T-Virus

Allow us to take the time to look at one of the most complex thought out zombie viruses, the Tyrant virus, more commonly known as the t-virus. The t-virus is similar to other viruses. As the virus makes contact with another cell, it inserts its genetic coding into it. The cell absorbs the viral genome into its own genetic make-up, taking over the cell and beginning to produce more of the original virus. The new viruses are then released from the host and infect the other cells, which of course starts the process over anew.

The t-virus kills and replaces mitochondrial organelles with a replica of itself and then combines with other cells to produce energy. The energy produced is just enough to power the motor neurons and the basic lower brain functions. The reanimated host body is then left with the "need to feed" in order to replenish energy without having to sacrifice its own tissue. This slow eating of the cells by the virus leads to the gradual breakdown of the host, causing necrosis. The virus then inserts itself into the host's DNA.

If the host is alive at the time of t-virus infection, all higher brain functions are destroyed. This leaves only the cerebellum to govern behaviour. Leaving the infected host with very basic, animalistic behaviour. As the virus spreads, it damages the hypothalamus. This produces a massive flood of neurotransmitters, enzymes, and hormones such as norepinephrine and dopamine: which along with the infection, cause rage and hunger.

If the host is dead at the time of t-virus infection, only enough energy is produced to re-start the lower brain functions. Again these functions are responsible for the most primal and animalistic instincts, such as walking and eating.

There is some suggestion that the state of further mutation of the host by the virus depends on the host's state of mind and personality. The creator of the virus became a twisted representation of his own self hate, which can be compared to Albert Wesker's transformation which made him into the god he thought of himself as. This could however also simply be the chemistry of the different viruses relating to the DNA of the host.

The t-virus is capable of various ways to spread infection. The t-virus is a protein structure at it's core and is best transmitted by direct injection. However the virus can transform and will maintain itself (for a very limited time) as an airborne pathogen. The virus also transforms very well into liquid, mainly water and will infect any who ingest it in this way. Finally the virus can be spread through direct contact with an infected host. This is considered a secondary way of infection however as with many viruses, it can take several times in contact with tissue or even fluid containing trace amounts of the virus in order to become infected in such a way.

The virus was created as part of the weapons reseach done by the Umbrella corporation and more can be read about it here. While the t-virus is a made up bio-weapon the way it is presented and the science behind it is, in some places, scarily possible. To think corporations are not trying to develop a weapon like this is simply foolish. The questions are just when and exactly how. Will it be something like the t-virus? One can only hope not.

Stay vigilant, may the infection never reach you, and those close to you have the resolve to do what is needed should you be so unfortunate, Mike D.

Zombies in Gaming: Resident Evil

Never will you find a game more re-made and over complicated as Resident Evil. This examination will stick to things that are common in all versions. Note that mention of the game as a game will exist but the main objective is to view the use of this game as training and preparation for surviving an outbreak. This is based off of the original American Resident Evil and the gamecube remake.

Story:
... Where to start... this game has kicked off one of the most complicated stories that actually retains some sort of actual plot line to date. The game begins on July 24, 1998 after a STARS team (Special Tactics And Rescue Service) discovers the destroyed helicopter of Bravo team, but there are no signs of survivors; only a severed hand is found. Alpha team is attacked by zombie dogs, one of which kills, Joseph Frost. Alpha's helicopter pilot, Brad Vickers, panics and takes off alone. Alpha team seeks refuge within a nearby mansion.
With the dogs outside, the last Alpha team members (Albert Wesker, Chris Redfield, Jill Valentine and Barry Burton) are trapped inside. Depending on which character is the player, one of the members of Alpha team is separated from the others during the chase and does not make it to the mansion (Barry if Chris, Chris if Jill). The player then explores the mansion and finds Bravoe team members, Kenneth J. Sullivan, (being eaten by a zombie) Richard Aiken, (dying of poison) Forest Speyer, (found dead on the balcony), and Enrico Marini, who reveals that one member of the team is a traitor before being shot and killed by an unseen attacker.  Scattered documents suggest that a series of illegal experiments were being done there by the Umbrella Corporation, a biomedical conglomerate. The monsters are the results of these experiments with the T-virus.
The player eventually discovers the Tyrant. Wesker reveals that he is a double agent working for Umbrella. Wesker is killed by the Tyrant. The player finds the other playable character trapped, and manages to get him/her out by activating the self-destruct system. Chris, Jill and the helper character (Rebecca if Chris, Barry if Jill) head for the heliport, the other characters are separated from the player. The player gets up to the heliport and manages to contact Brad and meet the other two survivors there, but they are attacked by the Tyrant yet again. After the beast is brought down, the heroes manage to escape the premises in the team helicopter.
Note this is the "best" ending. There are various endings in which some of the characters do not survive.

Zombies:

• T-virus Zombies - Slow moving, mindless, tend to sneak up on you or appear around corners. Vulnerable to fire and bullets.
• Tyrant - A human exposed to a lot of T-virus over a prolonged period of time. Bigger, stronger and nastier then normal zombies. He is a mutant of sorts and does not infect other humans but simply kills everything he sees with his one arm which has transformed into a sort of human blade. Vulnerable to rockets.
• Cerberus - Zombie dogs. Fast but relatively weak. They travel in packs and like to leap at victims knocking them down and surrounding them. Vulnerable to bullets.
• Hunter - Part reptile, part human, all zombie. The hunter is just that, it retains some very basic intelligence, the ability to track and fight. Vulnerable to fire and grenades.
• Lisa - Lisa was given the P-virus. An earlier version of the T-virus. She survived it and all other experiments done on her. Eventually Umbrella would extract from her the G-virus which is used to create the Nemisis Bio-weapon. Vulnerable to emotions.
• Giant Spiders - Zombie spiders... infected by the T-virus Spiders grow and carry their babies on their backs. Vulnerable to fire and grenades.
• Neptune (Giant Shark) - The scariest things ever. Zombie sharks. Faster, stronger and bigger then normal sharks (obviously that's what happens when sharks become zombies) these mothers are scary! Vulnerable to shotguns, electricity and Tom Jane.
• Chimera - This is what happens when you meld flies, humans and T-virus. Not pretty, or useful. But plenty deadly for no reason! Vulnerable to fire and shotguns.
• Yawn - Continuing with the idea that all small animals become huge when injected with T-virus RE brings us the giant snake. Vulnerable to grenades, explosives and book shelves.
• Plant 42 - Plant life can also be infected by the T-virus. (This seems strange but has common ground with some other zombie lore, including House of the Dead and Edge of Darkness) um... yeah. Vulnerable to fire and lots of bullets.

Survival lessons:

• Become a Master of Picking Locks.
• You don't have to be able to move and shoot at the same time to survive.
• Don't trust anyone, even those of the greatest morale fiber can have that used against them.
• Don't infect anything with T-virus it grows larger and wants to kill you.
• If you can't see around a corner there are probably zombies.
• In areas you've already checked and secured there are probably zombies.
• If one member of the team can never be found, don't look for him.
• Dying people will always give you their free stuff (better then letting you just loot it.)
• The guy who wears sunglasses at night, in a dimmly lit building, keeps a journal of everyone's behavior and disappears all the time: kill him early on.

Stay vigilant, may the infection never reach you, and those close to you have the resolve to do what is needed should you be so unfortunate, Mike D.