Zombies. The word brings thoughts of the cannibalistic undead sweeping over cities in masses just like in movies like Dawn of the Dead and 28 Days Later. Well, this Sunday UCF will become ground zero for our very own Z Day invasion. Together with the help of the Urban Gaming Club, more than 200 students have signed up to take part in the event.
The object of the game will be simple: if you are part of the human team you must make it from the front of the Arena to the top of parking garage H in less than one hour. Sounds simple enough, right? The ratio of humans to those on the zombie team will be about 4:1, making the game a bit more challenging. Zombies will tag humans, turning them into zombies as well. The zombies will win by turning all humans into zombies.
Each team will wear a different color bandana to distinguish themselves, and the zombies will be separated into zones for even distribution of the mindless horde. They will also use foam weaponry to “stun” zombies, and make their escape.
The creator of the UCF Zombies vs. Humans game, Sara DeAvilla, came up with the idea for the game while watching zombie movies with her younger brother over break. “My brother and I thought it up for kicks…and we intend to register the group with OSI next month, as soon as they open up for new groups,” said DeAvilla. “We have over 400 people joined in our Facebook group, and over 200 confirmed for the event, though we don’t expect more than 150 to actually show. This first campaign will be a starting point. If it goes well, we have every intention to host another within the semester. Humans will be able to use foam weapons but only under close regulation.”
“UCF is very strict on projectile-type weapons. We have been in contact with the LARPing club and we are using the umbrella of the Urban Gaming Club to run this event. UGC is a registered OSI club and has run several events in which they have used Nerf with no problem. That being said, we as a club do not specifically endorse Nerf toys, but rather foam toys and balls of socks,” DeAvilla stated. “We even specifically chose to run the event on a weekend, as to lessen the potential problems that a game on this scale could potentially incur.”
Participants will have to print out and bring with them the required consent forms as well as two forms of ID to the Z Day event kickoff on Sunday, all of which can be found on the games Facebook page, Zombies vs. Humans UCF.
Those who wish to be entered in the human raffle should submit their names on the page to have a chance to join. Those who turn in their liability forms will be entered in a raffle to win a prize donated by A Comic Shop.
“I can’t wait to be running across campus being chased by a bunch of zombies, it’s going to be like all my childhood dreams come true,” said Matt Smith, a student participating in the event.
“We are also working with the Red Cross Association on campus. I am a good friend with an officer and we will be posting a bucket at the check-in table to raise money for them. Kill ’em for a cause! is the silly slogan we made to go with it. So while we know this is a good, cheap way to have a ton of fun with friends and even make new friends, we want to help out the community as well!” DeAvilla added.
So come out this Sunday in your best gore make-up, or prepare to survive the onslaught; this event promises to have students having a great time and running for their lives.
