The ground floor of DuSable Hall was filled with more than 60 students ready to take part in the human resistance as they organized for the impending zombie threat.

President Caitlin Yimet, Vice President Timothy Peterson, founder Emily Sturnfield and specialist Harrison Kuras showcased the most effective weapons in thwarting any zombie attack. Most NERF guns would do the job, they said, but marshmallows, or “a clean balled sock,” would be just as effective.

Peterson said the turnout was better than he hoped.

“It blew my mind,” he said.

Zombie tactics were also outlined, with an emphasis on the numerous tricks they would employ.

When it was all said and done, everyone knew their part and was ready to play the game.

Sturnfield, senior geology major, said Humans vs. Zombies (HvZ) is a campus-wide, strategy-based game of tag, but “with NERF guns, socks and foam swords.” Scythes are also used by the more avid players.

The premise is simple: a lone original zombie must tag, or “eat,” as many human players as he or she can, creating a zombie horde. The humans must outlast the horde by not getting tagged or “infected.” At the end of the game, which can last up to two weeks, either the resistance has prevailed or the zombies have taken over.

Whenever actively participating in a game, all players must wear a camouflage bandana with a strip of duct tape on it. Humans wear them on their right upper arms, while zombies wear them on their heads. A player can choose to not play simply by removing the bandana.

Humans defend themselves by “stunning” zombies with a number of pre-approved weapons, like the NERF guns. Once a zombie is stunned, he or she must walk away and cannot play for 15 minutes. If a human is tagged, he or she becomes a zombie and cannot play for one hour. Zombies must then “feed” at least once every two days or else they “starve” and are out of the game.

Safe zones are located all around campus, which include some residence halls, eating areas and all academic buildings.

Hannah Bussie, sophomore political science major, said as soon as she saw the word zombie on a flyer, she was in.

“It seems fun,” she said. “Better than drinking your life away.”

Sarah Schwarzentraub, junior physics major, said she was excited to run around campus shooting NERF guns at people. It would also give her an excuse to make foam swords again, she said.

The use of NERF guns was a popular sentiment among those in attendance, as could be heard by their cheers and laughs whenever a new weapon was demonstrated.

“HvZ is a great way for people to get to know each other and form an instant bond with other players,” Yimet said.

“HvZ offers a fun, safe environment to unleash some of the pent up energy from sitting in class all day,” Sturnfield said.

Though the date has not been set for the first HvZ game, Yimet said it would most likely take place Oct. 6 and last one week. After players get a feel for the game, Yimet said she will add special missions and expand the rules.

More information about the organization can be found at www.niuzombie.com.

“If you like zombies, meeting new people, eating the flesh of your classmates or think you can survive the apocalypse,” Sturnfield said, “then HvZ is for you.”