My first Adventure as Runner 5
Today the “Zombies, Run!” beta went live. I’ve been checking for it diligently pretty much once a day since they announced that it had been submitted to Apple - so imagine my delight when the well known icon popped up today!
For those of you, who haven’t followed the game as obsessively as I have a bit of backstory: The main concept is that you are in a post Zombie Apocalypse world, trying to do missions and collect supplies for your settlement. Your “missions” are narrated to you via audio, interspersed with your favorite running tunes - while you are walking, jogging or indeed running away from the Zombies around you, whilst collecting supplies. If you are interested, here’s their promotional video:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/sixtostart/zombies-run-a-running-game-and-audio-adventure-for/widget/video.html
I discovered them on kickstarter, pledged to back them and have been following them around ever since. Thanks to my position as a backer, I am now allowed in the beta.
Disclaimer: I looked around thoroughly if there is a NDA or a similar “do not talk about this on pain of death” note, but I couldn’t find one. If there is indeed one and I missed it, I apologize profusely and will take the post down. Below are some very minor spoilers concerning Episode 1 of Zombies, Run! - generally I will try to keep the reports of my adventures spoiler-free though.
So, back to me delightedly spotting the live beta: The logging in process into my “Zombie link” account was very straight forward and a few minutes later I was admiring the first two missions, the only ones that are currently live. A click later I was asked if I’d rather play without music or if I’d like to choose my custom play list.
Now, my usual exercises are Tai Chi, Ballet or Zumba - all of which already come with suitable music, so I have to admit to not having a playlist to keep the motivation up. Thus, making a dramatic “Challenge accepted!” face, I dug through my music collection and a few threads on workout music I remembered from ask_me_anything over on LJ - and like a true geek trying to exercise spent the next two hours making the perfect playlist, as well as shopping for new songs. I am sure I am not the only one out there who has spent longer during their first exercise session finding just the right tunes, than actually exercising - I am definitively guilty as charged. A wild iPhone syncing issue appeared too on the way just to make my life harder, but it was beaten after “only” an hour of grumbling at forums. Oh and did you know that iTunes really doesn’t like playing sound demos while you are downloading albums? Even if your beautiful fiber optics cables should leave plenty of space for both? No, I didn’t either - you always learn something new though.
After emm-ing and ahh-ing over my wardrobe and having to admit that my old exercise trousers have been too small for quite a while, I was dressed and ready to go. Sports bra had been fished out of the back of the draw, comfy trousers had been found and jacket with appropriate amounts of pockets for my purpose had been donned. I was proudly sporting the Alliance colours on my T-Shirt and felt ready to face what was out there. Next the Monster Dog ™ a.k.a The Lokster or Loki was captured and convinced to hold still long enough to get into his harness. I decided last minute to go for a thick coat on top of my “running gear” considering my usual stamina levels.
While I was collecting scooper and bags for Loki, my headphones were informing me that I was in a plane and a friendly lady got me up to speed on the topic of the demise of the human civilization. Just as I was buttoning up, our plane got shot down and I was conveniently out of the door as a transmission from Abel town (which is where we were heading) informed me that the surrounding Zombies had heard the crash and I was now on their lunch list.
Loki was delighted at our evening walk, as I have to admit to my shame that he hasn’t exactly gotten many of those from me lately. I was surprised by how dark it had gotten while I was “just quickly getting a few songs together”. Whoops to both. I attempted to charge out of the door and jog purposefully to the park, but only made it to the end of our street at a less than impressive speed, before I decided that a brisk walk might be more realistic. Loki looked a bit disappointed at my change of speed and decided to inform me of this by pulling like mad. I was tempted to make my usual disciplinary stops to make it clear that pulling is never a valid approach when on a walk with me, but decided not to when I heard the first moans behind me. Thankfully no zombies felt inspired to eat me as we were waiting at the traffic lights, but a lovely guy (I think his name is Sam, at least I shall call him Sam for the time being) was figuring out that I could hear him and was eagerly chattering away at me. He seemed genuinely concerned for my survival and was impressed with everything I did. Just what the heart of an overweight lady geek - already huffing and puffing a bit - needs <3
As I reached the sneaky little path leading past a row of houses to the park, I realized that I didn’t bring a torch. Hopefully we will never have a real zombie apocalypse, as I’d clearly be one of the first to die. Just as I was wondering if I should turn around and try again tomorrow, may be during the day time, Sam complimented me on my speed and told me I’m amazing. Well, if you put it that way good sir - off into the wilderness we go! Also, Loki would clearly not take anything other than “run around the park like a maniac for at least 20 minutes” as an answer, judging by his eager sniffing.
