Posts Tagged ‘Zombie Games’
15 items.
It’s that time of year again! Santa is coming! And if you don’t know what to put on your holiday list yet, let me help you with that. I have searched Amazon.com to come up with the most popular zombie gift ideas this holiday season! Every Monday from now until Christmas, I’ll be putting up some gift ideas from toys, to books, to video games, and even decorum.
So this week I figured I would bring you the most popular of the zombie video games. The video game category on Amazon.com will include anything for any of the gaming systems, but not every game will be available for every system. You may find a completely different list if you were to look at, say Steam, or Electronic Gaming Magazine. This is because Amazon uses the games that sell on their own site for their popularity status, and not overall sales across all retailers.
To find my results, I went to the specific department, and searched “Zombies.” I then selected “New and Popular” in the Sort by Field. If you try this yourself, be warned, some things that come up are not zombie related. So to come up with this list I had to do some clean up. I’ve removed anything from the results that do not seem to fit (for example aliens instead of zombies), and even grouped like items together so that we weren’t coming up with game of the year editions right next to the regular editions on our list. Instead I’ll just mention the group as a set. To be fare, gaming bundles have been removed so as to not boost the popularity of one game over another based on the fact that the console comes with it. I also removed anything with less than 4 stars from this list.
WARNING: I have not played games myself. Games may not be suitable for all ages. Quality and “Top 10” status are not set by me; they are set by Amazon.com and the reviewers of the games who have posted on Amazon.com. If you disagree with this top 10 in any way, feel free to leave a comment below and tell us what you would have picked instead, however please do not simply post trash. Tell us why you did/didn’t like the game, what you would have replaced it with, and why. “This game sucks turds,” is not an acceptable review.
And now, for the list.
10. Borderlands: Game of the Year Edition – 2K Games
In my opinion, one of the best zombie/non-zombie shooters ever. Odd on the fact that it’s an RPG as well and you have one hell of a game. This game only had really one part that had anything to do with zombies, and that’s the Zombie Island of Dr. Ned expansion that comes free with the Game of the Year edition. The rest of the game is a FPS paradise on the biggest trash heap in the universe. Explore the world of Pandora, find the vault yadda yadda yadda… just go kill things. It’s fun.
9. Left 4 Dead: Game of the Year Edition – Electronic Arts/Valve
The zombie apocalypse fell upon man faster than you can ever imagine. Only instead of just the slow, mindless feeding machines, some of them evolved. Not only is it bad enough that everyone you ever knew or loved is dead (or undead), but now you have to worry about the smokers and their restricting tongues, the boomers who vomit zombie gathering goop at you, and hunters who jump at you from out of nowhere. Oh yea, and whatever you do… don’t startle the witch.
You and up to four friends are however immune to the zombie virus, but not the zombie bites, scratches and tearing they will do to you if you get caught. Run for the safe house as fast as you can. All that matters is survival. Try not to leave anyone behind, except for Louis. He’s always a bad shot and kind of a prick.
8. Left 4 Dead II – Electronic Arts/Valve
You think this is just the same game with different packaging, but oh no, it’s so much more. With new characters, new enemies and new levels that will frustrate the hell out of you, this isn’t your pappy’s Left 4 Dead. People ask me which I liked better, L4D, or L4D2. I loved them both. Your ultimate goal is to find away to the safety of the vehicle that will take you away from the madness that surrounds you. But unlike the last game where there was always someone there at the end to take you away, often times you realize that all that’s left, is you.
7. Call of Duty: World at War – Activision
Fight the Axis nations as you take position in the most decisive and intense battles of WWII. But once your done sticking it up Hitler’s derriere, you get to face the ultimate test of your skills. Nazi Zombies. It’s you and your friends, stuck in a house that’s being overrun by the zombies of the men you just killed. This mode is intense, it is frightening, and it is completely the definition of fun and frustration all wrapped into one.
6. Call of Duty: Black Ops II – Activision
Call of Duty: Black Ops II is one of the most anticipated titles of this year. With a largely expanded zombies portion of the game, it’s hard to not drool over this one. The zombies mode has several game play selections this time around. New maps, new challenges, and even a mini zombie story mode that will have you on your toes. This time you can go head to head against players all over the world in special events that you design. In fact I don’t know why your still reading this list right now… I’d be heading to Game Stop.
5. Red Dead Redemption: Game of the Year Edition – Rockstar Games
Red Dead Redemption is the best Western based game ever made. Live like a true hero and take on the bandits and outlaws that plague the Wild West. But when you have had your fun taking on the immersive and expansive world of Red Dead, try your hand at the expansion pack Undead Nightmare that comes with this game. This is not a new game by any means but it doesn’t make it any less fun. I think Rockstar did a great job at taking their hit game and adapting a zombie mode to it. Instead of a short little level you get to play through all of the territories you became familiar with in Red Dead Redemption. This is a game on its own. Its own story line, its own plot twists, its own flavor. Really one of the best expansion packs I’ve ever played, hands down.
