Levit0
It has been quite a while since DayZ creator Dean “Rocket” Hall gave the fans an update on the highly anticipated DayZ standalone release. Luckily for us though, the wait was well worth it, as Dean updated the official DayZ development blog with new details and screenshots of the stand-alone version of the game. He also goes over the stand-alone’s development schedule, and what the plans going forward into 2013.
Dean explains that despite him pushing for the stand-alone version getting a release before the end of 2012, the team felt the game had not distinguished itself enough from the original DayZ mod to justify starting to sell it. They are also in the process of starting a closed beta test shorty, where they will invite 500-1000 beta testers to assist with testing the games architecture. No details have been given at this time as to how participate in the closed beta, or if there will be a signup page. However the blog confirms that once they are confident they’ve ironed out enough bugs through the closed testing that the development team will start talking about an actual release date.
They are also still in the process of major system revamps and additions within the game, some of which include:
- Individual item scavenging, where players will have to pick up items individually rather than in piles
- Item Durability
- Disease tracking, a new system where conditions such as cholera may be lingering on clothes a player wears or finds
- Batteries
- Addon components
- UI changes, apparently the new UI is great inspired by Minecraft for how “straightforward and functional” it is
- Texture revision work, specifically texture work for all the building interiors
- A new overhauled inventory system, which they are aiming to make far more intuitive and easy to use
The new inventory system is probably the most exciting news to come out of this update, as I’m sure any of you that have played the Arma II mod know how cumbersome and clunky the current inventory is.
While many of you are clamouring feverishly for the DayZ stand-alone just as I am, it’s important to appreciate the time and care the developers are taking with this release. Far too often studios rush out a product to meet demand only to promise they’ll fix and polish it up after people have already bought it. A certain other zombie game you’re all well aware of did that recently only to be hit with massive consumer backlash, and rightfully so. So take all the time you need Dean Hall and Bohemia Interactive, because in the words of legendary game developer Shigeru Miyamoto: “A late game is only late until it ships. A bad game is bad until the end of time.”
