Catégorie : English

The interview was designed and conducted by XofMdS:

Could you introduce yourself in a few words?

Hello! My name is Shawn Beatty. I live in the midwest and am a public high school teacher. I teach Japanese and advise the Zombie Defense League club.

A « Zombie Defense League club »? What is that?

ZDL (Zombie Defense League) is a club that was there before I was… but I promptly took control of it.
Most all of the members are zombie fans / gamers / geeks and nerds. We are allowed a couple of hallways in the basement and have Nerf Wars. From time to time we have lock-ins where we use the entire school (and it’s big) and have huge team based infection modes or just team wars. I’m trying to get us to do more things to up our rep. Volunteer at a food bank, etc.

I have also ran zombicide there and it was a BIG hit. Two of my 40-some students have bought them game so far… I’m hoping more.

How did you fell into Zombie universe?

I have been a huge zombie fan since I was a kid. The Cook skeleton fight scene (Youtube) at the end of the Ray Harryhausen film « Jason & the Argonauts » (1963) got me hook on scary undead things which developed into zombies. My love of zombies led me to starting a small online business in 2004, called KingZombie.com that specializes in our own lines of zombie stickers, dice and miniatures. We also do sell some other items as well.

Then in 2006, I started ZombieMarch.org and the Iowa City Zombie Walk and have been doing it ever since. It is used as a vehicle to raise awareness for various Eastern Iowa Charities.

My most recent zombie experience (outside of being in Angry Neighbors AS a runner zombie) is on was on the 2012 Discovery Channel show, « Zombie Apocalypse » as one of the 4 preppers featured.

How and when did you found out about Zombicide?

Someone I know sent me a link to a different zombie-themed boardgame on Kickstarter and I stumbled across this one. Best stumble… EVER.

How did you decide to take the huge « I am Zombie » step?

Well, at the time of Season 1, I couldn’t afford the « I am Legend » level at that time. BUT I was prepared to go for it in Season 2. Unfortunately, the 2 « I am Legend » pledge levels sold out in the first 2 minutes and actually went to -1. Do you remember that? Crazy. I knew I really wanted to be in the game. My nickname since the ol’ BBS days in college has been King Zombie… so I thought it would be cool to be a zombie. Not as cool as being a character… but still cool… so I decided to go for it. I figured I could always try to be a player next time. I just really wanted to be a zombie. ^_^

After the KS is over, how did Guillotine Games and you processed into the design of your Zombie? Is there any easter egg around its art?

They sent me an email asking for pictures of the pose I wanted and the type of zombie I wanted to have done. I always have thought runners were scary, so that is why I went with that. The only « easter egg » is perhaps my purple trenchcoat. I have a killer Joker costume and that is from that. I’ve also had that coat since college… and that was a LONG time ago.

After the KS is over, how did Guillotine Games and you processed into the kind of Zombie you would be? Did you get some access to new Zombie types/rules? Does it reflect some kind of your personality, or did you choose a more fictionnal path?

They just asked what I wanted to be. Although, after the fact I did find out just before the official announcement that I was a new type of zombie. I didn’t find out what the zombie type was until after the official announcement about the Season 3 Kickstarter and the Angry Neighbors overview. I will be a seeker. As for access to new rules… nope. It was very hush hush.

I personally am not a runner, so if there were running zombies, I know I’d be screwed. So that is why I chose to be a runner.

Doesn’t it feel weird to have this reflection of yourself?

Heck no! It’s freaking awesome! I hope I look 1/2 as bad ass when I’m dead.

We can’t imagine the « pride » (maybe a better word would fit) you can feel now that it comes a bit to the open. Are there anyone in your « neighborhood » with whom you can share that?

I have been sharing my Zombicide zombie-awesomeness with anyone who’ll listen.

What are your next moves regarding Zombicide?

Well, I have become a member of the Legion over at the CMON website. I LOVE the game. I talk about it with coworkers (and students) who are into games and plan game days when I can and I’m not doing demos.

I also plan to have a good friend who’s an amazing painter paint up one of the zombie « me »s so I will look really sharp when I’m out there chowing down on players.

I hope that answers all your questions. I can’t wait to see the final figures. I haven’t seen any photos yet.

Tiffany is the only woman who pledged the Season 2 Kickstarter for having a dedicated Survivor and, as Shoogoo, she agreed to answer our questions.

The interview was designed and conducted by XofMdS:

How and when did you found out about Zombicide?