4. ZombiU – Ubisoft
I recently wrote a review of ZombiU. I feel it does deserve the number 4 slot on this list. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but I keep reading more and more positive reviews of this title. Unfortunately it’s only available on the Nintendo Wii U. I myself won’t be asking for this title, but maybe next year when I can actually find a Wii U available, and I can afford the price tag.
3. Plants vs. Zombies – PopCap Games
This game has been around for years and somehow PopCap finds a way year after year to keep it relevant. Many people who wouldn’t give it a chance due to it being a “casual game” and now letting their curiosity get the better of them. Part of that is the fact that this game has made the jump from PC, and downloadable only, to the hand held peripheral world with the Nintendo DS version. It’s an excellent strategy game that is cute and funny as well. It’s a win win! Uh oh, now I’m getting the end song in my head again… IT NEVER GOES AWAY!
2. Sims 3: Supernatural – Electronic Arts
I think this is one of the games that made it on this list due to the target audience of Amazon users more than the overall sales of the game. I could be wrong though. The Sims series has been around for a long, long, long time and every year it finds new fans as the series comes out with more expansions and new editions. Sims 3: Supernatural is an expansion that is targeted to a certain crowd of gamers. In it you get to explore a world of Sims where werewolf’s and witches run free. The activities in the Sims have been adapted to compliment the spooky world created by the player. It does seem like a fun twist to a game series that has such the longevity as the Sims have. And yes, there are zombies.
1. The Walking Dead – TellTale Games
This is number one for a reason. Not only was it ingeniously released in episodes over the break of The Walking Dead on AMC, but this game is truly great. Remember choose your own adventure books? Everyone loved them! And this game uses that mechanic to tell a story all your own that is enveloped in the densely imaginative world created by Robert Kirkman. The game play is exciting, the story is riveting and the surprises never end. No wonder this game took home Game of The Year on Spike TV’s VGA’s. If you only get one zombie themed game this year, make this one it.
There you have it! The top 10 zombie video games of the season. Did you have a one you would like to recommend that did not make it to the list? Add an addendum in the comments below!
Till Fate brings our future…
Penguin Prince
Image Sources
Are all from Amazon.com under the respective product link embedded in the item name.
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It’s that time of year again! Santa is coming! And if you don’t know what to put on your holiday list yet, let me help you with that. I have searched Amazon.com to come up with the most popular zombie gift ideas this holiday season! Every Monday from now until Christmas, I’ll be putting up some gift ideas from toys, to books, to video games, and even decorum.
So this week I figured I would bring you the most popular of the zombie toys. The toys category includes board games, but not video games. Video games will be a separate post.
To find my results, I went to the specific department, and searched “Zombies.” I then selected “New and Popular” in the Sort by Field. If you try this yourself, be warned, some things that come up are not zombie related. So to come up with this list I had to do some clean up. I’ve removed anything from the results that does not seem to fit (for example aliens instead of zombies), and even grouped like items together so that we weren’t coming up with 3 Walking Dead action figures on our list. Instead I’ll just mention the group as a set. I also removed anything with less than 4 stars from this list.
10. Last Night On Earth – The Zombie Game:
Last Night On Earth is a board game that pits you against the undead masses in an epic fight for your lives. For 2 to 6 players this game has gotten great reviews and will will entertain you and a small party! Play as either human survivors, or play as the zombies and try to wipe your friends off this earth! With several scenarios that drastically change the game, this modular board game will make it hard to get board of.
9. McFarlane Toys The Walking Dead TV Series 2
What Walking Dead fan would get caught without these on their Christmas list? McFarlane makes the best action figures. Pair that up with the number 1 zombie TV show ever, and you have one must have this holiday season. Collect them all for display or for play. Now you can reenact your favorite scenes from the hit TV show!
8. Munchkin Zombies
This is one of my personal favorite games. Building of the insanely popular mechanics of the Steve Jackson Games Munchkin, Muchkin Zombies brings you into a whole new world where you always start off as a Level 1 Character with no class, disagreements on the rules are always settled by loud arguments (according to the rule book), and the silly and insane are just another flip of the cards.
7. Bowling Zombies
This is a novelty game with a zombie twist. With 10 hand crafted zombie pins, you use your wooden bowling ball to knock over as many as you can without knocking over the king-pin. This table top game will be loads of fun for two players who want to have a ball.
Get it? “have a ball?” Bowling? Ah everyone’s a critic.
6. ThinkGeek – Zombie Plush Slippers
If you’re looking for a way to keep your feet warm this winter, why not employ some zombies to help you with that. This clever design for slippers will not only keep you warm but also be a great conversation piece. So if you dare, stick your feet into the zombie mouths. They won’t bite… promise.
5. Zombie Dice
Another Steve Jackson game making the list this year! And another personal favorite of mine. You play as a zombie to see how many brains you can eat! Save your brains to eat all at once! Collect as many as you can get your undead hands on. Be careful of the shotguns however. Three of these and you loose all your brains. Eat the brains before getting shot up and you can save your score for the next round. First to reach the predetermined score wins! Another fun party game where it’s just as fun to watch as it is to play!
