{{About|the battle royale game formerly known as H1Z1: King of the Kill|the original game known as H1Z1 that was later cancelled|Just Survive}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2018}} {{Infobox video game | title = Z1 Battle Royale | image = Z1 Battle Royale Steam artwork.jpg | developer = Daybreak Game Company | publisher = Daybreak Game Company | producer = Chris Wynn | programmer = Brendan Greene | composer = Cris Velasco | engine = ForgeLight | platforms = {{Unbulleted list|Windows|PlayStation 4}} | released = {{Unbulleted list|'''Windows'''|February 28, 2018|'''PlayStation 4'''|August 7, 2018}} | genre = Battle royale | modes = Multiplayer }}
'''''Z1 Battle Royale''''' (formerly '''''H1Z1''''' and '''''King of the Kill''''') is a battle royale game developed and published by Daybreak Game Company. The game's development began after the original ''H1Z1'' was spun off into two separate projects in early 2016: ''H1Z1: Just Survive'' and ''H1Z1: King of the Kill''. The games were further split as separate projects in October 2017, with ''Just Survive'' dropping the ''H1Z1'' name, and ''King of the Kill'' becoming simply ''H1Z1''.
After three years of being in early access for Windows, ''H1Z1'' officially released as a free-to-play game in February 2018, later released for the PlayStation 4 in August 2018. A month later, development of the game was transferred to NantG Mobile, who attempted to "revert" (redevelop) the game back to how it was in March 2017 (pre-Season 3), rebranding it as ''Z1 Battle Royale'' with their Season 3 update. In April 2019, development of the game was given back over to Daybreak.
==Development== ''Z1 Battle Royale'' was originally released on Steam's early access program on January 15, 2015, as ''H1Z1''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/12/08/h1z1-early-access-date-revealed|title=H1Z1 early access date revealed|author=Brian Albert|work=IGN|date=December 8, 2014|access-date=March 24, 2015}}</ref> Brendan “PlayerUnknown” Greene, creator of the Battle Royale mod for Arma, was brought on.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Marks |first=Tom |date=2017-09-19 |title=H1Z1 Dev: "There Wouldn't Be PUBG Without H1Z1" |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/09/19/h1z1-dev-there-wouldnt-be-pubg-without-h1z1 |access-date=2025-06-15 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref> At release, the game suffered from numerous technical issues, such as players reporting that they could not login to their account or enter any active server.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2015-01-19-sonys-h1z1-plagued-by-technical-issues-at-launch|title=Sony's H1Z1 plagued by technical issues at launch|work=Gameindustry.biz|first=Matthew|last= Handrahan|date=January 19, 2015|access-date=March 3, 2015}}</ref> A new bug, which made all servers go offline, was also introduced to the game after the developer released a patch to fix other problems.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/server-woes-worsen-following-h1z1-s-disaster-launc/1100-6424772/|title=Server Woes Worsen Following H1Z1's Disaster Launch|first=Rob|last=Crossley|work=GameSpot|date=January 21, 2015|access-date=March 24, 2015}}</ref> Despite the unstable launch, John Smedley, CEO of Daybreak Game Company, announced that the game had sold over a million copies by March 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/zombie-mmo-h1z1-hits-1m-sales/1100-6426112/|title=Zombie MMO H1Z1 Hits 1m Sales|first=Rob|last=Crossley|work=GameSpot|date=March 24, 2015|access-date=March 24, 2015}}</ref>
In February 2016, it was announced by Daybreak that the game had been split into two separate projects with their own dedicated development teams, with the game being rebranded as ''King of the Kill'' while the other became ''Just Survive''.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Makuch|first1=Eddie|title=H1Z1 Coming to PS4 and Xbox One This Summer, PC Version Getting Split Into Two Games|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/h1z1-coming-to-ps4-and-xbox-one-this-summer-pc-ver/1100-6434540/|website=GameSpot|access-date=February 27, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Hall|first1=Charlie|title=H1Z1 is splitting into two games, headed to consoles|url=http://www.polygon.com/2016/2/5/10921418/h1z1-consoles-just-survive-king-of-the-kill-ps4-xbox-one|website=Polygon|access-date=February 24, 2016|date=February 5, 2016}}</ref> Later that year, it was announced that development of the console versions were paused in order to focus on the Windows version of the game, which was given an official release date of September 20, 2016.