Jet Lag: The Unofficial Chicago Style Capture-The-Flag Game

A collaboration event between UChicago Transit Enthusiasts and Northwestern Aviation Club

Objective of the Game

Capture as many flags as possible from the other team and bring them into your home territory to win. 

Game Summary

There are two rival teams—UChicago and Northwestern—each split into multiple subteams of a few players. Everyone starts in neutral territory downtown (the Loop).

To earn coins, subteams must cross into the opponent’s territory to complete challenges, which yield 10, 20, or 30 coins. Travel within hostile territory requires paying coins (depending on whether they use Metra, CTA, or bus), so careful resource management is important. Both sides also have “flag” locations hidden in vending machines in their home territory; capturing and returning an enemy’s flag safely scores major points. If a subteam is tagged by the enemy, it loses any coins and flags it carries. Teammates can share coins by meeting physically, or ship them (with some risk of interception). Flags cannot be shipped. In the event of a tie, the total remaining coin count acts as the tiebreaker.