In August of 2012 I joined the team Con Artist Games and immediately got to work on their flagship title – The Last Stand: Dead Zone. Based on their existing titles of side scrolling flash games, Dead Zone was a massive shift into the world of browser based 3D MMOs.
The game is set in a post apocalyptic world where a virus has zombie-fied most of humanity. A small group of survivors who are immune to the virus are starting to rebuild their own little communities.
The premise is pretty simple. Starting out with nothing but a knife and a gun the player is tasked with creating a compound to call home. They venture out on missions to nearby neighbourhoods to scavenge for resources and supplies whilst they make their home safer and more comfortable. Overtime more survivors join the players compound, allowing them to explore more of the ruined city. Of course, the further they explore, the more dangerous enemies they face.
Players also have the ability to interact with other players, either by chat, trading or even raiding each others compounds in order to score points and loot.
Over the years the game has evolved quite a bit. Heaps of features and events have been added and it has gotten to a point where even I get lost in all the things you can do. Here is a quick bullet list off the top of my head:
- Raiding – Go scavenging for loot or raid your neighbours supplies
- Books – Give yourself a timed or permanent boost by equipping a book or manual
- Crafting – find components and schematics and build your own custom weapons
- Bounties – place a bounty on the head of someone that has attacked you, or take out a target to earn the reward
- Alliances – Create or join an alliance and compete against other players to see who can score the most points. The top 3 alliances each week get a reward.
- Trading – Meet up with other players and trade for the items that you actually want
- Practice Raids – Test out your compounds defences by practising against yourself
- Community Tasks – Take part in helping the community achieve tasks. If you all reach your goal you all get a reward
- Union Island – Launch a 3 phase attack against the HERC soldiers on Union Island. The tasks are tough but the rewards are higher
- Terror Dome – Enter an competitive arena and see how long you can last against waves of zombies. The longer you last, the higher the rewards
- Annual Events – Easter, Christmas and Halloween always bring seasoned loot.
- High Activity Zones – Roll the dice and enter a high activity zone. You’ll face enemies that are above your league, but also find better loot.
The Last Stand: Dead Zone is currently on Facebook, Kongregate and Armor Games.