Last Updated: 22 February 2021
What is Zombies, Run!?
Zombies, Run! is an ultra-immersive real world running game and audio adventure for iOS and Android devices, co-created with award-winning novelist Naomi Alderman. We deliver the story straight to your headphones through orders and voice recordings - and when you get back home, you use the supplies you’ve collected while running to build and grow your base.
Where did the idea come from?
The idea came from two places - Six to Start CEO, Adrian Hon, used to hate running as a teenager and only got into it with the help of gadgets like the Garmin Forerunner GPS watch and Runkeeper. They're a great way to help you improve running, but even then, they don't actually make the act of running any more fun for beginners, so he has always wanted to make a real 'running game' that motivates you to go further and faster.
As for lead writer Naomi Alderman, she had joined a 'beginning to run class' where they asked everyone why we wanted to learn how to run. One woman said: "to escape the zombie horde" which became a sort of class joke, we'd say it all the time. So when Adrian said "running app", Naomi said "something where you run from the zombie horde!" and it all came from there.
How successful has Zombies, Run! been?
We’re very pleased with the success of Zombies, Run! so far. After launching in February 2012, the game has consistently been among the highest grossing Health and Fitness apps in the world, with over 10 million downloads to date. We've been featured as Editor's Choice multiple times on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, and we often have hundreds of thousands of monthly active users.
What are your future plans for Zombies, Run!?
Every year, we launch a new season of missions, just like a TV show. And we're committed to continually maintaining and improving Zombies, Run! to take advantage of all the latest features and opportunities on the iOS and Android platforms, including wearables and health tracking.
How is Six to Start structured?
Six to Start has around 20 staff based around the world. We are fully owned by OliveX, a health and fitness company based in Hong Kong. Additionally, Naomi Alderman, Zombies, Run!’s co-creator and lead writer, works with a number of writers to help develop the scripts.
What was Six to Start’s history before Zombies, Run!?
Six to Start was founded in 2007 by Adrian Hon, Dan Hon, and Lisa Long, who had all previously worked at Mind Candy on the Perplex City alternate reality game (ARG). Adrian had been the Director of Play at Mind Candy since 2004, and is currently the CEO of Six to Start.
From 2007 to 2011, Six to Start was a digital agency that worked with companies and brands like the BBC, Penguin, Disney Imagineering, the British Museum, and Death Cab for Cutie to research, design, develop, and run ‘game-like stories and story-like games’ online and in the real world. These included “We Tell Stories” for Penguin in 2008, which won Best of Show at SXSW, “Smokescreen” for Channel 4, which won Best Game, and “The Code” for BBC Two.
Six to Start’s original goal was to create and publish their own games, and with the idea of Zombies, Run! and the launch of Kickstarter, we were finally able to realise that ambition.
How was Zombies, Run! originally funded?
Zombies, Run! started life as a Kickstarter project in September 2011. In just 30 days the game attracted 3,500 backers pledging $73,000 in support, making it not only the most successful videogame on Kickstarter ever at that point, but also the project with the most small donations in all of 2011 (interesting fact: Tim Schafer’s Double Fine Adventure videogame swiftly broke our record with over $3 million in pledges).
As you can see from the Kickstarter page, we exceeded our target funding by a considerable margin, which allowed us to focus on creating the game without having to take on contract work. It also meant we had complete creative control to make the game we wanted to.
You can find the Zombies, Run! Kickstarter page here.
Why Kickstarter?
Like most games, Zombies, Run! required funding to be developed. Funding can come from many places, including angel investors, venture capitalists, games publishers, bank loans, grants, and now, crowdfunding sites like Kickstarter. We chose Kickstarter because it was not only a great way for us to assess demand for a highly unusual and innovative idea (which a lot of traditional funders might think risky), but because it was much quicker than going through the conventional routes. Kickstarter also gave us the freedom to keep complete creative control of the game - something that is often impossible with other routes.
For further media enquiries, please contact us at press@zombiesrungame.com. If you require assets for Zombies, Run! and Zombies, Run! 5k Training, you can find them at the links below.
Visit the Zombies, Run! Press page for media assets
You can view the latest Zombies, Run! launch trailer on Youtube here: All-New Zombies, Run! Trailer
To request a full HD version of this trailer, please email hello@sixtostart.com