How to survive HvZ

Photos by Savannah Glasgow

By now you’ve probably noticed SCAD students wearing green bandanas and chasing each other around the dorms. It’s a game called Humans vs. Zombies (HvZ), where dozens of players prepare for a zombie outbreak with NERF guns, armor and even taped socks.

The game starts when an OZ (Original Zombie) is chosen randomly out of a large pool of volunteers. He or she gets infected as soon as they receive a call from one of the moderators, beginning their mission of infecting the campus. The OZ, as well as all consecutive zombies, must tie their bandanas around their head to mark their infected status. Non-infected players wear theirs on their arm.

To convert someone, the attacking zombie must tag a human player with both hands. When tagged, a human must hand their “kill card” (given at registration) to the zombie. The zombie will enter the code written on the card under their kill list in the game’s website, ranking points towards their team. Humans may use NERF guns and taped socks to defend themselves, by either shooting or tossing their ammo at the zombies. If hit, a zombie immediately becomes stunned for eight minutes and become inactive and unable to attack. They must also lower their bandana all the way to their neck during the duration of their stun so humans know they are harmless.

“Infected Zones” are the areas of the dorms in which the game takes place. Every dorm has a few safe zones, including rooms, computer labs, diners etc. But anything marked in red in their website’s map are feeding grounds for zombies. Missions take place during the night and all registered players are emailed the location of where these events take place. Objectives vary from collecting intel, capturing points, and even rescue missions. Humans gain points by completing them, but you can expect the whole horde of zombies trying to stop you. You’re not safe during the day, either: a zombie may tag you in any of the infected zones time from 5-12 a.m. every day.

The game started on March 25 and will continue until Sunday, March 29. Registration is already closed this year, but if you wish to participate next year, be sure to follow them on Facebook, or register on their website to be notified by email next time registration begins.

Pablo Portilla del Valle