4. E5000 Auto Fire Blaster with Zombie Target
Want to teach your kids about firearm safety and techniques without handing over a real gun? This may be your solution. The E5000 Auto Fire Blaster uses BlasterPro Ammo that disintegrates on impact, leaving little mess for you to clean up and making it safe(r) to play indoors, unlike paintball. Using the Zombie target you can teach your kids the basics of firearm safety and shooting accuracy without the danger of real guns! The design gives you a rifle feel for accurate handling training.
3. Monster High Dolls
Think what Barbie would be like if her and her friends were monsters instead of, well everything else that Barbie is. These cute dolls are popular with little girls who want just a little bit of creepy with their play. With characters based off of werewolves, yettie’s, vampires, Mummies/Egyptian rulers, gorgons, and yes, even zombies, there’s a wide variety of dolls to choose from as well as lots of different cloths, accessories, and playsets.
2. The Walking Dead Board Game
This is one game on the list I have not gotten a chance to play. But being based off the hit television show The Walking Dead, this board game is getting a lot of attention. Play as your favorite characters from the TV Show and see how well you would survive a zombie apocalypse! If you happen to get bit, don’t worry, your new objective is to turn against you former allies to help the zombies wipe out humanity.
1. Lego Monster Fighters Sets
Lego has been delighting children for generations with their toys that are only as limited as your imagination. This new Monster Fighters set tells the story of one brave adventurer who’s on a mission to stop the monsters from obtaining 6 magical moonstones. With the power to turn day into permanent night where vampires, werewolves, mummies, and zombies will be free to roam around the world forever, these moonstones must be protected at all costs! Build castles, dungeons, and other playsets to go on your own journey and fight back the evil that lurks in the night!
There you have it! The top 10 zombie toys of the season. Get some for your kids, get some for your friends, get some for yourself! Just call me so we can play together!
Till Fate brings our future…
Penguin Prince
Image Sources
Are all from Amazon.com under the respective product link embedded in the item name.
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So are you on the fence about purchasing the new Wii U? At about $300 (USA) a pop, I’m on the fence myself. I have owned every Nintendo gaming system since the NES, and am a huge Nintendo fan. Some of my fondest gaming memories came from battling my brother in Street Fighter 2 on the Super Nintendo, or battling alongside my brother in Double Dragon. Mario Cart 64 was about the only video game I could ever get my Dad to play with me, so that will always hold a fond place in my heart. And who among the gamers have never had an epic game of Super Smash Brother’s?
Nintendo may not give us the flashy, brutal, and fast paced games the Xbox 360, or PS3 do, but it will always hold a place in our hearts for every expansion of Zelda they come out with. When Wii came out they raised a bar. Whether you loved or hated the unconventional controller design, the Wii did push the envelope by developing and mass producing one of gaming’s first complete, and surprisingly fairly accurate, motion sensor technology. With the Wii U, they have upped the game yet again, take a look at this sexy thing below.
Who owns a Wii U. Not Mii. 
{1}
Now they went surprisingly to a bulky and what looks like a whole lot less flexible control pad. This control pad may remind you more of a pimped out PSP, than a controller The screen is huge in this thing and touch sensitive to boot. When I said “what looks like a whole lot less flexible,” what I mean to say is that it’s looks will be a little deceiving. You won’t be able to get up and move around with this controller like you could the Wii, but the original Wii controllers will be a part of the Wii U system, and in some cases, the Wii U controller will be used as an extension of the original Wii controller This has just made game play infinitely more exciting!
Additional Wii U controllers will not become available for the Wii U for some time, and replacement controller prices have not been set yet but are rumored to run up to $170. Not to mention a replacement controller will only be available if you break or lose your current one, which to be honest,if you lose a behemoth like this, you need to clean your freaking house or get your eyes checked. The thing is larger than the console itself! At this price, I’ll be strapping it to my hands with duck tape in fear of dropping it!
What is making this thing flexible is the second screen. What did you miss it? I don’t know how you could considering that thing is huge! This screen will take advantage of movement and position cues that will enable the player to do things like look around a room by actually turning away from the TV, allowing a player to have things like stats, maps, or backpack inventories constantly available without losing the action on the main screen. You will even be able to take some games from the home TV screen, and move it to the controller, allowing you to continue the fun when your wife wants to watch that horrible sparkly vampire movie for the 700th time. I could see this being used as a rear view mirror in racing games, a magnifying lens in detective games, and of course like in the video below a scope for sniper games.
I’m looking forward to actually being able to take some multiplayer games that you used to not be able to play with other players on the same console, and making it feasible to enable them to play together. WHEN multiple controllers become available, you will be able to play card games like poker, Magic the Gathering, or any other card game where it requires secret hands, together in the same room, on the same TV. This could also open up avenues for totally different types of multiplayer games, such as strategy games, or FPS games, where on each controller could be a first person view, and on the big screen a top down view, enabling players to co-opp in a totally new way.
