What changed in DayZ in 2025
87 updates · 11 main milestones · Jan 16, 2025 to Dec 18, 2025
- 5 eventsWinter Sale Discounts on DayZ and Bundlesshop
DayZ and its bundles are now at an all-time low of 55% off during the Steam Winter Sale.
SteamAnnual In-Game Christmas Eventseasonal eventThe Christmas event is now active on all official servers, featuring singing Christmas trees and various gifts.
SteamDeluxe and Cool Editions SaleshopDeluxe Edition and Cool Edition of DayZ are on sale with discounts of up to 50% and 35%, respectively.
SteamDayZ Frostline Winter Expansion Saledlc releaseDayZ Frostline is now 50% off as part of the winter sale.
SteamUpcoming DayZ Badlands Desert Map Announcementnew contentMilestoneDayZ Badlands, the first official desert map, is set to release in 2026.
Steam - 5 eventsChristmas Event 2025 Launchseasonal eventMilestone
The annual Christmas Event begins on December 11 and ends on January 8, featuring Christmas trees and gifts across all maps.
SteamReturn of Christmas Seasonal Itemsnew contentA variety of Christmas items including a special baseball bat, updated headbands, eye masks, Santa hats, and more are back.
SteamChristmas Trees and Gifts Introducednew contentSinging Christmas trees will appear in towns and villages, offering gift boxes filled with various rewards.
SteamReindeer Replacing Deernew contentAll deer are replaced with reindeer, including a special reindeer with a red nose and Christmas lights.
SteamDynamic Sleigh Crash Eventnew contentInfected Santa will crash his sleigh, scattering gifts and loot around the crash site.
Steam - 8 eventsDayZ Frostline on Saledlc release
DayZ Frostline is available with a 26% discount, featuring new terrain blending improvements and clothing.
SteamHalloween Event Liveseasonal eventAnnual Halloween event featuring haunted castles, demon goats, and Halloween-themed items like witch hoods and witch hats.
SteamUpcoming Christmas Eventseasonal eventThe Christmas event is planned and waiting to be deployed.
SteamDeluxe and Cool Editions on SaleshopDeluxe and Cool Editions of DayZ available with discounts of up to 50% and 35%, respectively.
SteamReturn of 'Many Cars' Serversnew contentThe much-beloved 'Many Cars' servers are being brought back on PC and Xbox experimental branches.
SteamUpcoming Expansion: DayZ Badlandsnew contentMilestoneNext expansion bringing a new desert map called 'Nasdara' to official DayZ.
SteamServer Performance OptimizationperformanceMilestoneAdditional time dedicated to stabilizing and optimizing server performance and the game itself.
SteamDayZ Badlands Development UpdateotherThe release of DayZ Badlands is still planned for 2026, with steady progress being made.
Steam - 6 eventsIntroduction of the Demon Goatnew content
A new creature, the Demon Goat, has been added for the Halloween event.
SteamLeaf Crowns and Halloween Itemsnew contentNew Halloween-related items including Witch hat, witch hood, pumpkin helmet, cauldron, and Leaf Crowns.
SteamNew Halloween Variants for Infectednew contentIntroducing The Mummy, Jack O' Infected, and the Witch as new Halloween-themed infected variants.
SteamDecaying Player Charactersnew contentPlayers can now experience decaying character models during the Halloween event.
SteamHalloween Event 2025 Launchseasonal eventMilestoneThe Halloween event is back, featuring haunted castles, Halloween variants for infected, and themed items.
Steam - 4 eventsDayZ Frostline Expansion Saledlc release
The official winter expansion, DayZ Frostline, is now 33% off.
SteamUpcoming DayZ Badlands Expansion Announcementdlc releaseAnnouncement of a new expansion called DayZ Badlands, set in an arid desert map named 'Nasdara'.
SteamDeluxe and Cool Editions on SaleshopDeluxe Edition and Cool Edition of DayZ are on sale with discounts of up to 50% and 40%, respectively.
SteamAutumn Sale with up to 50% offshopDayZ and its various bundles are now on sale with discounts as part of the Steam Autumn Sale.
Steam - 4 eventsExpansion of Sakhal Underground Bunkernew content
Added a new section to the underground bunker in Sakhal, providing a third entrance.
SteamImproved Terrain Surface BlendingvisualsImplemented better blending of terrain surfaces to enhance immersion, affecting Sakhal, Chernarus, and Livonia.
SteamCentral Economy Balancing Changes in Experimental Phasebalance changeFeedback gathering on balancing changes within the central economy on Chernarus during the 1.29 experimental phase.
SteamIntroduction of 9 New Clothing Itemsnew contentThe largest pack of clothes ever introduced in a single update, available in world spawns or crafting.
Steam - 9 eventsFundamental Changes to Car SynchronizationgameplayMilestone
Improved driving experience with reduced vehicle bouncing and floaty feel.
SteamEngine Audibility ImprovementsaudioEnhanced engine sounds for better communication inside vehicles and audibility from a distance.
SteamThree New Scopes Introducednew contentIncludes the Marksman scope, PSO-6 variant, and lower magnification Sportpoint sights.
SteamIntroduction of R12 Semi-Automatic Shotgunnew contentThe new king of shotguns with a wide range of attachments.
SteamFirearm Audio Changes for Non-Automatic RiflesaudioA large batch of audio changes introduced for all non-automatic rifles.
