Humans vs Zombies: Perhaps taken a bit too seriously?

JP Piechowski
Contributing Writer

Humans vs. Zombies (HVZ) is an event that happens at UMF once per semester for just a week at a time—bringing with it a united group of students with nerf guns fighting against zombies who work day by day to “infect” more humans. Over time, this event has grown to build a community of people who rely on each other in times of crisis from zombie attacks. But, what does it look like in this community? How can the people outside of this community get a look on the inside of this rowdy group of college students?

A UMF student who has chosen to remain anonymous has answered these questions along with being a moderator in this year’s game and in previous years. A moderator, for those who may not know, is a person that takes responsibility over the game and helps to make sure the game is fun and safe for all those involved. The biggest question that was asked was what the future of HVZ would look like in another few years.

“For me…just being able to keep playing it. To those who are in the community of the game HVZ is a big deal. It’s a type of community, though maybe that’s hard to see on the outside,” they continue. “People are talking all the time in the background of play, organizing and communicating and trusting each other. If in the future the game can be run, be safe and be fun? Then the job is being well done.”

This goes to show not only is the goal for future games to be safe and have fun but also the community that is built alongside it. From talking about how to avoid this group of zombies at the student center to trusting in each other's skills to protect one another. With it a sense of community is being built alongside it and giving these students a place to have fun among the waves of countless assignments and anxieties holding them down.

The last thing that was asked was if they had anything they wanted to say to the outside community that watches this event happen.

“I will not speak for the Tabletop Gaming Club (TGC), or the HVZ mod team. I can say for myself that this game brings a lot of joy to those who play it and get into it. For a week, people can have fun and the people who play really like playing. There is such a focus on growing up and maturing in college and there is a place for that,” they said. “College is absolutely a stepping stone into the professional and career-based world. I don’t deny that. I live this every day along with every other student living on and off this campus. However, I think it’s unfair to see college as something purely serious. College isn’t just maturing and networking professionally. College is just as much about the experiences you throw yourself into, however playful, or rowdy they may be.”

Instead of this game being so focused on how loud or how college students run around, the focus should instead be put on the spirit of the game, what it lets people do, and what help they bring people in the future. Perhaps, if anyone gets the chance, they should try this game next semester and who knows? Maybe they will feel the same way others do in the game.