Anyway why am I talking about the Wii U in this zombie blog? Well if you were one of the lucky ones to get your hands on this constantly sold out system, you might have been inclined to pick up ZombiU when it was released on November 18th. IGN only gives this game a 6.8 out of 10. I’ve not gotten the chance to play it myself, but from what I am reading and seeing from this game, that score sound fair. I will say that I am impressed by the visuals of this game. Ubisoft was able to develop a detailed environment, with multiple locations to explore. They were also successful, in my opinion with developing realistic zombie characters. According some reviews the game play gets very repetitive and leaves you feeling disappointed with the experience. Other reviews are calling this game truly scary, and exactly what a survival horror game should be.
“What were those orders sir? I’m sorry, your going to have to annunciate Sir! I don’t speak growls and grunts Sir! Forget this… I’m shooting you in the face.” {2}
The game is set in London, and all characters set you up with a cricket bat as your first weapon. Evidently the developers were very realistic when it came to finding additional supplies. They are scarce and guns are super scarce. This should be understandable. London has strict anti-gun laws so you will not be finding a gun or a box of ammo in every other home you ransack However faults are being placed in the very monotonous mechanic of the easiest way to fight the zombies, which is to lure them away one at a time and bash them repeatedly in the head. One other complaint mentioned by one review was that the limping zombies always seem to be able to keep up with you, even if you try to run away, with what limited area you have to run around in that is.
Now the most interesting feature of this game again is the Wii U controller. The second screen is used in multiple ways, however inventory control and map display are two of the most used. The screen on the controller can also be used however to monitor surveillance systems, spray paint messages to other online players, use the sniper rifle, use sonar, radar, and scanner functions, hack door locks, pick door locks, man turret stations… ect. The main complaint I’m reading however is that these other innovative uses are not utilized often enough, which to be quite honest, may be due to a players play/survival style, or availability of said equipment. What I’m liking about this setup however is you actually have to look away from your main screen to access all these functions, and of course your game play doesn’t stop. Just like in real life, if you start going through your bag, or focusing on a problem before you and not everything else happening around you, you could become a zombie snack.
Screenshot is from the ZombieU official website. Spend too much attention to that lock on the door, and those zombies will just sneak up to you. Don’t speed too much time on that second screen! {3}
One review I watched told us to give the game some time. The first hour or two you play it may be frustrating, however once you get a hang of the unique control system and ferocity of the game, that it just becomes better and better. There is little learning curve with the game, meaning it’s difficult from the word go. If you know how to play games, it will be a quick pick up. If you’re new to games however, or this is your first experience with a zombie survival game, you may be experiencing an exercise in futility. The review went on to say that this isn’t Dead Island or Left 4 Dead, this is true survival, and if you can enjoy the challenge of trying to make your character survive the longest, this will be the game for you.
I’m missing a lot of details here, like how you can go back and hunt your previous characters for their Bug-Out-Bags, or how your characters can end up in your friends games once they die. That’s right, go put Frank out of his misery! (I know a Friend who would get this game just to be able to kill every one of my dead characters just to rub it in my face. Multiplayer on this is evidently pretty legit as well where one character utilizes the Wii U remote to place zombies strategically around the opposing player who uses the traditional Wii controllers to wipe them out. This mode is getting better reviews as it’s a “full arsenal” kind of setup and you get to enjoy mowing down zeds with rifles and fully automatic weapons. I’m seeing that this could easily be one of those games where expansions could be used to give you more areas to explore, more weapons to find, and maybe more and better puzzles.
Have you played ZombiU? What rating would you give it? Let us know in the comments below!
You can also send me an email at penguinprince@grimcrew.com Follow Dead Future on Facebook and Google +. You can also follow me on Twitter and Google +.
Till Fate brings our Future…
Penguin Prince
Image Sources
{1} http://www.extremetech.com/gaming/141577-did-nintendo-survive-week-one-of-the-wii-u
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Due to extenuating circumstances (read I studied too much then fell asleep) I had to cancel this weeks scheduled zombie current events post. However rest assured if you enjoy my weekly advisement of zombies in the news, this segment will be back next Wednesday. In the mean time I figured I would talk about a game I have seen trailers for but otherwise payed little attention to.
If you have been in a Game Stop, or frequent any video game websites in the last few months, you have probably come across this little hottie in the cheerleader outfit that would never be sanctioned by any high school.
Image source: http://lockerz.com/s/167890519
I mean come on leg warmers? Really?
Juliet seems to be the only girl in the school who is not trying to eat her classmates and she thinks the whole zombie look is like totally gross. Apparently some douchebag kid name Sean took his animosity toward the world (but mostly his school) a little too far and decided to bring the apocalypse in all his over dramatic emo ways. And it’s up to Juliet to kick his ass in order to save the world, or whats left of it.
This Valentine’s day a new trailer for Lollipop Chainsaw was released showing a touching story on how the true love of Juliet’s life became a talking head strapped to her hip. Take a look.
Man I hope there is some explanation for that. Although most likely the explanation is going to be that Juliet is freaking crazy. As if you couldn’t tell.
