It’s that time once again for BPHS seniors, as the Assassins game is the main topic of discussion in the halls.

While not officially affiliated with BPHS, the game has become a popular tradition among the senior class and is highly anticipated every year.

However, many members of the community find themselves asking, “What is Assassins?”

The game kicks off every Monday at 6 a.m. and concludes the following Saturday at 6 p.m.

During this period, every team is assigned a specific target to eliminate using water guns that they purchase in advance.

The objective is to squirt your targets with water, and once successfully hit, that person is eliminated from the game.

If one wants to eliminate their own hunter, they must do it in a move out of self-defense, and are not allowed to seek them out.

Eliminating both targets will grant access to the team’s eliminated targets; eliminating a third person advances you past the next round.

Players must document their eliminations by sending clear video evidence before the deadline.

There is also a period of time called The Purge, where anyone can eliminate anyone from the game for a select period of time.

A timeframe will be released on the official Instagram beforehand.

This is often confused with The Bounty, which is when someone is selected to be eliminated by any participant for twenty-four hours.

Eliminated participants can get back into the game by eliminating the bounty.

Alongside a medkit, if someone is out, they have another opportunity to buy their way back in and re-enter the game.

The buy-back fee is $30 for the first round and $50 for the second.

Importantly, the game also has safe zones that go as follows:

– Activities

• Anyone involved in clubs, musicals, or sports is considered safe until they sit in their cars
• Hunters can not open car doors or trunks
• If the event is on school property, you can not be shot or shot at

– Car

• A person must be fully in a car to be considered a fair game
• No blocking cars or car doors under any circumstances
• You may not shoot out of a car unless the car is fully parked
• You may shoot into cars

– Houses

• Any form of window that is open can be shot into, but you can’t open it yourself
• Be respectful of property
• No water balloon should be thrown into houses
• Parties that are held in a house not owned by the target are fair game
• You may not enter a target’s house without permission

– Schools

• All schools in the district will be safe throughout the entire game
• Do not go on school property
• If a hunter brings a water gun to school, they are disqualified
• If a target flees to a school zone, they are disqualified

– Work

• Daycares are off limits, no exceptions
• For jobs like babysitting and landscaping, where you can’t clock in or out, you are safe until you enter your car
• Participants are safe walking into work, but not while leaving work
• You can not be eliminated while on the clock

For anyone with any further concerns about the game, the Bethel Park Police Department is also aware of Assassins.

On Feb. 27, a community advisory was posted to their social media, which can be accessed here.

Good luck to those competing. Make sure that with the fun being had, respect for others comes with it.