Zombob's Zombie News and Reviews

KICKSTARTER PROJECT: Zombies 101 – A Horror Board & Card Game for 2-4 Players

Like zombies? Hate high school? Then you’ll love this game!

(CLICK HERE to see how Zombies 101 is played)

Hello!  We are Angry Duck Games, and we’re here to present you withZombies 101, a new game set in a high school that is the epicenter of a zombie outbreak.

In Zombies 101 - a board & card game for 2-4 players - you play an infected, but not yet turned, high school student.  Standing at one end of a trashed, bloodstained hallway, you listen to a PA announcement from your principal explaining the situation.  Apparently your eccentric science teacher’s crazy experiments went horribly wrong and became the zombie virus!  Realizing his mistake, the teacher was able to produce an antidote… just before he was eaten by his former students. 

Because you start the game infected you can’t just escape the school: you need to get to the science lab at the end of the hall, through a horde of zombified students, find an antidote in the lab, and of course, get back out.  Be the first player to do this, and you win.

This video gives you an overview of how Zombies 101 is played.

*Main playtest-phase game components shown. Final production versions and artwork may differ.

Here is a list of what will come in the game box:

•    8 different Hallway Tiles
•    4 different Lab Tiles
•    4 unique Player Aid Placards (thick card stock)
•    1 Zombie Die
•    4 unique Player Miniatures (monochrome)
•    14 Zombie Miniatures; 2 unique Designs (monochrome)
•    1 deck of 80 Action cards
•    1 deck of 22 Item cards
•    1 deck of 18 Zombie cards
•    20 Stamina Cubes (Euro cubes)
•    20 Health Tokens
•    20 Corpse Tokens
•    10 Unidentified Beaker Tokens
•    Vacuum Form Insert
•    Rulebook

Card backs for the three decks

The game board is comprised of three Hallway Tiles and one Lab Tile, which fit together through our hexboard system.  The ability to mix and match the different board tiles allows for over 1,300 different game board combinations, and even more than that when adding in promotional pieces!  The unique shape of our board components is a significant part of the game’s manufacturing cost.  The three types of cards each affect what happens on the board in specific ways.  The player placards give the players a sense of individuality, as well as providing them with a quick reference for common rules.

*Illus. by Lorraine Schleter

After playtesting for several months at hobby stores and with local gaming groups, we officially unveiled Zombies 101 at GenCon 2012 in the First Exposure Playtest Hall and received an overwhelmingly positive response.  From the feedback we got there we have finalized the game’s mechanics and components… but now we need help to actually produce it!  And that’s where you come in.  All funds raised from this Kickstarter campaign will be used to pay for the following:

• Designing and producing original player and zombie miniatures.
• A photo shoot to capture the rest of the images needed for our card art.
• Improving the level and quality of art and design across the board.
• The first print run of the game!  By ordering a large initial quantity of games, we will be able to produce a better product – with spending less per unit, we can afford higher-quality game components.

*Playtesting at GenCon 2012

*More Playtesting with the ADG Team

The costs for all of this are included in our goal.  We also have plans for potentially upgrading the game components further, which will require reaching our stretch goals (see below).  And of course we also have several fun rewards for pledging to our campaign as our way of saying THANK YOU! for supporting us and Zombies 101.  For starters, anyone who pledges at any level will receive a bonus video of the exciting conclusion where students reach the lab!

*Illus. by Lorraine Schleter

We had a blast making our promotional videos for Z101! Here are a few of the stills from the shoot – the game’s card art will feature these and other live-action images.

Here is the list of Rewards we are offering to our backers:

"Bump" – Pledge $1 or more

Be a supporter!  Anything you can give will help us – every dollar counts.  To thank you for your help we will send you an email with a link to watch our secret final video, “The Lab!”
Estimated delivery: December 2012

"Retaliate" – Pledge $2 or more

RETAILERS ONLY: Pledge at this level and we'll contact you to discuss how your store can carry Zombies 101!
Estimated delivery:  May 2013

"Rush" – Pledge $10 or more

On top of getting our thanks via email with the link to our bonus video, we'll also send you special “Zombies 101” desktop backgrounds, and you will be publicly thanked both on our website and in our rulebook for being a supporter!
Estimated delivery: March 2013

"5 Minute N-R-G" – Pledge $20 or more

For your pledge of $20 or more we'll send you a “Zombies 101” poster, as well as receiving our thanks on the website and in the rulebook, the “Zombies 101” desktop backgrounds, and the link to “The Lab”!
Estimated delivery: March 2013

*Z101 and ADG Shirts Subject to design change.

