Why Adults in London Are Playing a City-Wide Game of Zombie Tag

Tag might be one of the most basic games out there, but what if adults played a digitally enhanced version in the middle of London? Ben Roper launched a dedicated app in 2023 to answer this exact question. The result is a "stealth workout" unlike any other, turning the city into a playground for the undead.

A Real-Life Dying Light

Rather than sticking with the premise of a mere children's game, Roper modified the rules and named it "Zombies." The title fits perfectly, as footage of athletic participants looks like a live-action version of video games like Dying Light. The prospect of being chased through London by a horde of zombies lets the imagination run wild - even if the undead are just people in reflective vests and red attire.

Although the game is a hands-on, analogue workout, the 38-year-old incorporated his app, PlayCulture, in a unique way: it connects players, assigning them roles as either zombies or survivors. While the undead can "bite" a human simply by touching them, the app introduces a more insidious hazard: "infection." To spread the virus digitally, zombies only need to stay within 15 meters of a survivor for five seconds, using Bluetooth to track the proximity. To ensure survivors don't get off too easily, they must also reach specific checkpoints to stay in the game.

Giving Adults a Reason to Play

While Roper's project looks like pure fun and games on the surface, it stems from a meaningful background. He developed the app during the Covid-19 lockdowns after noticing many of his peers feeling disconnected. He realized that adult socializing often revolves around spending money and consuming alcohol, rather than doing activities purely for the joy of it.

Through PlayCulture, Roper wanted to bring back that sense of playfulness while giving people a "stealth workout" - intense physical activity that does not feel like traditional exercise.

Would you take part in a game of "Zombies"? Leave a comment!