Two Years of Progress - Zelador Map Development Update
Introduction
It's been an incredible two years of developments on the Zelador map, and we're excited to share the progress we've made. From refining terrain, expanding the map, redeveloping the satmap, to implementing new and interesting Quest Strings for our Whitelist Server, the map has evolved into a more immersive and balanced experience for our community. We hope our members have found the direction we have taken over the past year and a half since putting the map on the launcher, to be as exciting and promising as we're working to make it!
This post will cover the key milestones, improvements, and changes made to the Zelador Map up to this point. Another post will be provided soon that should provide details and objectives for the coming year...
Major Developments Over the Past Two Years
1. Expanded Playable Area
Originally, the map was limited in scope at around 460 km². About six months into development, we expanded the world significantly, now covering 1,677 km², making it the largest map in DayZ to date. To avoid pushing out a massive but empty world, we have opted to release portions of the map through structured playtests rather than unlocking everything at once.
Currently, the accessible player area is set within a 150 km² radius, comprising Freshy Island, Twin Island, and several smaller islands. While we have developed builds all across the map, many remain too distant from each other for active gameplay, so we've chosen to focus on areas that are closer to completion.
To accommodate various playstyles, we have set up multiple servers:
- No KOS Server: A space for content creators and roleplayers to explore and engage in immersive storytelling.
- Hardcore PvP Server: No rules, high-stakes combat for those who enjoy intense gunfights.
- 24/7 Deathmatch Server: Rotating through 25+ arenas every 30 minutes, allowing instant action while showcasing key Zelador locations.
Whether you're here for exploration, survival, or pure PvP chaos, we have a server designed to highlight the best of what Zelador has to offer—and it's only going to improve from here. Join us and be part of the growing CMOGAMING community!
2. Improved Spawn System
To enhance balance and prevent spawn manipulation, we refined the spawn system:
- Freshy Island: All new players start here before venturing into the main world.
- Inner Ring & Outer Ring Spawns: Ensuring fair PvP opportunities while allowing players who prefer exploration to find alternative routes.
- 400+ Spawn Points: Carefully placed to prevent players from easily spawn-hopping (F11-ing) for ideal locations.
This system ensures that players must focus on survival rather than repeatedly respawning for convenience. It also supports a more interactive and engaging experience, especially on our NO KOS Server, making it a perfect environment for streamers and content creators looking for genuine player interactions.
3. Terrain Overhaul & Environmental Enhancements
- Optimized terrain heightmaps to create more natural landscapes.
- Improved environmental masking to adjust textures based on the biome, making each area feel distinct.
- Refined rock formations in caves and bunkers to enhance realism and performance.
- Added more bodies of water to Freshy Island, contributing to diverse terrain and strategic opportunities.
- Elevation changes introduce vantage points, scenic views, and adventurous routes between POIs.
- Performance-focused optimizations to accommodate players on lower-end hardware while maintaining high-quality visuals for those with powerful setups.
4. Custom Structures & Points of Interest
- Expanded urban areas with more enterable buildings and lootable interiors.
- Added key military installations and safe zones to create high-risk, high-reward areas.
- Developed unique landmarks to help with navigation and world-building.
- Focused on ensuring Freshy Island contains every vanilla loot item, with some exceptions such as repair kits and high-explosive items, which will be found on remote islands or military locations.
Zelador currently has over 16,000 lootable structures across its 150 km² accessible area, each with multiple loot spawn points. For comparison, Chernarus has about 13,000 lootable structures across 230 km². By completion, we anticipate more than 1.5 million structures across the full map.
5. Performance & Optimization
- Reduced unnecessary assets to improve server performance.
- LOD optimizations for smoother frame rates.
- Better AI pathing through build locations by ensuring actual paths are in place, allowing for more stable zombie and AI mechanics.
- Refined animal/AI spawns to minimize food sources appearing in inaccessible areas (e.g., rocks).
- Ongoing integration of new wildlife, such as Sakhalin foxes and the return of rabbits.
6. Community-Driven Adjustments
Your feedback has been invaluable in shaping Zelador. Over the past two years, we have:
- Adjusted loot spawns and economy balancing.
- Tweaked weather effects for better realism.
- Refined event triggers and dynamic encounters.
What’s Next?
Development is far from over! Some upcoming features include:
- Further map expansions to push beyond the current boundaries.
- More interactive elements, such as destructible environments and dynamic world events.
- Refined server mechanics to ensure stability and balance as our player base grows.
We appreciate everyone who has been part of this journey, whether through testing, feedback, or simply exploring what Zelador has to offer. Your support keeps this project thriving, and we look forward to the next phase of development.
Got Feedback?
Let us know your thoughts and suggestions below! Your input directly influences how we refine and expand Zelador.
