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DayZ alpha first-week sales exceed 400,000, dev outlines update plans
It's been an eventful couple of weeks for DayZ developer Bohemia Interactive, which has provided a state of the union update on the Early Access build. After launching on December 16, DayZ has sold over 400,000 copies on Steam and saw a peak concurrent user count top out at over 40,000 players. Bohemia Interactive issued three updates to the game so far and creator Dean "Rocket" Hall even outlined plans for feature roll-outs throughout 2014. Plans are to eventually implement better anti-hacking security, introduce cooking mechanics and even give players the ability to hunt animals. In an update issued in early December, Hall called the standalone Alpha version "a platform for future development" and stressed caution for those expecting a fully-realized product when buying the Early Access version. Hall has said he is considering Xbox One and PS4 ports, though nothing has been officially announced at this time.
DayZ hits Steam Early Access right in the head
The zombies are finally here! Hooray! DayZ is now available for PC on Steam Early Access for $30. As always, those who buy the early version will get the final build when it launches – and developer Bohemia Interactive is certain to note that the current release is truly an unfinished version of the game: "DayZ Early Access is your chance to experience DayZ as it evolves throughout its development process. Be aware that our Early Access offer is a representation of our core pillars, and the framework we have created around them. It is a work in progress and therefore contains a variety of bugs. We strongly advise you not to buy and play the game at this stage unless you clearly understand what Early Access means and are interested in participating in the ongoing development cycle." This echoes the sentiment from DayZ creator Dean Hall earlier this month, when he cautioned potential players that the Early Access version would be "barebones." Still, YouTubers are encouraged to show the world what DayZ's bones look like, Hall says on Twitter. DayZ hit Early Access with a launch trailer, but that was pulled from Steam for being too graphic. YouTube has a stronger stomach than Steam (but the video embedded above contains a fairly intense depiction of suicide).
DayZ creator stresses standalone Alpha is 'a platform' for the future
Dean "Rocket" Hall, creator of DayZ, cautioned that those who buy into the standalone game's upcoming Steam Early Access launch should not expect something on par with a fully realized, polished product. DayZ will essentially be "barebones" at the outset, he said in an update on the game's forums, pointing out that "some might be disappointed that this is not some feature-packed, graphically focused, masterpiece" of a game. "I really plead for anyone who is on the fence to take a skeptical approach - watch streams, read reviews, watch some let's play and form your opinion," Hall went on to say. "You could always come back to the game in three, six months time and buy it then." For Hall, Early Access presents a chance for folks who want to participate in guiding the game's growth. "For many," he said, "this is the opposite of what they want." Hall concluded that buying into Early Access is buying into "a platform for future development." DayZ will launch for PC on Steam Early Access, though Hall hasn't ruled out the possibility of Xbox One and PS4. No release date has been set for the PC Alpha, which has already been seen skulking around inside Steam's database.
Tenacious bugs, optimization woes continue to delay DayZ
People have been killing zombies in Arma 2 mod DayZ for years, yet the game's long-awaited standalone client remains in development limbo. The culprit? Bugs and code optimization. "We think we need a minimum of 15 [server side] FPS [with] 50 players, 2000 zombies, and 25000 loot items," explained designer Dean Hall in a recent Reddit post. "Our latest tests have all shown some runaway systems in the code we have to tidy up. The variable synchronization system that was developed for work with the network bubble, is checking the variables very often. We're optimizing this. Also, there are many string comparisons." It goes on like that for a few more sentences, but the key takeaway here is that there are very real, technical hurdles that must be leapt before the game can hit retail. Despite this refreshing level of transparency, Hall refuses to assign a release window to the standalone version of DayZ. "If I start saying 'oh it won't be out then' people start asking me about the day after, and the day after," said Hall. "So it just encourages people to keep asking me when it is, and the "announced date" would be when I go 'yeah, it could be out then'." Edit: This piece has been altered to specify that the "15 FPS" mentioned in Hall's message was not referring to the framerate players will see in game, but was instead referring to server side FPS.
