Fugitive (game)

The game of Fugitive combines elements of a number of outdoor games such as capture the flag, cops and robbers, and Sharks and Minnows. 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 divided into "runners", "drivers", and "riders."

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Basic fugitive fundamentals – A straight line is not always the best route for a fugitive to take from Point A to Point B.

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. 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 driver's 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. The riders or the drivers try to "tag" the fugitives visually with a flashlight, vocally by calling their name or yelling out their position, or physically by touching them. 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.

In some areas the actual police are aware of this activity, and they have been known to deliberately interfere with the game. During game play, players stay away from main thoroughfares and exposed areas, so as not to draw attention to themselves.

In order to prevent legal trouble, players aim to avoid the real police by wearing dark clothing. Additionally, players tend to stay out of private property. Extreme players have reportedly played nude, as well as taunted police.

Note: While Fugitive can be played during the day, it is intended only as a night-time activity.

History

The only confirmed locations are where authorities have discovered people playing. It has been reported in cities such as Appleton, Wisconsin, Salt Lake City, Utah , Issaquah, Washington, Knoxville, TN, Longview, WA, and Kelso, WA