USF HvZ Spring 2013 Rules

  1. Overview

    2.
    1. ‘Humans versus Zombies’ (aka HvZ) is an advanced version of tag, lasting over an extended period of time, and is played 24/7. Humans attempt to avoid being infected by Zombies. If a Zombie catches a Human they are infected and become a Zombie

  2. Objectives

    1. Humans try to avoid getting tagged
    2. Zombies try to tag as many people as possible
    3. The game concludes at a final mission which will determine the winner of the game

  3. Pre-Game Rules

    1. All players who registered online are required to attend one of the many meetings the week prior to the game
    2. Players will confirm their identity to the Moderators with their USF Student ID and will be presented their ID card for the game. This card must be carried at all times, as it will be used for a zombie to register a kill if they tag you. Players who do not complete this verification process are dropped from the game
      1. At these meetings, rules will also be covered. This is mandatory, and you will not receive credit or your ID card if you do not stay for the entire meeting

  4. General Rules

    1. DON’T BE A JERK. In order to make the game work, we must rely on the honor system. Not following the rules takes away from the fun of the game
    2. PLAY SAFE. If you have to think about how dangerous something is, DON’T DO IT. Getting hurt is not fun and getting in trouble is bad for the game
    3. DO NOT break any laws
    4. DO NOT disrupt classes, meetings, or any other function. DO NOT block doorways, hallways, or sidewalks.
    5. There are no defined boundaries for the game, meaning it can be played off-campus. See the Safe Zone Rules for further instructions
    6. If approached by a professor, staff member, official, security officer, or UP officer, be respectful, explain that you are playing the Zombie game, and comply with their wishes. DO NOT run away nor raise a weapon (especially Nerf blasters)
    7. Profane name-calling will not be tolerated. Please keep other profanity to a minimum
    8. Use crosswalks when crossing the street. DO NOT just run out into the street when being chased or when chasing others
    9. No masks will be allowed to cover your face, including bandanas. Face paint is acceptable
    10. You may not play for somebody else nor may somebody else play for you. The person who signs the waiver and gets the HvZ ID is the person who plays the game

  5. Non-Players

    1. Non-players are off-limits. Do not bother them, hit them, tag them, etc. If this happens by accident, apologize profusely
    2. Non-players are NOT allowed to assist you. They may not spy, track, provide get-aways, or bring you food (except for food delivery men)

  6. Human Rules

    1. Players begin the game as Humans (Except for the Original Zombies)
    2. The goal of Humans is to avoid being infected (tagged) by Zombies.
    3. Humans are identified by wearing their bandana on their upper arm (see Bandanna Rules).
    4. Humans may protect themselves by using a sock (see Sock Rules), PVC Blowgun (see Blowgun Rules), or an approved blaster (see Nerf Rules) to stun Zombies. Stunned Zombies may be re-stunned
    5. All Humans must carry their HvZ ID card and USF ID at all times
    6. All surviving Humans must report to the final mission. Failure to do so results in all unregistered Humans to be considered infected and become Zombies
    7. Once tagged a Human MUST give their HvZ ID card to the Zombie that tagged them, and present their USF Student ID to verify the HvZ ID. The infected Human is considered a stunned Zombie for thirty minutes (but is immune from being re-stunned) and must wear their bandana around their neck
    8. In the event that a human does not have their HvZ ID card, they are to present their USF ID and either a valid License or government ID to verify the name. This can then be used by the Moderators to register a tag manually

  7. Zombie Rules

    1. The goal of Zombies is to infect all Humans by tagging them
    2. Zombies are identified by wearing their bandanna on their head. Stunned Zombies wear their bandanna around their neck (see Bandanna Rules)
    3. Zombies may NOT carry socks, blowguns, or Nerf blasters (The Original Zombie may carry any during the first 24 hours)
    4. Zombies may NOT pick up any form of Human weapons or ammunition
    5. A tag is considered to be a touch on any part of a Human, however hair-pulling and inappropriate touching (groin/ breast) is not allowed. Backpacks, blasters, and other equipment do not count as a tag
    6. When a Zombie tags a Human, they must collect that Human’s HvZ ID card and verify it with that Human’s USF Student ID. The Zombie must then report the kill within 2 hours. After this, a human may report this to a Moderator, who will change them manually
    7. When a Zombie is stunned by a Human, the Zombie is stunned for fifteen minutes. The Zombie must wear their bandana around their neck, and may not interact with the game until the fifteen minutes has expired. This includes following Humans and calling other Zombies to reveal Humans’ locations
    8. Zombies may be re-stunned resulting in the fifteen minute period to reset