"Varsity Jacket" – Pledge $30 or more

Show your support by showing off the game!  Back us with $30 or more and receive either a “Zombies 101” t-shirt or an “Angry Duck Games” t-shirt!  You will be contacted at the conclusion of the campaign to select your choice of shirt, its size (standard US clothing sizes) and color (black or white).  You will also get the desktop backgrounds, our thanks on the ADG website and in the Z101 rulebook, and the special video.

Estimated delivery: May 2013

"Scramble" –  Pledge $45 or more
(SOLD OUT!)

EARLY BACKER SPECIAL!  Be among the first 50 people to pledge $45 or more and receive a copy of the game that we're here to make, Zombies 101, as your reward!  In addition, you will also receive a special Hallway Tile for use with the game that will be exclusive to our Kickstarter supporters.  This promotional game piece will never be available again once our Kickstarter campaign closes!  And you will of course also get the desktop backgrounds, our thanks on the website and rulebook, and the video link.
Estimated delivery: May 2013

"Steady Advance" –  Pledge $50 or more

Here is what it's all about.  At this tier, your reward will be a copy of the game that we're here to make: Zombies 101!  In addition, you will also receive a special Hallway Tile for use with the game that will be exclusive to our Kickstarter supporters.  This promotional game piece will never be available again once our Kickstarter campaign closes!  And you will of course also get the desktop backgrounds, our thanks on the website and rulebook, and the video link.
Estimated delivery: May 2013

"Yoink!" - Pledge $70 or more
(Limited 100)

For your pledge of $70 or more, your reward will be a copy of the game – with the exclusive Kickstarter promo Hallway Tile – along with the “Zombies 101” poster AUTOGRAPHED by artist Lorraine Schleter!  We will also send you the desktop backgrounds, thank you on our website and in the Zombies 101rulebook, and give you access to “The Lab” video.
Estimated delivery: May 2013

"Leaf on the Wind" – Pledge $75 or more

Alternatively, as your reward for pledging $75 or more, you will instead receive the game, the Kickstarter-exclusive Hallway Tile, and a t-shirt!  Again, your choices will be a “Zombies 101” t-shirt or an “Angry Duck Games” t-shirt, in black or white, in your choice of size.  And of course we’ll also send you the desktop backgrounds, thank you on our website and in the game’s rulebook, and send you the link to the bonus video.
Estimated delivery: May 2013

"Lab Notes" – Pledge $95 or more
(Limited 50)

With a pledge of $95 or more and the selection of this reward, not only will you get a copy of the game with the exclusive Kickstarter promo Hallway Tile, you'll also get an exclusive, personalized “Zombies 101” high school diploma certifying your graduation from student to ZOMBIE KILLER!  Like the Hallway Tile promo, this certified “Zombies 101” diploma will also be absolutely exclusive to Kickstarter backers, and will be strictly limited to 50.  And you’ll also get the standard rewards of the desktop backgrounds, acknowledgment on our website and rulebook, and link to “The Lab”.
Estimated delivery: May 2013

*Diploma design subject to change

"Second Wind" – Pledge $100 or more

Double up on your gaming!  With this pledge, receive TWO copies ofZombies 101, TWO of the Kickstarter-exclusive Hallway Tile, and TWO of the “Zombies 101” poster.  Desktop backgrounds, thanks for being a backer on our website and in the game’s rulebook, and the bonus video link all included as well.

Estimated delivery: May 2013

"Bucket o' Guts" – Pledge $115 or more

Pledge $115 or more and get the full bundle!  You'll get a copy of the game, the exclusive Kickstarter promo Hallway Tile, a “Zombies 101” or “Angry Duck Games” t-shirt (your choice; white or black; choice of size),  and the “Zombies 101” poster… plus a DVD with the full collection of “Zombies 101” Kickstarter videos!  And as with all of our reward tiers, we will also send you the desktop backgrounds, thank you on the website and in the rulebook, and give you the link to the special “The Lab” final video (yes, this will also be on the DVD!).
Estimated delivery: May 2013