When I first saw the trailer for this game in fall of 2011 I immediately wrote it off. It looked like to me that the developer was just trying the cash in on the zombie craze mixing in a little sex to appeal to some pervs out there. And that still may be true. But the more I watch these new trailers, the more I see that their is a storyline to this game and with Kadokawa Games putting a bit of importance to Nick and Juliet’s relationship and their partnership the storyline looks like it will have just a little more depth to it than hot girl in cheerleader uniform wields a chainsaw.
But seriously, drop kicking your boyfriend’s head at a zombie? Is that any way to show your loved one you care?
Another thing to point out about this game, it’s not even released yet, but Juliet Starling cos players are already showing up at conventions. It’s good to know that female gamers are even jumping on the band waggon with this one. It may go to show other gaming companies that you can appeal to a female audience without being stereotypical.
Image Source http://www.kamisama.fr/cosplay-cosplay-cosplay-juliett-lollipop-chainsaw-p57-photo-6965.html
Other news showing that this game is going to be big, Juliet was listed as # 19 in UGN’s 99 hottest fictional women in 2012. If you check Facebook and Twitter, Lollipop Chansaw has a combined total of over 20,000 followers. I even saw someone with a Lollipop Chainsaw tattoo. One thing is for sure this game is hitting it big, let’s just hope that the game play doesn’t let it’s fans down.
Lollipop Chainsaw is scheduled to come out some time later this year so look for it for the Xbox 360, and Playstation 3.
Want to comment on today’s post? Leave a comment below or email me at penguinprince@grimcrew.com. You can also follow Dead Future on Facebook and Google +. You can also follow me on Twitter and Google +.
College students have way too much time to make metaphors for the human condition. Case in point. In the University of Colorado, Hunter Ewen has made a performance peace that plunges you in a dark room, flashes media clips on the walls, has balloons all over the place, aerial dancers, and lets not forget, zombies. According to our source, Mr Ewen’s hope is to provide an experience that expresses how we perceive television media and how we have developed “zombie-like tendencies toward television.” Not even attending I can envision Mr. Ewen’s intentions and I really hope he has proven his point. The idea sounds very artsy and fantastic and would be worth a visit to the temporary exhibit. Unfortunately by the time you will read this, the performance will be over as it was only available this last weekend. You can read more about it from our source. Original Source : http://www.coloradodaily.com/news/ci_19879754#axzz1lRjY7j48.
About two weeks ago I reported about an epic game that was going to be played in at North Carolina State university called Humans Vs. Zombies where the entire campus was going to be used in a Nerf Tag like game where players who were zombies tried to infect human players. The game was to last an entire week and sounded like it would be a blast. Well someone’s fun was interrupted when a party pooper called police and reported that there were people with guns on campus. According to the source the person being reported actually contacted police themselves to clarify the situation after hearing his description in the reports. My view on this is mixed. I think it’s good that people are being vigilant and cautious and keeping an eye out each other. On the other hand, this game was highly advertised as it made the news in several places. Someone just didn’t put two and two together when freaking out. Luckily classes weren’t interrupted and business on compass continued as normal, but no word as to if the game itself was put on hiatus due to the security alert that was issued. Original Source: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-57368373-504083/zombie-role-playing-game-sparked-n.c-campus-security-alert/
I was going to go over these in an upcoming guns blog however with as much as I’ve been seeing these things in the news I thought I had better put up a brief mention of them here as well. Anyone who has been to a gun shop recently has probably seen these.
Source http://www.hornady.com/ammunition/zombiemax
Cashing in on the zombie craze Hornady Manufacturing has created live amunition rounds being marketed as Zombie Max bullets to be used on the undead. Although they cost the same as normal bullets, and don’t do anything special, these things are selling like hotcakes. They may just be a novelty, but then again, that’s why people buy them. Reportedly however, according to my source article, these bullets are quality rounds and some people are buying them because of that. It’s like I keep saying, if your going to use zombies for your marketing, make your product of a good enough quality to deserve that marketing, and people will buy it. Original Source: http://www.blueridgenow.com/article/20120201/ARTICLES/120209972/1042/news?p=1&tc=pg&tc=ar
Source http://www.youtube.com/show/biteme
If you have followed the super popular web series “Bite Me” hosted by Machinima, you may be happy to know that a second season has been scheduled. Not only will it still be on the YouTube based Machinima network, but will now also be hosted on FEARNet. For those not in the know, “Bite Me” is a zom-com series featuring three gamers who get stuck in a real life zombie apocalypse. You can follow the searies here. Original Source: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/machinimas-bite-me-zombie-comedy-286913
My last two things I wanted to squeze into today’s blog. This sunday will be the restart of The Walking Dead on AMC. Those of you following this season so far will be anxious to get to the conclusion of some of the plot lines. Join me on Sunday in watching this epic story.
Finally I wanted to give a happy belated birthday to the father of the modern day zombie, George A. Romero. Mr. Romero’s birthday was last Saturday, and in an effort to celebrate, a Facebook campaign was organized to have a simultaneous screening of Night of the Living Dead. If you missed it, find it and watch it sometime this week, and join me in wishing Mr. Romero a happy birthday by posting a comment at the end of this blog.
