Rage has a silver lining

[Max Railgrave 78]

The passionate debates raging on really show how passionate people are for DayZ. It's a game many of us have never seen the likes of before. DayZ is a game which has found a very powerful niche demand. There's few games like it, which certainly fuels gamers' passion for it.

There's plenty of reasons to be vocal:

- It's the zombie apocalypse simulator you've always wanted -- or you think DayZ has the potential to become that.

- You are having fun and, knowing it's in alpha, you want to offer suggestions to help it become more fun.

- It's the ONLY zombie apocalypse simulator of its type available right now.

- You love the game and you therefore feel as a player that your opinions are valuable.

- ... too many more to list ...

It can be frustrating that Rocket wants things done his way. He listens, but he reminds that it's his mod, and complaining is a privilege. It's no secret he didn't want forums to begin with. It is likely not everyone who plays DayZ uses these forums, which means we're possibly the vocal minority.

However, backlash has a silver lining. Since there are currently no alternatives to DayZ available, dissent or ideas beyond the scope of DayZ will inevitably lead to DayZ-inspired programming projects. One programmer with a different idea is all it takes. These projects will define a whole new gaming genre of its own: the multiplayer online zombie apocalypse survival simulator. DayZ is the first of this new genre. As long as players are vocal, it will not be the last.

As I type this, discussion is underway on a DayZ-inspired adventure/survival mod for Minecraft. The first wave of imitators are already being brainstormed.