H1Z1 Alpha Testing Begins Through Steam Early Access, Launch Trailer

As promised last month, in less than two hours you’ll be able to pick up a copy of Sony Online Entertainment’s H1Z1 through Steam Early Access and gain immediate access to alpha testing of the zombie survival-focused MMORPG. As is usual for these types of launches, we begin with a trailer called “The Easy Life”:

And then I’ll quote the included FAQ, where we learn that this will allow players to have a direct effect on the game’s development direction, among other things:

Why Early Access?

(TestH1Z1 is currently being developed for Early Access Alpha release on Steam. With a fully transparent approach to game design and development here at SOE, we want to transform the way our players interact and participate with our games. H1Z1 Early Access will be your chance to experience and make a difference in H1Z1 as it evolves throughout the development process.

The H1Z1 development team will continue to create new features and may make significant changes based on the needs of the game. Once released for Early Access Alpha, those who choose to purchase should anticipate an evolving feature set, bugs, incomplete content, missing features, and potentially game breaking issues. Early Access is designed for those wishing to support the ongoing development of H1Z1 and be a part of shaping its future and allows us to develop H1Z1 side-by-side with our players.)

Approximately how long will this game be in Early Access?

(We want to ensure that our players have the best experience possible at launch, so we want to take our time during Early Access to incorporate player feedback, work out any bugs, and adjust and expand features. We anticipate a full release later this year.)

How is the full version planned to differ from the Early Access version?

(H1Z1 will continue to grow and evolve throughout development, and features will be refined and adjusted based on player feedback. Players can look forward to exciting content, such as: military gear, expanded selection of vehicles and weapons, female player characters, player ruleset servers, and much more.)

What is the current state of the Early Access version?

(At Early Access launch players can expect to see initial iterations of crafting, base building, combat, vehicles, circle-of-death, day / night cycle, weather, player vitals, hunting & forging, and, of course, Zombies, in the game. Players should anticipate an evolving feature set, bugs, incomplete content, missing features, and potentially game breaking issues. The H1Z1 development team will continue to create new features and may make significant changes based on the needs of the game and feedback from the players.)

Will the game be priced differently during and after Early Access?

(Initially available as a Steam Early Access title with optional in-game RMT marketplace purchases, H1Z1 will later launch as a Free to Play. Your Wayâ„¢ title with optional in-game RMT marketplace purchases.)

How are you planning on involving the Community in your development process?

(We believe that player feedback should play a major role in the development of our games and invite players to join the open forum on Reddit (http://www.reddit.com/r/h1z1/) to promote discussion and foster the relationship between our players and the development team. Additionally, our development plans will be made available on www.H1Z1.com/Roadmap where players can see our future feature and system plans, discuss, vote, and provide feedback directly to our development team.)