Zombies... - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Zombies...

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
aidendjem
Sep 07, 2008 18:19:44 Hey everyone, i was wondering if there were any decent rpg's out there focusing on zombies as the central plot. i've found one or two here and there online, but i haven't seen anything that looks like it has substance. If there are any, please let me know. if not, who thinks there should be a solid zombie rpg?
#2
falco_x_fox
Sep 07, 2008 19:59:00 That'd be awesome. I'd totally buy one if I weren't a poor college kid.
#3
at-at_assault
Sep 07, 2008 20:28:09 I don't know how it plays, but I've heard of an RPG called "All Flesh Must be Eaten".
#4
aidendjem
Sep 08, 2008 10:14:59
I don't know how it plays, but I've heard of an RPG called "All Flesh Must be Eaten".

yeah i've seen that one out there. pretty much the only one out there that ive seen, but it just looked kinda poorly done. nothing to the level of wizards or even close.

thanks for lookin' out though.

we have fantacy, sci-fi, and even horror genre games, but nobody has seemed to focus on zombies. it's an untapped gold mine. i bet everyone would give a zombie game a look if it was of a higher quality.
#5
draco1119
Sep 09, 2008 9:15:06
yeah i've seen that one out there. pretty much the only one out there that ive seen, but it just looked kinda poorly done. nothing to the level of wizards or even close.

thanks for lookin' out though.

we have fantacy, sci-fi, and even horror genre games, but nobody has seemed to focus on zombies. it's an untapped gold mine. i bet everyone would give a zombie game a look if it was of a higher quality.

I dunno about that. The stereotype for zombies is that they're mindless targets for machetes and shotguns. Why would anyone want to have target practice when they're the targets?
#6
blainetog
Sep 09, 2008 10:16:18
yeah i've seen that one out there. pretty much the only one out there that ive seen, but it just looked kinda poorly done. nothing to the level of wizards or even close.

thanks for lookin' out though.

we have fantacy, sci-fi, and even horror genre games, but nobody has seemed to focus on zombies. it's an untapped gold mine. i bet everyone would give a zombie game a look if it was of a higher quality.

It's not as expansive a combat simulator as D&D, but All Flesh is still a really fun game. You build characters quickly, roll token dice, and fight zombies until you all die. It's really not a concept that requires all that much in the way of mechanics.
#7
crazy_monkey
Sep 09, 2008 10:57:01 I'm going to move this over to RPGs General as it is more on topic there.
#8
che_dup
Sep 09, 2008 12:29:15 Funny you should mention that...

I've actually been working on a roleplaying system for the last several years, but with the announcement of 4th Edition last year put those plans on hiatus so that I could rethink my plans. While the mechanics were pretty extensive and enjoyable, it didn't seem like the right time to put a product to market.

Within the last couple of months (actually, starting with a post Comic-con thinktank in the hot tub) I've been reworking the system into a post-apocalyptic game with zombies... because, like you, I noticed that there weren't really many "serious" zombie games. The game I had been working on already had a lot of the essentials, including extensive working rules for called shots and barricading doors. We're still working on nailing down some major mechanical issues (I just completely destroyed and rebuilt the whole initiative/combat actions section), but I'm really enjoying working on it. Unfortunately, I think its still probably 1 1/2-2 years away from being publishable, so its not going to help you in the here and now... but someday there may be a truly spectacular zombie related roleplaying game. :D
#9
aidendjem
Sep 09, 2008 16:52:14
Funny you should mention that...

I've actually been working on a roleplaying system for the last several years, but with the announcement of 4th Edition last year put those plans on hiatus so that I could rethink my plans. While the mechanics were pretty extensive and enjoyable, it didn't seem like the right time to put a product to market.