DayZ standalone in Steam database, Hall says progress 'very good'
DayZ standalone is showing signs of (re)animation, with "DayZ Early Access" popping up in the Steam Database. The Escapist took note of the entry, and pointed out the entry is marked for the USA territory. "Amazing how quickly the internet picks up on things isn't it," said DayZ lead and creator Dean Hall when we asked him for clarification this morning. "All I can say is that progress has been very good, we're a mix of nervous and excited. And as I'd stated on my twitter when I announced my break from social media/updates, we are on the final lap. Part of the final process involves the actual administration of the release, which is actually surprisingly complex and time-consuming." Hall previously told us at Gamescom that the team was waiting on the "core network architecture" to complete and then DayZ standalone would be ready for "go time." Hall concluded, "So, to confirm, there is no release date announcement and we're 100 percent focused on getting the alpha out the door."
PBS Game/Show asks: Can permadeath teach us to live better lives?
The latest episode of PBS' ongoing Game/Show series poses an interesting question: Does DayZ and other permadeath games teach us how to live better lives? Game/Show thinks so, positing that the threat of a permanent end to a gaming experience ultimately adds more weight to the time within that experience, creating even more moment-to-moment tension. Of course, the downside is death anxiety, the awareness that our end will come at some point. But video games are unique in that they allow us to confront our own demise at any time and learn from it – which isn't something we can say about life. Yet?
DayZ September dev blog teases new zombie AI and item degradation
DayZ creator Dean Hall's September dev blog detailed changes to the game's inventory, player interaction, item damage, and teased upcoming changes to zombie AI. The entire video is more than 20 minutes long and is stuffed full of information for DayZ fans, but here are a few highlights: In the dev blog, Hall revealed that the AI for the DayZ standalone release would be written entirely from scratch, and is no longer based on the ArmA 2 AI. "The proposal I came up with was that zombies will chase players and avoid collision," Hall said. "The zombies will only pathfind for a short distance in front of them, and otherwise, they'll avoid collision." Hall stated more details regarding zombie AI are coming in a future dev blog. Hall also demonstrated several ways he hopes to reduce the "kill on sight mentality" that currently permeates the DayZ experience, one of which is to have loot take weapon damage. This means if you shoot another player to take their stuff, whatever you hit with your bullet will be damaged. You can watch Hall demonstrate this when he shoots another player in the chest, which not only ruins their clothing, but all the items carried by that clothing. Even after the zombie apocalypse, you still have to worry about keeping your clothes nice.
DayZ standalone release date waiting on 'core network architecture'
DayZ creator Dean Hall told us today at Gamescom that the standalone version of the hit Arma 2 zombie mod, originally expected last year, doesn't have a release window anymore, but he did explain the delay. "The awkward thing is the only thing we're waiting on is the core network architecture. That's the kind of thing only a few people can work on. It's very specialized," Hall said. "It's like, you can't throw more pilots at a plane. You put a thousand pilots in a plane it's not going to fly any faster." Hall said that while the network architecture is being developed, other work is proceeding with the artists, animators and designers. And once the network architecture is completed to the satisfaction of the brutal multiplayer survival game: "Bam, it's go time."
DayZ studio hacked, encrypted passwords downloaded
DayZ developer Bohemia Interactive was struck by hackers today, resulting in the illegal download of player usernames, emails addresses, and passwords. Bohemia posted a letter stating that while the passwords were stolen, their encryption should protect players from the hackers using them. Even so, Bohemia has reset all of the passwords in its database, requiring players to register for a new password in order to access the studio's website and forums. The good news is that credit card info is safe. "We would like to reassure everyone that no other information such as credit card details is stored by us and thus was not at any risk from this illegal breach," Bohemia stated.
Standalone DayZ looks to be taking cues from EVE Online
When you actually build a simulation of the post-zombie landscape, where do you look for inspiration about what happens next? To the stars, according to DayZ's Dean Hall. In a recent interview, Hall discusses the ways that EVE Online creates a persistent world fueled primarily by player interactions and backstabbing, which he sees as the future of the standalone DayZ. Not just in the case of survivors turning on one another, but in the ability to actually create safe regions through the world carved out by player ingenuity. Hall discusses the possibility of allowing not just player-owned structures but long-term landscape changes, hollowing out bunkers and setting up security systems. The game isn't there yet, but he also mentions that watching The War Z's launch and subsequent burn in some ways helped fuel the development team's commitment to the original vision. It's an interesting look at a game that isn't out there yet, but promises to add more than simply surviving the hordes of mindless undead.
