Mall Manhunt

Requires:

A group of 3 or more (the more the better). One person will be the Hunted, the others will be the Hunters. The game is designed for a place like a mall, though any large public space will work (with adequate cover). The Hunters will all be on a call with one another, so you’ll need some way to group call. For extra difficulty (for hunters), the Hunted can be listening on the call as well. Different versions may require other items, such as money to be spent.

How to play:

You all start at a designated place, preferably the center or the entrance. The Hunted gets 1-5 minutes head start depending on the size of the mall. After the time is up, the Hunters go. The objective of the game is for the Hunters to capture the Hunted by tagging them. The Hunters get to communicate with each other to try and track down the Hunted, who does their best to avoid getting caught.

Game versions:

Time Limit:

This is the most basic version. The Hunters get a certain amount of time to catch the Hunted in. If the Hunted can last for the designated amount of time, they win. The Hunters win if they catch the Hunted in time. It’s good for starters, but it does allow the Hunter to just hide, which doesn’t make for a fun game.

Secret Base:

In this version, the Hunted has a certain location they have to reach without getting caught by the Hunters, such as the opposite side of the mall. The Hunters are not allowed to stake it out. Time Limit can be added to this one too for extra difficulty.

Shopping Challenge:

The Hunted has to purchase certain items without getting caught by Hunters. The items can’t be too specific (like from a certain store). Examples: 1 clothing and 1 food item. For extra difficulty, you can add a time limit to this too. If you don’t want the Hunted to have to spend money every time, the winner’s prize can be that the loser(s) has to pay for the items.

Competition:

In this version, there are multiple Hunteds competing against one another. It can be applied to another game version (e.g. Competition Secret Base, where the first one to arrive wins, or Competition Shopping Challenge, where the first one to purchase the items wins.).

Mafia:

This is a complex version that requires a lot of people. There are 2(+) teams, each with their Hunted and Hunters. The Hunters of one team have to go after the Hunted of the other; however, the Hunters can also stop one another by capturing/tagging them in the same way they would a Hunted. The Hunters help out their team’s Hunted as well. Mafia can be applied to the other game versions (Mafia Time Limit, which would basically be a last-man-standing situation; Mafia Shopping Challenge, Mafia Secret Base).

Rules:

Basic Rules:

nothing illegal can be done
you have to stay within the mall (or whatever place you’re playing in)
the hunted can hide if they want, but it won’t be as fun (alternatively: no hiding allowed)
at least one hunter has to tag the hunted with their hand/finger in order to capture them; no feet, legs, elbows, etc.
no running
no shouting
no cheating (though what qualifies as cheating can be determined by the group). Can include: tricking the Hunter (or hunted) by pretending to call off the game, leaving the mall, having a hunter secretly helping the hunted. The last one doesn’t have to be ruled out if you think it would make for a more fun game, but you could end up with a situation where none of the hunters are actually hunting the hunted.
the hunters or hunted can ask bystanders to help, but they have to be honest with them (say they’re playing a game with friends). No bribing. If you want to rule out bystander help, though, you can.
don’t be suspicious enough to get security’s attention
no asking security for help
employees count as bystanders in terms of help-asking
don’t try to physically harm one another
the hunted must have a way to communicate with the hunters (for safety and to let them know if they’ve won)
since a cell phone is probably the way they’d communicate, tracking apps can be ruled off-limits
no joking/pretending about calling the game off or pausing; if there is a serious reason they need to stop, everyone needs to know for sure that they’re stopping, for safety reasons
bathrooms are off-limits. If you need to go you can pause the game or wait.
if you allow pausing: when paused, everyone must stay right where they were unless that violates a reason for the pause (like if someone had to use the bathroom),in which case they would return to where they were once they were done, no looking for the others while you’re gone.
the game is fun if you all vlog, so you can see the other’s perspective when you’re done

Version-Specific Rules:

Time Limit:

Hunted can’t hide the entire time (optional)
have a designated time-measurer, or know how you’re measuring time, so everyone knows how much time is left whenever they want.

Secret Base:

the hunters can’t wait at the base.
the base can’t be impossible/too difficult to reach
you must all know where the base is and how to get there

Shopping Challenge:

set a (reasonable, agreed-upon) price range for the items
no lying about having purchased the items or having purchased them in time
must have proof of purchase (items themselves, receipts)
no stealing
items must be PURCHASED from the MALL (not stolen, borrowed, brought from home, etc.)
know who’s paying for them. Does the Hunted always pay, even if they win? Or do the Hunters pay them back if the Hunted wins?
hunters can’t put the hunted in a position that would make them too suspicious to security. (e.g. going after them while they’re paying so they try to run)

Competition:

Hunteds can’t work together
hunters can’t favor one hunted over the other

Mafia:

No lying about who’s the Hunted
If a Hunted is tagged, their team immediately loses. If a Hunter is tagged, they’re just out for the rest of the round, and must communicate this with everyone.
You can add team roles if you’d like. (Commander, Scout, Agents, etc.) If these are agreed-upon to have certain rules for each role (Scout can’t tag, Agents get 2 tags before they’re out, etc.), they must be followed and effectively communicated; no lying about your role.
no double agents unless you think it would be more fun that way. Be clear about whether you allow it pre-game.

Jet Lag Fan Game: Mall Manhunt

Overview:

Requires:

How to play:

Game versions:

Time Limit:

Secret Base:

Shopping Challenge:

Competition:

Mafia:

Rules:

Basic Rules:

Version-Specific Rules:

Have Fun!