Who we are:
 

Hofstra Live Action Adventures is Hofstra’s resident experts on outdoor play. Our events focus on exercise, socialization, and enjoyment, and live action role-play. Hofstra Live Action Adventures is recognized as the 2018 Social/General Interest Club of the Year, and was established on October 18th, 2010.

 

Our biggest event by far is the week-long Humans Versus Zombies game - a massive game of tag set in a zombie apocalypse. Humans defend themselves from oncoming hordes of zombified students with Nerf Blasters, Swords, and Socks! The game lasts a week, and play continues throughout the day, even between classes! Humans have the opportunity to win awesome rewards each night at missions.

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You can visit the official HvZ website here: https://humansvszombies.org/

 

Moderators:
 

Our Moderators change every semester, and are lead by our Head Moderator, who is also an Eboard member, and who is re-elected every year.

 

Moderators are in charge of all gameplay elements for the club. They design missions, events and games, and act as judges and referees during gameplay. Many of our Eboard members have also been Moderators. Active Moderators will be wearing a WHITE bandana and a bright yellow vest (like a construction work).

 

If a Moderator or Eboard member, or a Hofstra Employee (especially PSafe), gives you instructions or tells you to STOP WHAT YOU ARE DOING, their rules come before anything else in this document. Respect the Moderators and Hofstra Staff. Moderator decisions are FINAL.

 

If you feel uncomfortable or unsafe at any time for any reason, especially because of another member’s actions, tell an Eboard Member or Moderator immediately. We are not mandatory reporters,(unless we’re also an RA) and we will not take any actions without your consent.

What is Hofstra Versus Zombies?
 

A week-long 24hr game of tag, set in a zombie apocalypse. Two teams, HUMANS and ZOMBIES, compete for dominance across campus. Our 6-day long event includes:

 

Freeplay: During our Weeklong event, anytime you are outside (with exceptions covered later), you are IN PLAY. This means you are playing the game while walking to class, your dorm, the Student Center, etc. During the day, there may be objectives to complete, but most of the time will be devoted to surviving encounters with Zombies wandering around campus.

 

Missions: Each night after the game begins in earnest, there will be Missions for Humans to try and complete. Zombies may have their own objectives, or may just be trying to stop the Humans. Each Mission will be around 30-45 minutes and gameplay will be contained to a smaller area than in Freeplay. Humans have the option to ‘bail’ if the Mission becomes too difficult, however, there may be a penalty. If humans complete the Mission, they can earn rewards, or deny the Zombies’ resources. Either way, Freeplay resumes after the mission.

 

Other Nerf Events:
 

One Night: Our Friday night games are testing grounds for our Weeklong. Players will have a chance to test their skills against Zombies (and vice-versa) and Mods will have a chance to test concepts for Missions. Most One Nights will have 2-3 Missions played enough times for everyone to have a chance on both sides. One Nights typically focus on Humans vs Zombies play.

 

Ground Wars: Our Saturday games tend to focus on Humans vs Humans play. Instead of Missions, Ground Wars tend to consist of games like Doubles, Team Elimination, Capture the Flag, and WIld West (our own version of TTT).

 

Invitational: During the Invitational, other schools are invited to play on Hofstra campus. The invitational is similar to a Weeklong/Big Game condensed into a single day, usually starting from 9am and going until 6pm. They use most of the same rules.

 

Live Action Dungeons and Dragons: Live Action D&D has its own rules involving classes, parties, and quests. They may or may not allow certain blasters. However, they use all the same rules for equipment, tagging, and safety.

 

Gameplay:
 

All our Nerf events will consist of two or more teams, either Human or Zombie. Teams will compete to either complete objectives or get tags.

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Bandanas:

 

Anyone participating in any gameplay event is REQUIRED to wear a bandana at all times. This is how players will recognize you as playing the game, and which team you are on. You should never fire at, or tag someone NOT wearing a bandana unless told otherwise.

 

Bandanas must be a BRIGHT COLOR (we have to be able to see it at night), and may not be BLUE, RED, or YELLOW (These are gang colors. Yes, actually). WHITE is reserved for Moderators.