Don’t forget that if you find a zombie current event you would like to share, email me at penguinprince@grimcrew.com. You can also follow Dead Future on Facebook and Google +. You can also follow me on Twitter and Google +.
Till Fate brings our Future,
Penguin Prince
This week in Zombie Current Events we will find out about zombie’s being denied their civil rights, an undead Jain Austin deals with zombies, and a few games hitting the markets.
Back in August 2011, protesters were denied access to a TVA board of directors meeting due to being dressed in costume. One of the costumes was to represent a zombie. The costumed protesters are now suing the TVA claiming the by not allowing them access to the board of directors meeting due to their dress that their civil rights have been violated and that their freedom of speech has been revoked. The meeting was to discuss and vote on the continuation of building a nuclear power plant in Bellefonte Alabama. Protesters were warned In July of 2011 that no more costumes were going to be allowed at the BoD meetings after protesters dressed in zombie regalia and called for the project to be stopped. The protesters that are suing the TVA also claim that the act of barring them from the meeting was also against the Administrative Procedure Act, which sets guidelines on how federal agencies can set rules and regulations. For more about this story please visit the original source at. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jan/27/zombie-protestors-file-300000-lawsuit-against/
Not the protesters we are talking about, but still kinda cool. Picture from http://thirdcoastdigest.com/2011/04/zombies-for-change-in-madison/
This isn’t Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. And if you love vampires (so last year in my opinion) then you may also be interested to check out the work of Michal Thomas Ford. Ford has taken the celebrated author and well, turned her into a vampire. His trilogy of Jane Austin books Include Jane Bites back and Jane Goes Batty. Finishing up his series with Jane Vows Vengeance, his final instalment will be released on February 28th. Although I haven’t found out much about the book I have found that the cast includes vampires, ghosts, and yes zombies. After reading the excerpt on Amazon.com I am a little intrigued as to where this horror/rom-com is going to go.
Original Source: http://www.hispanicbusiness.com/2012/1/26/zombie_jane_austen_unleashed_in_february.htm
Original Source: http://www.hispanicbusiness.com/2012/1/26/zombie_jane_austen_unleashed_in_february.htm
If you own an Apple mobile product (iPhone, iPad, or iPodTouch) and enjoy puzzle games you can check out Zombie: the Rescue. Available now, this game challenges you to guide survivors to safety through maze like envierments. Avoiding the zombies will not always be possible so be sure to make use of weapons when necessary. Don’t let your charges become zombie food. Sneak behind the buggers to lead them to safety and when in doubt, run!Original Source: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/1/prweb9140618.htm
Rock and Roll really was the devil’s music it turns out. Or at least in the world of Dead Block it is. Fans of the game will be happy to know that it is being re-released for the PC. According to our source it doesn’t look like there is going to be anything changing with the game so if you already own it for Playstation 3 or Xbox 360, don’t really worry about the new port. The only advatnage would be that because almost everyone owns a PC, you might be able to play co-op with your friends who did not have either of the consoles. Check out the game on the official website. Original source: http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/52085/dead-block-brings-its-zombie-action-pc
Screencap from Block Zombies. http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/52024/new-indie-game-block-zombies-hungry-attention
Who wants more zombie block games? With Minecraft, and Paper Zombies it looks like the trend of block shaped zombies are taking the gaming world over. Block Zombies is an indy game coming to Xbox Live. You are charged with destroying the crystals that have summoned the zombie hoard to your home land, and you will use a variety of weapons to accomplish this task. Don’t forget that with Xbox Live you can usualy try it before you buy it so I would suggest downloading the trial version and let me know what you think! Original Source: http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/52024/new-indie-game-block-zombies-hungry-attention
If you find any zombie news that should be featured in our Zombie Current Events posts, be sure to email me at penguinprince@grimcrew.com. You can also follow Dead Future on Facebook and Google +! Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter and Google + as well.
Till Fate brings our Future…
Penguin Prince
In the news of the last week, there were some interesting stories on zombies, even if I did have to dig a bit to pull them out.
First and foremost I would like to announce that the epic Star Wars RPG, Star Wars: The Old Republic, took no more than 2 months to jump the shark. Well not really but I’ve always wanted to use that term. It was announced in a recent patch update that players will now be able to face the Rakghouls. Now if your like my cousin, you might know exactly what this obscure reference is, and be able to tell me exactly when if first appeared, what they are and what characters have encountered them. He would also be able to tell me their sleeping patterns and mating rituals, I tell you he’s a little scary when it comes to this stuff. But if your a little more like me and only a normal fan of Star Wars (read watched the movies quite a few times but still can’t repeat lines word for word) then you may need to do some research on these fascinating creatures.
picture taken from http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Rakghoul
According to Wookieepedia, the Rakghouls are mutants transformed by the talisman of the Sith Lord Karness Muur. The talisman gave the Sith Lord the power to control these mutants as well but he found that it was ineffective on force sensitive beings as well as a few alien life forms. So in addtion to the talisman he gave his creatures a poison in their saliva that would allow thier bites to transform their victims into Rakghouls as well.
