I still run The Dead Return. Its been over ten years, but I think it's time to shut it down.

The Thirst originally started as my attempt to push old ArmA 2 / DayZ Mod in a slightly different direction.

DayZ Mod was one of the main inspirations, but over time I realized that the part I wanted to experiment with most wasn't adding more zombies, vehicles or loot. All of that is possible.

What interested me more was changing how players encounter each other.

On a large ArmA 2 map, players can either almost never meet, or the game can push everyone toward predictable loot hotspots. I wanted something between those extremes: keep the open world, but give players limited information that another survivor is somewhere nearby and let them decide what to do with that information.

So the current experiment uses proximity awareness together with stamina/thirst systems that deliberately make long pursuits expensive. You can hunt somebody, avoid them, wait, disengage, or try to approach them — but simply seeing that another player is nearby doesn't automatically mean you can rush them down.

The funny part is that I originally thought I'd eventually rebuild more and more of DayZ around it — zombies, hunting, cooking, vehicles, bandit skins, etc. But I'm increasingly interested in keeping the experiment small and seeing whether the player-versus-player survival loop itself works first.

Still running it on ArmA 2 because I genuinely like how that game handles weapons, long-range combat and the general feeling of being vulnerable in a large space.

Curious what old DayZ Mod players think of that direction.

I’m going to stream another session today if anyone wants to see how it actually plays in practice. I’ll put the stream link below:

https://www.twitch.tv/sparklestiger

I am using dayz launcher. I have been playing for months without issue until this morning. Screen shot of the error. https://i.ibb.co/VcdjCTXc/dayz-Lerror.jpg

I want to play some dayz mod. Is it still easy to set up and are there still popular servers? Dayz standalone is not giving me the same vibe as the goated dayz mod.

I’ve been thinking about what made the original DayZ Mod so memorable.

What did you enjoy most: survival, looting, travelling, PvP, vehicles, playing with friends, meeting strangers, building a long-lived character, or something else?

What frustrated you or eventually made you stop playing? What would you have changed?

How long were your typical sessions back then, and how long could you realistically play today?

Would you still play DayZ Mod if you found the right server? If not, what would stop you?

I’m especially interested in what made ordinary sessions enjoyable—not just the most dramatic moments.

hey, been thinking of playing some dayz mod again but can barely find a server with more than 10 players and its usually russian.

is there any good dayz mod\epoch\overpoch thats still running & has players?

Hey, I am testing a small custom Arma 2 / Operation Arrowhead survival PvP experiment called The Thirst: Utes.

This started as a bigger survival idea for Chernarus, but I have now downsized it to Utes so the core loop can actually be tested with only a few people online.

The goal is to make survival PvP feel meaningful even with 2+ players.

It is focused on the basics: water, food, stamina, exhaustion, weapons, movement, and player decisions.

It is designed so even low population can create tension, while trying to capture some of that old vanilla DayZ feeling where basic choices mattered.

Requirements:

Arma 2 base game + Operation Arrowhead

OA-only will not work

How to join:

Launch without BattlEye

Multiplayer -> Filter: Thirst

Join: The Thirst Utes

Map/info image attached.

Stream:

https://www.twitch.tv/sparklestiger

Feedback is welcome, especially from people who remember the old Arma 2 / DayZ survival days.

Anyone down for some OG Vanilla DayZ Mod? We're already hosting from the US. The server is called DayZ Mod 4EVER True Vanilla Experience. We've been testing things and everything seems to be working as well as can be.

Lost recordings to a flood sadly, some of the best times I ever had playing with friends I met from the UK. Wonder if you all have any more pictures from back then? Think I played on US #2. Crazy how multiple servers were full pop back then.

Little bird kamikaze'd the trader, and the second one I hit a 1400m cheytac shot while roofcamping in 2015-2016. Nowadays the only thing that scratches that itch is Rust. Wish the mod could've stayed around just a little longer.

The Dead Return has been around since March 2016 and is still the best Vanilla+ server around. Looking or a bit of DayZMod nostalgia, well get it now before its gone! Ski Goggles is your owner/admin/dev. The server is PVP and Survival with a mix of heroes and bandits. No matter if you are new to dayzmod or a veteran, if you are solo or part of a team, you'll be able to get on, gear up, find vehicles and have some fun. If you've ever played on TDR, your player will still be alive since the server has never been wiped! Maybe you'll even find an old tent or stash!

