The alpha build of the standalone version of DayZ could extend into a 2013 release, said creator Dean Hall.
"The reasons for any slippage would be publicly discussed and would most likely represent a failure personally on my part to plan correctly," he said. "We will be assessing the results of our major architectural changes at the end of next week and reporting the results to everyone when we have assessed that."
The developer still intends to try to put out the "initial foundation" of the game by the end of the year. "We are committed to a period of development of at least 12 months beyond that," he said. "Our aim is to make this foundation strong and use that time to improve the mechanics not through hacks but through sound and quality development. Our initial build will test that this base architecture works."
Hall previously insisted that the game "has to be out before the end of the year. Not just because we've committed to it but in order to achieve what we have to do. It has to be. There's no 'we hope it is'; it has to be." Part of the reason for the rush was to stop more copycat clones like War Z.
Hall announced the full version of DayZ — one that doesn't require Arma 2 to play — back in August. It will release on Steam, feature "completely rethought" game controls, customizable/degradable weapons and items, an overhauled user interface, and a server design that "turns DayZ from an FPS into a true MMO"
He still intends to support the mod, which surpassed 1 million players this fall.
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