  8. Zombie Perk Rules

    1. As zombies collect kills perks will become available
    2. Zombies will be notified if they have unlocked a perk by the Moderators
    3. OZs will be unable to acquire perks

  9. Original Zombie (OZ) Rules

    1. At the start of the game, the Moderators will select at least 1 Original Zombie (OZ). They will select additional OZs as neded. The goal of the OZ is to infect as many humans as possible at the start of the game. The OZs will be unmarked and unidentified for the first twenty-four hours of play
    2. The ‘OZ’ may not impersonate a Moderator
    3. For a ‘OZ’ tag to count, the ‘OZ’ must collect their HvZ IDs within fifteen minutes of the tag
    4. The ‘OZ’ may dress as a Non-player, a Human or as a Zombie

  10. Non-Playing Characters

    1. Moderators playing as NPCs are considered as a Human or a Zombie depending on their role
    2. They will be easily identified and must follow standard rules unless otherwise noted

  11. Disputed Tags

    1. In the result of a disputed tag, the two players involved must first try to resolve the issue. If they cannot then an honor duel will take place
    2. An honor duel can only be undertaken if BOTH players agree to it. If the player who was tagged refuses, the dispute will be settled through ONE moderated round of ’Rock, Paper, Scissors’ or ONE coin flip done by a Moderator and called by the player who is disputing the tag
    3. To initiate an honor duel both players MUST find a Moderator to oversee the duel
    4. An honor duel consists of a Human and a Zombie. The Human must choose one approved HvZ weapon. They will get one shot with this weapon, so one sock or one Nerf dart. If they are unsuccessful in stunning the charging Zombie player, they lose the duel and are now a Zombie. If the Human successfully stuns the Zombie, the Zombie is stunned for the normal stun time
    5. There is to be no interaction with the players in the duel from other players. From the time the honor duel is declared to the time the duel is over, only the Zombie in the duel may tag the Human, and only the Human in the duel may stun the Zombie
    6. All spectators must retain a 15-foot distance from the participants of the duel
    7. The Zombie must charge the Human within 15 seconds of the Human choosing the weapon. (Charge being defined as running toward the Human in an attempt to make a tag.) If the Zombie does not charge within 15 seconds, they are said to have forfeited the duel and will be stunned for the normal stun time
    8. The Moderator is to keep the time for the Zombie charge by audibly counting down from 15 to 0. The counting stops when the Zombie begins his or her charge. Moderators will also determine the result of a disputed tag in the honor duel
    9. While the honor duel is taking place spectating Humans cannot be stunned. Fifteen seconds after the duel has been resolved all players become active once more

  12. Bandana Rules

    1. Players must provide their own bandana
    2. Bandanas must be worn at all times and must be distinctly visible. The game is played 24/7, removal of bandanna does not mean removal of game. There is no “not playing right now”. The only exception is when players are at work or university sanctioned events
    3. Bandanas must be of a contrasting color. This means it must stand out from the clothes you are wearing and your hair
    4. Bandanas may not be hidden or camouflaged by other clothing. This means not being worn under clothing, such as jackets, hats, and sweater hoods. Also, for Zombies, it must be worn around the skull, not as a hair band or to hold a ponytail
    5. Bandanas must be worn properly or else actions by the offender (stuns, tags) will be nullified
    6. Multiple bandanas may not be worn in an attempt to trick people

