World of the Living Dead

DEVELOPER: Ballardia
PLATFORM: PC, Mac, Linux

SYNOPSIS

World of the Living Dead (WotLD) is a Javascript and text-based massively-multiplayer zombie game which features strategy gameplay and life or death resource management in a huge sandbox world. WotLD is a persistent browser-based game and utilizes Google Maps. Much of the gameplay consists of moving or performing actions directly from the map interface.

BACKGROUND

The game takes place in a post-apocalyptic Los Angeles. Players are tasked with commanding and protecting one or more squads of survivors as they roam the deserted streets and fight for survival. Players assume the role of an operative of the National Emergency Control and Relief Agency (NECRA), a government agency tasked with rebuilding civilization.

GENERAL GAMEPLAY

You control groups of survivors using a modified Google Maps interface. The game is primarily about scavenging for supplies and avoiding contact with other groups of survivors or, alternatively, about finding other groups and stealing their supplies. Characters are managed by placing them in squads. You need to manage the survivor’s fear, fatigue, hunger and route as the zombies increase their grip on the world. The live position of any plays in the area around your squad is updated in real time, so the game is effectively a browser based RTS. Much of the gameplay consists of moving or performing actions directly from the map interface. Combat is not seen on a first-hand, instead popping up as a series of combat reports, detailing any injuries, kills and/or deaths.

SURVIVAL SKILLS

Your survivors are just ordinary people, but they can learn to survive. Without skills, survivors will waste bullets and be more likely to die. To developp skills, you will need to spend survival points. There are various skills that are divided into categories: combat, fatigue, fear, infection, movement, scavenging and survival. For instance, you can increase your movement speed and your accuracy with a gun and you can reduce the chances of zombification or your fatigue recovery time.

SCAVENGING

You can scavenge for supplies at many locations. You can also leave messages for other players on the walls of the places you search. Unlike many other zombie games, locations do not replenish. Locations can become depleted, thus forcing players to move their squads in search of new supplies. Stockpiles start playing an important role, and bartering with other players becomes imperative in a totally depleted area.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

With a complex system of needs, food and water become critical resources in the game. Characters need a certain amount of calories and volume of liquids per day otherwise they will start to accumulate thirst and hunger. Once these reach maximum, the character will die the following day. It takes about four days for dehydration to result in death, and 28 days for hunger to prove fatal. Not only does this pose a hazard, but hunger and dehydration will also hinder the survivor's performance, slowing him/her down in combat, making them an easier target.

SAFEHOUSE

Safehouse is meant to let your survivors recover from fear, fatigue and any injuries. There are two types of Safehouse: NECRA safehouses and player-created safehouses. Each safehouse has an integrity value. This reduces over time, as zombies explore the defenses. You need to assign one of your characters to defend your safehouse.

FACTIONS

Upon reaching level 5 players have access to the Faction menu. Within this menu you can create a faction for you to lead. Alternatively if asked you can join another players faction. When inviting another player to your faction you can also allow them leadership privileges. With these they can manage other members of the group, and recruit further members. Player safehouses may be opened up for faction use, allowing all members of your faction to enter and use your safehouse. You can send Messages to all members of your faction at the same time.

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

Internet conection