I came across the original Kickstarter about 10 days before the project ended. It was one of the earliest projects I backed, and it was definitely the most exciting! I got caught up in the excitement of videos, images, updates, and stretch goals… but I only pledged at the $100 level that time.

How did you decide to take the huge « I am Legend » step?
(« I am Legend » was the highest pledge, which allowed to be taken as a reference for a Survivor and its Zombivor.)

I really loved the first game from the moment I got it. I played it frequently, either solo or with my husband, and also took it to several family gatherings. I went a little overboard with the organization, too – card sleeves, plastic stands, dice towers, plastic cases, a binder full of color printouts of missions, custom pockets on the character cards using double-sided post-it tape… I even bought a laminator!

For Season 2, I was following Guillotine Games’ Facebook page, and they talked about the « I Am Legend » level for Season 2 there. I knew right away I wanted it, and made plans to be online as soon as the Kickstarter went live.

I got my pledge in right after the Kickstarter opened, but I was a little concerned that it said « limit of 2 » and yet it had 3 backers in it. So I emailed GG to make sure everything was ok. They were very gracious and made sure that all 3 of us got into the game.

After the KS is over, how did Guillotine Games and you processed into the design of your Survivor? Is there any easter egg around its art?

Nicolas Raoult emailed me after the Kickstarter ended. He asked for photos of me to use for the art and miniature, and to send any other suggestions, if I had any. He also asked for my height, for consistency among the minis. I sent him one photo as the main inspiration, with several other pictures as additional reference.

Regarding an « Easter Egg », I did say that I would love to see one item I had in my photo included with my character. But I didn’t see how they would be able to add it, since the characters usually only carry weapons. To my surprise and delight, they turned it INTO a weapon, and it is AWESOME! You’ll see what I mean when they release the images. 🙂

That IS intriguing!!! Is that a weapon in the game (a card), or is it « decorating » your illustration?

Sadly, I do not know yet. They have not mentioned a weapon card for me, so it may just be decoration. It would be a great ultra-red card, though! But I’m not as famous as « Will » or « Ross », who got the rocket launcher and bowling ball cards.

Did you get to choose your weapon(s)?

I did not choose any weapons specifically, although they did ask me for input. About a month after I sent the information, they sent me the rough sketches and asked what I thought. I asked them to change one small thing (swap the weapons in each hand), but otherwise the sketches were even better than what I’d imagined!

After the KS is over, how did Guillotine Games and you processed into the profile of your Survivor? Did you get some access to new Skills to eventually pick one of them? Does it reflect some kind of your personnality, or did you choose a more fictionnal path?

Along with the photos, I sent some of my interests and skills so they could include it in the character’s look or background story. I also told him that the zombie movie character I was most similar to was Reggie from « Night of the Comet », my favorite 80’s zombie movie.

On my own, I selected a complete list of Skills for both Survivor and Zombivor, following the standard skill progression. Since this was right after the Season 2 Kickstarter, I was only able to include Skills we knew about at that time.

Mostly I picked things I thought I could actually do, or the basic +1 die / +1 action abilities. Since I am a capable shooter, and would definitely prefer to fight Zombies at a distance, I was very gun-focused in my Skill selections.

Nicolas later sent me an update saying they were playtesting those exact Skills, and « Tiff » was killing lots of zombies! However, I have not seen my character’s final card or description yet, so I don’t know how much of what I sent will actually be used.

*Regina, played by Catherine Mary Stewart, in « Night of the Comet » (1984) (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087799/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1)

So you did not get any « new » Skill? Or you don’t know your final ID Card? Can we assume « Tiff » will be the name of the Survivor? Is it your choice or theirs, and is there any reason why?

I haven’t seen the card yet so I am not sure what my character’s final skills will be. I would love it if they did give me something new and exciting, but no, they haven’t told me anything yet.
The name for the character will be « Tiff » and it is, well, my name, so… it was selected by me, I guess? You can hear one of the GG guys mention my character by name in the [CMON Expo’s] video – it’s at about 18:15 when he’s naming off who the box art characters are.

What about your Zombivor? Doesn’t it feel weird to have this reflection of yourself?

The Zombivor doesn’t bother me, I think it’s pretty neat – it was actually much more surreal to see « my face » on the cover of a board game box! And I would like to think that, during a « real » zombie apocalypse, if I were bitten I’d be strong enough to help my friends as a Zombivor, versus turning on them mindlessly!

