Z-Day (Zombie Apocalypse) and COVID-19

[Minoa]

Hey guys,

I wish to enquire what plans or changes are there in store for Z-Day⁹ (the Zombie Apocalypse) this year.

I ask this because the world is still combatting the spread of COVID-19, and since the Zombie Apocalypse involves viruses, some may see it as inappropriate due to the impact of COVID-19 on everything. I am aware that it is currently not possible to opt out of the Zombie Apocalypse, which may alarm users using NationStates to get away from COVID-19 drama.

-- Minoa

[Lillorainen]

Oii,
funnily enough, I've already thought about this, too, but much rather along the lines of, "That's gonna be fun, with all the nations who haven't managed to develop a vaccine against COVID-19 in months, but don't seem to have trouble developing a dezombifier within a couple of hours!" ^^ But then again, that's probably my sense of humor ... so yeah, it would be interesting to know, if the current crisis has any impact on how Z-Day will take place, or if it will do so in the first place.

[The New California Republic]

Hey guys,

I wish to enquire what plans or changes are there in store for Z-Day⁹ (the Zombie Apocalypse) this year.

I ask this because the world is still combatting the spread of COVID-19, and since the Zombie Apocalypse involves viruses, some may see it as inappropriate due to the impact of COVID-19 on everything. I am aware that it is currently not possible to opt out of the Zombie Apocalypse, which may alarm users using NationStates to get away from COVID-19 drama.

-- Minoa

Does it though? I don't think it has been officially said as part of NS lore that it involves a virus. It could be bacteria, a fungus, etc.

[The Unified Missourtama States]

Does it though? I don't think it has been officially said as part of NS lore that it involves a virus. It could be bacteria, a fungus, etc.

Wow! thanks next time I'm dying of an infection I'll check.

So what, it's still a disease spreading around the world.

[Libertalonia]

wait when is Z day again?

[Platinia]

seems like quite a few of us have been wondering about the outcome of Z-Day in light of the current real world events. Personally I hope it will not be affected but I can understand the reasons why it may, as to not upset those who have been affected by it in any way.

[The New California Republic]

Does it though? I don't think it has been officially said as part of NS lore that it involves a virus. It could be bacteria, a fungus, etc.

Wow! thanks next time I'm dying of an infection I'll check.

So what, it's still a disease spreading around the world.

Odd response to what I said, but alright.

[Gandoor]

Why not just ignore it then?

[Merni]

Because, unlike N-day, it isn't an opt-in event. Your nation is pretty much dragged into it. And if you don't take action you may be hurting your region's efforts as well (if they care about Z-day).

[Lillorainen]

Wow! thanks next time I'm dying of an infection I'll check.

So what, it's still a disease spreading around the world.

Odd response to what I said, but alright.

UMS probably wishes to say, that Z-Day is still about a contagious disease spreading, regardless of how it spreads. (You're not wrong, though, and I don't have any objections, should it take place, but it might be a question the Admins are dealing with, which some of us are curious about. ^^)

[The New California Republic]

Why not just ignore it then?

Because, unlike N-day, it isn't an opt-in event. Your nation is pretty much dragged into it. And if you don't take action you may be hurting your region's efforts as well (if they care about Z-day).

Such a person could just not use NationStates that day. As shocking as that may seem, that very much is a valid option. It's pretty easy to avoid due to ample warnings, in the form of quite a bit of leadup to it both gameside and forumside since it is classed as a major community event on the site.

[Merni]

Why not just ignore it then?

Because, unlike N-day, it isn't an opt-in event. Your nation is pretty much dragged into it. And if you don't take action you may be hurting your region's efforts as well (if they care about Z-day).

Such a person could just not use NationStates that day. As shocking as that may seem, that very much is a valid option. It's pretty easy to avoid due to ample warnings, in the form of quite a bit of leadup to it both gameside and forumside since it is classed as a major community event on the site.

Why is that a better solution than implementing an opt-in mechanism?

[Railroad Crossing]

covid will eventually be healed
z-day cannot be healed and is evil

[Earthbound Immortal Squad]

Hey guys,

I wish to enquire what plans or changes are there in store for Z-Day⁹ (the Zombie Apocalypse) this year.

I ask this because the world is still combatting the spread of COVID-19, and since the Zombie Apocalypse involves viruses, some may see it as inappropriate due to the impact of COVID-19 on everything. I am aware that it is currently not possible to opt out of the Zombie Apocalypse, which may alarm users using NationStates to get away from COVID-19 drama.

