The upcoming zombie and survival MMO H1Z1 (also known as Hizzy by some) pays tribute to its own genre with the latest in-game builds. A supermarket pays homage to two well-known genre giants: Fallout 3 and the original father of zombies, George Romero.
In Romero’s supermarket, a glimpse behind the scenes of the DayZ and Rust competitor H1Z1 is presented. 15 years after the outbreak of the virus, only a shabby and decayed remnant remains of a bright and vibrant place where one could casually purchase dinner, milk, and a six-pack of beer.
Fans immediately recognized the similarities to the Super Duper Mart from Fallout 3, another game for fans of fine decay. Adam Clegg, the designer in charge, was pleased that his work reminded people of Fallout 3. For him, it was the greatest compliment he could receive, as that was the aim he had set. Next, he will design a few shopping carts to make the space feel a bit more alive. Of course, in the finished game, this liveliness could be provided by other players or a few zombies.
Sony Only Entertainment does not win a subtlety award for the name “Romero’s Supermarket” – as George Romero is considered the father of the modern zombie genre, who lifted the “walkers” from Caribbean rites and brought them into the cities of the industrialized world. Originally intended as a social critique (mindless zombie consumers; or as “the Others”, a formless mass while one remains an individual), the zombies have since emancipated from their genre father and rage, bite, and spread across almost every narrative medium. Sometimes they are called zombies, sometimes they are the infected, and in other variations, they remain nameless (“We don’t use the Z-word!” as it is said in Shaun of the Dead).
In H1Z1, you can certainly say the Z-word. The zombie MMO is currently just about to enter Early Access on Steam, which will then be paid. Fairly, it must be said that H1Z1 has been in front of Early Access since May and has been postponed repeatedly. It is supposed to be released later this year for PlayStation 4 and PC and will then be playable for free.
And for those who can’t get enough of zombies, here the H1Z1 developers once again demonstrate their weather fetish and present: Zombies in the rain!
