Tips from the Pros: Humans vs. Zombies
Friday, April 4, 2014
The apocalypse will strike Stillwater next Monday during the annual Humans vs. Zombies game, from April 7 to 12, on the Oklahoma State University campus.
Humans vs. Zombies is an intense game of tag between the living and undead. Humans may be armed with Nerf Blasters and socks that can be used to stun attacking zombies. Zombies can turn humans into the undead with a firm tag. The living can be identified by a bandana tied on their arms, while zombies can be spotted by the bandanas on their heads. Stunned zombies wear bandanas around their necks for 15 minutes. Every player must wear wristbands with an identification number from the registration website, hvzsource.com.
When a human is tagged, he gives his wristband to the attacking zombie. The zombie must enter the identification number into the website to register the new zombie.
Administrators know that trying to stay alive can be stressful. Use these tips from administrators McKinley Humble and Michael Price to keep your humanity or wreak havoc during next week’s apocalypse.
Tips for humans:
- Check your corners. Zombies wait in blind spots in order to jump out and attack unsuspecting humans.
- Cooperate with other humans. Gather your human friends and classmates to form a convoy when leaving buildings in order to safely navigate campus.
- Be wary of classmates. The guy who sits behind you in physics was a human yesterday, but he could be a zombie today. Let zombie classmates leave class first so you can better assess your surroundings.
- Always reload at buffer zones. Don’t be caught unarmed when a horde of zombies chase you across the library lawn.
- Carry a tape measurer or 15-foot-long string in your backpack. Incase of a tagging disagreement, you can measure buffer zones to see if the human made it to the safety of the buffer zone before being tagged.
- Always carry a secondary weapon. Your Nerf Blaster could jam, so carry a second Nerf gun or some socks attached to your belt. Be sure to keep your secondary weapon easily available so you aren’t stuck sprinting across campus trying to wrestle your spare socks out of your backpack while being chased by the undead.
- Avoid the Student Union and Edmon Low Library. After tagging a human, zombies want to take captured wristbands to the nearest computer and report their tags, i.e., the Student Union and the library. Because this area is teeming with the walking dead, take indirect paths to class and find less-populated places to eat lunch.
- Show up early to missions. Zombies ambush late-goers. Find like-minded people to form groups to and from the missions.
Tips for zombies:
- Cardio, cardio, cardio. Zombies have the disadvantage of not having long-range weapons such as Nerf Blasters and socks. Zombies have to run more than humans, so good cardio is essential.
- Wear comfortable running shoes. All that cardio warrants good running shoes. If you haven’t broken in your sneakers yet, carry bandages in your backpack incase of blisters.
- Communication is key. Humans have the advantage in the game because of their weapons. A single zombie taking on a single human will likely lose. Communicate with other zombies to pair up or go in groups when hunting for humans to even the playing field.
- Find blind spots. Naïve humans will wander campus without checking around corners. Hide in blind spots, so when you spot a human you can jump out and tag.
- Be a good sport. Accept the fact that you will be stunned frequently and don’t quit the game if you become a zombie. Zombies are only stunned for 15 minutes when tagged, so take it in stride. While the game can be intense, it is important to remember to keep it fun.
For a full list of rules, visit the Humans vs. Zombies Facebook page, Humans vs. Zombies – Oklahoma State University. Register for the game at hvzsource.com/cowboys.
PHOTOS: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ostatenews/sets/72157643360232565/
Story by Kim Hunter