Week 1: DayZ

What happens when the world is destroyed and you wash up alone along the shore of an unknown world? DayZ is a zombie survival simulator mod for the game ARMA2 developed by Bohemia Interactive Studio. This has been one of the fastest growing mods since its release earlier this year. The mod is very intense and exciting sporting over 1.5 million unique players. The game is very difficult for new players and will require many restarts for players to learn the core mechanics of the game. The mod is in the alpha stage while a standalone being developed with a release date of late 2012. Both will be constantly updated with new updates and hofixes. Each update or hotfix may contain changes that alter the game drastically. Over the course of this project I will explain the game is about, what the goal is, why it is fun, and how others can play.

What is the nature of the social life in DayZ?
DayZ begins in Chernarus, a 225 km2 post-soviet state. An unknown infection has changed most of the population into zombies. You are a survivor currently immune to the infection. You must now fight in this world for food, water, gear, weapons, and vehicles. Your main goal is to survive against the zombies and other survivors in this wasteland. The main hook for DayZ is the one character rule of the game. Once your character dies in-game you loose all your gear and must begin again. Being built within the ARMA2 engine allows a major realism factor to present itself within the game. Your character will get hungry, thirsty, loose blood, catch the infection, break your bones, gain shock, pass out, and die.

How do people converge and what is the main purpose of this form of online community?
As a simulator people can converge in multiple areas of the map even if another player does not know they were there. Players will spawn on the southern coast with a backpack, flashlight, painkillers, and one bandage. From here each player must find heir way through the terrain gathering whatever supplies they need to travel north. Most players will meet in the two major cities presented on Chernarus, Cherno and Elektro. Here a player can find food, water, weapons, tools, and more. Players will constantly walk, run, sneak, hide, or kill during their life. Each player will be checking behind them, around them, and ahead of them. They will be listening for certain specific sounds which may indicate a hostile presence. All of your movements in-game risk revealing your position to the hordes of zombies that roam the map and other players. Players can choose many different options when interacting with other players. They can decide to avoid them, become friends, help them, and more. When playing lone wolf or with a group of friends there are multiple advantages and disadvantages. From safety and security, firepower, and experience. The goal for players is whatever they choose. Some players decide to survive as long as they can without interacting with other players. Other decide to kill other players, also known as bandits. Some decide to find a vehicle and create a taxi service for supplies and weapons. There are those who become medics and help any survivor in need. Or a player can become a mercenary for hire at the right price. Friends can build a camp filled with weapons, gear, and vehicles. Or they can capture random survivors and pit them against each other in hatchet battles resembling that of gladiator arenas.

First Spawning In - "Freshspawn"

"Where do I go from here?"

Starting Inventory