Zone Nine, a web3 zombie survival shooter, has officially launched its Closed Playtest, giving a select group of players early access to its 5v5 PvPvE action. Set in a post-apocalyptic world, the game combines team-based competition with cooperative survival, tasking players with defeating rival teams, zombies, and mutated bosses while completing objectives in a third-person shooter format.
Zone Nine Powered by Ancient8
Developed in Unreal Engine 5, Zone Nine is powered by Ancient8, an Ethereum-based Layer 2 chain on the Optimism Superchain. The game is designed as a AAA web3 title that integrates blockchain-based ownership with competitive gameplay. Players can securely hold and trade in-game assets while exploring large, modular maps that serve as both standalone experiences and foundations for future titles.
Zone Nine focuses on survival mechanics, including hunger, thirst, stamina, and health management. Players must balance resource collection and combat while navigating dynamic environments. The game also emphasizes a “Build in Public” approach, with the development team involving the community in testing and feedback to refine mechanics before the wider release.
Details on Zone Nine Closed Playtest
The Closed Playtest, titled Zone Nine: Nihilation, centers on team-based survival combat. Players compete in 5v5 matches, aiming to reach 999 points while facing AI-controlled zombies and boss monsters. Points are awarded for defeating enemy players, taking down zombies, completing objectives, and turning in trophies collected from boss encounters.
Teams share a respawn pool of 20 lives. Each time a player respawns, one life is consumed, and teams lose points when members die. Once the respawn pool is exhausted, fallen players cannot return, and the team risks losing the match if all remaining players are eliminated.
The game features a full day-night cycle and a dynamic weather system that changes every 15 to 17 minutes in real time. Sunny weather has no effect on gameplay, while Rainstorms, Blizzards, and Fog impact visibility, movement, and resource consumption. Players must adapt their strategies based on environmental conditions to maintain effectiveness in combat and survival.
Weapons, Equipment, and PvPvE
Zone Nine’s current playtest includes seven weapon types ranging from firearms like the M4A1 and AK-47 to melee options such as the Fire Axe. Players can also equip items in five categories - Helmet, Armor, Boots, Backpack, and Gloves - each with multiple rarity tiers that affect stats and visuals. Consumable items, including food, water, medicine, and boosters, provide temporary benefits or restore critical resources.
The game features six zombie types and three boss monsters: the Meat Spider, Meat Tank, and Flea. Bosses drop unique trophies that players can turn in at checkpoints for bonus points. Infestation Zones marked on the map contain high-level enemies and rare rewards, encouraging players to balance risk and reward. Custom matches allow players to host or join sessions, with teams divided into Survivors and Hunters, each offering customizable character models.
Applications for the Closed Playtest closed on October 21, with roughly 20% of applicants selected to participate. Around 250 players were given access via the Epic Games Store through redeemable codes linked to whitelisted accounts. The development team has acknowledged that the game currently contains numerous bugs and emphasizes that player feedback is essential to refining gameplay systems. No official end date for the Closed Playtest has been announced, and further test sessions have not yet been scheduled.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Zone Nine?
Zone Nine is a web3 zombie survival shooter that combines team-based PvPvE combat with resource management and blockchain-based asset ownership. The game is built in Unreal Engine 5 and integrates with the Ethereum-based Ancient8 Layer 2 chain.
How do I join the Zone Nine Closed Playtest?
The Closed Playtest applications were open from October 13 to October 21, 2025, and are now closed. Selected players received access through redeemable codes for the Epic Games Store.
What kind of gameplay does Zone Nine feature?
Zone Nine offers 5v5 third-person PvPvE matches. Players compete against other teams and AI-controlled zombies and bosses while managing resources such as health, stamina, hunger, and thirst.
What weapons and equipment are available in the Closed Playtest?
The playtest currently includes seven weapon types and five equipment categories, each with multiple rarity tiers. Consumables such as food, water, medicine, and boosters are also available.
What are the environmental conditions in the game?
Zone Nine features a dynamic day-night cycle and four weather types: Sunny, Rainstorm, Blizzard, and Fog. Each affects visibility, movement, and resource consumption differently.
What role does blockchain play in Zone Nine?
The Ancient8 partnership allows players to securely own, trade, and manage in-game assets on the Ethereum blockchain, providing true digital ownership of weapons, equipment, and other items.
Will there be future playtests?
The developers have not announced dates for future playtests. Feedback from the current Closed Playtest will guide further development and refinement of the game.
