The story behind Plaid Hat Games’ hit zombie survival game Dead of Winter will be partially revealed in the upcoming Raxxon cooperative board game, releasing in October.

Set at the beginning of the zombie outbreak that would lead to the events depicted in the Dead of Winter games, Raxxon gives players the chance to contain the plague and rescue people who have not been infected.  Acting as city leaders, the players, working together, must choose how to react to the undead that are infecting the population.  To win, the players must evacuate the survivors before the zombies, or Raxxon Pharmaceuticals itself, take over the city.

The game was created by J. Arthur Ellis (Crystal Clans) of the Plaid Hat team.  It includes a flexible action selection system that allows players to take as many actions each “day” as they wish, but with increasing costs for every action taken. 

Raxxon includes 100 cards, 6 character sheets, 1 game board, and 61 tokens.  It can be played solo or with 2 to 4 players, and is intended for ages 14 and up.  Playing time is about one hour.  MSRP is $39.95.  The game will be supported online with additional scenarios and other game materials that players can download.

The existence of Raxxon Pharmaceuticals was introduced into the Dead of Winter storyline as part of The Long Night expansion, which released last year (see “New Stand-Alone Game / Expansion for ‘Dead of Winter’”).  Two of the Raxxon characters can be added to Dead of Winter games, using the cards and standees included in the game.