Within the last couple of months (actually, starting with a post Comic-con thinktank in the hot tub) I've been reworking the system into a post-apocalyptic game with zombies... because, like you, I noticed that there weren't really many "serious" zombie games. The game I had been working on already had a lot of the essentials, including extensive working rules for called shots and barricading doors. We're still working on nailing down some major mechanical issues (I just completely destroyed and rebuilt the whole initiative/combat actions section), but I'm really enjoying working on it. Unfortunately, I think its still probably 1 1/2-2 years away from being publishable, so its not going to help you in the here and now... but someday there may be a truly spectacular zombie related roleplaying game. :D

That's more what i'm talking about. Not a quick to learn game that lacks in depth game mechanics, but something with a little more structure to it. Something that uses the zombie concept as a centerpiece, not an afterthought. Well, there is a market for this kind of game. all the luck to ya.
#10
aidendjem
Sep 09, 2008 16:55:05
I dunno about that. The stereotype for zombies is that they're mindless targets for machetes and shotguns. Why would anyone want to have target practice when they're the targets?

yes, simple old school zombies. but what about something with an extensive story line. i know this will turn into a debate between slow and fast zombies, but the idea of a "28 days later zombie" coming at me isn't simple target practice.
#11
draco1119
Sep 11, 2008 2:43:11
yes, simple old school zombies. but what about something with an extensive story line. i know this will turn into a debate between slow and fast zombies, but the idea of a "28 days later zombie" coming at me isn't simple target practice.

Ah... :lightbulb

My understanding was that you wanted to play a game in which you were the zombie. That part really doesn't sound like fun...
#12
aidendjem
Sep 11, 2008 9:58:32
Ah... :lightbulb

My understanding was that you wanted to play a game in which you were the zombie. That part really doesn't sound like fun...

hahaha...interesting, but no. i just wanna hack thru hoards of mindless zombie fodder to reach greater goals. and no, i can't imagine playing as a zombie would be much fun.
#13
ravenouspuma
Sep 11, 2008 22:00:58 All Flesh Must BE Eaten is loads of fun.

But if we're talking D20 based: I bought the PDFs for Year of the Zombie which was based on the WOTC D20 open game license. I haven't had a chance to run it yet (4E pretty much killed all other campaigns for now) but it was a blast to read through....
#14
darth_sid
Oct 07, 2008 12:50:03 AidenDjem;16797217 - Something that uses the zombie concept as a centerpiece, not an afterthought.

Agreed.

I am actually negotiating with my current gaming crew to put a zombie game together. I was actually considering a kind of over the top, almost comical, approach to the setting. The Fallout "look" would be pretty close. Anyone seen Fido? If you haven't, you must stop what you are doing and go rent it, right now.

I suppose I'd use the new World of Darkenss from White Wolf. It's a simple enough system and laid out pretty clearly.
#15
cherubaddon
Oct 16, 2008 7:24:30
AidenDjem;16797217 - Something that uses the zombie concept as a centerpiece, not an afterthought. I suppose I'd use the new World of Darkenss from White Wolf. It's a simple enough system and laid out pretty clearly.

Just what I would suggest. It's a pretty good system. Just make sure you also get the WoD Armoury (for the weaponry and stuff) and the Antagonists sourcebook, which is really cool because it allows you to customize your zombies.

Oh, and D&D zombie adventures can be loads of fun :D .
-Cherubaddon
#16
shadymutha
Oct 21, 2008 17:44:44 check out Year of The Zombie. it's for the d20 modern system and it kicks ass.

you'll find a number of gaming scenarios, different types of zombies, equipment, etc.

i've run a number of campaigns with YotZ and my players agree... when in a zombie world you became very aware of your character's mortality and it can be a lot of fun for the GM manipulating the intensity of a situation by even hinting at the presence of Zs.

last game i ran took place modern times during the rising. getting ready to start a new campaign that starts characters off in modern times but as humanity begins to fall, the characters are placed in chryo to be unthawed years in the future in hopes of continuing the survival of mankind.
#17
lobotaru
Dec 21, 2008 8:32:44 My answer? An RPG called All Flesh Must be Eaten. Haven't played it, but it is completely focused on zombie games.
#18
billionsix
Dec 25, 2008 2:05:35 All Flesh Must Be Eaten is the popular choice, but Palladium Games has recently published a zombie apocalypse game called Dead Reign. A lot of people don't care for the Palladium system, though.