Thus the scene was set for my first adventure. It was almost pitch black and all that could be heard was the squelching of my feet in my mud and rustling of the leaves. I had turned off my music for the time being, so I could figure out if I was standing in a puddle before getting soaked. Also, I needed all my concentration to not slip and fall. As might be expected, my purposeful stroll turned into more of a shuffle, but thankfully the flare that was Loki’s bright white but off in the distance helped me make my way through. Having said that, not taking a torch when play testing a zombie game is possibly not the most intelligent thing to do. It was definitively not hard to imagine what it would feel like to have undead things chasing after you and having to sneak into the woods in order to get away. I finally managed to make it through the bushes and landed on a grassy and slightly less muddy patch next to a park bank. Loki was freed from his leash and I was introduced to a slightly less nice lady, apparently the local medic, who told me that everyone in Abel town had to earn their keep - including me, despite the fact I was currently running for my life after being shot down. I thought doctors were meant to be compassionate.
Thus, instead of heading on a direct path to Abel town, I found myself detoured to an old abandoned hospital to get my hands on some medical supplies for my new hometown. Not a creepy assignment at all >.> I managed a steady speed through the park until just after my first crossroad, a computerized voice informed me that I managed to get the attention of a zombie that was now hot on my track. I’d like to believe that this was a particularly speedy zombie rather than a comment on my shuffling pace! Regular beeping told me how far away or to be precise: close the zombie was. I sped up appropriately and Loki delightedly bounded around me (How does a little animal with such tiny, tiny legs manages to have so much more energy and be so much faster than me???). Sadly, the zombie wasn’t very impressed with my huffing and puffing and kept closing in on me. Suitably Bonnie Tyler’s “Turn around bright eyes” started playing just then. However, luck was not on my side and another dog walker approached from around the corner: I tried to get Loki to help me in my mission to get health supplies, but he was significantly more interested in the other dog. At that stage my inner dog owner kicked my inner gamer up the butt and I stopped to supervise the dog play and make sure Loki was behaving. The other dog was a big great dane and I was rather surprised that Loki approached at all rather than just hiding behind me at barking angrily - normally he isn’t very good with dogs that are much bigger than him. Apart from a “OI! DON’T TRAMPLE ME!!!!” when the great dane got too enthusiastic, it went well though. Sadly in the mean time the zombie caught up with me and I had to drop an item to distract it.
I am actually really glad that this is how they solved the “zombie catching up with you” issue - loosing an item isn’t too bad. I was worried you’d get punished horribly for failing to get away which might make it frustrating for unfit people like me, or when the real world gets in the way, such as it did this time. I am seriously hoping they will keep this feature. Otherwise I’d have to go jogging without Loki and have to wait until I am in the park until I can start the game and that would be a real shame. I enjoyed the trip to the park so much more while being chased by zombies…. does that make me weird?
After getting once around the park, my zombie episode wasn’t over, so I decided to brave it and went for a second round. I managed to keep up my brisk speed, which I was really pleased with. I was already sweating quite a bit though. I successfully made it back out of the hospital only to be tracked down by an uber zombie just as I thought I could get into safety. At that stage I had gained my name “Runner 5″… as the last Runner 5 had been devoured horribly and the number was now free. Yay…? Anyway, zombies were back on my tail and I gathered up my last bit of energy and went for another sprint. Thankfully Loki decided to use the pitch black bollards as a loo, which alerted me to their existence, as I would have otherwise smashed right into them - jogging in the dark is surprisingly dangerous even in real life. This time I got away from the zombie just before it was going to get me! YAY! My first evaded zombie!
I decided to take the official path out of the park this time, rather than going through the bushes, which provided me with both light and paved stone under my feet. Appropriately, just as I left the park, Runner 5 me headed into base to be surrounded by delighted people admiring my spoils. Canned food! Batteries! Light bulbs! Pain meds AND the promised bandages! Look at me go! Sam was part of the welcome party and was being his usual lovely self. I actually smiled in real life when I managed to get “into safety”. I rather like Sam - I hope he won’t get eaten. Someone telling me I am awesome is just what I need during my attempts at exercising!
