Matt Asbell and Adam Lobar are bringing zombies to Florida — and they’re going to attack.
The two Gainesville residents are the owners of the fifth franchise of Dystopia Rising, LLC.
Role-play enthusiasts from across the nation will meet in July to play the live-action game set four generations after zombies take over the world, said 29-year-old Asbell.
The duo began the process of buying the franchise in March. Asbell set up a monthlong fundraising campaign via the online Kickstarter platform in April, and it surpassed the goal. He had raised $2,250 by May 27, when the funding period ended.
When participants arrive at Camp Chowenwaw Park in Green Cove Springs on July 19, they will establish their territory by planting flags, Asbell said. Their mission will be to protect the camp and survive the weekend.
Participants will make up their own characters and costumes and establish their identities, he said.
“People from all over the country will converge so they can all play together,” Asbell said. “I know people from practically every major city in the country because of this game.”
In forming the franchise, Asbell and Lobar were required to create a storyline for the Florida branch. Inspired by Gainesville, they named the game’s fictional location Gatorland.
“The biggest challenge is just creating the world for them, but really, that’s the fun part too,” said Lobar, a 30-year-old UF alumnus.
One of Lobar’s character creations is a gambling addict from Vegas named Seven Deuce Sal: Sal recently escaped slavery and is making his way to Gatorland. Sal’s story continues every Tuesday night, when a small group of locals meet to play the tabletop version of Dystopia Rising.
Participants at Dystopia Rising events develop social skills that might not be acquired in real life, Asbell said. Lobar said Dystopia Rising players develop separate relationships with people — personal relationships and character relationships.
“The great thing about LARP (live action role playing) is that you can get really pissed off at each other in character and then just go hang out after and have a beer,” he said.
