Advice/Help Do people still enjoy zombies?

[SnowStorm42]

I started rewatching the Walking Dead again after all these years, as it's a good background show for games.

I've also had the itch to write again, so I'm wondering if zombie rps still attract people. Was thinking of reworking an old idea

 

[PeteTheWitcher]

In my opinion, zombies can be boring if the characters aren't interesting or the story kinda sucks. You can add zombies abilities all you want but if the characters are not compelling then it will surely not be fun to role-play. But I encourage you to rework your idea if you want to write again since zombies can be good if done well.

 

[Lorsh]

Always! Idc if it's overdone.....

 

[GojiBean]

In my experience, Zombies seem to have a certain level of universal appeal. They're a simple horror creature to understand, and it's easy to build worlds around them.

However, in my personal opinion, zombies require a bit of a delicate touch when it comes to using them for role plays. Reason being is because it's a little too easy to get sucked into an overly repetitive "go here, get ambushed by zombies... go here, get ambushed by zombies... go here, ambush the zombies for a change!... go here, get ambushed by zombies" pattern.

For me, there needs to be something more to it than just zombies coming to nom on my character's brain. I want my character to have a reason to explore the world, however dilapidated it may be. I want them to have a reason to interact with other characters (since an initial and strong lack of trust in other people and their intentions are usually staples of interpersonal relationships in the beginnings of zombie stories). And I want them to have a reason to genuinely fear the zombies. I've seen way too many characters who are numb to the zombies, or actively (and often casually) hunt them with no fear whatsoever despite all the trauma they may have personally suffered, and despite the dangers which the zombies inherently bring to the table.

So, yeah. A delicate touch is required for me to enjoy a zombie role play, regardless of whether I start it myself or join one made my someone else.

Cheers!

 

[Steve Jobs]

I feel like a zombie roleplay pops up every once in a while, always with good interest. People love some light horror and the power fantasy of squashing zombie heads lol. I would say though that the big issue is keeping the momentum going after all the characters meet and get past the "I don't trust you" stage.

If there isn't a structured plot or if none of the players have story/character arcs in mind, it can quickly devolve into nothing but fetch quests, killing, and moving on to the next destination.

When thinking about how you want to rework your idea, I invite you to think about what your roleplay will bring that can't currently be replicated by an existing video game or TV show.

 

[TerrorKitty]

I think a Zom 100 approach could work a lot better, adding just enough fictional leeway for somewhat unrealistic situations and characters, a bit of silliness and others goals than just to survive.

My ideal zombie RP would be mostly Slice of Life but zombies, so there's the survival elements and such, and zombies are a scary obstacle as usual, but the focus of the narrative would shift to or even start with them in a somewhat good place to set up a base, and just going through their daily lives, looking for supplies, engaging in little hobbies, trying to help or save others, and the slow evolution of their found home/family.

 

[Rusty of Shackleford]

Personally, I've gotten pretty burnt out of modern zombie stories. Being obsessed with the Walking Dead when it was popular does that to a person, lol. But I do enjoy zombies inserted into other settings/time periods. Medieval zombies are especially interesting, I'm sad we don't see that concept much

 

[A Sparkling Zombie]

STOP KILLING MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS