The survival MMO H1Z1 has put its plans for a larger map on hold for now. First, they want to fix the existing world.
Before the Early Access, the developers of (back then still) SOE had grand plans and excitedly spoke about what would be possible in the zombie sandbox. The “biggest dream” perhaps: to create a huge map with different climate zones, a gigantic area of over 16,000 square kilometers.
When H1Z1 went into Early Access, they pursued a rapid strategy, trying to quickly bring H1Z1 closer to this vision. The team released about a dozen new features per month. There were always quite a few bugs, Early Access was shaky, patches were needed, and there were problems.
In the summer, they at (now) DGC reflected, saying: We want to first get what we have clean and smooth before we start more new things quickly.
This, as is now clear, extends to the grand plans they had for the map. Both the 16,000 square kilometers are on hold for now, as well as a “city zone.” At the moment, the map is to remain as large as it is; they want to work with the existing one to make it more exciting and beautiful and polish everything first.
From the huge map, players will not hear anything for a while, it is said from developer circles. Extensions of the maps are not to be expected at all. They believe it is better for the game to first properly finish what has been started.
The map is not to become larger, but more beautiful and exciting
This does not mean, however, that they are doing nothing to the map. They want to revise the existing map. The new version of the zombie world has been dubbed “Z2.”
They aim to:
- revise and finish designing the forests
- beautify hills, mountains, and the terrain
- enlarge the three villages to create the impression of a city scenario
- add new shaders to the important points of interest
- improve the overall layout of the map
- put up street signs so players can meet up with their friends
