Now these are the Laws of the Jungle, and many and mighty are they;
But the head and hoof of the Law and the haunch and the hump is
- Obey!
1.0 INTRODUCTION:
Killer is a mock combat game for a large number of players. Each person
has to try to survive whilst everyone else is 'killed'. The game shall
be open to people who live for much of the time within a five mile radius
of Great St. Mary's Church in Cambridge city centre.
These rules are for the May Week 2002 game, and as such, the rules are
different from normal games of Killer.
The game will run from midnight on 13th/14th June to seven days later,
midnight on 2Oth/21st.
1.1 PREPARATION:
Everyone who wishes to play should provide the Umpire with:
-
Full name (and optional pseudonym)
-
College (or Department if applicable) and address in Cambridge
-
E-mail address (full if not @cam.ac.uk, although this is strongly preferred)
-
Your official address and if different the address at which you will be
living (ie sleeping and spending a reasonable number of hours at) during
the course of the game. In this game this will be published on the web
page, to prevent unfair advantage to those at colleges where the porters
refuse to give out room numbers. Any player with a real-life psychopath
trying to kill you, explain to the Umpire and you will be excused [The
Umpire also stresses that these players should seek psychiatric and/or
(real) police help].
-
If you live relatively far from the city centre, brief details of city
centre visits that you regularly make. The Umpire shall use his discretion
in deciding which details to pass on to the assassins. The aim is to involve
outliers more in the game, since trekking out to Girton to kill a target
is usually only done by a few of the keenest players. College/Departmental
computer rooms or offices are not valid city centre visits.
-
Water Weapons category. Possible room categorisations:
-
No Water Weapons Zone: Default state ; also non-messy weapons (eg silly
string, artificial snow, flour, confettis) zone
-
Water Weapons with Care: No waterbombs. No heavy calibre. Medium calibre
guns (SS50, XP70, XP270, which are single-barrelled guns of up to about
a foot in length) are only ok if used accurately to hit the target. Small
Calibre is ok. If you choose this option, list any delicate items in particular
to avoid (e.g. computer, expensive hi-fi, TV, etc.)
-
World War 3: Full-scale war allowed. Even so... Avoid unnecessary abuse
of firepower on the room. i.e. Be sensible and professionally accurate.
Inanimate objects usually don't strike back.
Anyone found to have supplied false details to the Umpire will be disqualified,
but I'm sure it's not necessary to say that.
1.2 PRELIMINARIES:
-
For any deliberate breach of the rules a player may be given a warning
and, in serious cases, disqualified from playing. Other
disciplinary measures may be taken at the Umpire's discretion.
For serious blunders a player may have a bounty set on his/her head. The amount of
reward will be determined by the Umpire. Details of this will be published on a relevant page.
-
The spirit of the rules is more important than the actual rules themselves.
Rules are made to be bent here and there. However, exploiting possible
loopholes might not be tolerated - at least not for long.
-
Participants may have non-player accomplices. You are responsible for the
conduct and safety of your accomplices - getting them killed intentionally
might yield nasty results. If killed, accomplices respawn every four hours.
Targets cannot be assassinated by an accomplice.
-
In general, a victim is not dead unless they know about it. No weapon can
be considered to have any effect unless it actually does something (the
more dramatic the better!). Guns have an effect if you point them and say
'BANG', but only if you are at point blank range (i.e. less than one metre).
In this game, the victim also needs to know who killed him/her.
-
No one may attempt to impersonate the Umpire (either in person or through
messages, etc.). Taking or attempting to read items in the Umpire's pigeon-hole,
or trying to hack into the Umpire's or any player's computer accounts,
is also strictly forbidden.
-
Exercise common sense. Players are *entirely* responsible for their behaviour.
In particular, avoid inconveniencing other people.
-
Players are expected to report all kill attempts they make, and
also any attempts on their own life. Feel free to dramatise the events
in your report.
-
This game depends on trust and gentlemanly/womanly conduct. Please be honest
about whether or not you are dead. Honour amongst murderers and all that....