DayZ creator considering PS4, Xbox One after PC, has an early favorite
Dean Hall is focused on launching the PC version of his zombie-infested baby, DayZ, but he's talked with both Sony and Microsoft about the PS4 and Xbox One, too. Nothing's set in stone, but Hall "absolutely" likes Sony's approach to indies; he's turned off by Microsoft's ban on self-publishing and history of charging thousands for game updates. "Sony lets you self-publish and they don't make you pay for updates," Hall told Eurogamer. "Microsoft requires you to have a publisher. They have no digital distribution strategy and they require you to pay $10,000, or whatever it is, for updates." Hall mentioned potential console releases for DayZ back in April, and said he'd already met with Sony in particular. Sony was "obviously interested," Hall said, though he didn't mention next-gen at the time. Last week Hall said that once the PC version is good to go, a PS4 iteration is "definitely" something he'd look at. "But we have to do the PC version first," he said. "Once we get the alpha out, that's a good time for us to run it up on a [PS4] dev kit and see what happens." Hall isn't counting Xbox One completely out, but he still has some unanswered questions about developing for Microsoft's console: "I like what I saw on the Xbox in a lot of cases as well. I'm not shitting on them. I'm kind of hopeful that Microsoft has just forgot to talk about its indie support. Maybe I'm being a bit naive." Last we heard, the DayZ alpha was scheduled for June (that's this month) at the earliest.
Hall considering PS4 version of DayZ
How would a PlayStation 4 version of DayZ grab you? Mod creator Dean Hall is apparently considering it according to a blurb at Eurogamer. Hall outlines the differences between publishing on Sony's console vs. Microsoft's, the latter of which requires a hefty fee for each update as well as a pre-existing publisher relationship. Hall tells Eurogamer that he's definitely interested in both platforms but his focus is currently on the standalone PC version of his celebrated Arma 2 mod. "That's definitely something we'd look at, but we have to do the PC version first. Once we get the alpha out, that's a good time for us to run it up on a [PS4] dev kit and see what happens," he explained.
DayZ mastermind conquers Everest, is back in the studio
DayZ creator Dean Hall hasn't forgotten about finishing the standalone game, or how much you want to play it – but he was giving you the cold shoulder last week. On May 21, Hall reached the top of Mt. Everest, according to a picture tweeted on May 24. He's now made it safely down the mountain and is back in the studio, working on DayZ. Hall said a dev blog with the latest updates will go live when the team has time. There's still no word on a release date for DayZ, and the public alpha is scheduled for June, at the earliest.
Hall takes a break from DayZ, pursues dream of climbing Everest
If you're anxiously waiting for Dean "Rocket" Hall's standalone version of his ultra-popular Arma 2 mod DayZ, you'll have to wait a little bit longer. Hall is currently climbing Mount Everest as part of a two-month vacation from his development duties on Bohemia Interactive's zombie-themed post-apocalyptic sandbox. "Although the timing is poor for my sabbatical, it is not something planned on a whim and involves non-refundable costs of up to $100k," Hall writes on the DayZ website. "This is going to take as long as it needs to," he continues. "We want to release our initial alpha under the architecture it needs to avoid hacking and security issues -- this is the only remaining task stopping us from releasing the alpha."
Hall: DayZ console port discussed with Sony; 'wait and see'
Dean Hall, creator of DayZ, is considering a move to consoles, as long as the PC launch goes well."Certainly I think if we don't – for want of a better word – 'fuck up' the PC release, then I would say a console port is almost certain," Hall told The Escapist. "I know a lot of people get really hot and bothered about it. Like, I'm not a console gamer, I'm a PC gamer, but I don't think it necessarily has to hurt things."Hall has put his thoughts into action already: He met with Sony and people there were into the idea."It appears to be the kind of game that Sony are interested in; I think we just have to wait and see," he said. "We've talked and met with Sony, and they're obviously interested."DayZ was initially scheduled to launch in December of last year, but now it won't see an alpha until June at the earliest. Hall's main concern is perfecting the client-server architecture, but once that's settled, he'll start sending out batches of alpha keys, possibly 50,000 at a time. And let's not forget that brief time Hall considered turning DayZ into a free-to-play experience.
