Friday night, a bunch of us were goofing around in Liberty City in Free Roam and stumbled upon our own game mode that just might be one of the most addictive non-stop thrill rides I’ve yet to experience in my Grand Theft Auto 4 tenure.

We call it SG-Tag, and it’s super easy to play. The games last hours, and no one wins or loses. If you’re interested in our little discovery we’ll be playing it for Sarcastic Gaming Night this Friday, but you don’t have to wait until then to start playing. Hit the jump and get the official rules and instructions for SG-Tag, plus a few pointers.

On the surface SG-Tag is a simple game. One player, it doesn’t matter whom, begins as “it.” It is the job of every other player in the game to KILL that guy. Whoever pulls it off becomes the new it, a new chase begins immediately, and the actions continues. If you thought being chased by AI with a 6-star wanted level was hard, you haven’t seen anything yet.

SETUP:

• In order to keep the game moving, you’re going to need at least 6 players though I reccomend 10 or more. In this game mode the rule of thumb is “The more the merrier.”
• Pick an “it” to start. It really doesn’t matter much who gets picked because at the beginning, EVERYONE spawns together and that person is TOAST.
• Pick an island/area to play on.
• Be sure your game host sets the server to FREE ROAM, with Friendly Fire ON. You’ll also want to ensure all weapons are active, and that you’re all set to spawn on the island where you picked above.

RULES:

• You may use any vehicles EXCEPT helicopters or boats. This goes for all players INCLUDING “it”
• If are “it” and you’re killed you must immediately call out the person who killed you and the color of their radar icon. Other players should also help remind each other which color you are chasing.
• You may not leave the island upon which you spawn. NO bridges. If “it” heads onto a bridge, the player that first spots the infraction gets the “kill” and immediately becomes “it”
• You may not use subway tunnels or railroad bridges if you are “it”. See bridge rule if violated.
• If two players occupy a vehicle (recomended: See Tips) and one of them scores a kill, BOTH players are the new “it”
  • Players MUST stay together in a vehicle for the duration of their existence as “it”
  • If one player in the vehicle is killed, they respawn with the rest of the crew as a pursuer.
  • If the pair of “its” wish to leave their vehicle, they must immediately enter a new vehicle TOGETHER.
  • BOTH players must be killed before awarding a new “it”
• Don’t keep score. You’ll never be able to keep track.
• TRY to avoid killing anyone who is NOT it. They should be considered you allies until you’ve nailed your target. Excessive team killing will result in public SG community humiliation. Accidental collateral damage is expected and acceptable.
• If “it” is killed by anything or anyone other than a pursuer (environment, gravity, AI, car wreck, bad judgement) he will dictate the next “it” based on the player of his choice, hopefully with preference given to the player giving “it” the hardest time or who was closest to killing “it”

TIPS:

• If you are a pursuer, teamwork is critical. If everyone just follows the same path a chase can last a while. Instead work together to establish a dragnet to force “it” into a corner. It doesn’t matter that “it” can hear you laying out your plans. They’ll be too busy trying to find somewhere to ditch their Faggio for a PJR600 to analyze your plan
• Co-pilot. Get one if possible. Depending on the island, these chases move fast and furious. They change directions constantly, and its a good idea for one of you to have eyes on the map at all times and try and lay in the best route for the driver to take to INTERCEPT “it”. This also means that you become a more formiddable “it” if you guys score a kill as you’ll have two guns ablazing while the pursuers are after you.
• Your SMG aint gonna cut it if you end up in a street fight. Take a moment as a pursuer to ensure you’re prepared to be “it” if the time comes. Armor, AK, RPG… all essentials if you can find them.
• Avoid a wanted level while pursuing. I had “it” in my sights several times while wanted to the tune of about 4 stars, only to be run over by the fuzz when I got out of my car to finish the job.
• GET a wanted level if you’re “it”. The cop cars provide splendid interference for the pusuers to deal with behind you.
• Keep moving. Camping will ensure you die fast. I don’t care how good you are. When the odds are 9 on 1, you will go down.
• Once a kill is imminent, lose the unnecessary chatter. Chances are about 6 guys are going to roll up on “it” around the same time and you’ll have a few minutes where “it” is changing every 10 seconds. In these instances its best to limit chat to who’s “it” and what color their icon is. Whooping over an impressive kill you just pulled off is perfectly acceptable.
• Motorcylces are “it’s” best friend for their speed and maneuverability. But if someone catches up to you, or heads you off, you’re toast.
• There’s no rule that says if “it” heads off down an alleyway, that he’s just going to run like a bad guy in a movie. “It” racks up a LOT of kills from overzealous pursuers thinking “I’ve got him now”. Proceed with caution.
• Play with people you know. In a public setting, without actual game-enforced rules, it would be pretty easy for some idiot to ruin your game. Kick people if they act like fools. Because this isn’t an official mode, everyone is on the honor system here.

Let these rules serve as a basis for introducing new people to the game. iIf you find a friend you’d like to play with, save yourself having to explain it every time a person joins the room. Tell them to visit http://www.sarcasticgamer.com/sgtag for easy access to these rules and tips.

MOST of all, let us know if you happen upon an instance not covered by these rules so that we can adjust them accordingly. Go get a game together! Get ready for Friday Night! You’re it!