Welcome to Manhunt, see the Game Updates for future games.
If there is ever any confusion or you have any questions during a game, please contact one of the event coordinators. If you are from the media please email instead of phone, thank you. Emails and phone numbers of the event director can be found on the event page.
ManHunt! Vancouver Google Calendar
Manhunt photos can be found and added to the Flickr Manhunt Group
What is Manhunt Vancouver about?
Manhunt Vancouver organises and provides information for a variety of urban games such as Dodge Ball, Capture the Flag, Bigger or Better, Tag, Cops and Robber, Hide-n-go-seek, Kick-the-can, Sardines, Scavenger Hunt, and many more. Our main game is Manhunt.
So what is Manhunt?
Manhunt is a variation of tag and hide-n-go-seek that can be played by anyone. Manhunt has two teams: man-hunters and prey. The goal of the man-hunters is to catch the prey and the goal of the prey is to not get caught by the man-hunters. If the man-hunters do catch the prey, the prey is converted into man-hunters. Similar to a virus, man-hunters begin in the minority, but infect the population. One or two man-hunters are chosen at the beginning of the game by random selection. The prey escapes in groups of two or three and given a head start. As the prey attempts to elude the man-hunters, they are confined to certain boundaries. If they leave the boundaries, they instantly become man-hunters themselves.
Participants of the game are identified by an armband on their arm. The armband stays on at all times, whether one is a man-hunter or prey. This means that psychology, mind games, and lying are fully acceptable. No one knows who is and who is not a man-hunter. Only once tagged does one need to reveal the truth. This means that Manhunt is not only about how well one can run, but how crafty one can be. Anyone can play manhunt with opportunity to win. Everything is provided by the hosts of the game, including the armbands. Although you do not need to bring anything, it is suggested that players should wear running shoes and comfortable clothes. Also note that running with purses and bags is very difficult.
The prey may do many things to evade the man-hunters. Unlike hide-n-go-seek, the prey should keep moving instead of remaining in one location. It is fully acceptable to hide for short periods of time, specifically to avoid a passing man-hunter. One may run up outside stairs, climb over things, or pretend to be reading a newspaper. Bathrooms may only be used in emergencies, not for winning the game. None shall use wheels of any kind, go into buildings, go through doors, hide in garbage cans, enter elevators, push or run into anyone not playing the game – please respect the general public.
Games may be set for various times, usually 15 minutes to 60 minutes. They can be in larger areas for a longer time, or very small areas for a short time. Boundaries may be as small as a couple blocks or as big as 10 blocks – even more. Prey must stay on the inside sidewalk of the boundaries. If the prey elude the man-hunters for the duration of the game, they win the game.
There will also be one player with a different colour armband. This person is known as The Alpha. The Alpha has the advantage of leaving first, before random selection for the man-hunters. The Alpha has immunity from being chosen as a man-hunter, will have more time to get to know the area, and more time to get ahead of the man-hunters. The Alpha is the desired status; therefore, all man-hunters will aim to capture The Alpha. The Alpha is the highest priority as the person who catches them will receive the title, and the differently coloured armband for the next game. The first Alpha is the person with the biggest ego, or chosen by random selection.
Manhunt is a fun game because it’s free, can be played by anyone, and is perfect for meeting people. Many long lasting relationship have developed through Manhunt. There is time to get to know people before, during, and after the games. Also, in this version, people are able to begin with one or two other players. This means that these players have opportunity to talk and get to know each other in new environments. Manhunt is a high-energy game which is perfect to get to know unique aspects of a persons personality.
Disclaimer: The organisers of Manhunt are not above the rules of the law; therefore, we cannot be held accountable for the things people do. It is every players responsibility to abide by the law, or face the consequences if they get caught. People have received tickets in the past for jaywalking. Remember that the city can be a dangerous place, always only do what you feel comfortable with. Just because some other player can do a back-flip over the wall, does not mean you can as well. Manhunt is about having fun, but make sure you keep yourself as safe as possible.
