How Video Games Prepared Us for a Zombie Apocalypse

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Games have taught us how to survive the apocalypse!

Story Highlights

  • Zombie games sharpen survival instincts by teaching quick decision making and alertness.
  • Resource management in these games mirrors real life crisis planning where everything counts.
  • Multiplayer zombie games emphasize team coordination, communication and collective survival strategies.
  • Facing the fear element in these games build his resilience to real-life stress situations.

Have you ever found yourself strategizing how you’d survive a zombie apocalypse, mapping escape routes, rationing supplies and choosing your ideal weapon? If so, you are not alone. Thanks to playing countless survival games a lot of us have unknowingly trained for the rise of the undead.

From resource management to much needed teamwork these games have trained us and sharpened skills that could prove surprisingly useful in a zombie infested world.

Situational Awareness and Quick Decision-Making

One of the most important skills needed in a zombie apocalypse is to quickly assess danger and make rapid decisions. Games like The Last of Us Part 2 and Left 4 Dead force players to instantly react to threats whether it’s dodging an incoming horde or strategizing an escape route.

The Last of Us re-releases make zero sense (Image by PlayStation)
The Last of Us (Image by PlayStation)

In the scenario of an actual zombie apocalypse this kind of split-second decision making is crucial under high pressure scenarios and trains players to think correctly. 

Resource Management and Scavenging

Survival horror games emphasize the importance of managing limited resources. In the game that continues to define the survival horror genre Resident Evil ammo and health packs are scarce and forces players to conserve and prioritize. 

Similarly, the game State of Decay requires scavenging for supplies and rationing food and medicine. These games teach us a valuable real-world lesson that in a crisis, supplies won’t be unlimited. Knowing how to stretch resources over longer durations and how to manage them may just mean the difference between life and death in a real zombie apocalypse.

Combat and Self-Defense Strategies

Many survival games simulate combat scenarios where players must fend off the undead. Dying Light combines parkour with mele combat encouraging players to think creatively about escape and escape tactics.

Dying light 2 (Image by Steam)

Even games such as Call of Duty: Zombies train players in teamwork, firearm accuracy and strategic positioning skills. These skills could prove vital if faced with a real zombie horde.

Teamwork and Communication

When it comes to surviving an apocalypse, it isn’t a solo act. Multiplayer zombie games like Project Zomboid and Days Gone emphasize the importance of teamwork and coordination which is a must in case of a zombie apocalypse. 

What practical skill(s) have you learned in the real world that would help in a zombie scenario?
byu/SiderealSalad inprojectzomboid

Players must assign roles, communicate and support each other in order to survive. In a real apocalypse your ability to communicate with others may just determine whether you thrive or fall victim to the chaos.

Adaptability and Improvisation

Games rarely provide the perfect plan, things go wrong, and players must adapt. In the game The Killing Antidote, every choice has consequences forcing players to improvise in unpredictable situations and adapt.

Crisis simulation in video games allow for players to learn how to adapt themselves to a given situation which may prove helpful. The ability to be flexible and to adapt to changing circumstances is a vital survival skill that applies beyond just zombie outbreaks.

The Killing Antidote
The Killing Antidote (Image by Pinterest)

Mental Resilience and Stress Management

Enduring a zombie apocalypse will be just as much of a mental challenge as it will be a physical one. Having mental resilience is a must when dealing with the apocalypse. One must be mentally at peace with the fact that society as they know it has come to an end.

Horror games help in this regard by simulating stress, fear and desperation. Games that build mental resilience through atmospheric challenges such as Metro Exodus teach players a valuable lesson to always stay calm in case of a crisis as being able to think straight in a tough situation is much needed, especially in case of a zombie apocalypse.

Final Thoughts

While video games may not turn us into full fledge zombie slaying-warriors they certainly do equip us with valuable survival instincts. From quick thinking and resourcefulness to teamwork and staying calm, the lessons taught in video games may translate well into real world crisis situations helping us to survive better.

So, if a zombie apocalypse does hit gamers may very well have the upper hand. Until then, keep practicing as you never know when you will have to face off against the undead.

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