Zombatar Collection by ITD

The Zombatar Collection was a premium, niche style suite developed by Infinite Tropics Design (ITD) for XenForo 1. It was one of the most famous and complete theme packs for creating a zombie apocalypse, survival horror, or post-apocalyptic forum.

While designed for the older XF1, its concepts and artwork influenced many subsequent themes.

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Key Features of the Zombatar Collection (XF1 Version)​

This was more than just a skin; it was a comprehensive branding package.

1. Complete Visual Overhaul:

• Color Palette: Dominated by dark, desaturated tones—dirty greens, rusty browns, gunmetal grays, and splashes of bloody red.
• Textures & Graphics: Featured grungy, concrete, and metal textures. UI elements were styled to look worn, scratched, or distressed.
• Backgrounds: Often included custom background images of abandoned urban landscapes, dark alleyways, or biohazard patterns.

2. The "Zombatar" Rank System (The Core Feature):

• This was the standout feature. It replaced the standard text-based user titles (e.g., "Member," "Senior Member") with a progression of custom-designed, graphical zombie icons.
• Users would "evolve" through different zombie stages as they posted more, creating a powerful gamification incentive. A typical progression might look like:
  
  • 0-50 Posts: Victim (a scared human silhouette)
  • 51-200 Posts: Infected (a recently turned zombie)
  • 201-500 Posts: Walker (a classic, slow-moving zombie)
  • 501-1000 Posts: Runner (a faster, more aggressive zombie)
  • 1000+ Posts: Alpha / Necromancer (a powerful, unique zombie leader)

3. Themed Node Icons:

• Every forum category (node) received a custom icon fitting the theme, such as:
  
  • A first-aid kit for "Support & Help"
  • A shotgun for "Weapons & Armory"
  • A canned food for "General Discussion"
  • A radio for "News & Announcements"
  • A biohazard symbol for "Off-Topic"

4. Additional Themed Assets:

• Zombie-themed Smilies: A full set of emoticons with a zombie twist.
• Custom Buttons: Buttons styled to look like worn metal or with blood splatters.
• Header & Logo PSDs: Source files to create your own custom forum logo.
• User Banner Styles: Special ribbons or badges for staff roles (e.g., a "Survival Expert" badge for moderators).

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Legacy and Status Today​

• XenForo 1 is End-of-Life: XenForo 1.x is no longer supported or sold. The platform moved to XenForo 2.x years ago.
• The Original Product is Discontinued: The official Zombatar Collection for XF1 is no longer sold or supported by ITD.
• Spiritual Successors: The immense popularity of the Zombatar Collection inspired:
  
  1. Official XF2 Versions: ITD and other designers have created similar zombie/horror themes for XenForo 2, often with the same core ideas but updated code and modern features.
  2. Themes by Other Designers: Many of the zombie/post-apocalyptic themes you see today for XF2 are heavily inspired by the groundbreaking work of the original Zombatar Collection.

Summary​

The Zombatar Collection by ITD for XenForo 1 was a landmark theme that demonstrated how deeply a forum's identity could be transformed. It set a high bar for niche, immersive styling and remains a fondly remembered classic by many in the XenForo community. If you are looking for a similar style today, you should search for "zombie theme XenForo 2" to find its modern equivalents.