Brains! — Students create campus-wide zombie apocalypse game
Disguised zombies are searching for more victims to increase their numbers around Central Michigan University’s campus.
The growing apocalypse began at 1 p.m. on Thursday at the signal of creator Isaac Bannasch, and will conclude on Sept. 18.
The Highland senior and his roommate created the event after playing a campus-wide "Mafia game" and discovered it was too complex. Bannasch said the zombie game has simpler rules so anyone interested could participate.
Howell senior Alex Flanagan said he has been excited for the event since he first heard about it. He is positive the slow-starting event will pick up speed and said he cannot wait to see more red and blue bands.
“The amount of people who are participating is great,” Flanagan said. “Now I’m just waiting to see the campus over-run by zombie students.”
To participate, a person must be “attending” the Facebook event page, Campus Apocalypse. It is how participants communicate and where the game rules are posted.
A person must indicate they are playing by wearing a red cloth on the left arm and a blue cloth on the right arm. You become a zombie 28 hours after a converted zombie puts the designated clothes pin on you.
Flanagan is also excited to use Nerf guns around campus. The Nerf guns are the only defense against zombies, though the game forbids them from being used in classrooms. If a person shoots a zombie, the zombie cannot attack for 24 hours.
Eastpointe sophomore Jacob Comfort has never participated in a game of this magnitude and hopes more people try it out.
“I thoroughly enjoy playing the zombie maps on 'Call of Duty: Black Ops' and though many people may view Nerf guns as childish, an organized game is exhilarating for anyone that is willing to participate,” Comfort said.
Bannasch said they expect over 300 people to participate, including a few professors who have expressed interest.
“CMU is a big campus and most people never interact with each other,” Bannasch said. “(You) have to meet people one way or another and what better way than a game?”