"Soccer Trophy" – Pledge $130 or more
(Limited 50)

For 50 special backers, the reward for a pledge of $135 or more will be the game AUTOGRAPHED by the game's designers, along with the Kickstarter-exclusive Hallway Tile promo, the “Zombies 101” poster AUTOGRAPHED by artist Lorraine Schleter, the choice of a “Zombies 101” or “Angry Duck Games” t-shirt (choice of black or white & size), the DVD of the full “Zombies 101” Kickstarter videos, the desktop backgrounds, and our thanks on the website and in the rulebook, and link to watch the bonus video online.
Estimated delivery: May 2013

"Bocce Balls" – Pledge $145 or more

Triple your gaming pleasure!  With this pledge, receive THREE copies ofZombies 101, THREE of the Kickstarter-exclusive Hallway Tile, and THREE of the “Zombies 101” poster.  Desktop backgrounds, thanks for being a backer on our website and in the game’s rulebook, and the bonus video link all included as well.
Estimated delivery: May 2013

"Barricade" – Pledge $175 or more
(Limited 50)

Again, only for the first 50 backers who select it, a pledge of $175 or more will be rewarded with a copy of the game AUTOGRAPHED by the game's designers, with the card for your game coming pre-sleeved by the members of Angry Duck Games!  Additionally, the exclusive Kickstarter promo Hallway Tile, the “Zombies 101” poster AUTOGRAPHED by artist Lorraine Schleter, a “Zombies 101” or “Angry Duck Games” t-shirt (choice of style, white or black color, and size), the DVD collection of “Zombies 101” videos, the desktop backgrounds, acknowledgment on the website and in the rulebook, and link to “The Lab” secret video are all also included with this package.
Estimated delivery: May 2013

"The Dead Can Hear" – Pledge $200 or more
(Limited 30)

Put yourself in the game!  With a pledge of $200 or more, 30 backers will be able to submit to us a name and photo to appear on a specially-made, personalized Player Aid Placard!  You will receive the customized placard along with the full game, the exclusive Kickstarter promo Hallway Tile, a “Zombies 101” or “Angry Duck Games” t-shirt (your choice; white or black; choice of size),  the “Zombies 101” poster, the DVD with the full collection of “Zombies 101” Kickstarter videos, the desktop backgrounds, thanks on the website and in the rulebook, and the link to “The Lab” final video.  AND, this tier comes with the option to add $50 to your pledge to receive an additional customized Player Aid Placard – this can be done up to three times for a total of four placards, which would be $350.
Estimated delivery: May 2013

"Head Fake" – Pledge $2,500 or more
(Limited 2)

Really put yourself in the game!  Join the Angry Duck Games crew for our last “Zombies 101” photo shoot and get your zombified likeness used as card art in the game!  You must be local to the greater New York City area or otherwise be able to get yourself to the area – travel and lodging accommodations are not included.  Location of the shoot is currently TBD but will be in either NY or CT.  Event is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, December 1st.  Please contact us for more information and with any questions. 

This reward also includes virtually every other reward we offer: one copy of the game (autographed by the designers), with its cards for the game pre-sleeved by ADG staff, three additional copies of the game to give out to your friends, four of the Kickstarter-only Hallway Tiles to go with each game, one “Zombies 101” poster (autographed by artist Lorraine Schleter), three regular copies of the poster, both the “Zombies 101” t-shirt and the “Angry Duck Games” t-shirt – one of each in both black and white (as always, choice of sizes), the “Zombies 101” DVD, the desktop backgrounds, the thank-you on our website and in the game’s rulebook – in a REALLY BIG font this time! – and of course the link to “The Lab”… and we’ll even throw in one of the very exclusive “Zombies 101” diplomas from the “Lab Notes” tier.  Lastly, you’ll receive an “Angry Duck Games” polo shirt embroidered with our logo, captioned with the words “Honorary Duck”!  Yikes that’s a lot of swag!
Estimated delivery: May 2013

“_Your Name Here_” – Pledge $5000 or more(Limited 1) 

Did you happen to notice that our promotional videos for Zombies 101 only have three “players” in them?  That’s because we’ve reserved the fourth player slot for the backer who ever-so-generously pledges $5,000 to our campaign.  That’s right, YOU can be a character in Zombies 101!  This is not just the “The Dead Can Hear” reward where only you receive your personalized Player Aid Placard – every printed copy of Zombies 101 will come with you as one of the four players!!  To make this happen, you will need to be able to attend our final “Zombies 101” photo shoot event tentatively scheduled for Saturday, December 1st, to take place somewhere in the greater New York City area.  Note that we are not able to provide transportation to or from, or lodging in, the area – you must either be local, or otherwise able to get yourself to New York City.  Please contact us for more information and with any questions. 

