Zombies, Run! is a gamified fitness application developed by Six to Start in collaboration with acclaimed author Naomi Alderman. Launched in 2012 following a successful Kickstarter campaign in 2011, it combines a running tracker with an immersive audio drama, transforming physical exercise into an engaging narrative experience set in a zombie apocalypse. It is available on iOS and Android platforms.
Overview The core concept of Zombies, Run! is to motivate users to run or walk by integrating them into a captivating story. Users, designated as "Runner 5," are central to one of humanity's last surviving outposts, Abel Township. As they exercise, they listen to an unfolding audio narrative interspersed with their own music. The game's mechanics encourage varied paces and offer objectives beyond simply covering distance, such as collecting virtual supplies and evading zombie hordes.
Gameplay
- Story Missions: The primary mode of play involves listening to story segments delivered through headphones. Each mission advances the overarching narrative, with voice actors portraying various characters from Abel Township, providing instructions, and moving the plot forward.
- Supply Collection: As users run, they automatically pick up virtual supplies (e.g., batteries, medicine, food). These supplies are crucial for rebuilding and upgrading Abel Township, which is represented by a customizable virtual base that users can manage after their runs.
- Zombie Chases: Periodically during missions, users are alerted to pursuing zombies. To escape, they must increase their speed for a short duration (typically 15-20% faster than their average pace) to avoid losing collected supplies. This feature acts as an incentive for high-intensity interval training.
- Music Integration: Users create their own playlists within the app, and the story segments seamlessly play between songs, creating a personalized and uninterrupted audio experience.
- Base Building: After completing runs, users can use their collected supplies to construct and upgrade buildings in Abel Township, such as farms, hospitals, and communication towers. This adds a strategic, resource-management layer to the game.
- Tracking: The app tracks standard running metrics like distance, pace, time, and calories burned, allowing users to review their performance.
Story and Setting The narrative places the user as "Runner 5," a new recruit dropped via helicopter into the remnants of humanity's civilization following a devastating zombie apocalypse. Runner 5's role is critical: venturing outside the protective walls of Abel Township to gather essential supplies, rescue survivors, and uncover secrets about the apocalypse and the nature of the zombies, all while evading the undead. The story is structured into multiple "seasons," each containing dozens of missions, creating a long-form, episodic adventure.
Development and Reception Zombies, Run! was initially funded through a highly successful Kickstarter campaign in 2011, raising over $72,000 against a $25,000 goal. Its unique blend of fitness tracking, compelling storytelling, and gamified motivation garnered significant critical acclaim and a dedicated user base. It is frequently cited as a pioneer in the audio fitness game genre and has been praised for its innovative approach to exercise motivation, particularly for individuals who struggle with traditional workout routines.
Related Products Six to Start also developed Zombies, Run! 5k Training, a separate application designed to help new runners progress from walking to running a 5-kilometer distance, also using a story-driven approach within the Zombies, Run! universe.