Live-action simulation tests survivors post-zombie apocalypse

Calling all zombies.

Are you undead, aspiring to be undead, or just a dab hand with zombie-themed makeup?

If so, The Dead Landz wants you.

"We are always looking for volunteer actors who want to come out and be zombies and eat people with us," said Sabrina Powers, the director and CEO of Simulation Events, which runs The Dead Landz.

The live-action simulation pits paying players, armed only with their wits and whatever supplies they can scrounge, against throngs of flesh-eating (not really) zombies.

"We actually put players and survivors into a zombie apocalypse," said Powers.

"You literally show up with just the clothes on your back, you have to find your food, your water and your weapons and survive for five or 10-hour games, depending on which you choose."

The games, which can take place indoors or at much largeoutdoor venues,usually start with about 200 players, Powers said.

Once a player "dies," they come back as a zombie, making the job that much more difficult for surviving players.

"Most people won't survive it, let's face it."

And it's not just the zombies that players have to worry about, Powers said.

"I always expected that people would die by zombie, really that's the whole premise. I'm always very surprised to see that most people will actually die by other players."

The motive for these player-on-player attacks is almost always to collect a competitor's gun, food, or water, she said.

"It gets very cutthroat, it gets very intense."

For any players left standing at the end of the game, the prize comes in the form of bragging rights.

But defeating the Walking Dead-like scenario is easier said than done.

"I would love to say that I could survive the zombie apocalypse for more than 10 hours, and I've already played the game so many times," Powers said. "And I have not."

The next match takes place at Silver Creek Paintball, just south of Camrose, Alta. on Oct. 17. Depending on how long you want to play, admission ranges from $99 to $189.