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Makuch|first1=Eddie|title=H1Z1 PS4/Xbox One Versions "Paused," as PC Edition Gets Release Date|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/h1z1-ps4xbox-one-versions-paused-as-pc-edition-get/1100-6443160/|website=GameSpot|access-date=September 3, 2016}}</ref> However, a week prior release, the game's executive producer stated that due to many features remaining unfinished by then, the game would remain in early access until further notice. As a compromise, the game received a large update on September 20, including many of the features intended for the official release.<ref>{{cite web|title=September 20 Game Update|url=https://www.h1z1.com/king-of-the-kill/news/producers-letter-new-map-new-ui-september-2016|website=h1z1.com|access-date=September 29, 2016|date=September 15, 2016}}</ref>
A televised tournament for the game, titled ''H1Z1: Fight for the Crown'', aired in April 2017 on The CW.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Hall|first1=Charlie|title=H1Z1 tournament to air on The CW in prime-time|url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/2/22/14698838/h1z1-tournament-the-cw-primetime|website=Polygon|date=February 22, 2017|access-date=May 18, 2017}}</ref> In October 2017, it was announced that the game would be dropping its ''King of the Kill'' subtitle, becoming known as simply ''H1Z1''.<ref>{{cite news |first= Christopher |last= Livingston |date= October 14, 2017 |title= H1Z1: King of the Kill is now called just H1Z1|url= http://www.pcgamer.com/h1z1-king-of-the-kill-is-now-called-just-h1z1/|work= PC Gamer |access-date= November 3, 2017}}</ref> An invitational tournament was held during TwitchCon at the Long Beach Convention Center the same month.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.h1z1.com/news/invitational-full-standings-october-2017|title=Full TwitchCon Invitational Standings|date=October 24, 2017|work=H1Z1|access-date=November 7, 2017|language=en}}</ref> Additionally in October 2017, the "H1Z1 Pro League" was announced, which was a partnership between Daybreak Games and Twin Galaxies to create a sustainable, professional eSports league for the game.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.h1pl.com/|title=H1Z1 Pro League – H1Z1 Professional Video Game Esports Tournament 2018|website=www.h1pl.com|language=en|access-date=March 8, 2018}}</ref>
The game was fully released out of early access on February 28, 2018, with updates to combat, gameplay, and a new gamemode known as Auto Royale.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Hall|first1=Charlie|title=H1Z1 is leaving Steam Early Access right now, adding a new cars-only mode|url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/2/28/17060004/h1z1-leaving-early-access-auto-royale-release-date-price-windows-steam|website=Polygon|access-date=February 28, 2018|date=February 28, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Livingston|first1=Christopher|title=H1Z1 becomes a free-to-play game today|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/h1z1-becomes-a-free-to-play-game-today/|magazine=PC Gamer|access-date=March 8, 2018|date=March 8, 2018}}</ref> The update also launched "Season 1", introducing a new updated scoring system that rewards players who get kills and place well in matches consistently.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.h1z1.com/news/welcome-to-season-one|title=Welcome To Season One!|date=February 28, 2018|work=H1Z1|access-date=March 8, 2018|language=en}}</ref> A week after release, it was announced that the game would be going back to free-to-play.<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Livingston|first1=Christopher|title=H1Z1 becomes a free-to-play game today|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/h1z1-becomes-a-free-to-play-game-today/|magazine=PC Gamer|access-date=March 8, 2018|date=March 8, 2018}}</ref> It was released in early access for the PlayStation 4 on May 22, 2018, gaining over ten million players in over a month, and was officially released on August 7, 2018.