Picture this: You're walking down the street at night after a long day at work. You missed dinner. Your boss made you stay extra late and all you want to do is kick back and relax on the couch. Maybe have a cup of cocoa. Maybe watch some TV. Just a normal, quiet evening before bed.
The street is deserted. You're about halfway home. You're still feeling a bit peckish. There's a convenience store about four blocks to your right. Takes you out of the way, but the hunger. Oh, the hunger.
You decide to take the detour. That's what convenience stores are for, right? The convenience. As you round the corner, you feel…something. Something that's not quite right.
You look around. No one there. You shrug it off. You're exhausted. Maybe a little paranoid. It's getting late, right? The moon is out. Must be a trick of the lighting.
You keep walking, in anticipation of the hot dogs and giant cup of soda you're about to get.
Then, all of a sudden, three guys jump out of a car in front of you. Two more people approach you from behind. You didn't notice them at first, but your senses knew. You just never trust your gut.
The light is dim. You can barely make them out, but they begin walking ominously towards you. They start to reach into their coats for something. This is bad. Five on one. Crap odds no matter how you look at it.
"This is Calgary," you mutter to yourself. "This kind of stuff isn't supposed to happen here."
As they aim their weapons at you, you choose to stand your ground. You're not giving up without a fight. Besides, you're tired, you're still hungry and that convenience store is just within sight.
As the incoming projectiles come upon you, you whip out your Lightsaber and use your Padawan training to deflect everything. Then, as the aggressors try to reload, in an homage to The Matrix that would make Neo proud, you quickly sheath your Lightsaber, whip out your twin Nerf guns from under your coat and start showing these guys who's boss.
That, in a nutshell, is Dartwars.
- What: Dartwars Calgary 2013
- Where: The entire City of Calgary
- When: June 1 - 30, 2013
If you've ever wanted to play at secret agent, then Dartwars Calgary is for you. An alternate-reality game, Dartwars is a month-long Nerf dart gun fight that takes place all over the city. Participants each get three lives and try to get points by eliminating other players. If a player scores a hit, they get a point and the other guy loses a life. At the end of the game, the player with the most points wins.
Lightsabers are used in the event of melee combat, to settle disputes, or to block incoming Nerf projectiles.
There are safe zones. Places of employment, public transit and C-Train platforms, schools and your home are off-limits. Everything else in the city is fair game.
There are a bunch of other rules to ensure that this remains a fun and safe game for all. For the full list, check out the Dartwars Calgary website.
Dartwars Calgary 2013 was an Awesome Calgary Top4 Finalist in April 2013, and there's still plenty of room available for people who'd like to sign up to play.
If you're interested in signing up or learning more, the organizers are holding a Meet-and-Greet and Q&A on the final day of signups, Sunday, May 26. They'll answer any questions you have, and you can meet some of the potential participants that'll be playing all month long.
- What: Dartwars Calgary Meet-and-Greet, Q&A and the Final chance to Sign Up!
- Where: Dickens Pub (1000 - 9 Avenue SW)
- When: Sunday, May 26 at 7 p.m.
- RSVP: Facebook
To learn more, check out Dartwars.ca or follow them on Facebook or Twitter at @DartWarsCalgary.
