Zombie Survival Game 'DayZ' Reaches More Than 2.5 Million Players, Update 0.49 Delayed

Zombie survival game “DayZ” has reached more than 2.5 million players since its launch in December last year, according to game designer Dean Hall, 33, who made the announcement via Twitter on Friday.

On April 1, developer Bohemia Interactive announced that the game, which is still in its alpha phase, had sold 1.7 million copies to date.

Prague-based Bohemia recently delayed update 0.49, which will launch next week. The update will improve animal AI, horticulture and a number of other features. The company promised that several “new initiatives to increase transparency and accessibility to the development process” will roll out in September.

"As I mentioned last week, the initial implementation of horticulture is prepared but using placeholder assets, and it will need some attention from the programming team,” lead designer Peter Nespesny said on the DayZ blog. “I personally feel this system can have a lasting change on how many people will approach Chernarus. Imagine being independent of inhabited places with your own grown crops, meat and clothing from hunted animals.”

Craftable leather clothing will also become part of the game’s fashionable attire, with players having the ability to create items from various animal hides or produce tanned leather.

“Our core focus this week has been on server optimizations and improving melee combat hit detection. Both of these issues are currently in internal testing,” said lead gameplay programmer Mirek, whose last name couldn’t be identified. “We’re also continuing on our new doors system (interacting with doors in a way that makes sense, rather than proximity to the door) and new game controls, but it will take some time to complete both of these changes.”

Along with these changes, “DayZ" programmers promise the update will bring a number of improvements to the zombie game, including new game controls, new basic zombie behavior, better sound over network, firefighter helmets, vehicle parts and overall bug fixes.

“DayZ” launched on Dec. 17 on Steam Early Access in an alpha release. After one hour, the game had recruited 19,000 users. During the first 12 hours, the new title drew 88,000 players. After 24 hours, “DayZ” had been downloaded 172,500 times. The open-world multiplayer title was created by New Zealander Hall and developed by Bohemia Interactive. “DayZ” is a standalone version of the award-winning mod of the same name.

“DayZ” is a basic survival horror game, where players take on tasks to gather food, supplies, medicine, clothing and water in a 225-square-kilometer setting. Items can be collected in random places such as abandoned vehicles, homes and barns. Players can also pick up weapons for protection from other players or the undead.