The War Z is a PC exclusive MMO in development by Hammerpoint Interactive and published by the Arktos Entertainment Group, the current release schedule is for Fall 2012.

Features:

Big open worlds to explore between 200 to 400 square kilometers
Two modes of play: Normal and Hardcore
Combination of first-person and third-person perspectives
Meld of PvE (player versus environment) and PvP (player versus player)
Strong Role Playing Elements
Multiple playable characters with customizable features
Unique social elements, including bounties, help requests, trap setting, etc.
Safe settlements where players can purchase, sell and store items as well as post notes for other players
Dozens of unique skills that can be learned and improved
Up to 250 players per game server
New weapons and items become available as players explore the game world
Full developer support with regularly scheduled, free content updates
Dedicated public servers as well as private servers that can be completely self-managed in game client
Single purchase, downloadable client with ability to play full game without subscriptions or requiring in-game transactions (more in micro-transactions in a bit, though read further before you start shaking your head)

Gameplay:
Now before any of you start rolling your eyes let me point out that this game was - allegedly - in development before DayZ was released to the general public as an alpha, and the reaction to it has only incensed Hammerpoint to further develop War Z. The War Z will have you and up to 250 others running around a massive map (with further maps to come, all based around real world locations for free) attempting to survive and make a living in a zombie-infested world. Those of you who've played DayZ will find this familiar and while I doubt this will be quite as brutal, seeing how it includes many RPG elements to it (skill trees, customizable characters, missions/quests etc.) the devs have stressed that it is still a pretty unforgiving world. Gameplay will take place with - again, like DayZ - the option to toggle between 1st and 3rd person views, how combat will be handled isn't currently known though guns are most certainly a part of it, no word on melee combat just yet, players will also be able to set up traps in the environment, again though; no word on how this will work yet. There will also be day and night cycles, with the night providing more threats as well as rewards.

Special Safe Settlements will be available to all players and will be populated by NPCs, PVP will not be deactivated in these settlements, though anyone who caps a guy within one of these settlements will find himself the target of every NPC within the settlement, as well as a bad reputation. Safe Settlements are areas providing protection for the night time, as well as places to buy and sell gear, meet up with other players or leave notes for them, or even provide your own missions with reward, like a bounty on another player. Clans will also be allowed, with players being able to form and join clans and battle it out with others. Safe Settlements are also the only places where you can get Gold Coins, the most valuable currency in the game. The way you obtain these is by hunting special, rare zombies that only come out at night and only appear in areas with heavy zombie infestation - forcing players to delve into territory where things can go south very quickly. Upon killing these zombies, you need to find a way of extracting stem cells from the body which can be used to make a vaccine or cure for the zombie virus. Upon extracting the cells, simply take them to the nearest settlement and cash them in.

Now on to payment: no you did not read wrong on the Features list, the game will use a one-time purchase fee (roughly around $29.99 with a discount for those who pre-order) and the entire game will be yours, with updates like maps and weapons being completely free. The game will use a micro-transactions, utilizing a 'convenience model', details below:
As for in-game transactions, we looked at designing that around more of a "convenience" model. In other words, players will be able to make certain micro-transaction purchases in the game, but they will not be for improved weaponry or anything that will give you an unfair power advantage. Instead, players will be able to purchase things that will help save time, such as reviving their character in normal mode, buying slightly more effective food, hydration packs, medkits, etc. To get those things they will need to spend Gold Coins in the game, which can be obtained by hunting down the special, mutated zombies, extracting their stem cells and then selling them in safe settlements or by purchasing them in-game. So, essentially, players will be able to play the complete game without ever engaging in micro-transactions, but the option is there for convenience.
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Previews:
Several previews on various sites, the one with the most info is the IGN interview.
http://uk.ign.com/articles/2012/07/1...erience?page=1

http://www.pcgamer.com/2012/07/19/th...lels-to-day-z/

http://venturebeat.com/2012/07/19/th...mo/#s:warz02-2

Gameplay
PAX Alpha Gameplay

Closed Beta:
The Beta is accessible simply by pre-ordering the game. Head on over to the site and go do that now, some guys are saying it's pretty sweet.

FP WarZ Mumble
85.236.101.45

Port: 27037

http://thewarz.com/