Come Out and Play

Illustration: Marie-Eve Tremblay, colagene.com

The game: Signals on the S
The gist: The Times Square Shuttle becomes a playing field, as two teams compete in a game of “subway telephone.” Each team has two groups, with one posted at the Times Square station and one at Grand Central, who must send coded messages via other shuttle riders. But if a player gets stuck on the train, their team loses points—meaning you need to convince surly New Yorkers to help you out. The team with the most correct messages sent wins.
Play it! Fri 12 at 5pm, Times Square (exact location TBA)

The game: Faux-Cowgirl Neo Rodeo
The gist: Too afraid to mount a mechanical bull? Experience the fun of a rodeo without the freaky machine.Yoga balls replace buckin’ broncos, and as many as 75 players can participate in barrel races and practice roping other cowgirls (despite the name, the game is mixed-gender). “Sometimes the best thing is to remix the classics,” says fest cofounder and Neo Rodeo creator Catherine Herdlick. Chaps, boots and spurs are optional, but appreciated.
Play it! Fri 12 6–8pm, the Tank (354 W 45th St between Eighth and Ninth Aves)

The game: F Be I, See I A
The gist: “It’s like stealth capture the flag,” says Herdlick. Two teams form two sets of players: field agents and patrols. The patrols guard a predetermined course, while the field agents try to snap photos of public targets along those routes. Using two-way radios, participants communicate to find the holes in their opponents’ defenses. Another key to winning: Try to blend in with the crowd. (In Times Square, that shouldn’t be too hard.)
Play it! Sat 13 at 12:30pm, Times Square (exact location TBA)

The game: Picky Sticky Pollen
The gist: Based on the video game Honey, this involves chasing players—some decked out in bee costumes—around Central Park as you try to collect “pollen” (brightly colored game pieces). Five teams of four (three worker bees and one queen bee) set a collective PollenGoal, and during each round, the worker bees follow their queen’s directions to collect pollen pieces. Not only do teams need to reach their PollenGoal, they also need to distract the other teams—just like real bees on the hunt.
Play it! Sat 13 at 5pm, Heckscher Ballfields in Central Park (Seventh Ave and Central Park South from 61st to 63rd Sts)

The game: Earpiece
The gist: This time, the fun is in the surprise: You won’t know how to win until you play. Three players compete in 12-minute rounds, which revolve around a prerecorded MP3 message from the game’s controller. Players receive an MP3 device, and all three start the track at the same time; following the controller’s directions to the letter is the way to take first.
Play it! Sun 14 1–3pm, Times Square (exact location TBA)

GET OUTSIDE! Come Out and Play 2009 takes place at various locations throughout the city; for a full schedule of games, visit comeoutandplay.org. Preregistration recommended. Fri 12–Sun 14, free to play and watch.

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