Horde, an indie zombie game with killer art

Horde features four heroes: the firefighter, the hunter, the hacker, and the skater. These characters start the game as humans, but if players aren't careful, they may transform into zombie versions of their former selves (triggering an alternate win condition for zombie players).

Players with a keen eye may spot some thematic details artist Michael Manomivibul carried from each character's human form to their zombie form. 

Game designers Will & Kayla wanted players to be able to identify with any hero, therefore they worked with the game artist to create heroes that left gender stereotypes behind. 

Horde features four hideouts: the elementary school, the gas station, the hospital, and the sportsball stadium. During the game, players can activate special bonuses at each hideout. 

Artist Michael Manomivibul worked to include subtle signs of life in each post-apocalyptic hideout scene, hinting at an ongoing struggle that extends beyond the action of a single game of Horde. 

Game designers Will & Kayla worked with game artist Michael to develop a thematic world for Horde. Featured here (in no particular order) are several of Michael's initial concept sketches for hideouts and characters.

Adapting Michael's art to the functional game mechanics Will & Kayla developed involved layering graphics elements onto game pieces - cards and tokens - that would work together to provide players with a natural game experience. This involved the development of a visual brand language that encompassed custom icons, card and type layout, tokens, a rules booklet and a game box!