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B B urban games league Ball State’s Urban Games League has proved there is more to the realm of sports than just courts and balls by expanding students’ views of sports through the addition of a few unusual ones. ugl games: “Humans vs. Zombies”
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Breaking stereotypes of unconventional sports
agorhir,” or DAG, began when a couple of college students, all reading “The Lord of the Rings,” wanted to reenact the battle scenes written in the book. The game has transformed throughout the years to a group of friends coming together to fight each other with swords, axes and spears, all of which have been padded and approved by the Urban Games League committee. This is in contrast to capture the flag and “Humans vs. Zombies,” which are Nerf-heavy sports. “[Dagorhir] takes more on your personal skill than your ability to purchase a very nice gun,” said Eric Goff, who is a
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moderator for the game. People are allowed to make and bring their own weapons, but they must be checked out and pain tested by game administrators. Steven Ridge, a sophomore business education major, explains that a pain test is when a game moderator covers the back of their neck and back and take a soft, medium and hard hit by the weapon. If at any point the moderator says “ouch,” the weapon cannot be used for the game. “The No. 1 rule in all DAG Manual of Arms is safety first, safety first, safety first, “ Ridge said. The Manual of Arms is a detailed guide of the sport’s rules
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and regulations. Common materials used to make weapons include open cell foam, cloth, nylon, duct tape and athletic tape. People tend to confuse DAG with Live Action Role Play, or LARP. While the group wouldn’t turn away someone interested in having a persona, a majority of the players don’t role-play. “DAG ranges from stick jocks, which is kind of like people who are just there to fight around with the swords ... and some groups lean one way or the other,” Ridge said. “But the great part about DAG is it’s right in the middle and you pick where you want to go.”
The game also is a workout. “Most people think DAG can’t be all that intensive,” Goff said. “I’m not going to lie — it’s a full body workout because you’ve got your runs, you have to do sprints. And people look at the foam swords, and yeah, they only weigh about 2 or 3 pounds, but you have to block someone swinging at you. There’s a lot of force behind them when they’re swinging at you, especially if you’ve got a shield.” The group tries different modes to keep the game fresh and interesting. They meet to play at 4 p.m. every Wednesday at Frog Baby.
weapons e u l b
Capture the Flag “4 Square” “World War III” for more info visit: bsu.edu/hvz
in their words
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People think we are way more intense than we are, like you have to be really devoted and give all your time to these games. No, it’s pretty casual. DUSTIN BALDWIN, Capture the Flag administrator
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I wish [people] didn’t associate us with a nerd stigma. These games are enjoyable for everybody. ERIC GOFF,
These are hit weapons under 36 inches. They are usually swords or axes.
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campus warriors
“dagorhir”
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A student competes in a round of “Dagorhir” on March 5 in front of the Whitinger Business Building. The Urban Games League organizes the event, the same organization responsible for “Humans vs. Zombies” and capture the flag.
a sophomore history, criminal justice major
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Students compete in a round of Dagorhir on March 5 on University Green.
These are stab only weapons, such as a dagger or a spear.
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These are the same as blue weapons, only they are longer than 36 inches and are two-handed.
yel low
BALL BEARINGS PHOTO NICK EWING
Students fight one another after a round of “Dagorhir” on March 5 on University Green. The Ball State Urban Games League hosts the game weekly.
These are projectile weapons that players can throw such as javelins or bow and arrows.
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