This reward also includes virtually every other reward we offer: one copy of the game (autographed by the designers), with its cards for the game pre-sleeved by ADG staff, nine additional copies of the game to give out to your friends, 10 of the Kickstarter-only Hallway Tile to go with each game, one “Zombies 101” poster (autographed by artist Lorraine Schleter), nine regular copies of the poster, both the “Zombies 101” t-shirt and the “Angry Duck Games” t-shirt – one of each in both black and white (as always, choice of sizes), the “Zombies 101” DVD, the desktop backgrounds, the thank-you on our website and in the game’s rulebook – still in a REALLY BIG font, but seriously, you’re part of the game at this point, you name and face will be everywhere anyway! – and yes of course the link to the special video… and again we’ll throw in the “Zombies 101” diploma from the “Lab Notes” tier.  Basically at this point you are an honorary “Angry Duck”, and we’ll give you an “Angry Duck Games” polo shirt embroidered with our logo and captioned with the words “Honorary Duck”!  How could any more swag top all that?!
Estimated delivery: May 2013

What would a Kickstarter campaign be without Stretch Goals?!  We know we need a minimum of $48,000 to make Zombies 101 happen at all, but if we are fortunate enough to receive significantly more pledges than our initial goal, we have several exciting ideas in mind for how we can make our game bigger and better.  “Why so much” you might ask of our goals?  In short, we are committed to providing the best possible overall product we can and aim to establish a level of quality for the Angry Duck Games brand.  We have researched all of this extensively and our goals are all built around the subsequent costs involved in making said additions/improvements to the game.

Below is our list of stretch goals – the first one is revealed so you can see what we’re working towards, and if (when!) the first stretch goal is reached, our next stretch goal will then be revealed, and so on.

SHIPPING

• Shipping for ALL rewards to anywhere within the U.S.A. is FREE.
• Shipping to anywhere outside the U.S.A. must add an extra $25 to their pledge to receive rewards.  Please add an additional $15 (so $40 total) for rewards that include two or more copies of the game.
• Any customs charges incurred are the responsibility of the recipient.

RETAILERS:  Please back us at the $2 "Retaliate" pledge level to be contacted regarding carrying Zombies 101 in your store!  Note that you will be asked to verify your status as a retailer in order to make a wholesale purchase.  Thank you!

Pretty much everything you need to know regarding Zombies 101 is here on Kickstarter, but for more information about our company, Angry Duck Games, please feel free to visit our webpage at http://www.angryduckgames.com, “Like” us on Facebook at facebook.com/angryduckgames, and Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/angryduckgames.  We have many more games in the works so be sure to connect with us so we can stay in touch!

RISKS AND CHALLENGES

Designing a board game is a tricky undertaking. Not only is everybody’s definition of “fun” different, but balancing a game for every possible game component interaction, of variations in play style, and for replay ability, takes a lot of time and a lot of patience. Thankfully, these are commodities that we have, but what we don’t have enough of – which, again, is why we’re here – is the money to see our efforts through. We have accomplished everything that you see here (our videos, our game prototype, and the plans for all of our backer rewards) on a shoestring budget. With the proper funding, we are supremely confident in our ability to make Zombies 101 a great game. We hope that we’ve proven our ability to you through what we’ve shown you thus far.

True, Angry Duck Games is a brand new company without a track record for publishing games – overcoming that may be our biggest challenge. However, our staff is comprised of six talented individuals, all with histories in managing creative and technical projects in other ventures, and each with his own skills and strengths that combined provide our company with the depth and breadth of know-how needed to be a success. And yes, we are all lifelong gamers! We know Zombies 101 won’t please everybody, but for those of you who are zombie fans, and/or fans of good board games, we believe you’ll be very happy with your decision to give it, and Angry Duck Games, a try. And when Zombies 101 does succeed, you can then be excited for many more great games from Angry Duck Games in the near future!

For more info or to make a pledge, click here!