Sadly, my zombie adventure was clearly over sooner than my actual walk, although it did catch me on the way home. Thus I was treated to a bit of “Zombie radio!” the only radio in zombieland! It was very good fun, apart from their first song being “I just had sex!” by Lonely Island. Sex was NOT what I was trying to think about after spending about half an hour contemplating zombies. I also found that “Dusche” by Farin Urlaub is not a great choice for an exercise song list… the banging at the start made me jump out of my skin and actually had me turn around. I have a far too active imagination! I might take bangy songs out of my repertoire for tomorrow. Happy, quiet songs might be a better way to go!
On the way back, I purposefully turned a corner only to find that I was on a path that would most definitively not lead me home. It did however take me about 5 minutes to realize this. So, if there IS ever a zombie apocalypse, you just have to manage to outrun me - then you’ll be save, as I will apparently forget even the most familiar places when hunted my zombies. At least Garry was appropriately impressed by my when I finally arrived back after a proud 47 minutes worth of brisk walking/running. Loki on the other, having been useless at eating zombies for me, also proved significantly less tired than me and is still bouncing about like an over energetic bouncy ball. While I drained a big glass of water, he only sipped a little from his bowl and then looked at me with his “This was fun! Let’s do it again!” eyes. One day! ONE day! I shall not only outrun zombies, but also tire out this mutt!
Inspecting my spoils from the run I found myself with all sorts of bits and pieces that allowed me to start upgrading my base. The doctor lady now has a medical center level 2, which she doesn’t deserve considering her rudeness, but I might need when a zombie catches up with me! My radio tower is also on its way to becoming level 2 - something that might give me more immediate pleasure. No idea what being level 2 does, other than give you more impressive graphics, but I am sure we will find out!
Anyway, thus were my adventures. Runner 5 out. Now to lie on the sofa and watch Garry play “Deadly premonitions”. What a fitting end to the day!
I just need Fitocracy to have a “Rapid walking, sort of sometimes running” exercise.
X-posted from narayume.com
For those of you, who haven’t followed the game as obsessively as I have a bit of backstory: The main concept is that you are in a post Zombie Apocalypse world, trying to do missions and collect supplies for your settlement. Your “missions” are narrated to you via audio, interspersed with your favorite running tunes - while you are walking, jogging or indeed running away from the Zombies around you, whilst collecting supplies. If you are interested, here’s their promotional video:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/sixtostart/zombies-run-a-running-game-and-audio-adventure-for/widget/video.html
I discovered them on kickstarter, pledged to back them and have been following them around ever since. Thanks to my position as a backer, I am now allowed in the beta.
Disclaimer: I looked around thoroughly if there is a NDA or a similar “do not talk about this on pain of death” note, but I couldn’t find one. If there is indeed one and I missed it, I apologize profusely and will take the post down. Below are some very minor spoilers concerning Episode 1 of Zombies, Run! - generally I will try to keep the reports of my adventures spoiler-free though.
So, back to me delightedly spotting the live beta: The logging in process into my “Zombie link” account was very straight forward and a few minutes later I was admiring the first two missions, the only ones that are currently live. A click later I was asked if I’d rather play without music or if I’d like to choose my custom play list.
Now, my usual exercises are Tai Chi, Ballet or Zumba - all of which already come with suitable music, so I have to admit to not having a playlist to keep the motivation up. Thus, making a dramatic “Challenge accepted!” face, I dug through my music collection and a few threads on workout music I remembered from ask_me_anything over on LJ - and like a true geek trying to exercise spent the next two hours making the perfect playlist, as well as shopping for new songs. I am sure I am not the only one out there who has spent longer during their first exercise session finding just the right tunes, than actually exercising - I am definitively guilty as charged. A wild iPhone syncing issue appeared too on the way just to make my life harder, but it was beaten after “only” an hour of grumbling at forums. Oh and did you know that iTunes really doesn’t like playing sound demos while you are downloading albums? Even if your beautiful fiber optics cables should leave plenty of space for both? No, I didn’t either - you always learn something new though.
