DeKALB | A game of “Zombies vs. Humans” became a more sobering confrontation between police and humans — or, at least some students — at Bowling Green State University earlier this week.

The game, which is also being played by a group of students at NIU, led to the arrest of two BG students.

The student-organized game, “Humans vs. Zombies,” includes a team of humans attempting to eliminate “zombies” with socks, marshmallows and nerf guns. These nerf guns, however, sparked controversy because some individuals at BG mistook them for actual weapons and alerted police.

In the wake of the arrest, students from NIU’s “Humans vs. Zombies” chapter are speaking out.

“I feel bad for these students, it might not have been necessary to shut down the game,” said NIU game organizer Emily Sturnfield.

Although some students are frustrated by the arrest, “Humans vs. Zombies” players understand the disposition of police.

“I could see why people would be concerned,” said sophomore journalism major Robert Mitros. “[The police] were not out of line.”

Sturnfield said if it were necessary and people were afraid, the game would certainly be altered.

“Marshmallows and balled-up socks are more effective anyway,” said Sturnfield. “The Nerf guns can jam.”

Mitros said participants are not allowed to play inside any academic buildings, as the BG students were when they were arrested.

An incident such as that could present a problem, said Lt. Matthew Kiederlen, acting chief of the University Police.

“Depending on where and when they are doing this, students may be asked to move somewhere else because they are being disruptive,” he said.

“These guns have bright colors,” Sturnfield said.

Though Nerf guns aren’t necessarily considered weapons, they still need to be identifiable as not being the real thing, said NIU police.

“As long as they are readily distinguishable and used only on willing and active participants, it’s not really a problem,” Kiederlen said, recalling the presence on campus of Super Soakers, Nerf guns and other similar toys. “It could give the appearance of a weapon, which could result in a disorderly conduct situation.”

The students themselves don’t present much harm, Kiederlen said,

“You have to look at the age group,” he said. “These types of things are going to happen. The likelihood of any criminal action being taken on campus related to this is slim.”