Humans vs. Zombies

A Human team outside the Campus Center

Zombies surround humans on the first mission of the game

A horde of zombies (not from UMass)

Humans vs Zombies is a live-action role playing game which involving many players over the span of a couple of weeks. The game involves bandanas for team identification purposes, Nerf weapons for human defense against zombies, and a website to keep track of the constantly changing teams.

• The official web site for the UMass game is http://www.umasshvz.com
• The UMass Facebook group is http://umass.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2219162329.

History

Humans vs Zombies was invented in the fall of 2005 at Goucher College in Baltimore, MD, by Brad Sappington and Chris Weed. Since its invention, the game has spread to many colleges and universities in North America, including the University of Pittsburgh, Cornell, Northern Illinois University, Wesleyan, Whitman, University of Illinois, the Rochester Institute of Technology, Tennessee Technological University, and UMass. For more information on the game, including "Goucher style" rules and a documentary made about the game, visit the official Humans vs Zombies website at http://www.hvzsource.org

History at UMass

Prior to its current inceptions, there had been calls by multiple people for a game but no effort made to put one together. Dante Ciliberti and Devin Ashe, founders of the Capture the Flag / Mass Games RSO, found a facebook group created by Sean Moore for the game which already had hundreds of members. They enlisted the help of Computer Science major Jake Boxer, who wrote new software for the game, and started the first game on midnight of Halloween, 2007. The Fall 2007 game of Humans vs. Zombies exceeded the organizers' expectations with over 1,100 registered members. The game ended with a resounding Human victory.

On November 7, 2007, game organizers held a food drive in the Campus Center for the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, granting temporary immunity to all humans in the area and, in the spirit of competition, making it a contest to see which group could gather the most food. In all, 999 pounds of food were gathered, 509 pounds by humans and 490 pounds by zombies. Jesse Punch was the winning human food gatherer, and Doug Ramsdell was the winning zombie.[1]

The second game of Humans vs. Zombies began on March 26, 2008. This iteration featured more "missions," a cohesive story-line, organized squads, and a multitude of bonus opportunities for players. Experience from the first game ensured that this version ran more smoothly. Keith Rood, an admin, filmed a documentary of the game. There were over 600 registered players for this game. A food drive during the game yielded nearly 2 tons of food, and players also participated in a charitable program hosted by MassPIRG. The game ended with a close Zombie victory.

The third game of HvZ will occur in October 2008.

Press Coverage

On November 2, 2007, an initial article by Stephanie McPherson describing the game appeared in the Daily Collegian: Zombies descend upon UMass

On November 8, an editorial decrying the "immaturity" of HvZ participants and apologizing to women was printed in the Daily Collegian. The author was Brad Liebowitz, a Daily Collegian columnist. It's a Nerfing shame

On November 9, an article appeared in the Collegian documenting the game and the successful food drive. This article was the first local press mention of "missions" in the game. Cans, cures - Zombie invasion continues: HvZ reaches halfway point

On April 18th, 2008, HvZ received coverage in the Amherst Bulletin, a local newspaper. Where is Will Smith when you need him? Humans battle zombies at UMass

On April 28th, HvZ at UMass received coverage by Fox News after the game was banned at another University.

Humans vs. Zombies?

Gun Games (video)

UMass Humans vs Zombies

The Mass Games RSO (formerly Capture the Flag) hosts games of HvZ at UMass.

Rules

Rules are subject to change between games and during games themselves. Current rules are available on the official website before and during the game.

Overview

Humans vs. Zombies is an immersive, on-going live action game. Players in HvZ are split into two factions. The goal of the Humans is to outlast the Zombies. The goal of the Zombies is to turn all humans into Zombies. Victory depends on the outcome of a final mission held on the last day of the game.

Equipment

Bandana 

This is used to identify game players. Zombies wear their bandanas on their heads. Humans wear their bandanas around their arms with a loose knot. Players wear red, squad leaders wear yellow, officers wear blue, and non-playing admins wear white. Humans must wear their bandanna at all times when they are not in safe zones.

Nerf Gun, Marshmallows, Rolled-up Socks 

Weapons for self-defense. Spring/air powered launchers are permitted for marshmallows.

ID card 

A slip of paper with the player's ID and password. Given to a zombie on a successful bite.

Gameplay

The game begins with a very small number of Original Zombies and all other players as Human. Zombies can “bite” Humans and turn them into Zombies by means of a solid tag. Once bitten, a Human must give their card to whomever tagged them. The Zombie must enter the data from this card onto the website.

A Zombie will starve to death and be eliminated from the game if they go more than 72 hours without tagging a human and registering it on the website.

Stunning

Humans may ‘stun’ a Zombie by successfully hitting one with one of the following items:

• A NERF dart fired from an unmodified NERF weapon
• A balled-up sock (clean socks only, please)
• A marshmallow

A stunned Zombie cannot bite a human. A Zombie is stunned for 10 minutes after they are hit. Stunned Zombies may still move about freely, however can not aid other zombies by way of holding/blocking human players. A stunned Zombie must move their headband down around their neck as long as they're stunned. Zombies can take cover to avoid being stunned but cannot carry shields of any sort.

Safe Zones

A human cannot be bitten in any of the following “safe zones:”

• Indoors anywhere on campus, except the Parking Garage
• Areas a player is mandated to be at by the University, including but not limited to class trips, SGA obligations, etc.
• Inside/on vehicles
• Places of work (as long as the player is on the clock)
• Athletic Practice/RSO meetings
• The Hampshire Mall & parking lot
• Private residences/buildings (unless expressly permitted by owners)

Players must abide by University Rules and Policies at all times.

Missions

Missions are special events organized by the game administrators. Each faction is given objectives to accomplish in a certain scenario. The victorious side may be rewarded, such as having a rules change in their favor. Mission participation is encouraged but optional.