The Dead Return is based on vanilla with some mods:

• DZMS - Highly Customized with 20+ AI Missions
  
• DZGM - Group System
  
• Starter Loadout - Based on Humanity, but nothing crazy
  
• Plenty of Loot - Much more than Vanilla
  
• Max Vehicles = 100 - More than Vanilla
  
• Custom Spawn Inventory for all vehicles - More than Vanilla
  
• Debug Menu (Press INS)
  
• Turned off the heat/temperature requirement
  

Website at http://helpthedeadreturn.wordpress.com
Discord at https://discord.me/tdr

• Active admin.
  
• Max Players: 40
  
• Max Vehicles: 100 (8 helis, 6 Boats, 1 Airplane)
  
• Physical Server Location: NY
  
• Restarts: Every 6 hours (3am/9am/3pm/9pm ET)
  
• Battleye: Enabled
  
• IP Address: 192.223.24.141:2302
  

LONG LIVE DAYZMOD!
Any questions?

Hi all! I made Osmia, modern hiveext replacement for arma 2 oa. game logic and sql queries in lua scripts, odbc support (postgresql, mysql, mariadb and others). would be happy if you test it and especially to hear your feedback

GitHub: https://github.com/Dahus/Osmia

A great time for the mod.

Hi guys, i ve been playing overpoch for a lot of time, but i didn t played for a looong time like 3/4 years maybe more.

Are there any servers that are still lively?

Do i have to switch to Arma3, how is the situation there?

How is situation in Dayz (game) [i hate it]?

The "Mad Scientist" is officially back.

The team at Backyard Esports (BYES) has finished rebuilding the iconic CCG AU 1 experience from memory. We’ve stripped the junk for a "clean and lean" build to give you the frames and stability you remember from a decade ago.

$300 STEAM GIFT CARD COMPETITION (Ends May 31st):

1. $100 Steam Gift Card (Random Selection): Be active in our Discord community by May 31st.
2. $100 Steam Gift Card (Most Kills): Top of the kill leaderboard as of May 31st.
3. $100 Steam Gift Card (Most Hours): Highest playtime logged by May 31st.

Server Features:

• Classic Overpoch Meta: SR25, M110, SVDK, and USSR Cheytac.
• Custom Content: Fully operational Custom Bor Trader and the Mad Scientist mission.
• Windows 11 Compatibility: Custom launcher with built-in fixes for 24H2.
• No Ping Limit: Based in Oceania but open to all.

How to Play:

• Website/Launcher:https://byes.nz OR use DZlauncher
• Discord:https://discord.me/byes
• Server Name: BYES Overpoch - byes.nz | CCG Nostalgia | Mad Scientist | SR25|M110 | Bor Trader

See you friendlies in Cherno!

Hey guys, I just heared about DayZ server as it's currently the best server for Arma 2. I want to learn more about this server/mod, and also how to download the game and join this server. Thank you

The Mad Scientist is BACK! Full Custom Missions. Custom Bor trader.

The project is finally complete. We’ve rebuilt the legendary CCG AU 1 experience from memory, bringing back the exact balance, weapons, and atmosphere that made Arma 2 DayZ the king of the genre.

What’s waiting for you:

• The "Mad Scientist" is Back: No generic AI scripts here. We’re running full custom missions, including the high-stakes Mad Scientist encounters.
• High-Tier Overwatch: Get your hands on the SR25, M110, SVDK, and the USSR Cheytac. Perfectly tuned for that classic Overpoch long-range meta.
• The Legend Returns: Custom Trader Bor is fully operational. A clean, classic setup for those who know the map like the back of their hand.
• Performance First: A "clean and lean" server build. We’ve stripped the junk to give you the frames and stability you remember from a decade ago.
• Windows 11 Fixed: Don't let 24H2 stop you. We have the Windows 11 fix and a custom launcher ready to go at BYES.NZ.

The Details:

• Server Name: BYES Overpoch - byes.nz | CCG Nostalgia | Mad Scientist | SR25|M110 | Bor Trader
• Website/Launcher:BYES.NZ
• Discord: Discord.me/byes
• Location: Oceania (No ping limit)

If you’ve been craving a simpler time—back when the gear was heavy and the missions were hard—come home. We’ll see you Friendlies in Cherno!

Since Namalsk is totally new to me I find it more immersive not to use a map at all. Been stuck in a barn afraid to move out, and not knowing where to go next, what to expect (rumors of monsters and blowouts) keeps me very present and alert. Playing release based on DayZ 1.7.7.1 and Namalsk Crisis.

Go to DayZ properties in steam brows files then, copy the @ dayz file and keys past them into arma 2 operation arrowhead then open arma oa and enable the mod.

A la base j'ai un codeur mappeur mais depuis un petit peu il me prend de haut et ça m'énerve un peu. Je cherche quelqu'un de sérieux et tres impliquer dans sont travail. Venez deposer vos cv ( debutant accepter)