The zombies are here. They have taken over college campuses worldwide. They will not surrender until every remaining human joins their cause. They are armed. And their weapons reflect their war—Nerf guns.
For my Monday Mayhem series last week, I wrote about The Zombie Run event taking place throughout cities in the United States. Proceeds of which go to Active Heroes, a charity that aids veterans, active duty military, and families. I thought I’d compliment that post with this one about the rage sweeping college campuses everywhere.
The game goes by the name of Humans vs. Zombies. Students describe it as the most elaborate game of tag anyone’s ever played. Awesome, as some have said.
This is how it works: two Original Zombies go up against about 150 humans. Armed with marshmallows, balled-up socks, and Nerf guns, the humans try to take out the zombies. Upon first inspection, a great disparity exists in numbers. However, that soon changes when one learns the zombies have a big advantage. After sitting out for fifteen minutes, the zombies can attack again. As this happens, the proportionate ratio of zombies to humans grows. At Montana State University, the zombies won the last event.
Students enjoy the game as it presents opportunities to meet new people. It also promotes stress relief on campus.
The game comes with general rules of engagement (can change based on campus location).
- Humans must wear armbands at all times.
- Zombies must wear headbands at all times.
- Original zombies are not required to wear headbands.
- When humans tag zombies, zombies have to sit it out for fifteen minutes.
- When zombies tag humans, zombies must collect their ID card. An hour later, the armband converts to a headband and the former human can now hunt humans. They are zombies.
- Humans must stay on campus the entire period of the game.
- Zombies cannot use shield to deflect darts.
And of course there are safety rules to adhere to.
- No realistic looking weaponry. Blasters must be brightly colored and have blaze-orange tips.
- Blasters may not be visible inside of academic buildings or jobs on campus.
- Players may not use cars or play where there is traffic.
- Foam darts must not hurt on impact.
The game seems like something I would have played in college. The Original Zombie idea makes it rather interesting as well, since Original Zombies do not have headbands and can easily take out unsuspecting humans by pretending to be human. The trick is to ask the question, “Are you a zombie?” Original Zombies cannot lie. But they can certainly stretch the truth. Perfect preparation for real world politics.
Have you heard of the game Humans vs. Zombies? Have you played it? If so, what did you like most about it?
Looking to God 
This sounds like tremendous fun. Would have loved to do this and I think something similar to this started up at my old college, but after I left! Typical! Maybe it should be done on a larger scale to help out charities? I’d certainly participate!
Sounds awesome. Perhaps they could expand the concept to paintballing – although getting shot with one of those does often hurt.
this sounds right up my alley….
That’s a pretty novel concept I have ever heard of. Thanks for writing about it. 🙂
Sounds like a great idea, I’d love to give this a go!
I WISH we did this on my campus!!! Im seriously about to just arrange it as an event in my city. Like a city-wide game of hide-n-seek. lol Love the blog!
time to set something up local! who needs to go to school to play zombie tag? we can do this in our own backyard! great post Jack! I’m excited at the idea of setting something up!
This is great. I hadn’t heard of it (but there were definitely days I felt like a zombie in college!) 🙂
Sounds wicked fun! Zombies are the bomb. My friend did a massive RPG where they had lasers instead of nerf guns and they hired professional actors to play the zombies. Needless to say, these zombies were really committed…
That is fantastic!! what a great idea!
i found out that there are two zombie events happening in the college town of Mankato (1 hr. north of me). They have a 5k zombie run and a night time golf tourney called “The Whacking Dead”. The 5k is at the end of this month and the golf tourney is at the end of May.
In both events i think i may join the zombies. wondering if runners taste better than golfers. hmmm….
Once you find out, let me know and I’ll post the results. I can have a sort of poll to find out people’s reactions then show the actual results of your experience.
Hey Jack I saw you stopped by and visited my site thanks
for checking me out I really do wish you had commented though. You’re views would be interesting.
I would have loved playing that game with my uni mates. Awesome!
I haven’t heard of this game but it looks awesome! Especially fun on a college campus. A great way to blow off steam. People love zombies, Jack.
We had games on our college campus, but never this elaborate. This has been going on since 2005, which indicates the zombie craze that’s taken over the media today is not a fad some folk would like to believe. The Zombie Run I wrote about last week, and Humans vs. Zombies is just the tip of the iceberg of cool zombie events taking place throughout the world. People have discovered how fun it is being chased.
Thats sound like crazy fun! The university I went to would’ve never gotten that since its in the middle of downtown and we’d likely get run over by cars…so nope, never tried it! Thats like a large scale game of tag 🙂
During my research I found well over 650 campuses throughout the world participating in the event. Much of the participants have played before, and the one who haven’t want to play again. It’s that popular. What I like about it is the massive advantage Original Zombies have over Human. OZ don’t need to wear headbands. So, in effect, they can blend in with humans and take them out, one at a time. They’re required arm band, like humans.
I also find this a thrilling game because it provides some strategy for the humans. Hard to ignore a zombie coming after you with a Nerf gun, whose sole aim is to get you to convert to the zombie side by snatching your ID card once you’ve been fired upon. Too sweet of a game, if you ask me.
Dang. All we did was get lit and try to climb the Admin building. Sounds like we’d fit right in….er…if they needed 52 year old zombies…
that sounds incredible! makes me wish I was back at uni for once!
I have never heard of this, but I’m ready to play right now. Just need to acquire a Nerf gun. Sounds like a great way to stay in shape and prep for the Zombie Apocalypse at the same time, right?
When I attended Florida State University to get my Masters a couple of years ago, I swear this game was happening on campus at least once a week.