We can’t imagine the « pride » (maybe a better word would fit) you can feel now that it comes a bit to the open. Are there anyone in your « neighborhood » with whom you can share that?

I think right now it’s mostly excitement and anticipation, rather than « pride ». And I am grateful to Guillotine Games for working with me when creating the artwork for my character. I wanted her to be someone I could show to my neices and nephews, my friends and co-workers, or even my boss, and not feel embarrased.

As a woman and a gamer, I wanted my character to be realistic – she’s dressed in tough clothes (denim), wearing comfortable shoes (not heels), and she’s armed and dangerous. I wanted her to be someone other gamers would choose to have on their Survivor team because she’s *awesome*, not because she’s wearing a sexy outfit. Guillotine Games did a wonderful job, and I am excited to be able to share that with everyone.

As for sharing in my « neighborhood », well… I’ve shown my husband all the images I’ve received, he thinks it’s very cool. I’ve also shown print-outs of the sketches to my family and friends, but since they’re mostly not gamers, they are a little confused at my excitement, haha. I am hoping once that I have the game in-hand, I can generate some more interest and maybe create a few new Zombicide fans!

What are your next moves regarding Zombicide?

Well, I’m definitely backing the next Kickstarter, but I wouldn’t do the « I am Legend »-level pledge again. While it has been an amazing experience, I will have my mini soon – someone else should get a turn!

Angus never had luck.
As his childhood went by, he was mocked by everyone around because he spent all his time working on some bike or the lawnmower in his family’s mobile-home backyard.
Shy and fragile, he never talked back. As a teenager, he passed from bikes to cars, but he was still mocked.
He joined the army to toughen up and it was not long before war came and he went overseas.
Badly wounded during his first battle, he could not fight anymore.
The army transferred him into the maintenance unit where his shrewdness and technical skills were going to be put to good use.
It is a pity that when the zombie war came he was off duty at his parents. It is too bad that his last DIY could have saved his ass.
Angus never had luck.

Copyright Zombicide Fan Site Communauté

This custom card introduces a few (custom) concepts that have to be explained, for them to be played the closest to the community’s feeling.

Dr Vulcan:

• Heavy Weapon: Does not has any effect. It is a way to bring Assistant’s bonuses only to our cards, and no other weapons.
• [1-3]: We wanted to have a weapon shooting on multiple Zones at the same time. It has to be read [min-max]. During the Distance Action, all Zones from the min ton the (included) targetted Zone count as one and only one Zone to dispatch hits. Targets’ Priorities stand, all Actors are considered on the same Zone.

Example:
Shannon has Dr Vulcan in hand. She wants to clean up a street to protect her team. She shoots at Distance 3, the weapon’s max Distance.
In the Distance 1 Zone: 3 Walkers, 1 Fatty and 1 Runner.
In the Distance 2 Zone: 1 Fatty and 1 Walker.
In the Distance 3 Zone: 2 Walkers and 2 Runners.
She shoots on all three Zones at the same time, and gets 5 hits, that she has to dispatch among all 6 Walkers, 2 Fatties and 3 Runners.
She’ll take 5 Walkers out, at her choosing. She decides to leave one one the farest Zone (Distance 3).

If Shannon’d had 7 hits, she could have get riden of 6 Walkers only. Because Fatties protect Runners.

Assistant:

• Roll 7: +1 Die Distance: This Skill is based on the « Roll 6: +1 Die Distance » from TCM, without any over 6 restriction. It favours a bit the Survivors with Skills such as « +1 to Dice Roll: Distance » or « +1 to Dice Roll: Combat ». They can get (6+1=)7, thus gaining extra dice.
• Free Reloads: Like Saw-Offs, Dr Vulcan need reloads. Assistant nullifies this need, thus favouring those who keep both card in hand.

Set-Up:

• Dr Vulcan is Ultrared. We recommand having only one per Equipment deck.
• The Assistant is a regular Equipment, working only with heavy weapons. We recommand having one per heavy weapon per Equipment deck.
• Wanting to play Dr Vulcan and Assistant? We recommand to let the Assistant alongside, with Molotovs, Pimpmobile weapons. it should be automatically picked up when Dr Vulcan is drawn.
• These are advice. Feel free to use them as you wish.

