Summary
Zombie gamesare a common sight in the current generation, but the next big zombie-based IP should make one important decision that could enhance its profile. Of course, there are a lot of things that go into every game, no matter the genre. Gameplay, characters, story, and art direction are all important things to keep in mind. All of this and more helps to make up a game’s identity, which also has an impact on its legacy as a whole. For any futurezombie-related IPs, a strong identity may be necessary to keep them relevant among the crowd.
There are severalupcoming zombie games to look forward to, showing that one of the most reliable horror standbys is still alive and well. Zombies provide a lot of tropes that make them effective antagonists for horror and action games, as they often come in hordes, making them an excellent choice for games seeking hordes of enemies. In addition, the infectious nature of zombies is excellent for adding tension, as games such asDead Rising 2andState of Decayhave shown in the past. Zombies have proven their longevity as video game enemies and storytelling devices, and they’re likely to continue being a horror staple.
There is one trend that even affects some of thebest zombie gamesout there, and it’s a common trend in titles. There are a lot of horror games, specifically involving zombies, and feature the word “dead” in the title. Granted, since zombies are already dead, the term is rather fitting for them. In addition, death itself is frequently synonymous with horror games, especially those involving zombies. However, it can seem a bit overused when it comes to zombie game titles as a whole. A few prominent examples of this trend include:
This repetitive trend in zombie names could hold back good games like theinfluentialDead Spaceseries. When a lot of games have similar-sounding titles, it tends to make their names blend together, even if the games themselves are radically different. Thanks to this phenomenon, it can be hard for the games in question to be memorable in the eyes of fans. As a result, either the more established IPs, or the ones with the most hype, will be the ones that rise to the top. As for the other titles, they will have to find some other way to make themselves known.
Fortunately, “dead” and its offshoots are far from the only good words for naming a zombie game. For instance,horror survival seriesState of Decay’s title references the zombies that swarm the game’s maps in its own right. Not to mention,Resident Evilarguably the most famous zombie-focused series in gaming, doesn’t have the word “dead” anywhere in its title. Even its Japanese title,Biohazard, is another reference to the kind of threat that the zombies pose. These are two of the examples that developers of future zombie IPs may want to look to when forming their games' identities.
When a lot of games have similar-sounding titles, it tends to make their names blend together, even if the games themselves are radically different.
Zombies and death are naturally intertwined, but when naming a new IP, sometimes it’s better to go outside the box. When someone comes up with the nextgreat zombie video gameIP, it will need a memorably title to go along with it.
State of Decay 3
WHERE TO PLAY
State of Decay 3 is an open-world survival game set years after a zombie apocalypse nearly wiped out humankind. An evolving zombie threat is taking over the landscape and you need to carve out a life for your community of survivalist homesteaders.The choices you make affect in-game events and storylines, so be careful: if one of your community members falls to the zombie horde, you’ll lose that character and their abilities forever. Every risk must be weighed against the reward!With online multiplayer for up to 4 players, start a community together from scratch with your friends in a shared, persistent world. You’ll all be able to build, develop, and expand a base that reflects your designs and choices.
Instead of making one that sounds similar to several other games on the market already, there would be more to gain from getting a little more innovative when it comes to naming it. An original-sounding name could be a useful tool for an up-and-coming zombie game in the future.
