I’ve always been a big fan of zombie apocalypse fiction.  Not necessarily the Walking Dead, but the fast zombies as popularized in the movie, 28 Days Later.  The associated print fiction such as World War Z and the Zombie Survival Guide not only give practical tips on how to survive a Zombie Apocalypse, but how to survive almost any disaster.  It only remains for someone to come up with a live action game where they can match their wits against the shambling machinations of the undead.

On April 21, 2012, the first playtest of Apocalypse Wars occured at Nose Hill Park.  The Apocalypse Wars Group is attempting to run a charity event based upon the struggles of an intrepid group of humans entering a zombie-infested area where an airplane crashed containing the last known antidote to the zombie infection.  They need to retrieve it or die trying.

Members of the Calgary Outdoor Club and members of the Apocalypse Wars executive ran three scenarios that tested out timings, equipment and props used.   We received extremely favorable feedback from participants who who throughly enjoyed the experience and expressed a strong interest in being involved in the first public Apocalypse Wars in August 2012.

Outside of this event, I’ve always been a proponent of combining exercise in the form of a structured contest or game.  When you’re busy thinking about your next move, or your very survival, you’re thinking less about how tired you are or how sore your muscles are.  You dig deeper.  You work harder.

Also, the stories that arise from this game are quite funny as well.  For example, we experimented with having an open container of water to be the antidote which needed to be located and brought back to the human base. 

Without being spilt.

While being chased by zombies over broken ground.

Let’s just say that a misstep happened and most of the antidote flew everywhere.  And after an erudite string of profanities, the human player saw that a zombie player was laughing at her.

Hell hath no fury like an antidote-dropper scorned.  She flung the remainder of the antidote at him, catching him full across the chest.  Grabbing his chest in a dramatic fashion, he asked,  ”Does this mean I’m cured?” 

 “No, it just means you’re an a**hole.”  she replied tartly.

Currently, I’m working on the rules for a more generic game that includes 6-10 different scenarios and set ups with extra rules to make each game variable and unique.   Basic guidelines are also being developed to try to ensure the safety of participants.

Playtesting begins in Calgary on May 27th and people interested in participating can register to play through the Calgary Outdoor Club (free to join!) or by contacting me through this website.