I wish I had come across this earlier when I was doing my blog on the Korriban Sith Zombies as I would have covered these guys too. But the long and the short of it is you will now get to fight zombies in SWTOR. Some may argue that these are ghouls not zombies but seriously, their bite turns you into them, they come from a magic talisman, and they live only to feed their hunger for flesh. These are zombies. In a loose sense of the term at least. I’m calling it a win for zombie fans anyway. Original Source http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/17/hyperspace-beacon-star-wars-zombies/
Next I have news that has been released about the much anticipated Resident Evil 6. Fans of the series have probably already found the trailer released for the game last week. I have seen the trailer on YouTube… and well take a look.
The big hub bub about this is hard core fans of the series are a little up in arms about this game being too actiony. Yes I just made that word up. Complaints about the game are that it look like it will rely too heavily on fighting the zombies instead solving the puzzle or what not. Fans of the early games reminisce about a time when resources were limited and the game scared you with it’s dark levels and hidden surprises. Resident Evil 6 looks like it’s going back to darker levels, but not pitch-black-with-just-a-flashlight-and-fresh-set-of-drawers dark.
It shows signs of the original zombies, but much like RE5 is throwing in some zombies with advanced mutations like tentacles that try to suck you up. The trailer also shows some running and sliding scenes as well as some kick ass fight scenes. This too has fans in an out rage. Concern that this game is turning too far in the action direction has been resonating on message boards.
My personal thoughts about this are that the Resident Evil guys are allowed to experiment a bit. Keep up your complaining. It gives developers an idea of what you want. But at the same time be a bit open to the creativity of the designers. Maybe it will be a sweet game. Maybe it will suck. But the developers will have at least tried it and if you don’t like it, RE7 will go back a bit further to the roots. But keep in mind as well that the original RE games were made when the system’s resources were a bit constraining. In order to make games with as much detail as these had, they had to limit things like resources and the special effects and seriously sweet graphics you see in the trailer. Now that we have better systems to use, it should be expected for the games to evolve and be more action packed to take advantage of the better graphics processing and faster memory speeds.
I should also say that I have never finished a Resident Evil game. These games to me have been intense to the point that I want to throw my controller across the room and stomp on it. Now that RE6 will allow you to do more and be a bit creative with survival strategy, maybe I’ll be able to get past the first 2 levels. Original source, http://www.computerandvideogames.com/332878/resident-evil-6-return-to-form-or-gears-with-zombies-pt-2/
If you have heard of the zombie flick entitled “The Dead” and have seen the movie, consider yourself lucky. Up until now it has only appeared in minor runs in the US, at film festivals, and in other countries. But happy days for all zombie fans, another film is becoming available for all to enjoy as it hits DVD and Blue ray just in time for Valentines day. Release date it Feb 14th, and this has me excited. Many reviews for this movie are positive, and I’ve read a not so positive “review” (see the source). This looks like it’s going to be filled with the things many zombie movie fans will enjoy. Action, Zombies, and more action. Taking place in Africa, the place many people believe the zombie outbreaks will start, this film boasts beautiful locations and what I hope to be some good examples of surviving a zombie outbreak in the desert. The trailer can be seen in the source link. Original source, http://blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact/zombies-in-africa-feature-film-the-dead-heading-to-dvd-blu-ray-2-14-new-release-trailer
My next bit of news has me trilled to death. I am trying to get a small group of people together to do a 5k zombie run called Run for Your Lives (featured a few months ago). Problem is I’m not so much a runner as that asthmatic couch potato. So I need to get in shape and learn how to run effectively. Well as it turns out, there’s an app for that. Zombies, Run! is a fitness training app that utilizes my one motivation to get into shape. Zombies. As you run you get chased by zombies. Pick up items along your run and when you get home, distribute them as you see fit to best prepare for the zombie attacks. It has training for every runner from couch potato on up. For $12 you can pre-order the first season, and according the the source a second season is already in the works. Yes I will shell out the $12. Then I’ll review it for a future blog for you guys.
Original source, http://www.wired.co.uk/magazine/archive/2012/02/play/on-your-marks
If you come across any news worthy tid bits for stories in these weekly segments, please email them to me at penguinprince@grimcrew.com. You will get source credit and fame! You should also follow Dead Future on Facebook and Google +. If you want more from me feel free to join me on Twitter and Google +!
Till Fate brings our Future…
Penguin Prince
There is a ton of news this week on zombies so I’m just going to hop into it.Researchers believe there is a perfectly good and scientific explanation to the zombie problem in Haiti. Wait, you did know there was a zombie problem in Haiti right? Me neither. But apparently people are popping up left and right that are identified as zombies. For those of you who are not familiar with the Vodun religion, zombies are people who’s conciseness has been taken from their bodies by a bòkò, who is like what some people call a witch doctor. Basically he is believed to have the power to work with curses and blessings and can be hired to curse people or help you in your endeavors.