 

Bandanas must be visible in 360 degrees wherever worn. They may not be covered by hats, jackets, pants, socks, etc.

 

Humans will wear the bandana on their arm, below the shoulder, or on the leg, above, or just below the kneecap.

 

Zombies will wear the bandana on their head, above the eyes.

 

You may remove your bandana when it would be disruptive or dangerous to be in play. For Example:

• During outdoor classes/work/events

• Moving Heavy/Fragile objects/equipment

• During Fire drills or Actual Emergencies

• Any other time you *need* to step out of the game **

 

**If you need to remove your bandana (removing yourself from play) let a Moderator of Eboard member know right away. Your schoolwork and personal safety/health always comes first!

 

(Bandanas can be borrowed or purchased from the Club Office)

 

Blasters:
 

A HUMAN tags a ZOMBIE or another HUMAN when:

• their dart hits any part of the HUMAN or ZOMBIE’s body

• their dart hits anything worn, or carried by the HUMAN or ZOMBIE

(backpack, clothes, capes, etc)

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‘Headshots’ do count as a tag, but if Moderators see that you are purposely aiming for the head, you may be removed from the game.

 

Darts can be fired from a BLASTER.

 

A blaster can be any brand as long as it fires a FOAM DART (or disk). Nerf, Dart Zone, Buzzbee, Air Warriors, etc, are all fine. BOOMCO blasters are not allowed due to the hard plastic shafts. Homemade Blasters and 3D printed blasters or any kind are NOT ALLOWED (i.e. Caliburn/FDL).  

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**Rival Blasters are allowed, but Rival magazines are limited to 12 rounds. That means that blasters that cannot use smaller magazines (such as the Khaos) and blasters with built in magazines (such as the Artemis) or hoppers (such as the Nemesis) are not allowed.

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Examples of Approved Rival Blasters are as Follows:

• Apollo

• Atlas

• Helios

• Hera

• Kronos

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Blasters may not be used with any melee attachments, such as the Chainsaw or Bayonet. If the blaster has a melee built in, such as the Brainsaw, may be used as a blaster, but may NOT be used in melee.

 

Darts CAN also be thrown and ‘shotgunned’ (thrown multiple at a time). Humans may stun multiple zombies in one ‘throw’.

 

Darts can also be fired from a “blowpipe” - a pvc pipe of maximum 3 ft length.

Blow pipes should never be used in close quarters, and mouthpieces are recommended.

 

Darts must leave the blaster/blowpipe or hand to count for a tag.

 

Modifications:

 

Hofstra DOES allow Modified blasters, however:

 

Any dart fired from a blaster must remain under 95 feet per second. The club can check your blaster with our chronograph, and all modified blasters must be tested before use.

 

Blasters may use 3D printed accesories such as sights or foregrips. Other EXTERNAL parts are allowed as long as the the base blaster is mostly intact, and the blaster follows the other Modification rules.

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Blasters may not use 3D printed internals such as flywheel cages or dart pushers

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Painting:

 

Painting blasters is ok, but colors must be bright and non-threatening. You will not be allowed to use blasters that look like real weapons.

 

Blasters are required by New York State Law to have an orange trigger and tip.

 

Black and Silver are banned except for use as an accent color.

 

Painted blasters do not need to be checked in person, but you are encouraged to snap a pic and send it to a mod before the game.

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Darts:

 

Any darts produced by name brands such as Nerf or Dart Zone are always OK

 

Hard-tipped darts are not allowed and will be destroyed if found by an Eboard member or Mod. The same goes for Half-Length darts or any dart modified in any way.

 

Soft third party darts ARE allowed. We recommend Koosh for springers and Waffle-Tip or Accu-fakes for flywheel blasters.

 

Rockets & Other Ammo:

 

Unless you are told otherwise, Rockets are allowed in all games. All rockets must be 1st party/name brand (Nerf, Dart Zone, Buzz Bee, Air Warriors) and MUST be entirely soft foam. Good Examples include the Nerf Demolisher Rockets and the Nerf Titan Rockets. Rockets count as darts for tags.

 

Arrows are not allowed due to their hard plastic shafts.

 

If you have any questions about specific blasters/launchers send a pic to an Eboard member or Mod.

