DayZ

Hardcore online survival sandbox where every stranger poses a risk

Bohemia Interactive · Released Dec 13, 2018

Reviews: Mostly Positive; 78% of 470K
Recent reviews: Very Positive; 83% of 1,850 in 30 days
Playing now: 23K; peak 24h 26K
Steam Deck: Unsupported
Last update: 2 months ago; Jul 15, 2026

What is DayZ?

This multiplayer survival sandbox takes place across the post-apocalyptic open worlds of Chernarus and Livonia. With no missions or map markers, you scavenge food, tools, and weapons, manage hunger, illness, and body temperature, craft supplies, and choose whether to cooperate or fight with other survivors while avoiding infected and wildlife.

For you if...

+you want unscripted encounters with cooperative or hostile strangers
+you enjoy punishing survival systems without quests or guidance
+you accept long stretches of travel and scavenging

Not for you if...

−you want guided objectives and clear navigation aids
−you prefer frequent action over slow preparation and travel

What players say

78% of 469,739 reviews are positive · 83% of 1,850 in the last 30 days

Players praise the tense survival atmosphere, high-stakes firefights, and unpredictable encounters that lead to cooperation, betrayal, and unusual stories. The dominant current complaint is cheating, especially on official servers; players also report exploits, bugs, and updates that disrupt core systems.

Screenshots and trailer

DayZ system requirements

As published by the developer.

Minimum

OS: Windows 10 64-bit
Processor: Intel Core i5-4430 or AMD Ryzen 5 2600 Six-Core
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 760 or AMD R9 270X
Memory: 8 GB RAM
Storage: 25 GB available space
DirectX: Version 11
Notes: Internet connection

PC version details

DRM, required accounts, controller support and Steam features.

DRM: None declared on Steam
Controller: Keyboard and mouse
Platforms: Windows
Achievements: 13
Steam features: Workshop, Cloud saves, Trading cards
Age rating: 17+

Steam Deck: Unsupported

Not supported on SteamOS

Multiplayer and co-op

Languages

Text only: English, French, Italian, German, Spanish - Spain, Czech, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Japanese, Polish, Portuguese - Brazil.