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DayZ Epoch Brings Sandbox MMO features to Militarized Zombie Apocalypse
sempiternal
Member UncommonPosts: 1,082
Lately I've been playing DayZ Epoch a lot, and it has got me ignoring my MMO subscriptions. Last week I posted about DayZ Epoch, but I didn't really explain what it is (resulting in an ignorant mod moving the post to the DayZ forum).
So, first of all, DayZ Epoch is not DayZ! They are two very different games overall. While DayZ is pretty much a survival shooter, DayZ Epoch is like a sandbox MMO, with features like crafting from parts and raw materials, npc traders, custom building construction, hunting, dog taming, harvesting, and vehicle repair, customization, and ownership.
Best of all, you can play this game for only $6 total with no subscription! DayZ Epoch is a free mod that runs on the military simulator ARMA 2 Combined Operations, which is on sale right now for only $6.23 directly from the publisher here:
https://store.bistudio.com/arma2-combined-operations-steam-version
Even though I've never really played ARMA 2 (although I intend to now after enjoying DayZ Epoch) you are actually getting two games in one, the actual ARMA 2 military game and the DayZ Epoch virtual world. Of course, there are many other game mods available like the original DayZ, but I was not as impressed with that, and have not tried any others yet. Since Epoch alone has over 2,000 servers at this time, I'm guessing it's one of the most popular mods available too.
Now, the heart of DayZ Epoch is really the custom building construction. You can build or modify anything anywhere, except for a few small protected npc trader camps. You can actually modify or improve even existing game buildings and towns, adding additional buildings, rooms, floors, and modifications on to them or you can build your very own custom base from scratch anywhere on the map. This is a feature that I have rarely seen in even the most ambitious of MMOs. Often building construction in MMOs is cookie-cutter with a limited number of pre-built buildings you can place, very limited construction locations, and they certainly never allow players to modify existing game structures. DayZ Epoch breaks all those standard MMO limitations and really opens up the world to player customization.
The ability to build bases allows players to seek protection, store their items, and have a place to call home. This completely changes the dynamic of the basic DayZ shooter game. Vehicles can also be purchased and locked with a key in DayZ Epoch, which are not only used for transportation, but are a secondary form of storage.
Cinder Wall w/ Door
Here is a list with images of the building parts included in the modular building system:
http://epochmod.com/wiki/index.php?title=Modular_Building_System
Lumber
And here are the craftable items which can also be used to customize your base:
http://epochmod.com/wiki/index.php?title=Crafting_System
Here's a video I found the other day that does a pretty good job at giving you a glimpse of someone cautiously starting off new on a DayZ Epoch server and beginning custom construction an existing game building to turn it into a lockable base:
http://youtu.be/gLsfzQAxSA4
Time lapse showing construction of a simple wood base in Epoch from chopping trees to finish:
To make installing and updating DayZ Epoch easy, download the official Play withSIX launcher here:
I also tried the DayZ Commander launcher in the beginning, but ultimately found the SIX launcher to be better supported and more advanced.
Note: I am not affiliated with the producers of ARMA 2, Epoch Mod, or Play withSIX in any way whatsoever. I don't even know the names of any of them. I'm just a player that discovered great value in this game and am excited to share it with others.
Comments
Uh, you don't have to wait for anything. It's not like $6 is a big investment. And I seriously doubt you will see anything like the custom base building of DayZ Epoch in H1N1?
Anyway, you do attack with a valid point, and that is that the ARMA interface does take time to get used to. However, I'm comfortable with it now.
There sure is a trend of drones, or zombies rather, supporting H1N1 in this forum. Are any of you guys getting paid to promote that game?
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Play em both... I'm sure H1Z1 won't be out for a while and what is $6-$7? A drop in the bucket. DayZ is a lot of fun if you can get a couple of people together to play it. Once you get used to it, it can be fun solo too.
i have to agree.
i've played many of the DayZ mods and Epoch is really the funnest one by far, if you are into sandbox that is. Hands down the best survival multiplayer online sandbox game out right now. because servers are capped at under 100 players i wouldn't quite call it a massive multiplayer online, but it's definitely an online multiplayer game.
yes it is true that because it's a mod of mod of an order game (arma 2) it has some issues, but the fun factor is just incredible.
Epoch is what i wanted the standalone DayZ to be like (just with better zombies and graphics).
If you actually read topics before trolling them you would have seen:
Are you playing DayZ or Epoch?
open beta of H1Z1 is in about 4-6 weeks they said
I will try it out. But, is one of the goals to have custom built bases anything like Epoch?
There's a difference between trolling and stating an opinion. In fact, if you didn't respond to it, it would have been fine, but you made an attempt to turn posters against this person as "trolling" by bringing attention to it.
Philosophy of MMO Game Design
You opened "paid to promote" can of worms, I'm just responding to it. And it's not an attack, merely an observation.
There are certain queer times and occasions in this strange mixed affair we call life when a man takes this whole universe for a vast practical joke, though the wit thereof he but dimly discerns, and more than suspects that the joke is at nobody's expense but his own.
-- Herman Melville
WOW! Why do people get so emotionally attached to games? I'm seeing it more and more here. Anyways IMO they are ok games, hope you achieve whatever your agendas are with your advertisement. Good luck.
I love epoch, setup my own server last week I just added the following to my version
Lifting with Helicopters
Towing with cars
Dance at campfire
AI missions and camps
Deploy Bike from a toolbox and scrap metal (right click on toolbox)
Custom building menus --> ruby/Topaz and Obsidian (spawn them through tool and right click on them to build stuff) --> CCTV system with Obsidian
Change viewdistance (right click on binoculars/rangefinders)
Sirens on police Lada and Black SUV
lock/unlock sound
refuel/rearm/repair at fuel stations
take clothes from dead bodies
modified loot tables
HALO jump from helicopters and planes from above 400 meters
Elevators (built out of metal floors)
Helicopter Evacs (scroll on heli with 5 briefcases in inventory)
Safezones at traders
Self bloodbag near Hospitals and medical vehicles (right click on BloodBag)
Spawn selection
Map additions and changes of the traders
Fun menu when you have an ItemDocument in your inventory
AI bases
It is a PVE server with structured pvp as in duels and events.
Server name is Deviantedge
**Warning we are sorting out a few bugs so wierdness could happen
next addition if not already working is classes which will at the moment only include different loadouts and outfits for "scouts" "explorers etc.
50-100 at a time per server. But there are over 2,000 servers.
Reading between the lines here but it sounds like people are calling into question "MMO features" as 50-100 isnt massively multiplayer.
I have not played Epoch. Having read your post i don't know what to think of it. I suspect it would be lacking action if the focus has been switched to crafting.
Or does it still retain the pvp aspects that are in Dayz?
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I have seen more cooperation, group activities and friendships formed on dayz than most of the mmo I have played in recent memory.
OP, you have a post already in the Day Z forum. Locking this one.
http://www.mmorpg.com/discussion2.cfm/post/6234832
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