Hammerpoint Interactive Announces Survival MMO The War Z

Newly established and independent development studio Hammerpoint Interactive have come out of the gates strong and announced their debut title, The War Z. As you might have guessed, The War Z has taken a leaf out of the popular ArmA 2 mod DayZ’s book and created a session-based survival horror MMO based in a post-apocalyptic world.

The War Z throws players into a lawless society five years after a viral outbreak that tore apart the human population and left hordes of the undead to populate the cities. Using cunning and skill, players will have to scavenge supplies, food and weapons in order to survive while they navigate the landscapes discovering new cities and settlements. With a mix of PVE and PVP gameplay players will need to not only be wary of zombies roaming around trying to eat them but also other survivors who may not be as friendly as you would hope.

Players will have the choice of two modes of play: Normal (where downed characters can be revived after a cool down) and Hardcore (where death is permanent) as well as the ability to switch between first-person and third-person viewpoints. With strong RPG elements players earn experience points that they are then able to spend on new skills to aid survival, there will also be in game currency which will be used to purchase supplies.

The War Z comes with unique social elements such as bounties, rewards and help requests as well as safe settlements and cities throughout the vast worlds that range from between 200 and 400 square kilometres. It will also allow players to join servers as a group or locate friends that are already in game and join the same server to make it easier to team up.

The release is set for Fall of 2012 and will be a once off purchase with no subscription and no in-game transaction requirements. There will also be full developer support and plans for regularly scheduled free DLC. The War Z is currently in its Alpha stage with a closed Beta scheduled for later this summer. Players that pre-order will get a spot in the closed Beta, but until pre-orders open you can sign up for a chance to gain entrance to the closed Beta at thewarz.com.