 

Socks:

 

Socks can be used in two ways. Either, you can ball one or two socks up (one inside the other) and throw them. If you do, they count as a Dart and tag in the same way.

 

Socks can also be used as a Melee Weapon. This is called a sock flail. One sock, up to thigh height in length, may be swung at Zombies. Up to one additional sock may be placed inside the sock flail for weight. You may not put anything other than a single sock inside a sock flail.

 

Sock weapons must be made entirely of socks. You may loosely tape up a thrown sock.

 

Melee Weapons:

 

Other than a sock flail, only Nerf Brand melee weapons may be used. It’s Nerf or Nothin’ folks.

 

Modifying your melee weapon in any way other than painting it a bright color is Prohibited.

 

Recommended weapons are the:

• N-strike/Zombie-Strike Sword

• N-force Vendetta Double Sword

• N-force Battlemaster Mace

• N-force Warlock Axe

• N-force Klaw Hatchet

 

Melee Weapons may not be thrown. As such, you may not use any of the nerf ‘throwables’, including the brick, grenade, saw blade, or bomb.

 

You may not use the Nerf Marauder. The sword is made of a harder foam than the other melee weapons.

 

You may not use any melee weapon that looks realistic, such as the bat, or wrench, even if it is Nerf Brand.

 

As mentioned before, you may not use any melee weapon that is attached to a blaster (you can still use the blaster).

 

If you have any questions about melee weapons, ask a Moderator.

 

Melee Parameters:

 

A HUMAN tags a ZOMBIE or another HUMAN when:

• Their approved Melee Weapon or Sock Flail hits the ZOMBIE or other HUMAN with Melee Parameters

 

Melee Parameters consist of the area above the hips/belt line, below the collarbone and between the shoulders. (Basically anywhere the mod vest covers).

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This means that the defending player CAN block melee weapons with their arms, using an open palm or closed fist. Players may NOT grab another player’s melee weapon.

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You may dual wield melee weapons.

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Melee weapons are the only worn or carried object that cannot be tagged. You may knock away Zombies’ hands and incoming darts, socks, etc with a melee weapon.

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If you use excessive force with a melee weapon, you not be allowed to use them. You will get, at most, one warning.

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Zombie Tags:

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A ZOMBIE tags a HUMAN when:

• they tag the HUMAN anywhere on the body with ONE OPEN HAND

• they tag the HUMAN on any item that is worn or carried (backpack, jacket, blaster, cape, etc.) with ONE OPEN HAND

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Zombie tags must be a firm tag with most of the palm making contact.

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Multi-tags are allowed. (One Zombie can tag multiple Humans)

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The tagger is responsible for the safety of the taggee.

(No tackling, grabbing, scratching, etc.)

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Tag Effects:

 

When a HUMAN tags a ZOMBIE, that Zombie is “stunned” for the length of their ‘stun timer’. The timer varies based on the mission or event. During Freeplay in the Weeklong, the timer is 15 minutes, but during missions it can be anywhere from 2 minutes to 10 seconds. Moderators will tell you what your stun timer is.

 

While ‘stunned’, a Zombie cannot interact with the game in any meaningful way. This includes following Humans, acting as a shield for darts or melee, and communicating with other Zombies. For example: if you are stunned, you should not be messaging other Zombies where a group of Humans is.

 

While ‘stunned’, Zombies should either put both hands on top of their head, or move their bandana around their neck for longer stuns. NEVER pretend to be stunned if you are not. This will result in removal from the game.

 

If a Zombie is tagged again while stunned, they must start counting from the beginning again. This is called “Restunning”.

 

When a ZOMBIE tags a HUMAN, they are ‘stunned’ for the mission’s stun timer. During this time, they should put away any blasters or melee weapons and move their bandana from their arm or leg to their head. After the stun timer is up, they become an ACTIVE ZOMBIE. Humans cannot be restunned before becoming an active Zombie.

 

If a HUMAN tags another HUMAN, any number of things can happen. During a Ground War, you may need to return to a respawn point, or you may be out of the game. In “Zombie Doubles”, you might even become a Zombie. During the weeklong, you may be unable to tag Zombies for a set time, or you may be unable to move. The Moderators will let you know what happens if another Human tags you.