-
This game is NOT about brute force. Knocking people over or forcing your
way through doors against the will of whoever is trying to close them just
because you're a lot bigger than them is not acceptable. Likewise it is
not about knocking weapons out of other people's hands. A gentle tap with
a cosh has that effect.
-
Death is instantaneous on being critically shot or
struck. The victim has no time to "get even". If it's very close as to
who hit who first, you should resolve the issue on the spot, if necessary
having a second shoot out to decide. During such shoot outs you're immuned
to being killed by any of the other players. Once it is decided who is
dead, the winner can be killed by other players. The loser resurrects 4hrs
after the original incident. Note however that poison has a five
second delay which can be used to fight back.
-
In case of a siege, either the attacking party or
the one besieged may propose a duel to be fought with whatever weapons
they prefer. If a duel is proposed and agreed to, both players are immune
to being killed by others for approximately fifteen minutes. If the duelists fail to
resolve the winner during this time, a no-kill zone is no longer in effect
and both can then be killed by other players. In other words, duels should
be resolved on the spot, one (or both) of the duelists must be killed,
and the survivor will have a chance to go away unharmed, provided the fifteen-minute
time limit has not been exceeded.
-
Suicides are not allowed. If for some reason you wish to be removed from
the game, you should contact the Umpire.
-
Dead players (and accomplices) remain dead until they are officially resurrected by the Umpire
as reported on the web page. This usually happens after four hours.
-
It is a serious offence to impersonate porters/bedders/cleaners when knocking
on players' doors. The player may be inclined to disbelieve the person
knocking and this may be a problem if university officials are really
knocking on their door.
-
There should be no real life threatening behaviour towards other
assassins you meet.
-
You are advised to use common sense in all game-related activities.
In particular, avoid inconveniencing non-players, especially members of
college staff and porters.
-
For reasons of general safety, in this game a special code word (ceasefire)
will be in use. Upon being said by an assassin/active accomplice, players are immediately
required to hide all weaponry and, if applicable, leave the premises. Some situations where
a ceasefire can be called are porterial interventions, injuries, spotting the university security
heading your way etc. This measure is for emergency situations only and should not be lightly
used.
-
Excessive pedantry is likely to annoy the Umpire. You've been warned.
2.0 AIMS:
-
The main aim of the game is for everyone concerned to have a good time.
-
The aim of each player is to kill as many other players as possible while
staying alive.
3.0 VICTIMS:
Every player is a valid target for this game. Consult the game web page
for a list.
4.0 WEAPONS:
The following gives an outline of the various weapons which can be used
against enemies. It is not an exhaustive list and players are encouraged
to use their imagination. However, any weapon not listed below must
be patented with the Umpire. It is up to the discretion of the Umpire whether
a player using an unauthorized weapon has killed the victim. So do check
with the Umpire before charging into battle using your latest creation.
Weapons that have been patented in a past game must still be patented again
with the new Umpire. In general weapons must
-
be completely safe to people and property.
-
actually DO something, to indicate to the victim that he/she has been killed.
Ideally they should be specific to the victim - killing bystanders is to
be avoided if possible, even when the effect is harmless.
Indirect kills are not permitted during the May Week game. This includes
bombs, contact poison, etc.
Weapons marked (*) in the following list should be used with extra care.
-
Guns
-
If using water weapons, you must get
a definite hit with the main jet. If you just splash them with water (e.g.
at extreme range or out of ammo) then it is only a flesh wound - they can
carry on as normal. If they are hit in the head or torso then they are
killed instantaneously.
If you have delegated you room a No Water Weapons Zone, it then automatically
becomes ILLEGAL to use any water-based weapons in the room. Note that other
non-messy weapons may still be used. The disadvantage is that you may not
fire a water pistol OUT of such a room.
Water pistols may not be used in shops or parts of shops where the PRINCIPAL
goods on sale are electrical appliances, books or other goods which are
likely to be the worse for it. Obviously if the adjacent goods are tinned
foods or pencil sharpeners, you may shoot away. This should be common sense,
but is worth emphasizing.
By default, staircases and other indoor areas
are Water With Care zones. Using CPSs, water bombs and other very messy
weapons in such an area will not count for a kill and could get you in
trouble. If you want to change the status of an indoor area, you should
contact the Umpire.
