STALKERZ 2.0

This is the announcement update on StalkerZ 2.0 - Please read it fully.
In this announcement you will read about the new rules, change-log, Map, character wipe, lore wipe and expectations.

Foremost, thank you for the support we got over these past months about the update. Many people are excited, and rightfully so! We have listened to previous feedback such as, a rework of the rules (more info about this later) As the title suggests, this is StalkerZ 2.0 - The majority of the server is re-designed. Tasks are remade from the ground up. For the first time, loot is spawning all over the map. We have redesigned the gun play without adding mods like Sgunplay. Weapons will feel more alive and real. A new attachment system is added making almost all weapons modular, every attachment has a different effect on the weapon. More Medical items are added, getting shot now means you have to treat your wounds properly. A new skill would have to be learned about when to use certain medical items. A status expansion mod is added. This adds many status effects such as, Tiredness, Mind state, Bruise, Cut etc... Much more is added, you can read about it in the Change-log.

But apart from the newly added stuff, we have also decided it's time for a new approach to the level of RP. More will be explained about this later in this article. We believe that the role play can and should be improved, and have opened up possibilities with the new rules to do so. On the flip side, we will be more strict on those that do not put RP first. PVP/Grind mindsets do not belong in any faction, as well as riding gray areas.

MAP

DayZone is an open world STALKER inspired map. You will notice that there is total freedom in the route you decide to take. We allow loners and faction members to focus on tasks, but are not forced to do so. Its open roads allowed us to add vehicles - So you will now be able to obtain vehicles and use them all over the map. Loot also spawns in every enterable area. Loot is scattered around in different tiers! Our stash system still remains alongside this. The map has new areas, and it's unlike any other STALKER map out there. I am pleased with the outcome so far, and frequent updates are to be expected!

Also, since the release of the first version of the map DayZone has created/transferred almost 700 new objects, many of which are unique and made from scratch. This allowed us to add several author locations in the buffer zones between the lore territories, so that new places to explore await you, regardless of your knowledge of the original game.

In the update 6 new locations will be introduced. Some of the old locations have been redesigned, for example, a dungeon in the dark valley will now be available without the teleport. Overall game area will increase by about 3 times its current size.

WIPING CHARACTERS

We have decided to wipe all characters, this means that you will have to come up with a new character and a new name. You cannot use the same name as your previous character. The reason for this is, with your old name you are still in a way connected to your old character. So this is a full wipe + Lore wipe. You will not know anyone in the zone. If you are in a faction, you will have to get to know your members in the first few days. The reason we are doing this is that we want to increase the overall level of RP. We have seen for a while now that the majority of the server plays a character which is a version of themselves. A character with no real traits, weaknesses or thought-out in-depth storyline and backstory. So moving forward, you will all have to create a new character. This character needs to have Personal traits, Weaknesses, strengths and of course a personality + a Thought out backstory.

WHITELIST

We have decided to wipe all whitelisted players, this means that if you have been whitelisted at any point on our server, your whitelist will be removed. This includes faction members. This was decided due to the fact that we have changed our rules and we are raising the role-play standard on the server. There will be no more rule-playing, thousands of words in our rule-book and bad sportsmanship. We also want to ensure that all characters have a consistent background story and actually stick to it, while also ensuring that it is realistic in accordance with the STALKER lore. While this may seem like a tiresome process for some, this is the only way to ensure that everyone is up to par and can continue their journey with us on DayZone. It is time to reshape role-play on StalkerZ, remove rule-playing mindsets by giving more freedom to players and creating a more lore friendly environment, while also giving an inective to characters to explore the Zone. But with great power, comes great responsibility, therefore you'll have to prove to us that you are up to par to embark on such journey with us. It is also worth noting that faction members who fail to pass this process will unfortunately have to start as loners, as we want to ensure that everyone is up to par. This is based of your own feedback. With our new whitelist application web application, you'll now be able to easily send an application in. If you are denied, you'll be able to see the reason and improve your application. Gone are the days of messaging staff directly and hoping for an answer that you would never get, or waiting for batches. Once your application is accepted, regardless if others are pending, you are whitelisted.

CHANGE OF TIMELINE

Due to the locations that are suitable for Faction life on the current map, we have decided to start out in the year 2010. Loners nor Factions have yet to manage to push very deep into the zone yet. This will be a fresh start for everyone. New player characters, new areas to discover, locations and buildings to explore. Some areas will be very dangerous, heavily radiated or both. So please remember, moving forward the server's start date will be set in 2010.

INGAME COMMUNICATION

Over these years, we have been dealing with a reoccurring issue of meta gaming. People would talk to each other in Discord, and it would be taken out of the game. This form of communication is not beneficial for the level of RP, so because of this we will introduce a new radio system. (Credit to MDC) This system introduces; 3 Radios short/mid/long range, Public frequencies, Private frequencies, Push-to-talk function, voice activation system. We hope that everyone will give this a good try before you form an opinion.

RULES AND EXPECTATIONS

As stated in our previous announcement, we have re-designed the rules. We went from over 9000 words to around 1500. From 23 pages... to only 3. We allow more freedom to good roleplayers and storylines being created, with fewer rules there are more options on directions to take your RP in. But this also created gray areas, if we see any player trying to bend rules or ride gray areas in the rules they will be banned, whatever your story behind it is. If you are not sure if you're allowed to do something - Don't do it. You can always contact an RPC or create a ticket to ask if what you are about to do is allowed.

I think everyone that is playing now and new players in the future would prefer these new rules over our old "book".

Our expectations will be different moving forward, meaning we expect better RP with more in-depth storylines and of course good sportsmanship. (saying you are not aware or going off old standards is not an excuse).

We are all here to have fun and create an immersive story. Please think about your story and character because we will be strict on this. Ditch your old character, with the experience you gained so far we expect you to come up with a new character that checks all the boxes. Put some effort into this.

The majority of role players in factions will not last with their current RP. So please be aware of that. We will start with wiping everyone's reputation regarding rule breaks, bad RP etc. Apart from a few specific people

COMMUNICATION

We as staff know that we have been very quiet recently and not giving much information regarding the progress going on behind the scenes. We are aware the players would like clarification on the progress going on. Going forward, we will be more open with what we are working on and what's coming from the server. Starting from the new update, we will share what we do with the donation money and the goals needed to reach it. Players can also expect more showcases and change-logs regarding updates.

The main reason we have been quiet behind the scenes is because we do not control this update alone. We work with DayZone, and we can not know their exact progress, so giving dates for updates is hard until their product is fully finished.