Humans vs Zombies

[Visions of Khas]

Braaaaiiiiinsssss...

This is what Stephen Colbert has to say about it:

http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/187340/october-07-2008/threatdown---zombies

(Media contributed by RIT.)

Introductory video:

Glz40WxH1os


If you haven't heard of it before, you have now. Humans vs Zombies (http://humansvszombies.org/) - HVZ - is a popular game of tag that's swept the nation and is played on campuses all over the country. The gist is this: there are two teams; humans, and zombies. You start out as a human. If you are tagged by a zombie, you too become one and work to extend the Horde. Humans in turn can defend themselves with Nerf Blasters and tube socks. Each night there a missions. Statements are emailed to participants.

I attend the Rochester Institute of Technology, and the HVZ week is coming to a head. There were some 500 participants, of which five were initial zombies. By Monday night approximately 45% were zombified. Tonight's mission consisted of ferrying "Distress Beacons" from the residential district to academic side. I was part of a stealth detachment - five men total - with one of the packages. We made it half way under cover of darkness before being ambushed. Me and another Human were left4dead as nine zombies cut us off.

It was a pretty fun stand-off; there's virtually never any bad blood between people. I went, "So hey, how's it goin'? Any kills today?" The girl zombies shakes her head. We banter back and forth while the zombies constrict the net.

Finally, a zombie says, "Okay, let's just zerg rush 'em," and four of the zombies form a line. They are out of firing distance, so there wasn't much we could do. At the order, "Build more Ziggurats", they charged. It was a perfectly executed Attack Pattern Delta (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Attack_Pattern_Delta). We took out four of the zombies, but fell to the onslaught.

At the time, I had garnered the night vision goggles from our team's dumbass "captain"... who had run out on us. Later on, I found that, due to disorderly conduct (throwing his gun at the back of a kid's head) our "Captain" was banned from the game. We also discovered this wasn't his first time being banned, and he had signed into the game this year under the alias of Edward Elric. Yes, THAT Edward Elric.

Pissed with him, and the team in general, we two new recruits decided to call the Human Coordinator and have her field backup to undead territory in a ploy to get the Humans all "killed".

Yes. I am a very bad, bad person. :3

[screw_ball69]

Zomg this needs to played at cons.

[Pandonetho]

Haha, if you guys like Zombie games you guys should play some Zombie Night games in Airsoft.

[Sarov]

Man would I love to do something like that regardless of how silly I might look doing it. Too bad they probably don’t do it were I live.

I remember when I used to do reconnaissance in the forest by my friend’s house for a couple of hours at a time. It was a lot of fun. I even dressed up in camouflage and got myself a fake gun for it too.

[Xyvik]

Anybody up for a live-play version of Plants VS Zombies? (http://www.popcap.com/extras/pvz/)

[Visions of Khas]

I even dressed up in camouflage and got myself a fake gun for it too.
People go all-out here. Like I said, some people bring night vision goggles, lights, laser pointers for Nerf blasters, camo.

There's a tunnel system on campus; one connects the residential buildings, several others connect the academic buildings. This is necessitated by horrible snowy weather in the winter. This gives humans a leg-up, but they have to eventually come out of hiding to play. It's hilarious watching humans book it from one building to another where the tunnels don't connect. Make for good ambush camps.

[Sarov]

People go all-out here. Like I said, some people bring night vision goggles, lights, laser pointers for Nerf blasters, camo.

There's a tunnel system on campus; one connects the residential buildings, several others connect the academic buildings. This is necessitated by horrible snowy weather in the winter. This gives humans a leg-up, but they have to eventually come out of hiding to play. It's hilarious watching humans book it from one building to another where the tunnels don't connect. Make for good ambush camps.

My military-obsessed brain is pleased.

Anyways, that's pretty awesome. I'd totally participate in that if I could. Maybe get some camouflage, night vision goggles, those Nerf guns that fire those styrofoam-like projectiles. Blend in with the people who aren't playing the game. I'd totally do recon there. Oh, the possibilities...

[screw_ball69]

Haha, if you guys like Zombie games you guys should play some Zombie Night games in Airsoft.

OMG, I'm an idiot for not doing this with my airsoft group.

[Visions of Khas]

My military-obsessed brain is pleased.
One of the guys I was playing with was a ROTC kid and had training with various small arms, rifles and sniper rifles. He was a good shot and impressive strategist.

Most of the people who took charge did it for the glory and authority, and the rest of us were stupid enough to follow. You never, EVER send people by ones and twos to go search and destroy missions; and never, EVER take just five people for a daring raid deep into the heart of enemy territory, armed only with one-shot guns. DUMB. That's called brain salad.


