The game of Fugitive combines elements of a number of outdoor games such as Capture the Flag and Cops and Robbers. In Fugitive, Players divide into two teams, with each team playing the part either of the "fugitives" or of the "police." Each of these sides is further comprised of "runners", "drivers", and "riders."
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Game Basics
The fugitive's objective is to run from a starting point to a finishing point without being tagged by any of the riders. The fugitive must remain on foot, no vehicles or alternate modes of transportation other than swimming. There are no boundaries as to where the fugitive may go; he/she can cut through yards, over fences, on roofs, through businesses, houses, roads, beaches, woods, etc. A time limit may be established for the fugitives based on the distance and difficulty, meaning they have to pace themselves in their travel. The drivers role is to transport the riders around town trying to find the fugitives. The riders and drivers may use cell phones or walkie talkies to plan their pursuit. The drivers may not hit the fugitives; they should remain within reasonable limitations of traffic law. When chasing the fugitives on foot, the riders must stay within reasonable distance to their vehicles, and must tag the fugitive with their hand. In some games, if a fugitive is caught before the safe zone surrounding the finish point, he/she becomes a rider, making the game more difficult for fugitives. Other times, the tagged fugitives may be shuttled to the finish point to wait for the game to end (if the cops have no room in their car, they may still have to continue on foot). If a time limit is being used, all remaining fugitives are considered busted once it is up. Once the whole group of players has convened, a new route is chosen, and another game may begin from the finish point. Often, five or more games are played in one night. There is no prize for being a winning fugitive, just freedom (glory, honor, and bragging rights included). Note: While Fugitive can be played during the day, many loyal players claim that it is intended only as a nighttime activity.
Variations
In some instances of the game, fugitives attempt to smuggle items to the destination. Objects ranging from cell phones to mail boxes to giant squid are all acceptable items to be smuggled. If a fugitive successfully reaches the objective point with a smuggled object, that fugitive gains a predeterminded amount of points. Smaller objects that are easily consealable are considered easy to smuggle and have a low point value in comparison to larger items. (I.e. a box, broken chair, desk.) Other areas require fugitives to be in teams. Teams can range from pairs or massive "unigroups." Teams are competing against another to accumulate the most points. Riders, or Cops, may also be in teams competing against other rider teams. Full points are awarded for fugitives, usually 10 points, while cops receive half points for a capture, like 5 points per fugitive. This concept adds an additional degree of difficulty especially if one fugitive team is familiar with a cop team and decides to inform the cops of other fugitive teams' locations. Another variation is the implementation of a checkpoint, or checkpoints, along the route. Fugitives are told at the beginning of the game that they must each arrive at the final destination point carrying a certain item that can always be found at the checkpoint. Common checkpoints are local supermarkets, or other well-known and well-placed stores, from which each fugitive can easily procure a shopping bag to prove he was there. The main value of checkpoints is the increased action they add to the game. If the Drivers and riders know that the fugitives must pass through a certain checkpoint, chances are there will be more contact between the Fugitives and their pursuers. NOTE: It may be necessary, depending on the size, location, and nature of the checkpoint, to also establish a "safety zone" around it, so that fugitives cannot simply be trapped inside a store or restaurant by "cops" standing at all the exits. -If one thinks he/she is a great fugtive, they can wear a goofy outfit as a handicap.Such as a bright yellow banana outfit. The game is known by several names. In certain parts of Arizona, the same game is often called "Manhunt". In Fargo, North Dakota, it is known as "Slip". In some places, it is referred to as "Commando".
History
It is still unclear where the name originated, but the term is commonly used in Kirkland, Washington (For games in Downtown Kirkland find Nick Duncan, Matt Carstens, Tim Leque, and Dylan Simpson), Prescott, Arizona,Cortland, New York, (Hamburg, NY - 1980) Redmond, Oregon Pima, Arizona, Bellevue, Washington, Issaquah, Washington, Oak Harbor, Washington(Home to former Fugitive Masters Robert White, David Marriott, and Henry Vasquez), Lynden, Washington, Mount Vernon, Washington, Richland, Washington, Chandler, Arizona, Omaha, Nebraska, Lake Oswego, Oregon, Medford, Oregon, Portland, Oregon (Where angry citizens ignorant to the fun of the game may chase down fugitives and point real guns at them) Olympia, Washington, Corvallis, Oregon, Cloverdale, California, Petaluma, California (Where Fugitive authority Matthew Brooks and prominent Fugitive Organizer Trevor L. Hoffmann both reside), Peoria, Illinois, Los Alamitos, California, Mukwonago, Wisconsin, North Prairie, Wisconsin, Sacramento, California (Where it is hosted by the S.L.E. and played by students of Rio Americano High School), and Sonoma, California (Solid group of fugitives including Ryan Hand, Sam Whittington, Dan Neilan, Max Scoville, and many more, including the Petaluman Chapter consisting of Trevor and Curtis Hoffman, Brandon Hughes, and Gabe Suits) where it is played by local residents around town even today, Ukiah, California (where the teenagers are said to be on a treasure hunt when in reality they are playing the best game ever), Santa Fe, New Mexico, it has also recently been started in San Diego CA at Point Loma University by the boys of Hendricks Hall. Fugitive has also been played a lot in Manhattan, Whichita, Salina, and Hays Kansas. It is rugged. As "Slip" in Fargo, North Dakota, it was played between approximately 1995 and 1998; usually from the starting point of the Frisky Goat coffee shop. Fugitive is also played in Tucson, AZ by a group of students from Catalina Foothills High School Fugitive has also had a recent uprising in the youths of Chattanooga, Tennessee, played on the streets of Market and Broad between the river and the Tivoli, and sometimes as far as Main street.
Hints/Tips
In some areas (such as Lake Oswego, Oregon; Bartlett, Illinois; and Tempe, Arizona), the actual police are aware of this activity, and they have been known to deliberately interfere with the game. In some cases up to nine police cars, including two K-9 units, have arrived at a destination. It is advisable to stay away from main thoroughfares and exposed areas, as not to draw attention to oneself. Skilled players need not worry about being caught by the real police for violations of curfew or for criminal mischief. A good fugitive should be able to avoid the real police as well. Additionally, it is advisable to stay out of private property to avoid upsetting the owner. However if you must, and usually you must, then make sure to enter and exit as quickly as possible. If stopped by actual police officers, have a story prepared. Some possible excuses are racing home before a curfew or meeting friends down town. Rail road tracks are often used as fugitive escape routes, but are illegal to travel on foot in most places. If train tracks are your mode of travel be wary not only of trains, but of law enforcement. Also do not run away from the police or they will call more police to your location to look out for "you" and they will try to stake out the destination