See you in-game!
- The Development Team
Introduction
It's been an incredible two years of developments on the Zelador map, and we're excited to share the progress we've made. From refining terrain, expanding the map, redeveloping the satmap, to implementing new and interesting Quest Strings for our Whitelist Server, the map has evolved into a more immersive and balanced experience for our community. We hope our members have found the direction we have taken over the past year and a half since putting the map on the launcher, to be as exciting and promising as we're working to make it!
This post will cover the key milestones, improvements, and changes made to the Zelador Map up to this point. Another post will be provided soon that should provide details and objectives for the coming year...
Major Developments Over the Past Two Years
1. Expanded Playable Area
Originally, the map was limited in scope at around 460 km². About six months into development, we expanded the world significantly, now covering 1,677 km², making it the largest map in DayZ to date. To avoid pushing out a massive but empty world, we have opted to release portions of the map through structured playtests rather than unlocking everything at once.
Currently, the accessible player area is set within a 150 km² radius, comprising Freshy Island, Twin Island, and several smaller islands. While we have developed builds all across the map, many remain too distant from each other for active gameplay, so we've chosen to focus on areas that are closer to completion.
To accommodate various playstyles, we have set up multiple servers:
- No KOS Server: A space for content creators and roleplayers to explore and engage in immersive storytelling.
- Hardcore PvP Server: No rules, high-stakes combat for those who enjoy intense gunfights.
- 24/7 Deathmatch Server: Rotating through 25+ arenas every 30 minutes, allowing instant action while showcasing key Zelador locations.
Whether you're here for exploration, survival, or pure PvP chaos, we have a server designed to highlight the best of what Zelador has to offer—and it's only going to improve from here. Join us and be part of the growing CMOGAMING community!
2. Improved Spawn System
To enhance balance and prevent spawn manipulation, we refined the spawn system:
- Freshy Island: All new players start here before venturing into the main world.
- Inner Ring & Outer Ring Spawns: Ensuring fair PvP opportunities while allowing players who prefer exploration to find alternative routes.
- 400+ Spawn Points: Carefully placed to prevent players from easily spawn-hopping (F11-ing) for ideal locations.
This system ensures that players must focus on survival rather than repeatedly respawning for convenience. It also supports a more interactive and engaging experience, especially on our NO KOS Server, making it a perfect environment for streamers and content creators looking for genuine player interactions.
3. Terrain Overhaul & Environmental Enhancements
- Optimized terrain heightmaps to create more natural landscapes.
- Improved environmental masking to adjust textures based on the biome, making each area feel distinct.
- Refined rock formations in caves and bunkers to enhance realism and performance.
- Added more bodies of water to Freshy Island, contributing to diverse terrain and strategic opportunities.
- Elevation changes introduce vantage points, scenic views, and adventurous routes between POIs.
- Performance-focused optimizations to accommodate players on lower-end hardware while maintaining high-quality visuals for those with powerful setups.
4. Custom Structures & Points of Interest
- Expanded urban areas with more enterable buildings and lootable interiors.
- Added key military installations and safe zones to create high-risk, high-reward areas.
- Developed unique landmarks to help with navigation and world-building.
- Focused on ensuring Freshy Island contains every vanilla loot item, with some exceptions such as repair kits and high-explosive items, which will be found on remote islands or military locations.
Zelador currently has over 16,000 lootable structures across its 150 km² accessible area, each with multiple loot spawn points. For comparison, Chernarus has about 13,000 lootable structures across 230 km². By completion, we anticipate more than 1.5 million structures across the full map.
5. Performance & Optimization
- Reduced unnecessary assets to improve server performance.
- LOD optimizations for smoother frame rates.
- Better AI pathing through build locations by ensuring actual paths are in place, allowing for more stable zombie and AI mechanics.
- Refined animal/AI spawns to minimize food sources appearing in inaccessible areas (e.g., rocks).
- Ongoing integration of new wildlife, such as Sakhalin foxes and the return of rabbits.
6. Community-Driven Adjustments
Your feedback has been invaluable in shaping Zelador. Over the past two years, we have:
- Adjusted loot spawns and economy balancing.
- Tweaked weather effects for better realism.
- Refined event triggers and dynamic encounters.
What’s Next?
Development is far from over! Some upcoming features include:
- Further map expansions to push beyond the current boundaries.
- More interactive elements, such as destructible environments and dynamic world events.
- Refined server mechanics to ensure stability and balance as our player base grows.
We appreciate everyone who has been part of this journey, whether through testing, feedback, or simply exploring what Zelador has to offer. Your support keeps this project thriving, and we look forward to the next phase of development.
Got Feedback?
Let us know your thoughts and suggestions below! Your input directly influences how we refine and expand Zelador.
See you in-game!
- The Development Team