If small water pistols are used, it is a good idea to confirm the kill
immediately with the victim who might not have noticed the hit if wearing
thick clothing. This avoids arguments later, when the water has evaporated,
or, as it is not uncommon for Cambridge, when it is raining.
-
Cap pistols may also be used, although almost point blank range (clear
shot from less than one metre) is needed to claim a hit.
-
(*)Soft air guns may not be used, however guns firing soft rubber pellets
are an acceptable weapon. Always present these first to the Umpire for
a safety check, before using them.
-
(*) Rubber bands are an acceptable weapon, as long as head shots are avoided.
-
Flamethrower - represented by a bottle of Champagne, hose-pipe, snow spray,
shaving foam, etc. Rules much as for water-pistols, except that it is unneccesary
to completely coat the victim in your flames. A sufficient spurt to "burn"
the vital vertical line (head, torso, stomach) will do.
-
Contact poison - Not permitted during the May Week game.
-
Club or Cosh - represented by a labelled cardboard poster tube or a newspaper
rolled up and stuck with Cellotape. The effect depends upon the location
of the hit:-
Head .......... Unconscious for 5 minutes.
Body .......... Immobilised but conscious for 5 minutes.
Arm or Leg .... The limb is immobilised for 5 minutes.
Note that anything you do with an arm that has been coshed is invalidated.
If you run away after being coshed in the body or leg, then you are dead.
Please allow your murderer to finish you off in style, they might have
spent a long time trying to find you... (reasons for this - the satisfaction
the assassin will recieve when they Finish him/her)
-
Blades - Foam, soft rubber, retractable plastic or cardboard knives may
be used. If the knife has been made by you e.g. from cardboard, it must
be plainly labelled 'KNIFE'. Plastic ones which are more obviously knives
don't need this.
All knives can be thrown.
Carrots are acceptable knives, as long as they
are labelled and caution is taken if they are thrown. In particular, avoid
head shots - and use small specimens only.
Plastic swords are permitted, but please be careful. Cardboard swords
must be clearly labelled 'SWORD'. A rolled up paper tube is a cosh, not
a sword. And yes, lightsabres count as swords. Representations of Ninja
Stars and Razor Blades may also be used (a real razor is out of the question).
Razor-edge hats may also be used if the brim is visibly marked with the
word "ASSASSIN" on it.
Any other items should be presented to the Umpire before labelling them as a knife.
-
Garrotte - Represented by handkerchiefs, or, far better, toilet paper.
-
Grenades - Confetti in bags made from tissue paper, water bombs, or (small)
flour bombs may be used. You may also employ snowballs. Use common sense
with the last three. They will kill if they strike any part of the head
or body. If they hit a wall and splash your head or body appreciably (i.e.
if you're wettish) you are dead. If they just splash your arms or legs,
you are only wounded, and survive.
-
Poisonous Gas is again DISALLOWED during this May Week.
-
(*) Dart or Arrow - represented by a grape fired from a catapult or a dried
pea from a pea-shooter. This has the same effect as a gun. Avoid head shots.
A paper plane may be used as a poisoned dart, provided it is clearly labelled
as one. Being hit by a random one in a boring lecture does not count...
-
Poisoned Food or Drink - Use Tabasco sauce or peppermint essence in sufficient
quantities to taste. N.B. Experiments to establish the lethal dose are
liable to kill the guinea pig (more innocent victims!). Nut-based essences
are banned as they are a major health hazard. If at any doubt, please register
your poison with the Umpire.
Again, the poison disperses as soon as the perpetrator leaves the scene.
Indirect kills are not permitted!
Buying your victim a Pizza Gamberi from Pizza Express does not count
as a poisoning, even if they do go a bit strong on the Tabasco. However,
leaving an extra-strong Phileas Fogg Tortilla Chip in their pigeon-hole,
which they then proceed to eat, does. And no... Gardies burgers do not
count as poisoning (in the game).
-
Special Letters - not permitted in the May Week game.
-
Bombs - not permitted in the May Week game.
-
Poisoned Umbrellas are not permitted in this May Week game.