  13. Safe Zone Rules

    1. The insides of all campus buildings are considered safe zones
    2. Inside of elevators are considered safe zones
    3. No game play is to take place inside
    4. No game play is to take place within 15 feet of the entrance/exits to Residence Halls
    5. Humans must have two feet entirely inside of a safe zone in order to be considered safe
    6. Outdoor hallways of buildings and overhangs are considered Safe Zones during the day, except if they are attached to a parking garage. This rule is not in effect on weekends or between the hours or 10:00PM-and 6:30AM. (Ex. BSN, Cooper, Administration, HMS) The rule of thumb is to look up - if you look up and see a ceiling above you, then you are safe, provided it is during the day and not part of a parking garage
    7. In all instances, avoid play around workers
    8. Zombies are allowed to enter Safe Zones, but may not stalk Humans inside. When a Zombie exits a Safe Zone, they are stunned for one minute, but cannot be re-stunned
    9. Humans who are inside a Safe Zone may not stun Zombies who are outside
    10. Players are off limits while at work or participating in a sanctioned university event (ex. practice, outdoor classes, conferences). However, they are in play while commuting to and from these events
    11. There are no safe zones off-campus. However, do not trespass or break any other laws while playing off-campus. (Roommates may create their own Safe Zone rules with regard to their rooms, apartment, and complex, so long as all parties involved agree to the terms. If the owners of a facility ask you not to play, respect their wishes)
    12. Players may ask Moderators for special exemptions for Safe Zones as not defined above. Exemptions will be recorded by Moderators and written on the website

  14. No-Play Zone Rules

    1. Areas that are labeled no-play zones are not in play. They shall not be used for escape of tag and are reserved for exiting game play (entering or leaving the university)
    2. Sock zones around the residence halls will become NO PLAY ZONES starting at 10:00 pm. and continuing until 10:00 am. This means that ZERO play is to occur in these areas
    3. Parking garages are no-play zones. Their sidewalks, walkways, and crosswalks surrounding them are in-play, but the cement that cars drive on is not
    4. Overhangs and breezeways in parking garages are NOT safe zones, despite the existing rule for other buildings
    5. Players can use the parking garages to park cars when driving on and off the campus but may not use them to avoid tag. Additionally, this is the only acceptable use of a vehicle in the game
    6. Players may not use no-play zones as a place to congregate during the course of the game
    7. Players abusing the no-play zones can and will be punished, and may be banned from the game

  15. Sock Rules

    1. All socks must be projectiles and not attached to the Human in any way.
    2. Socks may be secured with tape or rubber banded together but cannot he thickened to cause harm. These are able to be banned at Moderator discretion if they are deemed unsafe
    3. Socks cannot be smaller than a baby sock
    4. Nothing may be put inside a sock

  16. Blowgun Rules

    1. Blowguns must be at least 3 feet in length and must use nerf darts as a projectile
    2. Blowguns must be made of pvc pipe per request of University Police
    3. Blowguns not meeting the above standards pose concerns of harm and are therefore a bannable offense

  17. Nerf Rules

    1. Nerf blasters are to be used in the Designated Nerf Zone: Click Here
    2. Blasters may not be painted or taped, metallic or black - other colors are fine but the orange tip must be kept
    3. Blasters may not be concealed; this is for campus security
    4. As per the Residence Hall rules, Nerf blasters may NOT be stored in or brought into the dorms. Keep them in your car, a friend’s car, or someplace else
    5. Nerf Swords and Shields are NOT allowed
    6. It is the Moderators’ discretion to ban any blaster they see as unfair or dangerous
    7. Darts CAN be thrown to stun. This includes in sock zones
    8. Nerf blasters may have lights attached; however, for player safety strobe lights are not permitted and must not produce over 30 lumens (Mod Discression)
    9. No modified or homemade darts are allowed

  18. Vehicle Rules

    1. Vehicles include automobiles, bull runner, golf carts, bikes, skateboards, and rollerblades. Other items may be included on this list, but loosely put, a vehicle is another mode of transportation aside from walking or running
    2. Use of vehicles are forbidden. The only exception to this rule is commuting to or from campus. If you absolutely need to use a vehicle to reach a destination in a timely fashion, you may contact a Moderator for an exception to this rule

  19. Mission Rules

    1. Throughout the game, Moderators will reveal missions to be completed. Completion may result in perks being awarded to participants or the entire team. They can drastically change game play and are needed to stand a chance of victory at the final mission
    2. Moderators are allowed to modify specific game rules for the mission which will be updated on the website

  20. Violations

    1. Players found to be violating game rules may be reported to the Moderators. However, this should be a last resort, not a first measure. Players should try to work out any problems first
    2. If the violation is minor, they may be given a warning
    3. If the violation is major or a minor violation is repeated, the offending player may be banned from the game
    4. Rulings are at the discretion of the Moderators.
    5. If you see someone breaking a LAW, call University Police