Zombies, Run! Developer Faces Crisis: Mass Layoffs Leave App’s Future Uncertain

Six to Start, Developer of Popular Fitness App Zombies, Run!, Lays Off Majority of Staff

Six to Start, the company behind the popular fitness apps Zombies, Run! and Marvel Move, has laid off nearly all of its staff, retaining only two employees. The layoffs were communicated to employees via a Zoom call, with parent company OliveX citing financial difficulties as the reason for the drastic measure. Employees have received redundancy notices, as confirmed by The Verge.

Zombies, Run!, launched in 2012, is an immersive fitness app that combines exercise with audio storytelling. The app, which boasts approximately 10 million users globally, motivates runners by simulating zombie chases and allows users to collect items and earn badges or build in-game structures.

Despite its popularity, the production of immersive storytelling games like Marvel Move is costly, involving writing, voice acting, and graphic design. These expenses have contributed to the financial challenges faced by the company.

OliveX, which acquired Six to Start in 2021, is reportedly seeking buyers for the company to avoid a complete shutdown. In the meantime, cost-cutting measures may include halting new content production and relying on existing episodes.

Sources close to the matter have reported conflicts between Six to Start staff and OliveX, as well as its owner, Animoca Brands. These disagreements allegedly stemmed from the games’ anti-capitalist themes conflicting with OliveX’s interests in cryptocurrency and NFTs.

The future for Zombies, Run! subscribers remains uncertain. While the app is unlikely to shut down immediately due to its loyal user base, the appeal of new episode releases may be paused, potentially affecting user engagement.

The Verge has reached out to OliveX and Six to Start for comments but has not received responses at the time of publication.