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The delayed release of the standalone version of ArmA II mod DayZ is due to a number of groundbreaking changes being made to the game, the title’s creator has claimed.
In a blog post, Dean ’Rocket’ Hall said that although the title was originally planned for a release last year, the game had gone through a significant re-development that deviated from the original plan.
The game’s engine has been re-made, while the inventory system has also been completely overhauled to include new features such as durability, disease tracking and add-on components.
There will also be a number of revisions to in-game textures and the user interface.
Imprisoned Bohmeia Interactive lead architect Ivan Buchta meanwhile, who is being held in Greece on charges of espionage, has been continuing to help with the game’s creation by providing input and insight on the development of the map through letters.
Hall warned though that Buchta’s and Martin Pezlar’s imprisonment was still having a significant impact on the studio’s ability to redevelop the Chernarus map.
“Put simply, DayZ Standalone isn’t here because we had the chance to go from making a game that was just the mod improved slightly, packaged simply, and sold – to actually redeveloping the engine and making the game the way we all dreamed it could be. This blew any initial plans we had dictated to pieces,” said Hall.
“The plan from here is straightforward. We will be releasing a closed test imminently, during which approximately 500-1000 people will assist in ensuring our architecture is correctly functioning. This closed test will be focused purely on architecture, not the game design. Once we have confirmed fixes for issues arising from the closed test, we will then reschedule an internal date for our public release.”