Brian
#19
wasatchdan
Dec 26, 2008 0:56:41 All Flesh Must Be Eaten is a really fun game. I've been playing and running it on and off since 2000 or so, and it never gets old.

Its Unisystem mechanics are pretty good for everything except running hordes of zombies vs. players on a battlemap. Multiple game settings and rules for creating just about any kind of zombie you want are in the main book and all of the supplements.

And for the guys who want to run a d20 zombie game, the revised AFMBE main book includes conversion rules for d20 Modern that work great.
#20
cruelastralnun
Jan 01, 2009 10:56:36 Happy new year!

Zombies, eh?

First: All Flesh... is indeed a fun game, the book is nicely done and well worth a look, but - the rules seem crappy if you use to play high-end games. There are some nice ideas though, and, it IS indeed a RPG which cares solely about zombies.

Second: Get a nice "realistic" ruleset and play your own game. What do you really need? A basic "modern-day" RPG (Basic Roleplaying or Cthulhu might work, perhaps even WoD or D20 modern - they are not really realistic, though) - a scenario*, and some stats for your brain-eating friends. Go for it.

Try "Ctrl-f" for "Zombie" at http://www.darkshire.net/~jhkim/rpg/freerpgs/fulllist.html - there are some hits here. No guarantee for quality, I don't know none of them.

I highly recommend using a simple and easy to handle ruleset, so you can really concentrate on getting your players spooked.

Hope this helps a bit!

