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Still interested?
In order to play Day Z you need Arma 2 and Combined operations.
http://store.steampowered.com/sub/4638/ Currently 25$, it was on sale a few weeks ago for 12.50$ You then need to launch Arma 2 and CO at least once then close them. At this point you have a choice of using the Day Z mod provided through Steam or the Day Z Commander (what we use, and preferred)
http://www.dayzcommander.com/
Day Z Commander Installation Process
Launch Day Z Commander. First you want to click on the Install / Update tab and ensure all of the following are up to date / downloaded.
Day Z Commander
Arma 2
Day Z
DayZ Taviana
When updating any of these you may get another window pop up with prompts, simply follow them.
After updating you now want to click "done" at the bottom of the screen. Click "Settings" now from the top tab.
Check the selected options and then click "Done"
Now we click on the "Favorites" tab from the top. Simply copy and paste this IP (173.192.70.135:3102) into the box, and it will auto split the port for you. Thats it! Double click it to now join and play with us!
What are the optimal settings for best FPS?
Here is a screenshot since you asked.
NOTE: PPAA is FXAA - Low
What about standalone?
Basically the standalone has been pushed back to an Alpha release as early as June / July. More information can be found by visiting the Day Z standalone forums, or by looking at the developers panel at PAX East for information regarding the delay. Look for it's release near the end of the year.
What Map are you currently playing on?
Taviana - the DB map is found here, with information regarding the map. Contact one of us on TS3 for the location of our base. Instructions for installing the map are found above.
http://dayzdb.com/map/taviana (you can zoom in and out with mouse wheel)
I need more information or want to learn how to pilot / shoot / inventory system :
The game has a pretty brutal learning curve, however if you get with one of us we can teach you the basics in the training map in Arma 2. I am more than happy to teach anyone how to fly the helicopters and planes available in the map we play, or go over the inventory system in the game. Remember this is a mod that was made for a war simulator, you have a hell of a lot of keys in this game. We currently have a base on the server we play on with a large amount of players. While Teamspeak is not mandatory, it is strongly suggested. You can only communicate with other players via text or chat that are in a very close proximity to you, and it will be broadcasted for any players in the area. If you are not on teamspeak and crawling around our base not responding, you will more than likely be shot and have to re-spawn over 40 minutes away. Communication in this game is key. Remember, if you die, you respawn with virtually nothing wherever the map decides to spawn you.
Don't be afraid to ask questions!