With participations of: XofMdS, PöCöm and eithelgul; and interventions of the forum’s community. (Ace95, Car0nline, Eren Histarion, Gyldermist, Hugues, Joe Liqueur, Matt, Polymorfale, Tagazog, aerazomb, diab, etienne, louloulou, marmotte84, nolane, oldschool, wolfman et zesteph)

11 days, 27 pages thread on the french forum, 17 takes and 136 layers to come up with an hommage to Ned’s bunker.

N3D stands for Nerd Dungeon, 3 rooms. It is a 100% indoor tile on which everything has been added. Everything that could be in a bunker.

Idea: Diab
Conception: Diab, XofMdS, Polymorfale, and the whole fan-site french-speaking community
Graphism: Polymorfale

HD Source (16 Meg)

Bonus 1: custom print test by Polymorfale. Not the final version, hence the dark walls.

Bonus 2: Galery of the tile’s evolution.

I started with a relatively simple observation, some tiles froms Toxic City Mall and Prison Outbreak make relatively poor in danger Manhole cards.

I said it on our forum, and a few exchanges later, Polymorfale made this token, front / back, which adds a manhole where you want. The front is oriented streets from Season 1 and the back wants to be alleys from Toxic City Mall.

Copyright Zombicide Fan Site Community

1/ Could you give us a quick word about you and how you fell into Zombicide?

I’m a 40 (soon to be 41) year old (currently not working due to illness) Software Engineer, living in Cambridge (England).

And, I stumbled across Zombicide a week or two into the first Kickstarter campaign and was instantly hooked.

2/ How did you worked your Mission out? How did you playtested it?

Like all the scenarios I’ve put together (only two of which I’ve sent into the contest), Defend The Mall – Save The Baby started with an idea – sometimes I start with a mechanic, sometimes a story, sometimes an idea for a map – in this case it was the timing mechanism, that then led to the backstory, the setting, and the map layout.

I would normally recommend play testing with several groups, as well as by one’s self, but in this instance, due to various life constraints, it was mostly done solo, simulating a six-player game, and with one other person.

But, it took a lot of sessions to reach the final version of the scenario – most of this was refining the map layout, and the timing mechanism, in order to get just the right feel, difficulty, and game length.

3/ Could you timeframe the different steps to the publishing?

I submitted the scenario to the contest in early December (2013), heard that it had been picked late January, and then it was published about a week later.

I don’t recall how long I’d been working on it before that, but the first stirrings of the ideas behind it came about whilst waiting for the delivery of my second Kickstarter Wave 1 rewards.

4/ So now you won. The first Audrey. How does it feel?

Well, strictly speaking I’m not the first to win an Audrey. And to be honest, I’d have preferred a Kyoko (so I could then send in more entries for a chance to win Audrey)!

But it feels great! I still keep on grinning to myself every now and then! 😀

5/ Are you still motivated to win a second time?

Hell yes!

Hopefully they’ll keep on changing the prize, but, if not, I’d like a second Audrey set so that I can swap her for a Kyoko set!

6/ Tips? Advice?

Don’t give up! I see so many people say something like « I’ve sent stuff in and they’ve never been picked, so I’m not going to bother again » – well, if you don’t send more entries in, then you’ll definitely never have one picked!

Play test, play test, play test! This is probably the second most important thing (I’ll mention the first shortly) – and try not to get stuck playing the scenario one way when you do so – think how someone else might approach it – is there a way to ‘break it’ – can an aspect of the rules be exploited to make it easy – is it impossible if you don’t get the right cards at the right time? You need to ask yourself all these questions, and more, whilst you’re play testing, and then find ways to solve any issues you come across.

Come up with something different! Too many scenarios are ‘go here, find this objective’ and very little else. But a great scenario does something new, something unique, or has a great story around which the game play hangs. The best do both (and more)!

Think of Goldilocks! Just like the temperature of the porridge in the classic fairy tale, the difficulty of a scenario needs to be just right! Too easy and it’s boring. Too hard and it’s just a drag. The players should feel challenged, but not like they’ve been set an impossible task.

And, finally, and this is the most important thing – make it FUN!

7/ What do you think about previous Missions? Any favourite?

To be honest, though I’ve downloaded and read them all, I’ve yet to play any!

I have far too much fun coming up with my own, and nowhere near enough time to play them all – I haven’t even played through all the scenarios in the rule books yet!

One of the most recurring problems with Zombicide is the movements resolution and management of Zombies splits.

So I decided to create a special FAQ by cutting the maximum possible situations in elementary cases. If I did not (too many) errors, you should be able to handle all situations with this FAQ.

Latest version : v1.5 (10/02/2014)