Zombotag

🧟 Zombotag: Simulation of Viral Spread

Zombotag gamifies the mathematical model of Exponential Growth seen in epidemiology. It is essentially a game of Tag played in a confined arena, but with a "Patient Zero" mechanic. At the start of the round, one random entity (player or bot) is infected. When they touch a survivor, the survivor becomes infected and joins the hunting pack. This creates a tipping point dynamic: initially, the survivors have the advantage of numbers and open space, but as the infection spreads, the available safe space shrinks exponentially.

🏃 Survivor Strategy: Evasion and Pathing

For the uninfected player, the game is a test of Pathfinding and Evasion.

• Radar Monitoring: You must constantly scan the mini-map. The greatest threat is not the zombie you see, but the one flanking you.
• Centrifugal Evasion: The optimal strategy is often to stay on the perimeter. However, being cornered by a swarm is a guaranteed loss. Players must learn to "juke"—baiting a zombie into a lunge, then cutting back in the opposite direction.
• Crowd Dynamics: Other survivors are both assets and liabilities. They can distract zombies, but if a survivor next to you gets infected, they instantly become a threat at point-blank range.

🧠 Zombie Strategy: Containment

As an infected unit, the gameplay shifts to Predatory Containment. Zombies are often slower or have limited stamina (depending on the mode), so they must rely on numbers. The AI (and smart players) will try to herd survivors into choke points. The goal is to cut off escape routes rather than chasing a faster target in a straight line.

🌍 Momentum and Physics

The game engine includes a momentum mechanic. Characters cannot turn 180 degrees instantly; they have a turn radius and acceleration time. This inertia means that changing direction requires a deceleration phase. Survivors must anticipate zombie movements early, as a late turn will result in sliding directly into the arms of the infected due to simulated friction.

⚡ The Power-Up Economy

To balance the overwhelming odds as the timer ticks down, power-ups spawn randomly in the arena:

• Speed Boost (Boots): Essential for breaking out of a swarm encirclement. It allows you to outrun the infection vector.
• Freeze/Bomb: Crowd control tools that momentarily halt the infection spread, buying survivors time to reposition.
• Invisibility: Removes you from the zombie AI targeting, allowing you to hide in plain sight.

❓ FAQ