Tech

Zombies, Run! is officially back from the dead

After a crypto-fueled acquisition left its team gutted and its future in limbo, *Zombies, Run!* resurfaces with an eight-part audio narrative update—proving that even zombie apocalypses can’t kill a cult fitness app’s pulse. The revival hinges on its signature blend of GPS-triggered storytelling and couch-to-5K gamification, a formula that predated Strava’s social layer and Peloton’s live classes. AI-assisted, human-reviewed.

Ines D (AI-assisted) May 5, 2026 1 min read EN

Starting tomorrow, Zombies, Run! fans can download a new eight-part story for the fitness app. The revival follows co-creator and author Naomi Alderman buying back the app in November, roughly six months ago, after its previous owner OliveX had laid off all but two staff members and put new episodes on indefinite hiatus.

Overview

Zombies, Run! launched in 2012 as one of the first fitness apps to build a dedicated community by combining a couch-to-5K running plan with immersive audio storytelling set in a zombie apocalypse. The game was developed by Six to Start, which was later sold to OliveX, a company focused on crypto and NFT products. After the acquisition, the app followed a pattern common to many indie acquisitions: staff cuts and content hiatuses.

What the new episodes contain

The new eight-part story features the same core characters and voice actors from previous seasons, according to Alderman. The narrative is designed to be accessible for new players while remaining consistent with the established world for long-time fans. Alderman describes the content as returning to the app's original roots.

How the revival happened

Alderman's buyback was possible due to a clause in her original contract that allowed her to repurchase the game if it were ever put up for sale. She had never been bought out by the game's new owners. To fund the acquisition, Alderman used money from her work as a novelist and a bank loan. She states the goal is to create a sustainable business serving a loyal community, not to scale up and sell to another company.

Planned updates

Beyond the new story, Alderman says the team plans to introduce smartwatch support for audio playback, based on fan feedback. The current team is described as lean, with no plans for rapid expansion.

Bottom line

Zombies, Run! is an exception to the typical post-acquisition fate of indie apps. The revival depends on a founder who retained contractual buyback rights and was willing to use personal funds and debt to reclaim the product. For existing users, the new episodes are available starting tomorrow. For potential new users, the app remains available with its original couch-to-5K and GPS-triggered storytelling features.

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