What is your first memory of Plants vs Zombies? I first played PvZ when I was 3, meaning I don't have my first memory of playing PvZ. However, throughout my whole childhood I have many many memories of playing PvZ, it be the original on the iPad, or the garden warfare games, or PvZ Heroes. I've always had such fond memories of PvZ as it has sparked creativity, inside me. Some of my earliest memories of PvZ involve the world building around it, how the zombies came to be, the creation behind the plants themselves. I've also got many early memories of endlessly drawing different PvZ ideas, different plants as well as different forms of the current plants. Some of my earliest memories of the franchise involve me just thinking about the world of PvZ (all primarily the first game).
What is your favourite Plants vs Zombies game? PvZ 1, PvZ Heroes and Garden Warfare 2 are not only my favourite plants vs zombies games, but my favourite games in total. I have countless hours in not only PvZ heroes (from playing it on the bus or waiting in line or before going to bed) and from playing GW2, playing the different characters, mastering them, and endlessly grinding for the max rank plate. I love PvZ 1 for the nostalgia, and it only gets beaten by BTD6 for when it comes to my favourite tower defence games. However, PvZ 1 created a world that I have thought about for so long that I couldn't possibly say it's not one of my favourites. So when it comes to my favourite PvZ game? I couldn't possibly decide I love the three (and even Gw1) so much for different reasons.
What is your favourite character of the whole franchise? Plants vs Zombies is one of the few franchises out there with an absurdly high amount of different characters, meaning that no player is left out when finding out their favourite. When it comes to me personally there are so many great characters, including crazy Dave and dr zomboss. This makes it so impossible for me to pinpoint all the characters down to 1 single number 1 favourite character. Instead I'll list a few of my favourites: In terms of the plant side I think crazy Dave commanding the plants in Gw2 and Gw1 is so funny, as he mentions the most random things, and gets the plants to go on missions such as the socks one in Gw2. Of course the peashooter has to be a favourite, not only being the main plant representing the franchise, but also because of the amount of variants that come from it such as snow pea, pea pod and fire pea. Other characters like chomper has to be a favourite too as chompers usually act like dogs, which is (hilariously) ridiculous as chomper is a plant. Also some of the more obscure plants such as snake grass from PvZ Heroes and snap dragon from PvZ 2 have a place in my heart, as they are well designed and are enjoyable to watch what they do. However, one of the best parts about PvZ is the fact that it isn't one sided. The zombies side, not only simply existing, but being playable (in pvz heroes and gw1 and gw2) gives them character, as they aren't simply the 'bad guys' but actual characters you can play and connect with. Even in PvZ 1 and 2, the zombies aren't ever just generic zombies that you see in other games, they write you a letter, and participate in the dance video. In terms of PvZ 2, Dr Zomboss even ends up forgetting about getting brains and instead tries to stop Crazy Dave from continuing to time travel, as it started to destroy the present. In terms of favourite characters from the zombie's side (other than dr zomboss) the heroes in PvZ heroes stand out, such as Dr brainstorm and Impfinity. However, zombies like the pole vaulter and ra zombie have a place in my heart. However, Zombot from PvZ heroes (I think it's called zombot 9000 or something) has to be one of the highlights, due to how powerful it is, and the rush of adrenaline you get from leaping a previous zombie into him, and clearing the whole board just to win the game. However, despite all that's been said, some of my favourite characters from PvZ have to be the gnomes, as they are neither on the plants nor zombies side, and cause havoc to both of them. I've always imagined if Gw3 were to happen, that the gnomes would play a bigger role...
What was your favourite interaction with other players? In terms of other players, the only times I could interact with them would be through the community or from playing the multiplayer PvZ games. PvZ, although small nowadays, is one of my most watched games on Youtube, I occasionally tune into a FryEmUp live stream, or watch a new WolfyPlayz Gw2 video. However, some of my earliest memories on YouTube as a whole came from ZackScottGames, playing the various PvZ games. When playing Gw2, I often find people who just like to mess around, having rivals with random people, or hanging out with zombie players as a plant. PvZ heroes is no different, in fact I've had many interactions of people messing around, by conceding when they're about to win, or making funny plays. There have been many small content creators on YouTube who started out playing PvZ, and have tens of thousands of subscribers, or even over a hundred thousand (or million!). In terms of the community outside of the games, I have never seen a more determined community. It is virtually impossible to keep a dead game alive, yet somehow PvZ heroes survived over 5 years of drought, not only that but so has Gw2 and even the tower defence games through the mods that have been created for them. Popcap are so lucky to have such a great community, so it's a real shame for them to feel the need to make rushed games, built for the money, when all we want is high quality, creative games. All I'm saying is that there's a reason why Gw2 did so well and BfN didn't. So when it comes to my favourite interaction with other players? It has to be the determination we all share to keep this game series alive.
What is your funniest or best memory? This comment is already filled with some of my best memories of PvZ so I'll keep this section shorter. PvZ has provided me with some of the most creative ideas I have seen. With well written dialog, awesome characters designs, and great music (especially in PvZ heroes), PvZ has given me countless memories, in listening to the music, playing the games, writing or drawing the characters, or just thinking about the world the franchise has built. That is why I've stuck with the series for so long and why I'm sure other people have too; it's hard to get bored of it.
Anything else to share? The last thing I'd like to say is, don't let this franchise die. No matter how determined the fan base may be, ultimately the power is held within popcap (and ea). Nowadays, so many triple A games are the same boring generic stuff that no once cares for. With all the ai slop going around, it's hard for people to not only express their creativity, but also for fans to enjoy it, knowing it came from real humans. Eventually, sometime a game franchise will stand out, prove that corporate greed isn't the only thing driving game companies, so why not let it be PvZ?
Thanks for reading this, and goodbye.
Community Manager
