Today Ubisoft released the second in a series of behind-the-scenes documentaries entitled “In the Eye of ZombiU: A City of Blood & Fire”. In this episode Gabrielle Shrager and Antony Johnston, Story Design co-directors at Ubisoft Montpellier, examine the story and setting of ZombiU.
“I’ve lived in London and the team spent a lot of time walking around the city to take in its unique flavors and atmosphere” says Johnston “What we’ve created from that is a kind of sublime vision of the city; a creepy apocalyptic, hyper-version of London where hell is just around the corner.”
Interestingly, the core plot of ZombiU revolves around the real-life apocalyptic prophecies of John Dee; a renowned 16th-century polymath & advisor to Queen Elizabeth I. Players are put right in the middle of Dee’s black prophecy and must find a way to escape post-apocalyptic London.
Ubisoft also revealed that ZombiU focuses on three main characters all of whom have different survival strategies and interpretations of Dee’s prophecy. The first character is an ex-army prepper & survivalist who saw the apocalypse coming and prepared. The next character, Sondra, leads the Ravens of Dee: a secret society that has studied the prophecies of John Dee for centuries and aims to help as many survivors as they can escape London. Lastly, Dr. Knight is one of the Queen’s physicians searching for the panacea, the cure John Dee died looking for.
ZombiU launches along with 23 other titles on the WiiU on November 18, 2012. Be sure to check out the official ZombiU website here.
In case you missed it, In the Eye of ZombiU Episode One.
*Writer's Opinion*
I am a fan of all things zombie. Even today when zombies are generally overused, I am having the time of my life. ZombiU looks amazing and let’s be honest we really need a horror title that actually gets the adrenaline pumping and scares the bejesus out of us (Yes, I am scowling at you Resident Evil 6). I am not ready to buy the WiiU just yet, but if ZombiU lives up to the hype I may try to bribe my local game store for one. Here’s hoping.