EJ

*(no problem, just watch...
-Night of the Living Dead
-Dawn of the Dead (+remake)
-Day of the Dead
-Return of the living Dead (+sequels, if you're diehard fan)
-28 days/weeks later
-[rec.]
-Braindead (and many more fun movies like "Shaun of the Dead" or "Boy eats Girl")
-similar themed stuff like "Signal" or even "Last Man on Earth/I am Legend"
-many, many more
and read...
-"World War Z" and "Zombie Survival Guide" both by Max Brooks
then: Read them again.
and play...
-Left4Dead)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 aidendjem Sep 07, 2008 18:19:44	Hey everyone, i was wondering if there were any decent rpg's out there focusing on zombies as the central plot. i've found one or two here and there online, but i haven't seen anything that looks like it has substance. If there are any, please let me know. if not, who thinks there should be a solid zombie rpg?
#2 falco_x_fox Sep 07, 2008 19:59:00	That'd be awesome. I'd totally buy one if I weren't a poor college kid.
#3 at-at_assault Sep 07, 2008 20:28:09	I don't know how it plays, but I've heard of an RPG called "All Flesh Must be Eaten".
#4 aidendjem Sep 08, 2008 10:14:59	I don't know how it plays, but I've heard of an RPG called "All Flesh Must be Eaten". yeah i've seen that one out there. pretty much the only one out there that ive seen, but it just looked kinda poorly done. nothing to the level of wizards or even close. thanks for lookin' out though. we have fantacy, sci-fi, and even horror genre games, but nobody has seemed to focus on zombies. it's an untapped gold mine. i bet everyone would give a zombie game a look if it was of a higher quality.
#5 draco1119 Sep 09, 2008 9:15:06	yeah i've seen that one out there. pretty much the only one out there that ive seen, but it just looked kinda poorly done. nothing to the level of wizards or even close. thanks for lookin' out though. we have fantacy, sci-fi, and even horror genre games, but nobody has seemed to focus on zombies. it's an untapped gold mine. i bet everyone would give a zombie game a look if it was of a higher quality. I dunno about that. The stereotype for zombies is that they're mindless targets for machetes and shotguns. Why would anyone want to have target practice when they're the targets?
#6 blainetog Sep 09, 2008 10:16:18	yeah i've seen that one out there. pretty much the only one out there that ive seen, but it just looked kinda poorly done. nothing to the level of wizards or even close. thanks for lookin' out though. we have fantacy, sci-fi, and even horror genre games, but nobody has seemed to focus on zombies. it's an untapped gold mine. i bet everyone would give a zombie game a look if it was of a higher quality. It's not as expansive a combat simulator as D&D, but All Flesh is still a really fun game. You build characters quickly, roll token dice, and fight zombies until you all die. It's really not a concept that requires all that much in the way of mechanics.
#7 crazy_monkey Sep 09, 2008 10:57:01	I'm going to move this over to RPGs General as it is more on topic there.
#8 che_dup Sep 09, 2008 12:29:15	Funny you should mention that... I've actually been working on a roleplaying system for the last several years, but with the announcement of 4th Edition last year put those plans on hiatus so that I could rethink my plans. While the mechanics were pretty extensive and enjoyable, it didn't seem like the right time to put a product to market. Within the last couple of months (actually, starting with a post Comic-con thinktank in the hot tub) I've been reworking the system into a post-apocalyptic game with zombies... because, like you, I noticed that there weren't really many "serious" zombie games. The game I had been working on already had a lot of the essentials, including extensive working rules for called shots and barricading doors. We're still working on nailing down some major mechanical issues (I just completely destroyed and rebuilt the whole initiative/combat actions section), but I'm really enjoying working on it. Unfortunately, I think its still probably 1 1/2-2 years away from being publishable, so its not going to help you in the here and now... but someday there may be a truly spectacular zombie related roleplaying game. :D
#9 aidendjem Sep 09, 2008 16:52:14	Funny you should mention that... I've actually been working on a roleplaying system for the last several years, but with the announcement of 4th Edition last year put those plans on hiatus so that I could rethink my plans. While the mechanics were pretty extensive and enjoyable, it didn't seem like the right time to put a product to market. Within the last couple of months (actually, starting with a post Comic-con thinktank in the hot tub) I've been reworking the system into a post-apocalyptic game with zombies... because, like you, I noticed that there weren't really many "serious" zombie games. The game I had been working on already had a lot of the essentials, including extensive working rules for called shots and barricading doors. We're still working on nailing down some major mechanical issues (I just completely destroyed and rebuilt the whole initiative/combat actions section), but I'm really enjoying working on it. Unfortunately, I think its still probably 1 1/2-2 years away from being publishable, so its not going to help you in the here and now... but someday there may be a truly spectacular zombie related roleplaying game. :D That's more what i'm talking about. Not a quick to learn game that lacks in depth game mechanics, but something with a little more structure to it. Something that uses the zombie concept as a centerpiece, not an afterthought. Well, there is a market for this kind of game. all the luck to ya.
