DayZ Still Lives; Patch 1.14 Adds Contaminated Areas and 60 FPS on PS5

Bohemia Interactive released update 1.14 for the network survival game DayZ. This is the biggest update to the game this year. The patch was released simultaneously on PC, Xbox One and PlayStation 4. The game is also available to owners of Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5. On the last of these platforms the patch enabled the game to reach 60 fps.

The most important new feature is the introduction of so-called Contaminated Areas. They are filled with valuable items, zombies in hazmat suits and toxic gas, requiring the use of wearable gas mask filters. These locations are present in two variants - static and dynamic (in this case they spawn in different parts of the game world).

Update 1.14 also adds new traps - both for animals and fish, and humans. Helicopter crash sites have also been refreshed. The patch introduced a nicer helicopter model and better smoke particle effects, making it easier to locate these zones. The chance of finding high quality military equipment there has also been increased. The patch also introduced the LE-MAS rifle with a magazine that holds 25 rounds of 5.56 × 45mm ammo.

Many people waited for the update and it met with a warm reception. Long gone are the days when DayZ was on the lips of the entire gaming industry, but the game is still doing great. This year, the game reaches about 30-40 thousand people playing simultaneously on Steam at the hottest moment of a day. Some months are better, others a little worse, but there is no permanent downward trend.

It's worth noting that of the user reviews given on Steam in the last 30 days, 85% are positive, which the service categorizes as "very positive reception". On the other hand, counting all the reviews from players since the moment of release, only 69% praise DayZ. This means that people who are currently playing the title clearly like it, which bodes well for the future.

1. DayZ - official website
2. DayZ on Steam