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Play Areas:
 

Play Areas are bounded by the edges of Hofstra Campus.

 

No play is allowed on the sidewalks bordering streets or past the fences that border campus.

 

No play in the parking lots past California Avenue, but other lots are in play, unless you are told otherwise. Please be careful in lots. If there are lots of cars, remove yourself from play rather than risk getting hurt.

 

No play between Huntington Place and Hempstead Turnpike (where Psafe is) or past Gerald Street (Behind C.V. Starr)

 

No play from any vehicle. This includes any form of transport with wheels. Even Heelies. Do not abuse the use of vehicles to avoid play. You should not be taking vehicles back and forth to class and should not return to a mission after entering a vehicle. You should not ferry others to dorms after a mission unless you are traveling off campus first.

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No play inside any building on campus, except for the three spans: Unispan*, Netherspan, and Useless-span.

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*Due to the high level of non-player traffic, no blaster play is allowed on the main unispan. Socks and melee weapons are allowed as normal. Blaster play may be allowed if a mission involves crossing the unispan.

 

All of these areas are considered “Safe Zones”. You cannot tag a player in a Safe Zone.

 

HUMANS must have one foot in a Safe Zone to be Safe. Humans CAN fire out of a Safe Zone, and can tag players outside the Safe Zone.

 

ZOMBIES must have one foot in a Safe Zone to be Safe, but cannot tag players unless they have BOTH feet out of the Safe Zone.

 

For Ground Wars and other Events, Moderators may decide that the play area is smaller than that written here.

Take a Knee:

 

To pause the game, Moderators will call for players to “Take a Knee”. This can be to:

• Give players new information

• Avoid the paths of non-players

• Address an injury or emergency

 

When you hear a Moderator’s whistle, or hear the phrase “take a knee”,  get down on one knee (as though you’re proposing - you can also squat or just sit). You should also take a knee if you see others taking a knee.

 

While taking a knee, you should not be taking any actions that affect the game.

You should not:

• Move farther (or closer) to other players

• Reload

• Talk strategy

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Feel free to:

• Tie your shoe

• Have a drink of water

• Relax

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In case of Injury, call Public Safety at (516) 463-6606

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“Eat Your Food Don’t Die”:

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Please do not forget that this is only a game.

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Your schoolwork, your job, your physical health, your mental well-being, and your happiness should all come first before the game. You should never skip class or put off assignments to play, and you should never avoid getting food to avoid being tagged. This is a game, so if you’re not having fun, you’re doing it wrong.

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Likewise, other people’s work, health, and happiness should come before the game. Never use the game as an excuse to be mean to others, and you should NEVER injure someone in order to progress your game.

Rule #6:

 

Rule #6 is simple - DON’T BE A BITCH. (Bitches are bitches regardless of gender)

 

This has two parts:

 

Don’t be a baby and hide for the whole game. If you only made it to the end of the weeklong because you hid in your dorm the whole week, it’s not a real win. The point of playing is participating - so go out and have fun! If you get tagged, it only means you’re playing a different game, and you’re on the winning team!

 

Don’t be mean to other players - it’s just a game. Don’t close doors on people, or push non-players out of the way.

 

If you see a rule #6 violation, report it to the Moderators or Eboard. NEVER take enforcing rule #6 into your own hands.

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Dart Sweeps:

 

After each mission/game, players will be given time to perform a dart sweep. This may or may not be limited to Zombie players.

 

Performing dart sweeps keeps our campus clean, and ensures that we will be able to play again next semester.

 

While players are encouraged to donate any darts they found to the club, they are not required and may keep the darts for next time they play.

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Makeup/Costumes:

 

Makeup and costumes are encouraged during gameplay.

 

Fake blood, scarring, etc are allowed. However, do not create any fake injuries that look overly realistic. If a stranger would call 911 if they see you, you’ve gone too far.

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Additionally, you may not wear masks, or face covering that may hide your identity.

Moderators must be able to identify you at all times.

Personal Conduct:

 

While wearing a bandana, playing at an event, or wearing a club tee shirt, you are representing the club to the rest of campus. You should be on your best behavior at all times while representing the club.

