Urban Nightmare: State of Chaos

Jim Wallman, Stone Paper Scissors

What would happen if a zombie crisis started tomorrow? Well, despite what Hollywood might tell you, chances are that the response would mostly come from existing emergency services and military forces. So, when reports begin to filter in of groups of individuals behaving erratically and intimidating passers-by in a few cities in the totally fictional State of Mishigamaa, beat cops are dispatched to send them on their way. What’s the worst that could happen?

Players represent politicians, leaders, police, emergency services, press, bio-tech corporations and even zombies! Human players have to take into account the demographics, economics and political make-up of the fictional State and the cities within it to work out what to do, for the good of everyone.

• The version currently available has been much revised since previous runs, but you can read about an earlier run on the Octopus Fruitbat blog and the ambitious Wide Area Megagame which ran seven simultaneous and interlinked games of Urban Nightmare on BeckyBecky Blogs

• 40-120 players (including 3-6 Press). The game runs similarly at different player counts, simply adding or removing additional cities

• Most roles are primarily mechanical, with a significant secondary communication aspect required if the players are to succeed at keeping humanity safe

• 8-14 facilitators, depending on player count, doing mostly mechanical roles

• Game licence and materials available for £84.99

• Approx 2,500 - 5,000 cards (depending on player count)

• 3-6 main maps, each approximately 5ft x 4ft (depending on player count)

• Approx 1,000 - 2,000 foam board tokens (depending on player count)

• A variety of trackers to print and laminate, plus approximately 3,000 generic tokens and counters

• Total cost (including licence, before venue) approx £400-£1,000, partially depending on player count