DayZ free-to-play was considered
During his GDC talk chronicling the ascension of the DayZ mod, creator Dean "Rocket" Hall revealed that there was a time – albeit a brief window – when he considered turning DayZ into a free-to-play game. "Every one likes having four Lamborghinis parked in their driveway," Hall joked."When I looked at signing with a bunch of companies, some of them were interested in free-to-play. We're talking a lot of money, like stupid money. I felt like – I just knew it wouldn't work. DayZ is about survival and not buying your way into it. I still think there's room for free-to-play games – I've got one idea I think could actually work quite well as a free-to-play game – but it's like trying to cram a round peg into a square hole."Hall also touched on the infamous shops found in some free-to-play games, where players can purchase good gear or bypass certain mechanics by throwing down real money. "The DayZ experience is about what you find in the world, so introducing a shop and things like that, like cosmetic items. It's not about cosmetic items, there are no cosmetic items in DayZ – it's not like, 'I worked at Burger King for an hour and bought this hat,' you know; it's 'I found that hat in a barn fight.'"DayZ standalone is currently in development at Bohemia Interactive. The alpha build isn't expected to launch until at least June.
Dean Hall: DayZ standalone alpha won't launch until at least June
DayZ, the standalone zombie survival game spawned from the popular Arma 2 mod, will enter official review in June, with plans for a widespread alpha sometime after then, creator Dean Hall tells Joystiq."We're going to review the situation in June," Hall says. "So there'll be no release between now and June. And we're quite hopeful that we'll go then. I know that people get really frustrated because they want to play, but I just think this is the best option."DayZ is basically ready for an alpha run, but Hall and his team are waiting to perfect the client-server architecture. Hall currently has 25 people in a small pre-alpha, and he hopes to get a few hundred playing DayZ before opening the alpha. DayZ alpha keys will go live in batches, possibly 50,000 at a time, and Hall is looking at a possible Kickstarter-inspired distribution model, where players would pay certain amounts to opt into the alpha and snag other goodies, in tiers."We want to release the keys in chunks of what we have servers available," Hall says. "The idea is to very, very quickly try to release something out there, because that allows us to start capacity testing. We've got one final thing we're waiting for with the release date, which is the completion of our client-server architecture. It's basically making the game into an MMO, and pretty much the moment that's done, we'll release."
DayZ standalone teases new health system, overhauled zombies
Creator Dean Hall has offered up another video diatribe on the development on the standalone version of DayZ. One teased addition is an overhauled health system, one that features "longterm play effects such as poor diet affecting your long term health levels."There's a new inventory system, which supports "crafting, interchangeable clothing, degradation, tracking, weapon customization, and much more," the developer blog post says. Hall promises crafting will be different than how it's presented in other games, but says it isn't ready for the public eye yet.Meanwhile, zombie spawning and behavior is governed server-side, so the game client is less susceptible to foul play and hacking. It also means the undead are able to move around the island autonomously, rather than being summoned around active players. (They'll still enjoy your presence, though, so don't get reckless.)
DayZ standalone dev update flaunts new island, rehauled loot spawning
DayZ mod creator Dean Hall has been hard at work on the standalone retail version of DayZ since it was announced back in August, and even has dreams of console ports dancing around in his head. In this hefty development diary, he is joined by production assistant Matt Lightfoot and takes the time to check in with us on the improvements to the terrain of Chernarus, the enhanced UI and the new loot spawning system.A good deal of the first part of the video has to deal with clothing, but the real juicy stuff comes at the tail-end where the two go into how loot spawning has changed – specifically, items can spawn in odd places like behind an overturned chair or underneath a kitchen table. So in the standalone version, you'll need to poke around a bit more to find those tins of baked beans, whereas in the mod things are pretty much there in plain sight.On top of that, the world of DayZ has gotten a bit more damp with the addition of swamps to the island and even another small island off the coast of Chernarus. It's an island pulled directly from Arma 2, the original game the DayZ mod was built on.Sadly, Hall has no word on when we might get to play the standalone version of DayZ, but did say that the team at Bohemia Interactive are working to be more transparent during the development process, offering information in blog posts and (hopefully) more lengthy video updates like these.
DayZ standalone version jacks up graphics, player customization
The race to a DayZ standalone version release is on, and creator Dean Hall is feeling excited and confident about the progress being made. Hall posted a list of improvements that the team is currently working on, from graphics to customization, and gave an update regarding the testing process. DayZ standalone's graphics are clearly improved from the ARMA II-modded version, and Hall includes side-by-side comparison photos of a town to show just how big of a difference the new engine makes. He said that the team is working on vehicle, character, and weapon customizations, although players will find that the real avatar customization will come while engaging in the game proper. One notable entry on Hall's list is the fact that the team is building the servers to be "MMO-like" so that hacking and cheating will be markedly more difficult. He also said that while external testers haven't been invited into the beta yet, this will happen once the full server/client architecture is completed.