After emm-ing and ahh-ing over my wardrobe and having to admit that my old exercise trousers have been too small for quite a while, I was dressed and ready to go. Sports bra had been fished out of the back of the draw, comfy trousers had been found and jacket with appropriate amounts of pockets for my purpose had been donned. I was proudly sporting the Alliance colours on my T-Shirt and felt ready to face what was out there. Next the Monster Dog ™ a.k.a The Lokster or Loki was captured and convinced to hold still long enough to get into his harness. I decided last minute to go for a thick coat on top of my “running gear” considering my usual stamina levels.
While I was collecting scooper and bags for Loki, my headphones were informing me that I was in a plane and a friendly lady got me up to speed on the topic of the demise of the human civilization. Just as I was buttoning up, our plane got shot down and I was conveniently out of the door as a transmission from Abel town (which is where we were heading) informed me that the surrounding Zombies had heard the crash and I was now on their lunch list.
Loki was delighted at our evening walk, as I have to admit to my shame that he hasn’t exactly gotten many of those from me lately. I was surprised by how dark it had gotten while I was “just quickly getting a few songs together”. Whoops to both. I attempted to charge out of the door and jog purposefully to the park, but only made it to the end of our street at a less than impressive speed, before I decided that a brisk walk might be more realistic. Loki looked a bit disappointed at my change of speed and decided to inform me of this by pulling like mad. I was tempted to make my usual disciplinary stops to make it clear that pulling is never a valid approach when on a walk with me, but decided not to when I heard the first moans behind me. Thankfully no zombies felt inspired to eat me as we were waiting at the traffic lights, but a lovely guy (I think his name is Sam, at least I shall call him Sam for the time being) was figuring out that I could hear him and was eagerly chattering away at me. He seemed genuinely concerned for my survival and was impressed with everything I did. Just what the heart of an overweight lady geek - already huffing and puffing a bit - needs <3
As I reached the sneaky little path leading past a row of houses to the park, I realized that I didn’t bring a torch. Hopefully we will never have a real zombie apocalypse, as I’d clearly be one of the first to die. Just as I was wondering if I should turn around and try again tomorrow, may be during the day time, Sam complimented me on my speed and told me I’m amazing. Well, if you put it that way good sir - off into the wilderness we go! Also, Loki would clearly not take anything other than “run around the park like a maniac for at least 20 minutes” as an answer, judging by his eager sniffing.
Thus the scene was set for my first adventure. It was almost pitch black and all that could be heard was the squelching of my feet in my mud and rustling of the leaves. I had turned off my music for the time being, so I could figure out if I was standing in a puddle before getting soaked. Also, I needed all my concentration to not slip and fall. As might be expected, my purposeful stroll turned into more of a shuffle, but thankfully the flare that was Loki’s bright white but off in the distance helped me make my way through. Having said that, not taking a torch when play testing a zombie game is possibly not the most intelligent thing to do. It was definitively not hard to imagine what it would feel like to have undead things chasing after you and having to sneak into the woods in order to get away. I finally managed to make it through the bushes and landed on a grassy and slightly less muddy patch next to a park bank. Loki was freed from his leash and I was introduced to a slightly less nice lady, apparently the local medic, who told me that everyone in Abel town had to earn their keep - including me, despite the fact I was currently running for my life after being shot down. I thought doctors were meant to be compassionate.
Thus, instead of heading on a direct path to Abel town, I found myself detoured to an old abandoned hospital to get my hands on some medical supplies for my new hometown. Not a creepy assignment at all >.> I managed a steady speed through the park until just after my first crossroad, a computerized voice informed me that I managed to get the attention of a zombie that was now hot on my track. I’d like to believe that this was a particularly speedy zombie rather than a comment on my shuffling pace! Regular beeping told me how far away or to be precise: close the zombie was. I sped up appropriately and Loki delightedly bounded around me (How does a little animal with such tiny, tiny legs manages to have so much more energy and be so much faster than me???). Sadly, the zombie wasn’t very impressed with my huffing and puffing and kept closing in on me. Suitably Bonnie Tyler’s “Turn around bright eyes” started playing just then. However, luck was not on my side and another dog walker approached from around the corner: I tried to get Loki to help me in my mission to get health supplies, but he was significantly more interested in the other dog. At that stage my inner dog owner kicked my inner gamer up the butt and I stopped to supervise the dog play and make sure Loki was behaving. The other dog was a big great dane and I was rather surprised that Loki approached at all rather than just hiding behind me at barking angrily - normally he isn’t very good with dogs that are much bigger than him. Apart from a “OI! DON’T TRAMPLE ME!!!!” when the great dane got too enthusiastic, it went well though. Sadly in the mean time the zombie caught up with me and I had to drop an item to distract it.