Blend in with the people who aren't playing the game.
The humans had a pretty extensive recon outfit - people forgoing the bandanas and officially being unable to play while observing enemy movement. We lacked real leaders, however. The zombies are far better coordinated.


500 players. 170 humans left. It's gonna be a massacre. :3

[Sarov]

One of the guys I was playing with was a ROTC kid and had training with various small arms, rifles and sniper rifles. He was a good shot and impressive strategist.

Most of the people who took charge did it for the glory and authority, and the rest of us were stupid enough to follow. You never, EVER send people by ones and twos to go search and destroy missions; and never, EVER take just five people for a daring raid deep into the heart of enemy territory, armed only with one-shot guns. DUMB. That's called brain salad.


The humans had a pretty extensive recon outfit - people forgoing the bandanas and officially being unable to play while observing enemy movement. We lacked real leaders, however. The zombies are far better coordinated.


500 players. 170 humans left. It's gonna be a massacre. :3

Yeah. I used to be really obsessed about the military. Studying tactics, training with weapons if I could etc. I'd even go as far as wearing actually BDUs in public. Confused the heck out of people I'll tell you that. And to an extent, I still am a bit obsessed with the military, just not as much. I used to also be in Air Cadets and in Basic Band camp we learned signals and such - how to signal stop, right, left etc. So this game would be right up my alley.

I hate having idiots for leaders. I make a pretty good strategist when I take the time to actually think of things. But I'm better at dealing with a 'squad' rather than an a 'platoon' or 'army'.

What's even stupider is if that one shot gun is the only one they have. I'd take multiple and even get extra ammunition if I could.

You'd think that common sense would make them send more people on those missions. But oh, wait, common sense isn't so common anymore. Well, I'm glad I still have it. :D

A massacre indeed but it'll be so much fun. XD

[Visions of Khas]

http://www.rit.edu/news/umag/spring2009/14_zombies_take_rit.php




Okay, so my best HVZ story EVER.

So, my first time playing. First night. First mission. Objective: hold the football field from zombie marauders for 45 minutes so outside forces can drop supplies.

Several hundred humans against a relatively meager zombie force. We had the ground and were separated by a fence and bleachers.

Zombies were obviously at a loss and had no way to win. Understanding this, we humans began singing:

"Were no strangers to love
You know the rules and so do I
A full commitments what I'm thinking of
You wouldn't get this from any other guy..."

Y'see, RIT is a tech school. I dare you to find a school with more nerds, geeks, anime lovers, outcasts and computer engineers. You will never find a more wretched hive of Larpers and Naruto otaku.

So the zombies broke out the BIG GUNS:

The girls.

So, with this is mind, you must understand the zombies turned the tables on us.

My friend Krystin shrugged it off and proclaimed, "Unless the bras come off, don't bother looking."

A moment later bras came flying over the fence at us.

With the humans properly distracted, the zombies flanked us and succeeded in getting some humans. We humans made it out, but the zombies got some impressive kills.



You'd think that common sense would make them send more people on those missions. But oh, wait, common sense isn't so common anymore. Well, I'm glad I still have it.
I'm decent at strategy, but lacked knowledge and layout of the campus to effectively coordinate.

[screw_ball69]

http://www.rit.edu/news/umag/spring2009/14_zombies_take_rit.php




Okay, so my best HVZ story EVER.

So, my first time playing. First night. First mission. Objective: hold the football field from zombie marauders for 45 minutes so outside forces can drop supplies.

Several hundred humans against a relatively meager zombie force. We had the ground and were separated by a fence and bleachers.

Zombies were obviously at a loss and had no way to win. Understanding this, we humans began singing:

"Were no strangers to love
You know the rules and so do I
A full commitments what I'm thinking of
You wouldn't get this from any other guy..."

Y'see, RIT is a tech school. I dare you to find a school with more nerds, geeks, anime lovers, outcasts and computer engineers. You will never find a more wretched hive of Larpers and Naruto otaku.

So the zombies broke out the BIG GUNS:

The girls.

So, with this is mind, you must understand the zombies turned the tables on us.

My friend Krystin shrugged it off and proclaimed, "Unless the bras come off, don't bother looking."

A moment later bras came flying over the fence at us.

With the humans properly distracted, the zombies flanked us and succeeded in getting some humans. We humans made it out, but the zombies got some impressive kills.



I'm decent at strategy, but lacked knowledge and layout of the campus to effectively coordinate.

Amazing stratagy.

[DemolitionSquid]

Hitler's final solution: boobs.

[Sarov]

Zombies were obviously at a loss and had no way to win. Understanding this, we humans began singing:

"Were no strangers to love
You know the rules and so do I
A full commitments what I'm thinking of
You wouldn't get this from any other guy..."

