Yes - it's not May, and it's not Spring, either. But come Thursday June 14th, Zombies, Run! will be on Android! We're really sorry that we aren't able to release it any sooner - we want it to be out just as much as you do, so we've thrown all of our mobile development resources into Android to make that happen.

In order to make this release date, there are a few things that will need to wait until version 1.1 or later, including:

• Supply missions (arrived on iOS v1.2)
• Accelerometer support (ditto)
• The Codex (despite what the screenshot below shows)

We don't want the Android version to be lagging behind iOS indefinitely though, so we are hiring more people to help accelerate development on all fronts.

The good news is that on June 14th, all Zombies, Run! players - Android and iOS - will gain access to ZombieLink, our web-based syncing service. It'll do everything you'd expect, like show your run logs and stats, and plenty of things that we're sure you'll be delighted by. But more on that in another update.

There's more good news: we're targeting Android 2.2+! This means that even fairly old Android phones should be able to play Zombies, Run! although obviously the actual performance may vary if you have a really old/slow phone.

Closer to launch, we'll be emailing all backers and people who've pre-ordered Zombies, Run! with instructions on how to download and play the game. But for now... well, it's only 28 days from now! And if you want more updates, be sure to check out our blog!

Stay safe out there,

The Zombies, Run! Team

The Runner's Guide

We’re really happy that so many people have gotten into the world and characters of Zombies, Run! and so we’re starting to build out that world in a lot of ways. 

The first way is through The Runner’s Guide, a 75 page book that explores the origins of the zombie apocalypse, with writing by Doctor Myers on the medical background of ZN1 and a Field Guide written by the Head of Runners, Runner 7, and it’s filled to the brim with drawings and illustrations. That’s not all, because we have have a ton of behind-the-scenes material in the book including art sketches, playlists, and the entire script of Mission 1, with extensive commentary from the writers and designers.

How much does it cost? Nothing at all. No catches, no DRM, nothing.

The Runner’s Guide is totally free, for everyone (including non-Kickstarter backers). It’s not every day that you get to work on a great game, and it’s only possible because you’ve all supported the game.

You can learn more about The Runner’s Guide at our in-depth blog post and see lots more screenshots there. 

Read and download The Runner’s Guide as a PDF from Scribd!

And if you have an iPad, you’re in luck, because we made a special multi-touch version that extra content including embedded slideshows, quizzes, presentations, and listen-along audio for the Mission 1 commentary. It’s also going to be FREE! Just tap this link on your iPad to download it directly (46MB).

Don’t have an iPad? Sick of our love of Apple? Don’t worry. We plan on making a web-based version as well, with all the same content.

About that Discount...

You may have noticed that Zombies, Run! is on a 50% sale from Friday to Sunday. We’re doing this because we want to keep adding more features and content to the game - along with more things like The Runner’s Guide - and that requires people and time and resources. By discounting the game for just three days, we can reach those people who desperately want it but just haven’t been able to afford it yet.

We have no plans to permanently discount the game any time soon, so sales like this will be very rare - and bear in mind that it’s been six weeks since we launched as well!

Beginner and Interval Training Packs

As Kickstarter backers, you’ll be receiving all paid add-ons made during Season 1 for free. 

The first two updates are for our Beginner 5k pack and our Interval Training pack, and things are coming along excellently with them - we’ve completed the design work and will be recording them in just three weeks time, so if you’re getting anxious about not having enough time with Sam, Jack, Eugene, Runner 8, and the rest of the Abel Township crew, don’t worry - more is coming!

We’ve also begun design work on the third add-on, codenamed “The Lab”. We’re really excited about this one because it’s going to offer something that a lot of people have wanted for a long time...

How's the Android version coming?

Still on target for May/June! When we have more information, we’ll let you know!

Stay safe and keep well,

Six to Start and Naomi Alderman

Hello everyone!

You didn't think we were going to take it easy after the game was released, did you?...

Zombies, Run! v1.1

The first free update to Zombies, Run! (and of course, ZR Advance) landed today, bringing a whole host of highly-requested improvements and bugfixes including:

• 9 extra missions
• Playlist shuffle
• Run logs
• Better volume controls
• Switch between miles and km
• Better playlist views and performance
• Improved handling of audio notifications

You can get the update just by going to the App Store app on your device. And there’s plenty more coming in future updates, including:

• Even more missions
• Zombie chases for accelerometer users
• Sharing runs via Facebook
• and yet more improvements

Further down the line we also have the Beginner 5k and Interval Training packs that you will get for free, since you’re one of our beloved Kickstarter backers! And there’s a lot more in store, but we don’t want you to get too excited about them quite yet, so more details will have to wait for now...

The Merchandise

All backers in North America should have received their T-shirts by now, and we have also shipped all posters worldwide via airmail (it’s more expensive, but we know we’re late, so we’re trying to make up for it!). 

As for the rest-of-world T-shirts, we just received them at our office and we’ll also be shipping those out via airmail next week. Again, sorry about the delay, but you will get them soon!

How’s the Android version coming?

We’re still on schedule for May/June. Not much more to report than that, but it’s coming along solidly. When it launches, it will come with 23 story missions (unlike v1.0 of the iOS app, which only came with 13 missions), but to begin with, it won't have all the features of the latest version of Zombies, Run! It's not an ideal situation, so we'll be putting more resources and people on this, but it takes time for us to scale up.

Zombies, Run! in the News

Along with the thousands of blogs and tweets - all of which we have read and appreciate a lot (well, the good ones, at least) - we’ve had some brilliant press in places like:

• Lifehacker: Zombies Run! turns your exercise routine into a game of survival
• Zombies, Run! was Leo Laporte's Pick of the Week on the MacBreak netcase 
• Touch Arcade published an excellent in-depth article, Zombies, Run! is an undead app with a soul 

Also, there are some great blogs and communities forming around the game. Two of the best have to be:

• Reddit’s r/runner5 - lots of great discussion and tips on how to play the game there, plus we often drop in and answer questions
• http://fuckyeahzombiesrun.tumblr.com - for all your playlist, fanfic, and gameplay needs!
• Robin "Asaryn" Parkins did a great Zombies, Run! drawing - check it out!

And of course, we’re always answering messages on Twitter at @zombiesrungame and addressing support queries sent to support@zombiesrungame.com, along with comments posted here on Kickstarter.

That's all - for the moment...

We have plenty more Zombies, Run! things we've been keeping under wraps lately, but we're hoping to reveal them to you in the next few weeks. 

So, sit tight, stay safe and keep well,

Six to Start and Naomi Alderman