'Humans versus Zombies' competition hits MU campus

by Lauren Schad, posted Nov. 11, 2009

While walking across campus the past few weeks, people may have noticed students sporting headbands and carrying Nerf guns.  And while it may seem as though these students have just reverted back to childhood, they are participating in an international phenomenon called Humans versus Zombies.

“It’s a really good excuse to procrastinate,” said Matt Smith, freshman psychology major.  “And it’s fun to see the campus transformed into a kind of real life video game.”

Humans versus Zombies is a complex game of tag that was created at Goucher College in Baltimore, Md.  The game was organized on MU’s campus in the spring of this year and has grown to nearly 400 players.

A group of Humans versus Zombies players met outside of Plaza 900 Dining Hall to discuss strategy. — photo by Lauren Schad

It has received national media attention from outlets such as The Washington Post and USA Today, and Stephen Colbert proclaimed the game the “number one threat to America” on his Threat Down list. The Threat Down list is a satirical countdown of things that could be dangerous to Americans.

To play the game, a group of human players attempts to survive a “zombie outbreak” by outsmarting a growing group of zombie players, according to its Web site. Human players must escort another human to a destination without being caught and tagged by zombie players.

“I started to play Humans versus Zombies because it's a great way to stay in shape, meet new people, and pretend to kill zombies,” said Sheldon Price, junior theatre major.

The game is complete with an intricate set of rules concerning safe zones, apparel, equipment and rules specific to both human and zombie players.

Humans versus Zombie players are organized into groups or families. When they receive mission emails, the players gather at a pre-determined destination and discuss how they will complete their mission, and then dismiss to complete it.

“For missions, we get e-mails. The humans have their own email, and the zombies have their own. They're given out an hour before the mission begins, so that the other side doesn't intercept it,” Price said.

The e-mails contain information about the people they have to escort, the story of why they need to be escorted and where their meeting place will be.

As with any game, there are safety rules.  The rules state that weapons cannot be fired inside academic buildings, dining halls or residence halls. And the aim is for it not to hurt when being fired at.

The fall Humans versus Zombie season is almost over, but the game will start up again in the spring. Students interested in joining can visit mizzou.hvzsource.com, or visit their Facebook page, Humans versus Zombies Mizzou.

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