 

VIOLATING ANY CONDUCT RULES MAY RESULT IN A BAN FROM THE CLUB.

 

Absolutely no defacing of Hofstra Property. If you intentionally vandalize, destroy, or otherwise damage university property, it will result in an immediate ban.

 

Be aware that Hofstra Campus is an arboretum. All the flowers, bushes, trees, etc., on campus are protected property and extremely expensive. There are fines established for even picking flowers. We do allow players to move through bushes, grass, etc., but please be careful as you do so. DO NOT CLIMB ANY TREES. AND DON'T FUCK WITH THE FLOWERS.

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Consent:

 

Respect others’ boundaries. Never get in another player’s face, and never pressure other players to do something they are uncomfortable doing.

 

By playing in HLAA events, players consent to be tagged, as is necessary for the game. However, you should never assume others consent to any other physical contact. This includes contact such as hugging, grabbing someone’s hand or arm, or putting your arm around someone’s waist or shoulder.​

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• Consent for one act, or one time is not consent for other acts.

• Consent at one time is not consent at a different time.

• Consent can be revoked at any time, even in the middle of an act of contact.

• Consent must be clear - either verbal, or obvious, like nodding.

• A “maybe” is not consent.

• If someone says “no” to any physical contact stop right away. Doesn’t matter what it is, or if they said it was ok before. JUST STOP.

 

Violent action in any way is not tolerated. Use of excessive force while tagging, or otherwise may result in a ban. Never tackle, shove or grab another player. Be mindful of your own strength while using melee. Never throw a Melee weapon.

 

Players should always seek to minimize disturbances to non-players. If there are non-players in the way, and cannot be avoided, pause gameplay and resume when they are at a safe distance. NEVER fire a blaster at, or attempt to tag in any way, a non-player. If this happens accidentally, apologize sincerely. You may explain the game to non-players, but never pressure them to play.

 

Absolutely no indoor play (other than the 3 spans)

 

Players must be in full cooperation with Public Safety, Hofstra Staff and Faculty, E-board, and Moderator Staff at ALL times. If any of these people tell you to stop, STOP.

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Bystander Intervention:

 

If you notice another player is uncomfortable, players are encouraged to practice bystander intervention. Bystander Intervention consists of:

1. Distraction: Divert attentions off of the uncomfortable behavior and try to get the behavior to stop by moving focus to something else.

2. Direct Interjection: Put yourself between the people involved in the behavior. Do this only if you believe it is safe.

3. Delegation: Let Mods, Eboard, PSafe, etc., know about the behavior and let them handle the issue.

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Reporting Rules Violations:

 

If you see any member breaking any rules, or if you see or experience any behavior that makes you uncomfortable in any way, please do not hesitate to report the behavior.

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You can report rules violations and inappropriate behaviors to any of the following:

1. Moderators - they are closest to the actual game and are easily identifiable in bright yellow vests during games.

2. Eboard - they run the club and can resolve conflict if moderators are involved.

3. HLAA President - can resolve issues if other Eboard members are involved.

4. OSLE Advisor - can resolve issues with Eboard, or more serious issues.

5. PSafe - can resolve more serious issues like violence, stalking, or harassment.

In the case of sexual assault or harassment, most of the moderators and eboard are not mandatory reporters (unless they are also RA’s). Moderators and Eboard will NEVER take actions that the reporter is not comfortable with unless someone’s safety is at risk.
 

OSLE Advisor

Denise Boneta
Associate Director for Student Leadership and Engagement
Division of Student Affairs, Hofstra University
denise.m.boneta@hofstra.edu

516-463-3467

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Current HLAA President

Max Mogel

Student Center Office 208A
516-521-0680

max.mogel@gmail.com

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Weeklong Specific Rules:

 

OZ Rules:
 

Day One and Two of the Weeklong Game are OZ (Original Zombie) Days.

 

There is no blaster play during these days. (No socks or melee weapons either) Players will wear a bandana on their arm or leg, but carry no other equipment/gear.

When the Weeklong begins at Midnight, the OZ, a special zombie selected by the moderators will be released. The OZ cannot be tagged.

