending him or her a package in the mail with a dart and/or letter saying, "You're Bombed." The victim is eliminated as soon as she or he opens the package and reads the note.
Other weapons include poisonous animals (usually a rubber spider, snake, or lizard placed within the victim's backpack or book) and various manners of simulated traps. If an innocent manages to find a trap or animal before the intended victim, there is no penalty; it simply does not function. For example, if a friend finds a rubber snake in a victim's backpack and reveals it to the victim, the victim does not die, but the killer is still in the game.
Capture
The winner will receive a substantial prize. Worthy of not just a physical prize, but a title.
Security fears
In 2008, the University of Nebraska–LincolnUniversity of Nebraska–Lincoln
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln is a public research university located in the city of Lincoln in the U.S. state of Nebraska...
placed a one-year ban on the Assassin Game. The administrators of the school placed the ban after the police had been called by a person who observed one student bringing a NERF
Nerf
Nerf is a toy brand created by Parker Brothers and currently owned by Hasbro. The acronym NERF stands for "Non-Expanding Recreational Foam". Most of the toys are a variety of foam-based weaponry, but there are also several different types of Nerf toys, such as balls for sports like football,...
gun to class.
Currently, the University of Texas at Dallas
University of Texas at Dallas
The University of Texas at Dallas, also referred to as UT Dallas or UTD, is a public research university in the University of Texas System. The main campus is in the heart of the Richardson, Texas, Telecom Corridor, north of downtown Dallas...
and Loyola University New Orleans
Loyola University New Orleans
Loyola University New Orleans is a private, co-educational and Jesuit university located in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. Originally established as Loyola College in 1904, the institution was chartered as a university in 1912. It bears the name of the Jesuit patron, Saint Ignatius of Loyola...
can call disciplinary proceedings on a student who engages in a game of "assassin, killer, or variations thereof."
On March 31, 2009, in Fife, Washington
Fife, Washington
Fife is a city in Pierce County, Washington, United States. The population was 9,173 at the 2010 census.-History:In 1940, it was described as "Fife...at a valley crossroads in the midst of a thickly settled berry growing and truck-gardening district is represented by a string of markets, taverns,...
, a Costco
Costco
Costco Wholesale Corporation is the largest membership warehouse club chain in the United States. it is the third largest retailer in the United States, where it originated, and the ninth largest in the world...
, several car dealerships and small businesses were evacuated when a "bomb" was left by someone playing Assassin. Several local police and fire departments responded as well as the Explosives Disposal team from the Port of Seattle
Port of Seattle
The Port of Seattle is a port district that runs Seattle's seaport and airport. Its creation was approved by the voters of King County, Washington, on September 5, 1911, authorized by the Port District Act. It is run by a five-member commission. The commissioners' terms run four years...
, the FBI and the BATF. The bomb was a box "found in a flower bed, contained a magnet and a beeping motion sensor" with the words "bomb, you're dead" written on it. The "bomb" was defused. The man who left the package later turned himself in to authorities.
Currently, Hunter College High School has a ban on this game,and any student caught playing will be expelled.
On May 12, 2009, an incident involving the Assassin game happened behind a North Hampton, New Hampshire
North Hampton, New Hampshire
North Hampton is a town in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 4,301 at the 2010 census. While the majority of the town is inland, North Hampton includes a part of New Hampshire's limited Atlantic seacoast.-History:...
, restaurant, where an employee spotted a man in dark clothing with a gun. He called the police, and the student in question did not resist but simply walked to his car and explained the game to the police. The man turned out to be a high school senior from Exeter, New Hampshire
Exeter, New Hampshire
Exeter is a town in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, United States. The town's population was 14,306 at the 2010 census. Exeter was the county seat until 1997, when county offices were moved to neighboring Brentwood...
, waiting for another high school student to come out of her job at the restaurant with a water pistol in hand.
See also
- Humans vs. ZombiesHumans vs. ZombiesHumans vs. Zombies is a live-action game predominately played at college campuses where players begin as Humans and try to survive in a story where Zombies have begun to rise from the dead. The ultimate goal of the game is for either all Humans to be turned into Zombies, or for the humans to...
- Killer (role-playing game)Killer (role-playing game)Killer: The Game of Assassination is a live action role-playing game derived from the traditional assassin game. Created by American game designer Steve Jackson and first published in 1981 or 1982 by his own game company, Steve Jackson Games, Killer is one of the oldest set of rules having being...
- StreetWarsStreetWarsStreetWars is a three week long water gun "assassination" tournament that travels to cities around the world. Created by Franz Aliquo and Liao Yutai, the tournament is based on the college and high school game Assassin....
- Vampire AssassinsVampire AssassinsVampire Assassin is a live-action game spin-off of the game Assassin. For additional information on game play, see Assassin.In Vampire Assassin, about 10-15% of players start out as 'king/queen vampires' and the rest of the players start out as 'townsfolk'...
External links
- Further information about Assassins provided by Sassins
- Assassins Guild Documentary directed by Gary Williams
- Killer on the iPhone a worldwide version of the Killer game based on GPS data (currently non-functional)