In the 10-Year Anniversary Video, the developers of DayZ seem to share a new map that might appear in 2024. Our DayZ expert Kevin Willing has meticulously examined all the clues and says: It's quite clear — it's not what you think!
New Map for DayZ - What We Know in Short:
- The developers tease a new map in the anniversary video.
- The new map might emerge as the biggest content update in Winter 2024.
- Community speculations point to a snow map.
- Clues about the new map have been around for years.
DayZ to Get a New Map in 2024, Teaser Suggests
After 10 years, it seems time for a third official DayZ map alongside Chernarus and Livonia. The developers released a corresponding teaser with Yellow King in their anniversary video, and on Twitter, Creative Lead Adam Francu openly hints by posting a snowflake.
For some fans, this means a snow map for DayZ is coming. This theory suggests the possibility of a Winter Chernarus or Winter Livonia. Francu's own hobby map, Namalsk, is also being discussed. Other users say, “No, no, that's not snow, that's ash!”
Is it a Rework? I can say already: It's not Chernarus or Livonia. I've checked all the airfields on both maps and can confirm that this airfield does not exist anywhere. Also, a simple rework is ruled out. The number 35, adorning the airfield in the teaser, indicates the runway's orientation at 350 degrees northwest. No known airfield in DayZ is oriented this way, nor built with the same concrete slabs as the airfield in the teaser for the new DayZ map.
The airfields of Chernarus & Livonia
Namalsk is also a candidate I can categorically exclude. Avoiding a community outcry and converting a mod map to DLC? Namalsk could possibly appear as a free DLC, but this contradicts the paid map add-on Livonia. Besides, the airport in Namalsk doesn't match the one in the teaser. What else is left? Let's first address the most important question.
Is the Teaser Showing Snow or Ash?
At first glance, it seems clear: It's snowing. Francu's post also appears quite unambiguous. However, some aspects in the teaser and DayZ's past, including its engine, suggest otherwise.
Arguments for the Snow Map:
- The flakes in the trailer are clearly white.
- The Winter 2024 release suggests a snow theme.
- Recently added clothing items are intended for cold areas.
- Francu has formerly worked on a snow map called Namalsk.
- In 2022, the developers overhauled DayZ's temperature system, making cold a central feature.
Arguments against a Snow Map:
- Green plants are visible in the background on the runway.
- The Yellow King is not wearing winter-appropriate gear. He's dressed the same as in summer on Livonia.
- Puddles are visible on the runway.
- Well, I'll say it upfront: The runway is known. Wink
All Possibilities for the New DayZ Map Listed: These 5 Options Exist
Let's take another look at all possible options. Some we haven't even mentioned yet:
Winter Chernarus and/or Livonia
- Overview: Chernarus and Livonia are the two currently playable, official maps. The developers have significantly modified both in the past, so another variation would not be unlikely.
- Where do Chernarus / Livonia play: Chernarus is located on the northern coast of the Caspian Sea, while Livonia is on the Baltic coast. However, the real-world references for both maps are from the Czech Republic, specifically the region around Povrly (Elektrozavodskt) and Zdonky (Topolin).
- What speaks against it? Both maps are in a region where it snows in the winter. However, neither has an airfield laid out in the same direction as the airfield in the teaser for the new map. Also, the plants on the runway here are not to be found.
Namalsk
- Overview: The mod map, developed by Adam Francu in his spare time, has advanced DayZ. Only thanks to Francu's work, you can now continuously freeze your butt off in Chernarus.
- Where does Namalsk play? Namalsk is located in the Arctic Circle, specifically in the Bering Sea between Alaska and Russia. A snow map through and through, but two aspects just don't fit into the puzzle:
- What speaks against it? Namalsk features supernatural storms and sci-fi underground facilities. You can also travel to other alien dimensions. This doesn't really fit with DayZ. The developers have removed the alien factor from Livonia in Arma 3: Contact. So, it would not be a killer for the implementation, but wasted work for Francu.
Dead Air (Shemya & Musan Pass)
- Overview: Dead Air, also from the pen of Adam Francu, was originally intended as a scenario for Arma 3 with the two maps Shemya and Musan Pass. Dead Air never released, although both maps were already in progress and the advancement was considerable (see pictures below).
- Where does Shemya play? Shemya is also located in the Bering Sea and is a neighboring island to Namalsk, which you already know. Thus, this map is a good candidate for a snow map.
- Where does Musan Pass play? This map would have transported players to North Korea upon release. Specifically, to the mountain region of Chagang.
- What speaks against it: Since these are one or two new maps, we can't possibly say what speaks against these maps. It's possible Adam Francu has resumed work on them.
Tanoa
- Overview: Tanoa is the map of the Arma 3 add-on “Arma 3 Apex,” where players conduct an operation in the Pacific following the events of Arma 3. Apex, with Tanoa, was released in 2016 and has since been a hot candidate for porting to DayZ.
- Where does Tanoa play? Tanoa is located in the southwestern Pacific and is loosely based on the Fiji Islands. Full tropical program, including dense jungles, ancient temples, modern tourist cities, traditional villages, and black volcanic beaches – wait, black volcanic beaches?
- What speaks against it? There's essentially nothing against Tanoa as a new map, except for the supposed snow falling from the sky. As savvy fans have noted, the snow could also be ash spewed by the volcano. More on that now.
The Most Likely New Map for DayZ is Tanoa - Here's Why!
In my view, Tanoa is the most likely candidate for the new DayZ map for various reasons. An indication of this is the runway from the teaser, which we find exactly the same on the map Tanoa.
- The marking of 35 is correct.
- The runway surface (made of concrete slabs) matches exactly.
- The plants match tropical Tanoa.
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Das Rollfeld von Tanoa in Arma 3.-
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Das Rollfeld von Tanoa in DayZ.
But that's not the only thing that points to Tanoa as the new DayZ map. As you may know, Bohemia Interactive has struggled in recent years to get the new “Enfusion” engine ready for their next-gen games. Among other things, the engine's renderer is already in use in DayZ, while Arma Reforger runs entirely on the Enfusion Engine.
To test the engine, the developers back then ported a map from Arma 3 (Real Virtuality Engine) into the Enfusion Engine. This map is Tanoa. In an interview with 80.lv, the developer reported the following:
Our first project involved porting the beautiful island of Tanoa from Arma 3 into the Enfusion Engine and getting it to run on the PlayStation 4.
So, Tanoa already exists in the Enfusion Engine environment, and adapting it further is significantly less work than building a completely new map or reviving a lost project.
Update 1.23 Teases Tanoa: In the first teaser image for Update 1.23, the Aztec god of the underworld was marked under the title "The Secret" (Das Geheimnis). Until now, it was unclear how this deity was related to the Yellow King. On Tanoa itself, we find temples that could be described as Aztec ruins.
This is the lord of the underworld of the Aztecs
Summary: Why is Tanoa the New Map?
- The runway in the teaser is the same as on Tanoa. The markings, slabs, and their numbers match.
- The snow is actually ash falling from the sky.
- Tanoa has already been ported by the developers to the new engine.
- The Aztec god is a hint at the ruins in the jungles of Tanoa.
What do you think? Do you believe my assumption that Tanoa will be the new map for DayZ is correct, or do you see a completely different map in the first teaser? Share your opinion in the comments, or chat with us on the Community Discord.
