| World of the Living Dead | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Dave Barton and Kulpreet Singh |
| Publisher(s) | Ballardia |
| Platform(s) | Web browser |
| Release date(s) | Closed Beta |
| Genre(s) | Survival horror, MMORPG |
| Mode(s) | Multiplayer |
World of the Living Dead (WoTLD) is a Javascript and text-based massively multiplayer online role-playing game created by Dave Barton and Kulpreet Singh.[1] The game takes place in a post-apocalyptic Los Angeles.[2] 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),[3] a government agency tasked with rebuilding civilization. Players cannot control the survivors individually, but instead use squad-level controls to accomplish objectives.[4] The game has both player vs. player PvP and player vs. environment PvE elements.
WoTLD is currently in beta testing. Anyone may participate.
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The interface of WoTLD makes use of Google Maps with players primarily viewing an image similar to a PDA. Much of the gameplay consists of moving or performing actions directly from the map interface. During the movement phase occasional skirmishes with the zombies and the injuries that occur from such battles are reported at the top of the screen. There are many usable locations on the map, once a player has moved his/her team onto these locations several actions become available. These actions range from scavenging the building for resources to tagging the walls to mark your passing.[5] Squads are marked with small icons which are separate in color and picture from the location icons. Movement consists of plotting a route, and hitting a move button that advances your squad along the designated route. Combat is not "seen" first-hand, instead popping up as a series of combat reports, detailing any injuries, kills and/or deaths.[6] As your characters progress, fear, and fatigue start to take its toll, making your survivors less efficient. A group of survivors left in the middle of the street will accumulate fear and fatigue, and eventually perish.[6]
With a complex system of needs, food and water become a critical resource in the game. After passing a certain amount of days without consuming the adequate amount of food or liquid, survivors will start starving and dehydrating, eventually resulting in their death. 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. WoTLD doesn't believe in second chances.[6] Life in WoTLD is cheap, and thus every expedition must be carefully planned before ordering your people to leave the relative safety of your safehouse.
Instead of defining hordes as specific beings, or even as a number, WoTLD uses a unique definition of "z-density", defining the density of zombies within a block instead of the actually zombie count.[7] Level of density is defined by a scale of colors, providing a better visual at a first glance.
Unlike many other zombie games, locations do not replenish.[7] 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.
After entering closed beta, World of the Living Dead attracted a rather large portion of French gamers. Due to the nature of the invitation system used for beta key distribution and being featured in a French gaming magazine, a good portion of the player population are French, leading to the creation of many in-game factions solely populated by French players. Regardless, the major portion of the population consists of English-speaking players, due to the game only being available in English. Although there is a decent amount of players residing in the United States, WoTLD has expanded to become an international game, welcoming players from any country.
WoTLD is published by Ballardia, an independent development company based in Dublin, Ireland.[8] WoTLD was originally conceived by Dave Barton in 2007. Development began in mid-2009 with the help of Julpreet Singh.[7] Open beta was originally planned for December 2010,[7] but is currently planned to leave beta in 2011.[7] World of the Living Dead is available on PC, Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad and smartphones.[8]