DayZ not expected to leave Steam Early Access until 2016

Bohemia Interactive has outlined its forward plans for DayZ, indicating that the game won’t exit Steam Early Access until the first half of 2016.

The former Arma mod entered Early Access in December 2013 but is not even expected to enter its beta phase until Q4 2015.

Furthermore, the price of the game will be gradually increased as it furthers its development. It was previously available for 19.99/$29 but this will shortly climb to 22.99/$34.99 in the US.

The final version of the game will sell for $49.99.

A new development roadmap reveals additions such as a new renderer, new zombie AI, diseases and new stealth systems in Q1 2015, a new UI, dynamic events and new animal systems in Q2 and aerial transport and animal predators in Q3. Q4 will bring animal companions and base building.

The long-awaited console prototype is now pencilled in for Q3 2015.

2014 has been an immensely successful year for DayZ,” producer Brian Hicks said. We could have never hoped for so many people to join us for the adventure of Early Access development.

As the team looks forward to our goals and features set for 2015, the vision of an open world sandbox where the player creates their own story and experiences comes closer to completion.”