The “Original Zombie” – Garrett Blackburn

If you were left baffled by the large number of people running around on campus donning either the title of “human” or “zombie” recently, you weren’t alone. Perhaps you saw students in tears over “being killed” and weren’t sure what they were upset about. Maybe you were interested and wanted more information on how to play this game which basically took over campus for a week. Either way, HC Auburn caught up with the game’s “Original Zombie”, Garrett Blackburn to get the scoop on the phenomenon. Garrett is a junior Polymer & Fiber Engineering major from Duluth, GA.

HC Auburn: What is your role in this Humans vs. Zombies phenomenon that has taken over campus?
Garrett: I organized the whole thing… Preparation began in July.

HC Auburn: How did the game get started here at Auburn? Are there other schools that participate?
Garrett: How did it get started at Auburn? Lots of work. Humans vs Zombies was invented in 2005 at Goucher College. Since then it has spread to hundreds of other universities around the world, and at larger universities such as UGA and Penn State participants per game number above a thousand. I wouldn’t be surprised if Auburn’s participation someday grows to those numbers.

For more information g0 to: http://humansvszombies.org/about
 

HC Auburn: In a nutshell, how is the game played?

Garrett: At the game’s beginning there are a small number of zombies (we started with 3) and all other players are humans (we had about 540ish). The zombies have the goal of turning all humans into zombies, and do so by tagging a human with a two-handed touch. Meanwhile, the humans are trying to just trying to survive and may use NERF blasters to aide their survival. A zombie shot by a NERF blaster is “stunned” and must wait 15 minutes before they are allowed to resume play. As the game nears its end, survival for the humans becomes exceptionally difficult; they are few and the zombies are many. The game is played nonstop for an entire week.
 

HC Auburn: Is there a reward for the winning team?

Garrett: The way I see it, everyone wins HvZ so long as they are having fun. I bought twinkies for the few humans who managed to survive until the last day (though they ended up becoming zombies by the day’s end), but the real prize is the experience of the game and the opportunity to meet a wide range of people. I made many new friends were made this past week, and I’m certain that all who participated can say the same.
 

HC Auburn: Will there be another Humans vs. Zombies game on campus in the near future? If so, how can students get involved?
Garrett: Another game is inevitable; whether it will occur in April or sometime in the coming fall semester has yet to be determined. We’ll advertise as best we can, but the most certain way to ensure that you don’t miss out is to become a member of our Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/159325737516905/). All Auburn HvZ news will be posted there as it becomes available.