-- Minoa

While I do see your position I must disagree for the simple reasons that first Z-day is not confirmed as a virus as far as I am aware and second Z-day is quite a fun event (for me personally) and during these times we need something to cheer people up rather than worrying about everything going on in the world. Mental health matters just as much as physical health in these times.

[The New California Republic]

Such a person could just not use NationStates that day. As shocking as that may seem, that very much is a valid option. It's pretty easy to avoid due to ample warnings, in the form of quite a bit of leadup to it both gameside and forumside since it is classed as a major community event on the site.

Why is that a better solution than implementing an opt-in mechanism?

It isn't a solution, rather a statement of fact, as I don't believe that a problem exists in light of the aforementioned fact; can't have a solution if there is no problem in the first place.

[Minoa]

Why not just ignore it then?

Because, unlike N-day, it isn't an opt-in event. Your nation is pretty much dragged into it. And if you don't take action you may be hurting your region's efforts as well (if they care about Z-day).

Such a person could just not use NationStates that day. As shocking as that may seem, that very much is a valid option. It's pretty easy to avoid due to ample warnings, in the form of quite a bit of leadup to it both gameside and forumside since it is classed as a major community event on the site.

I can support what Platinia and Lillorainen said: since Z-Day is currently a mandatory event, there is a good risk of upsetting those who have been affected by COVID-19 in any way, whether or not they were actually infected.

This is the first time ever that Z-Day is likely to coincide with a real-world pandemic that has had a damaging effect on all aspects of life, globally: Spanish flu predated NationStates by many decades. Swine flu occurred long before Z-Day was a thing. Zika could be managed with mosquito control.

If the admin team decides not to allow Z-Day to take place this year, then there is always the roleplay option to keep the Z-Day spirit alive. I really hope that COVID-19 will lose pandemic status in time for Z-Day 2021.

[CoraSpia]

You're in a one-person region from the looks of it. Either ignore it or don't log in if it's such an issue for you, there's no reason to ruin everyone elses enjoyment of the event.

[Ghost Land]

This is ridiculous. Z-day is a NationStates tradition going back to 2013. It should carry on as usual.

wait when is Z day again?

30-31 October.

[Holland DS6]

I'm not to sure about this, but shouldn't this be moved to F7 or where the chating forum is, kind of feels like a discussion topic

[The New California Republic]

Snip

Sorry but if folk don't like it then they can just stay away for the day. They will get ample warning that it is coming, giving them time to act if they feel that it is going to overwhelm them.

---

I'm not to sure about this, but shouldn't this be moved to F7 or where the chating forum is, kind of feels like a discussion topic

There are often discussions of this nature in Technical and Moderation, so no.

[Cornlind]

Why not just ignore it then?

Well you can if you just don’t choose anything for your nation to do

[Estado Novo Portugues]

Perhaps we could do something different this year, like an alien invasion or robot uprising? That way, we still get to have an apocalypse, without hitting too close to home for those affected by the coronavirus.

[Nilrahrarfan]

Hey guys,

I wish to enquire what plans or changes are there in store for Z-Day⁹ (the Zombie Apocalypse) this year.

I ask this because the world is still combatting the spread of COVID-19, and since the Zombie Apocalypse involves viruses, some may see it as inappropriate due to the impact of COVID-19 on everything. I am aware that it is currently not possible to opt out of the Zombie Apocalypse, which may alarm users using NationStates to get away from COVID-19 drama.

-- Minoa

If we're going to cancel it, we should have N-Day again. Think about it, TWO N-Days ONE month apart.

Or maybe I'm just being crazy.

[Narvatus]

If we're going to cancel it, we should have N-Day again. Think about it, TWO N-Days ONE month apart.

Or maybe I'm just being crazy.

Two N-Days in one year isn't unprecedented, since it happened in 2017, but we can only hope.

[The Free Joy State]

Why not just ignore it then?

Well you can if you just don’t choose anything for your nation to do

The zombies come anyway, even if you decide to ignore it.

I've been lucky, in that I have not lost anyone due to the pandemic, but I do see how (if someone has lost a loved-one) it may be an inadvertent cause of distress and I don't see deterring engagement by telling them to not log-in for the day as the ideal solution.

If a solution is felt needed, making it opt-in seems ideal to me -- that way, people who do not want to be part of a game that involves a disease (whether viral, bacterial or a pathogen) can enjoy the other parts of the site, and those who are looking forward to Z-Day can still enjoy it as in previous years.