#10 aidendjem Sep 09, 2008 16:55:05	I dunno about that. The stereotype for zombies is that they're mindless targets for machetes and shotguns. Why would anyone want to have target practice when they're the targets? yes, simple old school zombies. but what about something with an extensive story line. i know this will turn into a debate between slow and fast zombies, but the idea of a "28 days later zombie" coming at me isn't simple target practice.
#11 draco1119 Sep 11, 2008 2:43:11	yes, simple old school zombies. but what about something with an extensive story line. i know this will turn into a debate between slow and fast zombies, but the idea of a "28 days later zombie" coming at me isn't simple target practice. Ah... :lightbulb My understanding was that you wanted to play a game in which you were the zombie. That part really doesn't sound like fun...
#12 aidendjem Sep 11, 2008 9:58:32	Ah... :lightbulb My understanding was that you wanted to play a game in which you were the zombie. That part really doesn't sound like fun... hahaha...interesting, but no. i just wanna hack thru hoards of mindless zombie fodder to reach greater goals. and no, i can't imagine playing as a zombie would be much fun.
#13 ravenouspuma Sep 11, 2008 22:00:58	All Flesh Must BE Eaten is loads of fun. But if we're talking D20 based: I bought the PDFs for Year of the Zombie which was based on the WOTC D20 open game license. I haven't had a chance to run it yet (4E pretty much killed all other campaigns for now) but it was a blast to read through....
#14 darth_sid Oct 07, 2008 12:50:03	AidenDjem;16797217 - Something that uses the zombie concept as a centerpiece, not an afterthought. Agreed. I am actually negotiating with my current gaming crew to put a zombie game together. I was actually considering a kind of over the top, almost comical, approach to the setting. The Fallout "look" would be pretty close. Anyone seen Fido? If you haven't, you must stop what you are doing and go rent it, right now. I suppose I'd use the new World of Darkenss from White Wolf. It's a simple enough system and laid out pretty clearly.
#15 cherubaddon Oct 16, 2008 7:24:30	AidenDjem;16797217 - Something that uses the zombie concept as a centerpiece, not an afterthought. I suppose I'd use the new World of Darkenss from White Wolf. It's a simple enough system and laid out pretty clearly. Just what I would suggest. It's a pretty good system. Just make sure you also get the WoD Armoury (for the weaponry and stuff) and the Antagonists sourcebook, which is really cool because it allows you to customize your zombies. Oh, and D&D zombie adventures can be loads of fun :D . -Cherubaddon
#16 shadymutha Oct 21, 2008 17:44:44	check out Year of The Zombie. it's for the d20 modern system and it kicks ass. you'll find a number of gaming scenarios, different types of zombies, equipment, etc. i've run a number of campaigns with YotZ and my players agree... when in a zombie world you became very aware of your character's mortality and it can be a lot of fun for the GM manipulating the intensity of a situation by even hinting at the presence of Zs. last game i ran took place modern times during the rising. getting ready to start a new campaign that starts characters off in modern times but as humanity begins to fall, the characters are placed in chryo to be unthawed years in the future in hopes of continuing the survival of mankind.
#17 lobotaru Dec 21, 2008 8:32:44	My answer? An RPG called All Flesh Must be Eaten. Haven't played it, but it is completely focused on zombie games.
#18 billionsix Dec 25, 2008 2:05:35	All Flesh Must Be Eaten is the popular choice, but Palladium Games has recently published a zombie apocalypse game called Dead Reign. A lot of people don't care for the Palladium system, though. Brian
#19 wasatchdan Dec 26, 2008 0:56:41	All Flesh Must Be Eaten is a really fun game. I've been playing and running it on and off since 2000 or so, and it never gets old. Its Unisystem mechanics are pretty good for everything except running hordes of zombies vs. players on a battlemap. Multiple game settings and rules for creating just about any kind of zombie you want are in the main book and all of the supplements. And for the guys who want to run a d20 zombie game, the revised AFMBE main book includes conversion rules for d20 Modern that work great.
#20 cruelastralnun Jan 01, 2009 10:56:36	Happy new year! Zombies, eh? First: All Flesh... is indeed a fun game, the book is nicely done and well worth a look, but - the rules seem crappy if you use to play high-end games. There are some nice ideas though, and, it IS indeed a RPG which cares solely about zombies. Second: Get a nice "realistic" ruleset and play your own game. What do you really need? A basic "modern-day" RPG (Basic Roleplaying or Cthulhu might work, perhaps even WoD or D20 modern - they are not really realistic, though) - a scenario, and some stats for your brain-eating friends. Go for it. Try "Ctrl-f" for "Zombie" at http://www.darkshire.net/~jhkim/rpg/freerpgs/fulllist.html - there are some hits here. No guarantee for quality, I don't know none of them. I highly recommend using a simple and easy to handle ruleset, so you can really concentrate on getting your players spooked. Hope this helps a bit! EJ (no problem, just watch... -Night of the Living Dead -Dawn of the Dead (+remake) -Day of the Dead -Return of the living Dead (+sequels, if you're diehard fan) -28 days/weeks later -[rec.] -Braindead (and many more fun movies like "Shaun of the Dead" or "Boy eats Girl") -similar themed stuff like "Signal" or even "Last Man on Earth/I am Legend" -many, many more and read... -"World War Z" and "Zombie Survival Guide" both by Max Brooks then: Read them again. and play... -Left4Dead)