The bòkò will store the victim’s conciseness in a jar usually, and this leaves the victim easily controlled and usually used as free labor on plantations. The zombie doesn’t have to be dead for the bòkò to do this, so this is particularly horrific to think about actually. These are the first zombies and the predecessor to the zombie we know and love today.Back to my original point, researchers believe they have found an alternate (and better?) explanation compared to Wade Davis’s highly publicised findings of tertodotoxin. Three case studies of reported zombies have come out in an effort to find the cause of the zombies. The case studies have found nothing more than various explanations to these “zombies” including mental illnesses, mistaken identity, brain damage, epilepsy and learning disabilities.What I found interesting was the fact that two of the three cases were mistaken identity. But where does that leave the third? The families had reported that all of the people they thought had fallen victim to the bòkò had died and had been buried. So if only two of them weren’t the people who died, then does that leave the third to be someone who was dead and buried? No explanation was given to the third person’s sudden reappearance, and it isn’t even explained who was and was not mistakenly identified in the posts I read. If you guys find out more, let me know! Sources for this article are Alex Knapp for Forbes, and vaughanbell from Mind Hacks. The Mind Hacks article in particular has links to the case studies so please check it out.
The bòkò will store the victim’s conciseness in a jar usually, and this leaves the victim easily controlled and usually used as free labor on plantations. The zombie doesn’t have to be dead for the bòkò to do this, so this is particularly horrific to think about actually. These are the first zombies and the predecessor to the zombie we know and love today.Back to my original point, researchers believe they have found an alternate (and better?) explanation compared to Wade Davis’s highly publicised findings of tertodotoxin. Three case studies of reported zombies have come out in an effort to find the cause of the zombies. The case studies have found nothing more than various explanations to these “zombies” including mental illnesses, mistaken identity, brain damage, epilepsy and learning disabilities.What I found interesting was the fact that two of the three cases were mistaken identity. But where does that leave the third? The families had reported that all of the people they thought had fallen victim to the bòkò had died and had been buried. So if only two of them weren’t the people who died, then does that leave the third to be someone who was dead and buried? No explanation was given to the third person’s sudden reappearance, and it isn’t even explained who was and was not mistakenly identified in the posts I read. If you guys find out more, let me know! Sources for this article are Alex Knapp for Forbes, and vaughanbell from Mind Hacks. The Mind Hacks article in particular has links to the case studies so please check it out.
Image taken from http://www.amazon.com/Aim-Head-Anthology-Zombie-Poetry/dp/1935904477/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1326740905&sr=8-1
If you are like me, you like poetry. At one point I even formed a poetry club. It didn’t last long but I enjoyed it while it lasted. So you can imagine my delight when I read about “Aim for the Head.” “Aim for the Head” is a collection of poetry by over 50 artists all about zombies. Upon reading the excerpts included in my source article I have found that these artists have met the zombie condition with surprisingly thoughtful and thought provoking prose. Published by Write Bloody Publishing and edited by Rob Sturma, “Aim for the Head” is available on Amazon.com. Source for this article is from William Grimes of the New York Times.
In gaming news we have a new game for the iPhone! Zombie Wonderland 2 is a Castle Crashers kind of game with the janitor twist of having to clean up the mess you make of your zombie nemesis. While many may enjoy this game, critizisem in the source article is given as to the limitations of game play as the small screen of the phone makes it difficult to handle all of the mechanics of the game at once. On my awesome Sony Ericson with a slide out game pad, this might not be such a problem, but that’s what you get for being an uppity iPhone user. Too bad for me this game is not out for Android OS yet, so I’m going to have to wait to feel superior to you for now. Original source Steven Totilo from Kotaku.com.
This zombie wont stand a chance! Student's playing Humans vs. Zombies. Taken from http://nerfguns.net/articles/humans-vs-zombies/
And now for a game all us geeks can use a little bit more of. In a week long event the students of N.C. State University will turn their campus into a war zone. In the most epic game a tag/nerf ever players will be using every corner of the campus to play a 24/7 game where zombies will try to tag humans to turn them to the undead, while the humans will try to run/hide/nurf their way to safety for the entire week. Participation is $5 per entry and proceeds of the entries will go to Stop Child Trafficking Now, a not for profit organization. Source JOSH SHAFFER from Newsobserver.com.
And last but certainly not least, if you are already upset about Brad Pitt’s zombie movie “World War Z,” be prepared to be even more upset. Reportedly there is talk about turning the movie from a not so similar movie about is book’s namesake, to a not so similar trilogy of it’s book’s namesake. Nothing has been confirmed yet but with talk of a franchise, it looks like Pitt is trying to milk the zombie cow for all she will give him. I’m not complaining again. If they do turn it into a trillogy, they may be able to play off of more events from the book, making this not a complete waste of the name, and making it more tollorable to fans of the Max Books’ best seller. But only time will tell. Source Marc Malkin from eonline.com.
And that is that for your weekly zombie update! For more zombie goodness and to keep track of our updates you can follow Dead Future on Facebook and Google +. And you can always follow me on Twitter, and Google +.
Till Fate brings our Future…
Penguin Prince.
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