OK, think I am all set up and running with DayZ. Thanks for the advice, folks.

I too would love a SimHQ server for this. My Arma name is [SHQ]Peppergomez.

Can folks list a few good servers that they play on? Maybe we can favor a few servers until a SimHQ one becomes available. I was on one last night but some of the guys on voice comms were pretty rude, so I'd much rather play with the fine folks here.

Type in "Hardcore" in the filter and play on one of those 5.


If you play on a standard server you run into an issue where you anyone with a map within sight of you can pinpoint your location on the map because the maps have map icons for players (since we are all on the same team.)

Hardcore disables that but also disable player names which makes it harder to communicate.

A few of the other servers like US6 hve the maps icons off as well but personally I dont care for the aiming reticle either. People should have to use iron sights since it makes it harder to hit.

I go on US servers at my real-time night and EU/UK servers if on during my real-time day but I just go for one that has a slot.

I've had good luck with US 2, but I jump around depending upon where the spaces are. A SimHQ server might be fun, especially if we can reserve some slots for our own group.

Looks like this is going to be integrated/attached to the upcoming patch 1.61.

I'm unable to join a game anymore. Seems like the main servers get hammered and are simply unable to handle the load. Even if I find a free spot on one of the game servers, I'm stuck at a black screen and the game "waiting for server response". And if the game finally manages to fire up, after about 10 to 20 minutes, chances are high that I'm stuck in a forest in the middle of nowhere without any gear whatsoever.

I pass for the moment and may come back when the situation improves again.

I've had "waiting for server response" a lot too on various Europe based servers. US4 and 3 always works for me though.

Finally got it running and gave it a try yesterday. You may have read my other posts here and know I was pretty reluctant and skeptical about it. Anyway here's my thoughts.

Good:
Atmosphere is fantastic. The feeling of danger is everywhere. This is the only zombie game I've ever played where I haven't just gone in guns blazing and slaying Zs. I treat any other human player as a threat unless I personally know them.

Decisions and immersion: You really kind of feel like "you're there" in a zombie situation. Do you risk shooting a couple of zombies on the offchance there's some supplies you need in that building? What if there's a bandit nearby? Is someone already watching you through the scope of a hunting rifle?

Survival aspects: I think the addition of having to find food/water and scarce ammo makes the game a lot more interesting. You can't just find a good weapon and then go on a killing spree for the rest of your time in game. No food or water = dead. No ammo = dead unless you're sneaky and a bit lucky.


Bad:
Very noob-unfriendly. There's nothing in game that explains anything. My first character is probably going to die of thirst because I still haven't figured out exactly how to refill my canteen. If you've never played ARMA 2 before, there's going to be a higher learning curve.

Potential for griefing and frustration is enormous.


All in all it's kind of strangely addictive. I must have spent nearly 2 hours sneaking around zombie infested towns yesterday. The only shots I ever fired were done right in the beginning when I hadn't learned to be stealthy. Still not entirely convinced I'll keep playing, but we'll see. So far so good.

Just tried to get on today, and had no luck. "Waiting for server response". Back to Diablo 3 I guess if THOSE servers are working... (sigh)

Just read this in a profile about dayz at knowngriefers.com:


"Anyone looking to play DayZ need only a copy of ArmA 2: Combined Ops (That is, both ArmA 2 and the expansion Operation: Arrowhead, but you would want the PMC DLC if you don't want all of the players to be low-resolution versions)."


Anyone confirm this,and if so, how much better does the game look?