That right there just made me laugh.


So the zombies broke out the BIG GUNS:

The girls.

So, with this is mind, you must understand the zombies turned the tables on us.

My friend Krystin shrugged it off and proclaimed, "Unless the bras come off, don't bother looking."

A moment later bras came flying over the fence at us.

Some self control they had. I would have slapped somebody across the head for that. Typical thing coming from men.

And before any asks, even if the guys did it, I would be unbothered. :p


I'm decent at strategy, but lacked knowledge and layout of the campus to effectively coordinate.

Ah. Yeah, that would be a big problem. Although, for me, my hearing, agility and aim would definitely help make up for not knowing the layout - I might hear the zombie coming. Although that might be because I'm paranoid and not because of my hearing... Lol.

[Visions of Khas]

Some self control they had... Typical thing coming from men.
HEY - some credit, please? I was watching our flank and screaming, "Zombies, zombies - oh my gawd ZOMBIES!" It was hilarious to watch how far the zeds went. The human reaction was also funny, to say the least.


Although that might be because I'm paranoid and not because of my hearing.
High five. I'm more fit than most of my geek colleagues. When the squad goes off running, I usually tag behind in the shadows or in alcoves watching our six, and help coordinate the other humans and provide cover fire. Team-work ftw. Glory-hog leaders = fail.

[Sarov]

HEY - some credit, please? I was watching our flank and screaming, "Zombies, zombies - oh my gawd ZOMBIES!" It was hilarious to watch how far the zeds went. The human reaction was also funny, to say the least.

Ha! Good for you! At least someone realizes that you're more likely to get your face ripped or bitten off and your brains eaten than to get anything sexual out of them.

Oh, and I'd probably facepalm myself at the guys reaction too. And maybe scream "OH MY GOD! TEH ZOMBEHS ARE COMING!" XD

[Visions of Khas]

Last night's mission consisted of intercepting the humans as they gather up flags from across the campus, and killing three "engineers". We only held one of the flags, though rumor had it that it was a decoy made by the Humans.

The highlight the night occurred at the very end. The Horde was holding the last flag on the football field when we saw a lone Zombie chase a lone Human. We cheered him on, but the girl was too fast. It was obvious the Human was going to escape. As she rounded the corner of the gym, a massive horde of literally thirty zombies came out of no where and tackled her. The zombies exploded in cheer.

We may have lost, but this scene was well worth it. :D

[sandwich_bird]

I agree with that Joe guy. Something I would have probably done in high school but I would look pretty retarded doing that at my university.

[Visions of Khas]

Guess you're one of those people who's obsessed more with appearances than having fun and meeting new people. In the words of PerfectTear, don't take life too seriously -- you don't get out alive. :D

[Sarov]

Last night's mission consisted of intercepting the humans as they gather up flags from across the campus, and killing three "engineers". We only held one of the flags, though rumor had it that it was a decoy made by the Humans.

The highlight the night occurred at the very end. The Horde was holding the last flag on the football field when we saw a lone Zombie chase a lone Human. We cheered him on, but the girl was too fast. It was obvious the Human was going to escape. As she rounded the corner of the gym, a massive horde of literally thirty zombies came out of no where and tackled her. The zombies exploded in cheer.

We may have lost, but this scene was well worth it. :D

Ha! Thought she could get away didn't she? I probably would have been screaming, "Run bitch run! He's gonna kill you!" Of course that would have given me away so it wouldn't have been a good thing to do... but I'd do it for the lulz!

[Visions of Khas]

This quarter's HVZ has finally ended. Last night was the Extraction mission, the objective of which was for the Humans to make a beeline from across campus to the extraction point. The number of humans to zombies was fairly even.

The humans won handily. Somebody felt it necessary to call the police to coral the zombies away from the extraction zone, Building 76, allowing the humans to evacuate en mass. Such a strategy is in very poor taste. =[

[Sarov]

This quarter's HVZ has finally ended. Last night was the Extraction mission, the objective of which was for the Humans to make a beeline from across campus to the extraction point. The number of humans to zombies was fairly even.

The humans won handily. Somebody felt it necessary to call the police to coral the zombies away from the extraction zone, Building 76, allowing the humans to evacuate en mass. Such a strategy is in very poor taste. =[

Very poor taste indeed.

Isn't half the fun running, possibly screaming like a maniac or flailing your arms, towards the extraction point, dodging zombies? I would think so. Besides, that tactic - calling the police - makes the end part of the game too easy.

[Visions of Khas]

Tell me about it.

If the Flag deception were real, I'd applaud the Humans' intelligence and ingenuity. Fortunately, the rumor they spread was itself the only ploy, which was pretty good.