SteamHelicopter Crash Sites Introducednew contentNew loot opportunities and increased danger in Shantar Island and Burukan peninsula.
SteamDynamic Elements Added to Sakhalnew contentGrounded fishing and military patrol boats, wrecks of ambulances offering medical supplies.
SteamImproved Scope OverlaysvisualsIntroduced damage states and illuminated reticles in scope overlays.
SteamReturn of RAK 37 Submachine Gunnew contentLegacy players can now use the RAK 37, fed by 15 or 25 round magazines of .380.
Steam - 4 eventsDynamic Events in DayZ Frostlinenew content
DayZ Frostline will feature dynamic events like classic heli crashes, dynamic boat wrecks, and medical events.
SteamUpdate 1.28 New Firearms and Scopesnew contentMilestoneThe upcoming Update 1.28 includes two new firearms and three new scopes, including a 10x long-range Marksman Scope.
SteamMajor Improvements to Car SynchronizationperformanceSignificant enhancements to car synchronization to improve gameplay experience.
SteamZombies Vs Vampires Fest Participationseasonal eventDayZ is participating in the Zombies vs. Vampires Fest on Steam with discounts up to 50%.
Steam - 17 eventsDayZ Frostline Expansion Discountdlc release
DayZ Frostline is available at 26% off for a limited time.
SteamDynamic Tire Fire Introduced on SakhalgameplayModified bonfire events with dynamic tire fires to suit the winter terrain in Sakhal.
SteamIntroduction of Seasonal Gear for Walpurgis Nightnew contentNew items include Witch hats, Witch hoods, birch brooms, cauldrons, crooked noses, and the return of the Infected Witch.
SteamWalpurgis Night Seasonal Eventseasonal eventDayZ's first seasonal event of the year - Walpurgis Night - has arrived.
SteamWalpurgis Night 2025 Event Launchseasonal eventMilestoneKickoff of the Walpurgis Night seasonal event featuring bonfires, seasonal gear, and themed activities.
SteamWeapon Lifting Changes in 1.28 UpdategameplayThe 1.28 update introduces weapon lifting changes.
SteamSpring Sale on DayZ and BundlesstoreFrom April 15, get DayZ and select bundles at up to 50% off.
SteamDynamic Events Introduced for DayZ Frostlinenew contentThe 1.28 update adds exciting new dynamic events specifically for DayZ Frostline.
SteamImprovements to Scope OverlaysvisualsVisualized damage state on overlays and added support for illuminated reticles.
SteamThree New Scopes Addednew contentAdded Sportpoint sight (2x zoom), PSO-6 (6x zoom), and Marksman scope (3.5x-10x zoom) for firearms.
SteamUpdated Weapon Lifting Mechanicbalance changeMilestoneIntroduced gradual pullback to firearms before lifting, improving close-quarters combat.
SteamFirearm Audio OverhaulaudioUpdated sounds for non-automatic rifles and balanced vehicle audibility.
SteamDeluxe and Cool Editions on SalestoreMore comprehensive versions of DayZ in Deluxe and Cool Editions are on sale with up to 50% and 35% off, respectively.
SteamVehicle Synchronization ImprovementsgameplayMilestoneIntroduced vehicle synchronization to enhance driving experience and reduce floaty feel during high latency.
SteamNew Dynamic Events IntroducedotherIntroduced new dynamic events to the environment for exploration.
Steam - 18 eventsIncreased Backpack Tool Slotsquality of life
Added new tool slots to most backpacks and generalized the glowstick and radio slot.
SteamNew Snowy Variants of Houses on Sakhalnew contentPopulated the main island of Sakhal with new snowy variants of broken down houses for loot opportunities.
SteamMajor Point of Interest on Shantar Islandnew contentIntroduced a major point of interest on the southern island of Shantar with a new game mechanic.
SteamNew Outdoor Thermometers on Sakhalnew contentAdded static outdoor thermometers to help players understand freezing conditions.
SteamReworked Food Poisoning MechanicsgameplayFood poisoning now reflects different types and quantities of food more accurately and does not decay on its own.
SteamImproved Bandaging Mechanicsbalance changeImplemented continuous bandaging for multiple bleeds and extended this to other actions like repairing.
SteamIncreased Animal Escape Probabilitybalance changeDomestic animals like cows, goats, and sheep are now more likely to run away.
SteamUpdated Assets for Re-texturingmoddingUpdated a large number of assets to support re-texturing using configs.
SteamAdded Teeth Chattering SoundaudioPlayers can now hear their character's teeth chattering when cold.
SteamExpanded Aniva City and New Locations on Eastern Coastnew contentReinforced the eastern coast with more places to loot, including an expanded Aniva city and a new village in Baikovo.
SteamBoat Decay Mechanic ImplementedgameplayIntroduced a boat decay mechanic to ensure new boats continue being spawned.
SteamBalanced Character Footstep SoundsaudioBoosted the audibility of character footsteps and added sound effects for stepping on clutter in forests.
SteamDeforestation Pass on Burukan IslandgameplayConducted a minor deforestation pass on Burukan island to increase danger in the area.
SteamSimplified Navigation with Buoys and Military OutpostsgameplayAdded buoys and small military outposts to simplify navigation across the sea ice plains.
SteamUpdated Particle EffectsvisualsIntroduced new particle effects for snow interactions, explosions on snow, and firearms.
SteamFishing Mechanics Adjustedbalance changeFishing now takes longer and is less effective with incomplete fishing tools.
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