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Come Out & Play 2008 in New York City
So another Come Out & Play has come and gone. Can you believe it? And this year was our best year ever. Check out the growing pool of photos on Flickr here http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/coap2008/. If you've got photos. Post them there and tag them "coap2008" so we can check them out.

We had hundreds of players participate in 24 incredible games across the city, run by some of the the most incredible and innovative game designers anywhere. We, the COaP organizers, are always so astounded and excited by all of the awesome work you guys bring to the festival.

Thanks again to Bluestockings for hosting the festival. They suffered with a smile through us rampaging around the store and golf balls being putted in through the front door. We really appreciate your generosity. You all were incredible to work with!

And now a huge, huge, huge thank you to all of our incredible volunteers! You came out in grueling hot, sticky New York City weather and made sure everyone had a good time. We couldn't even consider doing the festival without our army of loyal and dedicated COaP volunteers. You guys rock so hard, it's hard for us to even begin to express our gratitude. You help us organize people, you make the games run, you give out programs, you explain the festival to the public and sometimes even to us. From each one of us, Greg, Catherine, Mattia, Nick and Peter a huge thanks to:

Aaron Krasnov
Alfred Omar Almodovar
Angela Pablo
Brea Taylor-Munro
Cathy Longi
Cicek Neftci
David Piltz
Debra Keneally
Ginger Gray-Trefry
Hsin Fang Chang
Huali Fu
Ilya Korolev
Ivania Cordero
Jenifer Kaminsky
Ji Yeon Choi
Joe Edelman
Josh Lerner
Kevin Balktick
Leo Arroyo
Lia Bulaong
Nicole Zeiss
Patrick Jao
Pollie Barden
Renate Lunn
Sharon Applegate
Sheryl Santacruz
Vanessa Hamer

New games, new ways to play

In 2006 the Come Out & Play Festival turned New York City into a playground for a weekend, then did the same for the city of Amsterdam in 2007. Hundreds of players gathered to play dozens different games across each city. Players raced through the night in a city-wide game of zombie tag. Friends faced off in life-sized Pong using only their ears to "hear" the ball. Payphones produced points and Tompkins Square Park became a putt-putt course. 200 people performed stunts to display on the Reuters screen in Times Square. It has been darn good and fascinating fun.

Well, the festival is back. In June 2008, the New York will have the chance to come out and play again across the Lower East Side of Manhattan.

Right now we're accepting applications for games in Come Out & Play 2008 in New York. Drawing international media attention, designers from around the world and hundreds of players, Come Out & Play features innovative work in the emerging world of street games, big games and pervasive games.

For more information about past festivals check out games and pictures from:

• Amsterdam 2007
• New York City 2006

About the festival

What

The festival offers a chance to explore new styles of games and play. We have featured games from the creators of I love bees, PacManhattan, The Go Game, Conqwest, Big Urban Game, Hide & Seek and more. From massive multi-player scavenger hunts to public play performances, the festival gives players and the public the chance to take part in a variety of different games. Come rediscover the city around you through play. Why street games? Why a street games festival, you ask? Fair questions. Well, we like innovative use of public space. We like games which make people interact in new ways. We like games that alter your perception of your surroundings. But most importantly, we think games are great way to have fun.

When

The Come Out & Play Festival 2008 will take place June 6-8.

Where

New York City centered around the Lower East Side. Bluestockings is located on 172 Allen Street between Stanton and Rivington. It will serve as the headquarters for the festival, with other satellite locations to be named later. Go to Bluestockings for information during fhe festival. The full festival schedule will be made available in May.

Interested in playing? Sign up for updates about the festival and schedule.

Who

The Come Out & Play Festival won't be possible without help from the growing community of people interested in street games. We'd love to have your help in making the festival a success. If you are interested in making the festival come to life you can volunteer.

What are you waiting for?

COME OUT & PLAY!

April 30, 2008
Notifications for all games are out now. The schedule of games is beginning to emerge. Check the Games page for the latest line-up of events.

April 15, 2008
Submissions for the 2008 festival are now closed. Have a good idea? Hold on to it for next year.

February 15, 2008
Come Out & Play Festival and Bluestockings announce parnership for 2008 festival.