DayZ – Everything coming with experimental version 1.23

With Update 1.23 the next update for DayZ enters the experimental phase. We tell you what’s in the new update, which is now available on Steam and Xbox!

Player spawn groups

A new system are the player spawn groups, which regulate where players start at a spawn on the map. These possible spawn points have now been grouped and keep changing depending on the server settings, so that players spawn closer together.
The goal is to get more interaction between players regardless of the number of players on the server.

This new system is currently being tested and the developers need feedback to evaluate and adjust it.

Customizable spawn equipment

Spawn equipment can be precisely customized with update 1.23 through a custom, new mission file. This should make it much easier for server administrators to make changes.

Vehicles & Push-Interaction

The M3S truck and the M1025 off-road truck were sometimes a real nightmare in the past when you had to move them off-road or even up a mountain.
Update 1.23 brings some adjustments here, which should improve the vehicles’ abilities in these situations.

In addition, there is now a new pushing interaction that lets you push vehicles over a short distance, for example to get them free again after an accident.

New sounds for in-game actions

Many in-game interactions still had outdated or no sounds when you performed them. The new Experimental update rectifies this as well, bringing sounds for making rags, washing hands, sawing planks, and interactions such as pulling bodies from a vehicle or placing mines and explosive weapons into the game, among others.

Return of a weapon from the DayZ Mod

If you’ve played the DayZ mod, you’ve sooner or later had one of the game’s most effective and powerful all-around weapons in your hand – the DMR.
This was once available in the M14 version with a red dot sight and in the sniper version with a scope.

Both weapons were already absolute favorites for many players back then, excelling both at medium range and in close combat with a fast rate of fire and strong damage values.
Update 1.23 now brings the weapon to DayZ Standalone as well.

Revamped NWAF

The “Vybor Air Base”, more commonly known among veterans as the “Northwest Airfield” – NWAF for short – has also received a makeover with the update.
The goal was not only a more appealing look, but also a better flow of player movement on the terrain and a better looter experience.

New Equipment & Loot-Changes

In addition to the new weapon, the field shovel also returns as a tool and there are quite a few new pieces of equipment, most of which are hats and other headgear for your character.

While we’re on the subject of loot – Spawns for some weapons have been changed:

• ASVAL & VSS: Spawns have been moved from infested areas to high level military areas and the number has been increased.
• VSD & FAL: Spawns were moved to infested areas and number was decreased.
• KA74, KA74U & M16A2: Spawns were moved to high level military areas.

Server browser, settings and performance

The server browser has received some small improvements that provide more information, especially for console players.
For example, the exact number of players in the queue is now displayed (if there is one) and the exact time on the server is also shown.

In terms of server settings, the placement of construction objects in the underground areas of the maps has been disabled by default, though server operators can re-enable this if they wish.

In terms of performance, Bohemia Interactive has addressed desynchronization problems, especially with regard to character movement and hit detection in forest areas.

Revision of the Skybox

The game’s skybox has been significantly reworked and the textures have also been improved. So take a look at the clouds when you play the game next time.