Open Umbrellas, labelled "Shield" count as
protecting you from whatever waterpistol fire you may encounter. Note that,
in general, the heavier-calibre guns will get round/through an umbrella.
Be honest, if any water gets on your head or torso, own up to being dead.
This reflects that bulletproof technology has limitations. Furthermore,
if your shield is hit by any class of grenade (see 4.6 above), then you
are dead as it explodes into shrapnel that tears your body apart. Anti-tank weaponry will
also get through a shield. Note that Body Armour is forbidden in this game. However, lines of riot cops
or Roman military-style tortoises are allowed tactics.
Umbrellas count as carrying weapons only when
up and properly labelled.
-
Fridgeing or Safeing - Dropping a large (i.e. of
side at least 40cm) piece of polystyrene or of light cardboard packing
from the height of at least two metres onto your victim. It must be labelled
either 'FRIDGE' or 'SAFE'. It may then be reasonably assumed that they
are dead.
-
Tanks - Cardboard boxes, possibly with extra card or plastic added, may
be used as tanks - they must be recognisably box-shape, and completely
contain their occupant(s).
A tank is a proof against anything that cannot penetrate it - but
note that larger water guns (and any well aimed projectile weapon) can
penetrate - and will take full effect if they do. Grenades affect tanks
as they do shields, fridges/safes will crush them, and a lightsaber collapsed
against a tank has impaled the driver.
You are warned that other weapons may be licensed with various anti-tank
properties.
- Soft toys - check with the Umpire first. Simply labelling your teddy "Incredibly Threatening
Fluffy Teddy Bear of Torture" (or anything else, at that) will not automatically make it a legal weapon.
Also, you cannot throw a weapon of this kind - in effect, they will work
like buses (see below).
-
Running over. Being hit by a (matchbox model) bus has the effect of squashing
the intended victim. This should be enough to kill the victim. However,
the following rules apply:
-
The bus must be small (no longer than 10cm), in order to not cause injury
to the victim.
-
The bus must not leave the assassin's hand for two seconds either side
of the attack. Victims will be dead as soon as the bus hits, but knocking
the bus out of the assassin's hand to invalidate the kill will be deemed
cheating. If the assassin lets go of the bus after the kill but before
the two second time has elapsed, then the victim will after all have never
died, and all counter-attacks will be valid.
-
The bus must have a clearly visible run-up of at least half a metre. This
is because the bus is a real kill weapon, and as such must be handicapped
against the cosh.
-
Feel free to make engine noises.
-
Be gentle - remember that weapons must not cause real injury.
5.0 DEATHS:
Is there life before death ?
-Belfast Graffiti
Deaths should be reported as soon as possible after the event, stating
all salient details (when, where, how, and whether any innocent bystanders
were killed). It is best if both assassin and target report the death to
make sure there is no mistake. Creative/amusing reports are encouraged
as they will be used in the news. All assassins should at some point receive
a walk-through for the automatic reporting system.
-
Injuries - Any limbs hit by a weapon other than a cosh are rendered useless
for the length of one hour. If you use an incapacitated limb (i.e. run
away when one or both of your legs have been chopped off) you are dead.
5.1 POLICE FORCE:
There will be no police in this game, since all assassins resurrect after
four hours. The Umpire will take on the police role.
6.0 RULES OF ENGAGEMENT:
6.1 PERMISSIBLE TARGETS:
You may attack:
-
Anyone currently playing the assassins game. The game news web page contains
a list.
-
Anyone holding a weapon or having one in full view, whether or not they
are about to attack you. Once the weapon is hidden, the person is no longer
a legitimate target.
Any other attacks will be attacks on innocent victims. Please do not inconvenience
non-players. Attacking more than ten non-players will get you disqualified.
Attacking university fellows or staff will get you out of the game (and
probably sent down as well). Look, there's no point in attacking non-players
anyway, so just don't, okay?
Be careful with players bearing musical and/or large electrical instruments
(e.g. TV). Players carying such objects are ONLY to be attacked with non
messy/non water weapons. They should also not be attacked from behind as
this might surprise them and cause them to drop their instrument. Do
note that picking up a random instrument does not qualify as protection.
