Can't enter a server. "Bad version"

[Xzontor 0]

So, I can't enter any servers because of the "bad version." I currently just purchased and downloaded/installed arma 2/arma 2:OPA, yet I can't play DayZ after trying to install the DayZ mod. I looked at a few other topics and notice something called DayZ Commander, but I have no idea what that means. Help? :o

[beastoverlord 574]

Get the program called DayZ Commander. It is an updater for DayZ. Each time they patch/update DayZ you have to update your version to match the servers. http://www.dayzcommander.com/

[Xzontor 0]

Do you have to install all of those servers that are in the install/update part?

[beastoverlord 574]

Nope. Just the ones you want to play. :)

[Dayzo 182]

DayZ Commander is definitely the best solution to the 'bad version' problem, and it is the easiest way to update and play DayZ.

Do you have to install all of those servers that are in the install/update part?

Just to clarify though, those are not servers in the install/update list. They are community-built variations of DayZ, some with customs maps. Most are quite large in file size, so I would not recommend installing any of them until I actually wanted to play. It also makes your Arma folder slightly more cluttered and confusing if you ever need to do some manual updating.

The other issue is that you need to know WHY you want to play a variation. For instance, if you don't like the military weapons in the original DayZ, because you think it spoils close combat and is unrealistic, then you'd need to know which variations address that issue and how. If you think the Chenarus map is too big for Player versus Player (PvP), then you'd need to know which variation has a smaller map whilst retaining all the weapons and equipment you'd want to use.

So before playing the variations, I think it is a good idea to exhaust the original DayZ mod; get to know it well and discover its flaws. By the way, DayZ v1.7.7 is just about to be released, and it looks like it could be the best version of the original DayZ for quite a long time.

Back to DayZ Commander:

The actual servers are listed on the 'servers' tab. You set your filters and then click 'refresh all servers'.

One of the filters says 'any mod'. For just now, I would choose 'DayZ Only'. Personally I also set 'max ping' to 150, and I like to set 'survivor count' to between 10 and 35 for public servers (to avoid hackers, who generally stick to the higher population servers). Select 'hide unofficial' to only list the public hive servers.

By all means give the public servers a try for a week, but remember, tents and vehicles don't transfer from server to server, only the gear that you're carrying. So if you find a vehicle, you'd want to stay on that server until you lost it. If you make a camp, you'll have to note down which server it is on, and 'server hop' when you want to get gear from your tent. When you meet a player on a public server, you really don't have any choice but to shoot on sight. And of course, when you get killed, your tent is raided, or your vehicle is stolen, you'll always be wondering if they were using a hack to find you or your camps. Some hacks are more obvious, and you may find yourself teleported to somewhere nasty.

My advice to new players though, is don't waste more than a week on the public hive. Just have a go to see how bad it is, and then start looking for a private hive. They are not all equal though. For instance, only a few are close to the original vanilla DayZ - most have a load of modifications which turn the game more into Arma or Battlefield. A lot also have power-drunk, teenager admins who don't even attempt to run a balanced, fair, impartial server.

When you get to the stage of looking for a private hive to play on, make sure to give WIREWORLD UK a look.

Edited April 7, 2013 by Anti

[applejaxc 2500]

So, I can't enter any servers because of the "bad version." I currently just purchased and downloaded/installed arma 2/arma 2:OPA, yet I can't play DayZ after trying to install the DayZ mod. I looked at a few other topics and notice something called DayZ Commander, but I have no idea what that means. Help? :o

Do you have the most recent DayZ?

Are the servers you try to join using the same version?

Are you using the same version of the Beta as them?