 

If you are tagged by the OZ, you will remove your bandana and are out of play until the MIDNIGHT MISSION.

 

The OZ will NOT wear a bandana. Anyone who is not wearing a bandana could be a non-player, already tagged, or the actual OZ. The OZ can lie about being the OZ.

 

The OZ will have 48 hours to get tags. The OZ must obey Safe Zones, and will show you a unique totem after tagging you to prove that they are the OZ.

 

Missions:

 

The Midnight Mission will be at Midnight Tuesday Night/Wednesday Morning. You will be safe traveling to the location of the mission, but must still wear a bandana.

 

When the Midnight Mission begins, Human players may, for the first time, use Blasters, Socks, and Melee Weapons. At this time, the OZ will become taggable as a normal Zombie, and all players the OZ tagged will return to the game as Zombies, putting their bandanas back on on their heads.

During time between Missions, Humans may be tagged by Zombies any time you are not in a Safe Zone (Going between classes, to your dorm, the SC, Dutch, etc.) Stun timers for Zombies at this time is 15 minutes.

 

Each Night Wednesday-Friday, there will be another mission for Humans to complete. Zombies will try and stop them, or complete their own objectives. Each Mission will have their own Stun Timer.

 

Humans will be safe for a short Grace Period before each mission, and, if successful, may have a Grace Period after the mission to leave the location.

 

The Weeklong will end after the Final Mission, Saturday Afternoon.

 

Controlled Bail:

 

If there are significant Human losses, Moderators may call for a “Controlled Bail”. If you are told to bail, you should leave the location as soon as you can. The mission has been failed, and there will be no Grace Period to reach a Safe Zone.

 

HvZ Source:

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In order to play in the Hofstra Weeklong, you MUST be registered on HVZSource, a website used to track HvZ games.

 

When you register, you must join the Hofstra game, and find your unique KILLCODE. This identifies you as a player in our game, and tracks if you are a Human or Zombie.

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You must have your physical KILLCODE on you at all times. NO DIGITAL TRADES.

 

A Human must turn over their KILLCODE to the Zombie who tagged them immediately. That Zombie will then log the KILLCODE on HvZSource within three hours. If the code is not logged, the tagged Human will turn back.

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Killcodes should also have your full name (First and Last), to avoid any potential issues with poor hand-writing or unclear letters/numbers.

 

To Sign Up:

• Go to http://www.hvzsource.com/hofstraversuszombies/

• Make an Account

• Search Hofstra

• Click Join

• Make your Kill Code! (Under “Make ID”)
   

Awards:

 

At the first meeting after the Weeklong game, Moderators and Eboard will give Awards to players who go above and beyond within the game. Every semester we give out at least four awards. These are Human of the Week, Zombie of the Week, the Alex Demarest Leadership Award, and the Marissa Saparnis Spirit Award.

 

In addition, Eboard and Moderators will give out awards for anything awesome that happens during the game. Past Awards have included the Bearhunter Award, The Great Escape Award, and Rookie of the Week. Each award has its own unique story.

 

We want to be told about anything bad that happens during the game, but we love to hear about good things too! If it’s cool enough, there might be an award made out if it!

Contact Us:

 

Emails will be sent out through the HvZSource Registration during the weeklong, but we also have a general email list, and a bunch of social media outlets.

 

If you’re interested in joining the Email List, speak to an Eboard Member, or email liveaction@pride.hofstra.edu. Feel free to email us any questions about the club as well!
 

Although all of our announcements will be emailed out, the best way to stay updated, and talk to other members (including eboard and mods) is our Facebook group!

 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/HofstraLiveAction

 

We get funding based on GetInvolvedHU sign ups, so please make sure to sign up there too.

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We also have:

 

Twitter: @HULiveAction
http://Twitter.com/HULiveAction

 

Instagram: @HofstraLiveAction
http://instagram.com/hofstraliveaction

 

Youtube: @Hofstra Versus Zombies

https://www.youtube.com/c/HofstraVersusZombies

 

Tumblr (old): @hofstraliveactionadventures

http://hofstraliveactionadventures.tumblr.com

 

Snapchat: COMING SOON

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