You need a valid reason for carrying your respective instrument if an attempt
is made.
Also, exercise caution and common sense when attacking people on bicycles.
Note that players who are in St. John's Ambulance uniform are effectively
out of the game for the whole duration they are in uniform. They may not
be killed, and they may not kill or be an accomplice. Attempting to gain
a tactical advantage from a uniform is a serious offense, and will not
be tolerated. You have been warned!
Similarly, people working in the Bumps are out of the game during the time they wear their
umpirical jackets/uniforms. As to the details, see above. The boat crews are illegal targets
as long as the team is still together and involved in the bumps.
People working in a May Ball are illegal targets
as long as they are on duty (working in a food stall, entertaining, whatever).
When they are off-duty, you may kill them at your leisure. Needless to
say, they cannot kill you as long as they are working. Please be honest
if asked.
6.2 OUT-OF-BOUNDS AREAS:
No assassination attempt may be made if victim or
assassin is in an out-of-bounds area. The following are always out of bounds:
-
Lecture theatres (including after/before lectures).
-
Practicals/laboratories.
-
Hospitals/libraries/sports-halls.
-
Churches/chapels/synagogues/mosques/temples/stupas!
-
Formal college dining halls - Informal college
cafeterias/butteries
are in the playing arena.
-
Any OFFICIAL university society meeting (e.g. speaker
meetings, formal halls). Kills at unofficial social meetings (e.g. the
ucam.chat pub meet) are permissible. Note the society need only be registered
with CUSU, not with the university. Such meetings must be in a fixed place
to count.
-
Seminars and supervisions.
-
Boats (except in leisurely outings, e.g. punting).
Assassinations CAN take place in the User Area, Phoenix,
departmental/college computer rooms etc, but only as follows:
-
Outside the hours 9am to 5.30p.m.
-
Use only weapons which CANNOT POSSIBLY damage equipment
(e.g. garotte, knife, cap gun, etc.) - i.e. no messy weapons (also applies
to Music Rooms and Lifts).
-
Minimal inconvenience to any other users (players
or bystanders). So, for example, pointing a cap gun and saying 'Bang' rather
than actually firing it. If you want to be scrupulously fair, say 'Click'
every once in a while to simulate a misfire.
Computer rooms in libraries are defined as computer
rooms, not libraries. A computer room is, in general, defined as a place
where the public (or any clearly defined group, e.g. members of a certain
college) are permitted to use computers. Players' private rooms do NOT
count, no matter how many computers they own.
May Balls are designated no messy weapons areas.
That means no water, no flamethrowers, no grenades.This includes the
queues outside. Poisoning food is fine though, as long as you stay
to see the kill. Try to keep a moderately low profile in May Balls - we
aren't an official society, and porters are liable to to throw gun-toting
maniacs out of May Balls. Such is life.
Inside university faculty buildings will be designated
no messy weapons areas, unless it is blatently obvious that the building
will be oblivious to the mess. In general, use your common sense. If there's
a carpet, notice board, fellows, milling crowd, or anything similar, then
that place is definitely NO MESSY WEAPONS. Courtyards in university buildings
are okay though.
Any further suggestions should be communicated
to the Umpire as soon as possible. Please use your common sense!
6.3 TIME RESTRICTIONS:
The game only lasts one week. Kill as many players
as you can in that time.
7.0 WITNESSES:
Witnesses are anyone who has seen a kill happen,
be they players or non-players. Anyone may report a kill by anyone and
of anyone. When reporting, the computer will attempt to work out if any
reports are duplicates. Duplicate report texts will go to the news page
(differing views, etc), but the statistics will only be updated once.
8.0 PLAYER RANKING
This game is unlike the normal games. Once you die,
you resurrect after four hours.
All players are listed on the web page in a table.
This table includes information on which assassins each player has killed,
and which assassins each player has been killed by.
However, the computer will sort the players on
this statistics page, approximately as a ranking from best downwards.
8.1 MAFIAS:
I cannot prevent mafias from existing. Any group
of people may agree not to kill each other and call themselves a mafia.
There is nothing wrong with that.
The problem comes when a mafia becomes too influential
and starts ruining the game. In these circumstances, the Umpire will use
whatever means necessary to keep the game enjoyable for everyone else.
