Frequently Asked Questions 1 of 2 : next

Who are the runners and where are they?
Sheila, Ricardo, Dicky, Caitlin, Matt and Nick are out there running whatever the weather. They are running around Köln. All the features you see in the virtual world really exist.

How many runners are there?
There are seven but only two or three run at one time.

How do the runners know where I am?
The runners carry a handheld computer connected to a Global Positioning System receiver. The handheld computer is part of a wireless network. This means that wherever the runners go in Köln they are connected to each other and to the virtual world. They can see all the players on their screen.

What is GPS?
The Global Positioning System was developed by the United States military. It uses 24 satellites to provide an estimate of your location and works on most parts of the earth’s surface. The satellites beam radio signals to earth and if a GPS receiver can see enough satellites then it can produce a fix on your position.

What is the audio?
It’s a live transmission of everything that is said between the runners on their walkie talkies.

What happens when the runner sees me?
If the runner gets within 5m then you are “seen”. Your game is over. The runner announces that they’ve seen you and then takes a photo of the exact spot where they saw you. Within a day or two, those photos will be on this site and you can search for yourself to find where you were caught.

How many people can play at a time?
Up to 20 but we usually restrict it to 10 or less to ensure that the game runs smoothly.

Can I play more than once? Yes, play as many times as you like.

How big is the game area? 300m by 300m.

I’m a shameless nerd and would love to know the exact specification of every piece of hardware you’re using, including the price you paid for it. Can you help? Nope.