Raleigh Wars: The Urban Assassins Game Begins Friday
Raleigh Wars is an urban assassin tournament involving the use of water weapons. Initially started by a group of friends bound by a common geographical area three years ago, it has since evolved into a regional game moderated by custom built web-based software. The new game starts this Friday at midnight.
To participate, you simply sign up online and supply some personal information. You are later provided with two targets chosen at random, and supplied with enough information to locate a complete stranger and “assassinate” them via a device with a self-contained water supply (such as a squirt gun).
The game has rules that each participant must abide by, and the game has a committee available via email to settle disputes.
The game is based off of the common Assassin game that takes place across several college campuses across the country. The idea is that you find someone outside of their residence, workplace, or any other location they may be and get them wet via a water gun or other approved method.
The game lasts for three weeks. At the end of the allotted time, all of the participants of the game are invited to the Assassin’s Ball. It’s an event held at The Manor, near the Rose Garden and Little Theatre. There are live performances by Acroentertainment (previously covered on several occasions) and by the great local band Lake Inferior. Additionally, micro brewed beer and food are provided. Last year saw a German Wheat beer and undisclosed cheap keg beer, garden pasta, beer and black bean chili, and cheesy burritos with a number of side items and snacks.
Above is a video of a “hit” taking place. I participated in the first tournament of Raleigh Wars a few years ago, and was assassinated in perhaps the most elaborate way (an event still talked about today). The person chosen to assassinate me was assisted by housemates and lied waiting in my attic. After being convinced that I should open the attic door (I’m still unsure of how this happened) I was immediately hit with a supersoaker, and thus, out of the game.
The rules, as listed on the web site, are as follows:
- You must reside and work in Raleigh to play.
- No damaging personal property or using physical force.
- No breaking the law. This means no breaking and entering. However, if you are granted access to the house then feel free to open fire.
- No hits on a target when they are at a location that requires their presence. This means no hits inside work, school, church, or jury duty.
- No hits on a target when they are in their bedroom or bathroom and the door is closed. Wait it out if you like but these are personal spaces and thus off-limits.
- Weapons must have a self-contained water supply. Examples of unacceptable weapons include (but are not limited to) snowballs, hoses, fire extinguishers, icicles, and sprinklers.
The software that runs the game was developed by those administering the game, and provides email notifications upon events (game start, new target, change of game mode, etc.).
Since the first game, it has grown in size to include people from all over Raleigh; however, in order to keep the game playable it is limited by area–it’s only open to those inside the beltline.
The entry fee is $10. Considering the fact it includes three weeks of fun and entry to party with live music, entertainment, food and alcohol afterward, it’s a great deal for the price.
06/23/2009
I would like to point out that the geographical limitation is also an attempt to reduce the amount of gas assassins in this game will consume. We also encourage assassins to stalk their targets using public transportation.
Just to reiterate, registration ends and the game begins at midnight on Friday (which is technically Saturday).
06/23/2009
Damn! Live inside the beltline, would love to play, but work in God-forsaken Cary.
06/23/2009
I’ll tell you what, we’ll lift that restriction. Now you only have to live in Raleigh to play.
06/23/2009
Would love to play, too, but live in God-forsaken Cary and work in Raleigh. Why not open it up?
06/23/2009
Seconded to opening it up to people in surrounding areas! Perhaps a radius of a certain number of miles from the center of Raleigh to keep it sane?
06/23/2009
Agreed! I live in Cary, but spend most of my time in Raleigh. I’m probably closer to downtown than most people in North Raleigh. Plus, if gas is a concern there is as much public trans to Cary from Raleigh as there is within Raleigh proper, if you look for it. the x-number of miles radius is a good idea.
06/24/2009
I’m sorry but this is Raleigh Wars after all. North Raleigh is also excluded, we limit to inside the beltline.
Keep an eye out though, in the late summer or early fall we will release the ability for people to create their own games at which point y’all can create a “Cary Wars”.
06/24/2009
Hey everyone,
I’m Josh Shaffer and I write a humor column for The News & Observer, (sample above), and I’d like to write about Raleigh Wars. Send me an e-mail if you’ve done it before and think it’s cool.
Thanks,
Josh
josh.shaffer@newsobserver.com
09/20/2009
I want to start this up in Houston, is there anyway I could do this? How would I go about it?
10/22/2009
Drew, soon my friend soon.
We have another round of beta testing or two to go and then we’ll be opening it up to the general public probably sometime around next spring/summer.
11/24/2009
I’m ready to play.When is the next one?Please contact me and let me know…Thanks alot.
11/24/2009
Devin, create an account on the site and we’ll let you know when the next game starts. It will probably be in late Spring or early Summer.
07/28/2010
How about Garner vs. Raleigh? Let’s get some water tanks and water airplanes in this thing, and make it a REAL water war.