Please, have some consideration. It may be
fun for you if you are crimeboss of a mafia that is killing everything
in sight, but think of all the other people playing. It gets boring if
no-one dares to emerge from their rooms.
9.0 THE UMPIRE:
This term's Umpire is Päivi Pasi pap26@cam.ac.uk.
The primary method of contacting the Umpire is
through email, though players are welcome to visit.
The Umpire is immortal. The Umpire's room is Peile
302, Newnham. No one may be killed in the Umpire's room or in the third
floor of Peile, including the staircase leading up from the second floor.
This area is also a no water weapons zone. Rest of Peile is fair game,
but again, use common sense.
If you have any queries, visit/mail the Umpire,
preferably before the query becomes a matter of life and death (yours or
anyone else's).
Player-Umpire communications may be made public
at the end of the game for everyone's enlightenment and amusement. If you
do not wish a certain communication to be made public, please tell the
Umpire. Thanks.
NOTE: It is the responsibility of the players
to check the game web site often. Information on which players are alive
is posted on the web page, along with how many points one would receive
on killing any particular victim.
If any information on the web site is inaccurate
(especially kill reports), then send the umpire an email. Reports automatically
go onto the web site as soon as they are submitted, but the Umpire should
be able to sort out most problems.
10.0 NEWS AND INFORMATION
10.1 NEWSGROUP
The game has its own newsgroup (ucam.rec.games.assassin).
However, the news and announcements will only be posted on the webpage
(see Section 11.2) by the Umpire.
If you wish to post something anonymously to ucam.rec.games.assassin,
ask the Umpire to do it for you.
10.2 WEB PAGES
The game has its own World-Wide Web page, which will
host these rules and game news:
http://www.srcf.ucam.org/assassins
To avoid waste of bandwidth, game news will not
be distributed by email, although important announcements may be.
11.0 COMMENTS
-
The Umpire's Rule is law. There will be no right
of appeal against a disqualification.
-
Official complaints about a person's behaviour will
almost certainly result in disqualification. Involvement of the (real)
police will definitely cause you to be disqualified.
-
It is considered that taking part in this game implicitly
allows people to enter your room through an unlocked door or open window.
Entering a room by any other means is STRICTLY FORBIDDEN. If you don't
want trespassers, make certain they can't get in.
The history of this set of rules is thought to
be:
Author unknown.
Typed in by Paul Roberts (per10).
Later history unknown.
Used by CUSFS for a while.
Martin Hardcastle (mjH12) made some modifications.
Julian Birch (jmb29), some modifications and
clarifications.
Richard Fairhurst (rjf1001), further modifications
and clarifications.
Ben Jameson (bfj1000), yet more modifications.
Jim Cameron (jc10007) and Elizabeth Pringle (EMPP1),
even more, mistyped, modifications.
David Allsopp (dna1000), surprisingly, made some
modifications.
Paul Menage (pbm1001) was Easter 1995 Umpire,
and initiated 3 targets per player.
Nigel Harris (njH17) made modifications.
Ben Harris (bjH11) changed even more things,
notably the bomb blast radius formula to be based on a cube root.
Chuan-Tze Teo (ctt20) modified still more rules.
Martin Read (mpr22) corrected the text of the
bomb rules, and set a (semi-)codified timing rule (after a few shoutings,
getting the wording right)
Lynnette Dray (lmd21) modified a few more things,
surprisingly.
Tom Oinn (tmo21) htmlified the whole thing.
J Doe made some modifications to
counter the more modern forms of organised crime endangering the game's
status.
Nadim Nehmé (nn211) incorporated Ed's
changes into Tom's html form and declared a different form of Necromancy.
Matthew Wakeling (mnw21) was the May Week 1999
Umpire, and completely rehashed the scoring method.
Alex Churchill (gaec2) hasn't modified much yet.
Claire Bordenave (cb302) modified the rules for
May Week 2001.
Ed Nokes (emn23) made a brand new May Week programm.
Päivi Pasi (pap26) made some changes for the May Week 2002, with
contributions from J Doe and Simon Ford.
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