DayZ

[Spooky]

I think this belongs here.

Jane McGonigal: The game that can give you 10 extra years of life

[Eric]

Coincidentally, an LA studio is working on a similar game called "War Z". 

While they claim to have already been working on the title before Day Z, the developers play the latter and read through the forums for suggestions. 
It does sound like it'll have some welcome additions, like a non-hardcore mode that only makes you not be able to access the character for a day or two (as opposed to permanent game death), safe towns and the ability to form clans. 

[AdmiralDigby]

Sounds cool

Someday I'm playing a zombie video game

[Eric]

Arma II Combined Operations, the program needed to run the DayZ mod, is on sale today-only for $17.99 (40% off).

[Eric]

No real details, but it's been officialy announced DayZ will become a standalone game.
They're mostly (and rightfully) concerned that while they pioneered the idea, other companies will run it all the way to the bank.

[Eric]

I haven't checked on the DayZ mod since that last post, but if it still needs Arma II: Combined Operations, that's on sale over at http://store.steampowered.com/ for 50% off -- $14.99.

[Eric]

Day Z has since been turned into a standalone program and is currently in "beta" testing phase.

This story about how the author came up with the idea I found quite fascinating, and probably even non-video-gamers would too.  It all started when he was given two-day's worth of food for a twenty-day jungle stay as part of his New Zealand army training ...

http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2013/08/ut_DayZ/

[Spooky]

Good read!