I am actually really glad that this is how they solved the “zombie catching up with you” issue - loosing an item isn’t too bad. I was worried you’d get punished horribly for failing to get away which might make it frustrating for unfit people like me, or when the real world gets in the way, such as it did this time. I am seriously hoping they will keep this feature. Otherwise I’d have to go jogging without Loki and have to wait until I am in the park until I can start the game and that would be a real shame. I enjoyed the trip to the park so much more while being chased by zombies…. does that make me weird?
After getting once around the park, my zombie episode wasn’t over, so I decided to brave it and went for a second round. I managed to keep up my brisk speed, which I was really pleased with. I was already sweating quite a bit though. I successfully made it back out of the hospital only to be tracked down by an uber zombie just as I thought I could get into safety. At that stage I had gained my name “Runner 5″… as the last Runner 5 had been devoured horribly and the number was now free. Yay…? Anyway, zombies were back on my tail and I gathered up my last bit of energy and went for another sprint. Thankfully Loki decided to use the pitch black bollards as a loo, which alerted me to their existence, as I would have otherwise smashed right into them - jogging in the dark is surprisingly dangerous even in real life. This time I got away from the zombie just before it was going to get me! YAY! My first evaded zombie!
I decided to take the official path out of the park this time, rather than going through the bushes, which provided me with both light and paved stone under my feet. Appropriately, just as I left the park, Runner 5 me headed into base to be surrounded by delighted people admiring my spoils. Canned food! Batteries! Light bulbs! Pain meds AND the promised bandages! Look at me go! Sam was part of the welcome party and was being his usual lovely self. I actually smiled in real life when I managed to get “into safety”. I rather like Sam - I hope he won’t get eaten. Someone telling me I am awesome is just what I need during my attempts at exercising!
Sadly, my zombie adventure was clearly over sooner than my actual walk, although it did catch me on the way home. Thus I was treated to a bit of “Zombie radio!” the only radio in zombieland! It was very good fun, apart from their first song being “I just had sex!” by Lonely Island. Sex was NOT what I was trying to think about after spending about half an hour contemplating zombies. I also found that “Dusche” by Farin Urlaub is not a great choice for an exercise song list… the banging at the start made me jump out of my skin and actually had me turn around. I have a far too active imagination! I might take bangy songs out of my repertoire for tomorrow. Happy, quiet songs might be a better way to go!
On the way back, I purposefully turned a corner only to find that I was on a path that would most definitively not lead me home. It did however take me about 5 minutes to realize this. So, if there IS ever a zombie apocalypse, you just have to manage to outrun me - then you’ll be save, as I will apparently forget even the most familiar places when hunted my zombies. At least Garry was appropriately impressed by my when I finally arrived back after a proud 47 minutes worth of brisk walking/running. Loki on the other, having been useless at eating zombies for me, also proved significantly less tired than me and is still bouncing about like an over energetic bouncy ball. While I drained a big glass of water, he only sipped a little from his bowl and then looked at me with his “This was fun! Let’s do it again!” eyes. One day! ONE day! I shall not only outrun zombies, but also tire out this mutt!
Inspecting my spoils from the run I found myself with all sorts of bits and pieces that allowed me to start upgrading my base. The doctor lady now has a medical center level 2, which she doesn’t deserve considering her rudeness, but I might need when a zombie catches up with me! My radio tower is also on its way to becoming level 2 - something that might give me more immediate pleasure. No idea what being level 2 does, other than give you more impressive graphics, but I am sure we will find out!
Anyway, thus were my adventures. Runner 5 out. Now to lie on the sofa and watch Garry play “Deadly premonitions”. What a fitting end to the day!
I just need Fitocracy to have a “Rapid walking, sort of sometimes running” exercise.
X-posted from narayume.com