Early morning on Thursday, February 15, Principal Gregory Daniel sent out an email addressing the controversy surrounding the annual senior-led competition deemed “Forge Assassins.” Assassins is not affiliated with Colonial Forge itself but essentially involves students getting into teams of three and attempting to eliminate other teams by shooting them with water guns, competing to win a sum of money.
The game is held each year with a senior chosen as the “Game Master.” The master is responsible for running an Instagram account that is in charge of keeping track of players who have been eliminated with video proof. In addition to this, the master collects $5 per player, which is accumulated and distributed to the winners at the end of the game.
The game has gained much recognition, with over 500 followers on Instagram and 67 teams signed up to compete for the prize.
Assassins is not only taking place at Forge but has expanded its influence all over Stafford County, with students from other schools such as Mountain View High School and North Stafford High School hosting the game as well.
When asked, certain players have claimed that the game has allowed friendships to be created and gives them something to look forward to.
“This is my second time playing and I find the game to be really fun. You get to wake up early in the morning and gather with your friends, which gives you something to look forward to as you progress in the game,” William Brown (‘24) said.
With a similar opinion, fellow student Claire Wortman (‘24) goes on to explain the complications surrounding the game.
“Personally, I really love the game, but it’s understandable that local places don’t want random students coming into their buildings and shooting water, because the water guns can be mistaken for real weapons,” Claire said.
The game has sparked controversy and harsh consequences around the community, as worried parents, frustrated coaches, annoyed administrators, and local recreational centers are pushing to put an end to the game.
“I feel that the rules of the game can be unclear to some, because there isn’t any explicitly stated about local public areas that don’t want people playing there, like the Rouse Center,” Ruth Chung (‘25) mentioned.
The Jeff Rouse Center, a local gym and recreation center that many students attend, has taken a dislike for the game.
“I think the game is dangerous and disruptive. People are so focused on getting their target that they’re not paying attention to their surroundings,” Jeff Rouse Youth & Sports Director, Seth Perdue, said.
The discouragement of the game at the Rouse Center has caused a reaction from players, as some feel it takes away from the excitement of the game.
“I don’t necessarily agree with their precautions, because I feel like it takes the fun away from the game. I’m not gonna be nervous whenever I go into Rouse anymore and I won’t have anything to worry about, which takes away from the part of the game where you always have to be ready,” Jake Mangano (‘25) added.
When asked, the “Game Master,” Tyler Woodring (‘24) has explained that the game doesn’t have explicit rules against certain public areas but advises players to make logical and responsible decisions.
“Banning the game from public areas such as the Stafford Gymnastic Center and Rouse Center has never been a rule in the past, so I don’t plan on making it one now. However, I advise every player to go in at their own risk, and nobody is responsible for the consequences except themselves,” Woodring explained.
Although players have been warned about the consequences of playing in public areas, the game has still had some serious repercussions.
Earlier last week, Tyler Garrison (‘25) was attempting to eliminate his target when the Stafford County Sheriff Department was called on him.
“We had gone into the Rouse Center through the back and chased our target throughout the pool and neighboring turf fields. Once we had gotten our target and left, someone called the cops on us because our water guns looked real since we had painted them black,” Tyler said.
When asked, Tyler explained that the authorities had simply told him to make sure his gun contained bright colors that would allow people to distinguish it as a water gun.
“I just think that the game master should add a rule to where your water guns can’t be painted any other colors that aren’t bright or could be mistaken for a weapon,” Tyler concluded.
Although the game has continued to spread influence throughout the community year after year, the consequences seem to become more and more harsh.
