Pre-Event Page
The city spreads out before you. Rushing from point to point, lit by the slow strobe of fluorescent buses and dark streets. Stumbling into situations for a stranger's signature. Fleeing unknown pursuers, breathing hard, admiring the landscape and the multitude of worlds hidden in it. For one night, drop your relations, your work and leisure activities, and all your usual motives for movement and action, and let yourself be drawn by the attractions of the chase and the encounters you find there.Journey to the End of the Night was born by the Bay in 2006, run again here in 2007, and now returns to the area with an epic pursuit through Oakland, finishing by the side of Lake Merritt. As always: no skates, no bikes, no cars, no segways, just your feet, AC Transit, and BART.
The game begins at the amphitheater in Mosswood Park, about a 5 minute walk from Macarthur BART. Here it is on Google Maps
Watch video from Journey Chicagø 2008:
Journey ØAK Trophies:
Questions and Answers
Should I bring anything?Players are advised to bring some water, possibly a camera, and comfortable shoes - you can leave everything else at home. Expect to travel up to 10 miles, and to be outdoors for as much as 5 hours.
Does this cost money?
This game is staffed entirely by die-hard volunteers who just really like fun [and/in] cities. It is run on a $0 budget without any kind of sponsorship. We are not accepting any donations for this event - if you want to help us out, help us spread the word!
I'm from San Francisco, and...
You should have plenty of time to play, lose to the East Bay kids (you're not going to take that, are you?), swap some stories, and get yourself to BART. If you're enjoying yourself too much to catch the last BART a little after 12:30am (a distinct possibility), you can still catch a ride west on what should be a Journey-tastic Night Bus. Oakland was made for this game; you won't regret crossing the Bay.
What if it rains?
We will play in rain or shine. Come on, you know it won't rain!
Where will the route go?
This is classified information. That said, Journey to the End of the Night aims to give players a fuller appreciation for a city. We created the route to send the pursuit through a variety of neighborhoods with a variety of atmospheres, and volunteers are creating checkpoints that will be strange, fun, and welcoming. The route was not designed to maximize the likelihood of players getting chased by anyone not wearing an orange ribbon.
Am I too old and tired to play?
This is an intense game, capable of recomposing your perspective of the entire city - it has often irrevocably changed the lives of players. But while it will test your mettle, Journey is not an exclusive sport by any means - players range from spunky 18-year-old athletes to computer geeks to 50 and 60 year old common citizens. Journey is not a competition of youth and strength, but a game to test yourself against the city. This is liberty through geniuinely free, self-conscious, authentic play.
