Naomi Alderman Rescues Zombies, Run! from Closure

The popular fitness app Zombies, Run! has been saved from potential closure by its co-creator, Naomi Alderman. Earlier this year, the app faced an uncertain future when its parent company, OliveX, announced significant layoffs and the possibility of shutting down the franchise. Alderman has since acquired the rights to the app, ensuring that its unique blend of fitness and immersive storytelling will continue.

Founded in 2012, Zombies, Run! has attracted around 10 million users globally. The app, developed by Six to Start, engages users with an audio-based narrative where they must outrun virtual zombies while exercising. Despite its popularity, the app struggled under OliveX, which purchased Six to Start in 2021. Tensions arose between the staff and OliveX over differing visions for the app’s future, particularly concerning its anticapitalist themes and OliveX’s interest in incorporating cryptocurrency and NFTs.

In March 2025, OliveX announced layoffs that left only two staff members at Six to Start. The company indicated that without a buyer, the game would be discontinued. During this tumultuous period, Alderman reassured fans that while new episodes were on hold, the app and its community features would remain accessible.

Now, Alderman has taken significant steps to revive the franchise. “I am incredibly delighted to be taking ownership of the game. This isn’t a big corporate takeover; it’s me buying back the game I made and love so I can look after it,” she stated in a post on the Zombies, Run! website. She further confirmed her plans via a post on Bluesky, emphasizing her commitment to the app’s community.

In the coming months, Alderman is focused on developing a new story for Zombies, Run!. She intends for this narrative to serve as an entry point for both new players and those returning after a hiatus. “We’ll also resume production on Season 11, which was paused halfway through — a very long cliffhanger to wait through!” she shared with The Verge.

Importantly, Alderman clarified that her acquisition does not include Six to Start as a whole, but rather the Zombies, Run! franchise and The Walk, another fitness app she developed with the company. Meanwhile, the Marvel Move app, which was part of the Six to Start portfolio, will continue to be supported until the conclusion of annual subscriptions in July next year.

Alderman’s primary goal is to preserve the essence of Zombies, Run! and its community-driven spirit. “Zombies, Run! has been a community effort since the first Kickstarter, and we’ll keep it shambling on together,” she concluded, signaling a hopeful future for fans of the app. As the gaming landscape continues to evolve, Alderman’s return to the helm of Zombies, Run! marks a significant turn for this innovative fitness experience.