Presentation to the 2011 Lone Star MENSA regional gathering in Austin, Texas on the depiction, meaning and use of zombies in video games and modern culture. The presentation examines how games depict zombies, typically either as horrific monsters (Left 4 Dead) or "cute" opponents. In either case, zombie games connect with us out of a sense of uncertainty (war, environment, society), a desire for freedom from societal restraint (guns, chainsaws), and the ability to work with others, often in familiar settings, to survive and escape.

1. Zombies!. . . And Games
Frank Coppersmith
COO
GameSalad, Inc.

2. Thanks to. . .

3. Zombie Apocalypse!

4. Uh Oh

5. Are you ready?

7. For Real

8. “Real” Zombies

9. Game Zombies

10. But Why?

14. The Team

15. Freedom from Restraint

16. Guns!. . . And other stuff.

17. Your Hometown

18. Escape

19. Zombies!!