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Yin-Poole|first1=Wesley|title=Battle royale game H1Z1 hits PS4 in May|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2018-04-24-battle-royale-game-h1z1-hits-ps4-in-may|website=Eurogamer|access-date=April 24, 2018|date=April 24, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Nunneley |first1=Stephany |title=H1Z1 PS4 beta has over 10M players, remastered Outbreak map hits PC |url=https://www.vg247.com/2018/06/28/h1z1-10-million-players-ps4-outbreak-map-pc/ |website=VG24/7 |access-date=29 June 2018|date=June 28, 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Yee |first1=Terrence |title=H1Z1: Battle Royale Launches on PS4 August 7 |url=https://blog.us.playstation.com/2018/07/26/h1z1-battle-royale-launches-on-ps4-august-7/ |website=PlayStation.Blog |access-date=26 July 2018|date=July 26, 2018 }}</ref> The game features a seasonal battle pass option that offers character cosmetics.<ref>{{cite web |title=PS4 Battle Pass: Season 1 Guide |url=https://www.h1z1.com/news/ps4-battle-pass-season-1-guide |website=h1z1.com |access-date=28 November 2018|date=August 2, 2018 }}</ref>
In March 2019, the game was rebranded as ''Z1 Battle Royale'' under the development of NantG Mobile. The update reverted the majority of the changes made to the game's mechanics, weapon balancing, and user interface to a build of the game from early 2017. In addition, a new mission system, as well as ranked play, including monthly tournaments between the top 75 players in a region, were added.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2019/3/7/18254708/h1z1-z1-battle-royale-z1br-king-of-the-kill|title=H1Z1 changed its name again, this time to Z1 Battle Royale|last=Good|first=Owen S.|date=2019-03-07|website=Polygon|access-date=2019-03-08}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/h1z1-king-of-the-kill/z1-battle-royale-season-3|title=H1Z1 is now Z1 Battle Royale, and it's heading back to a two-year-old patch|website=PCGamesN|date=March 7, 2019 |language=en-GB|access-date=2019-03-08}}</ref> The following month it was announced that the game's development would be handed back over to Daybreak Games, with NantG citing the "many challenges" arriving from the confusion the game caused by having both themselves and Daybreak managing the same game under two separate brands as the reason why.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Chalk |first1=Andy |title=Z1 Battle Royale dropped by new developer, returns to Daybreak Games |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/z1-battle-royale-dropped-by-new-developer-returns-to-daybreak-games/ |magazine=PC Gamer |access-date=9 April 2019|date=April 8, 2019 }}</ref> ''Just Survive'' would later be cancelled in October 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Good|first=Owen S.|date=2018-08-25|title=Just Survive — H1Z1's original mode — is shutting down in October|url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/8/25/17782010/just-survive-canceled-h1z1-pc-october-2018|access-date=2022-01-21|website=Polygon|language=en-US}}</ref>
In September 2023, Ji Ham, the CEO of Daybreak Games and Enad Global 7, announced that a redevelopment of H1Z1 is in the works. However, this will not be connected to the Battle Royale mode but rather to the previously discontinued game "Just Survive" According to Ji Ham, development is planned to begin in the first quarter of 2024, with a targeted release in 2026.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXt8hUaUmJY |title=H1Z1 2026 - Ji Ham says NO to BR. |date=2024-09-15 |last=Tactical |access-date=2024-12-19 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
== Gameplay == ''Z1 Battle Royale'' is a battle royale game in which up to a hundred and fifty players compete against each other in a last man standing deathmatch. Players can choose to play solo, in a duo, or in groups of five, with the goal of being the final person or final team remaining.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.h1z1.com/home#home_explore|title=Home {{!}} H1Z1 {{!}} Massively Multiplayer Arena Shooter|website=H1Z1|language=en|access-date=November 6, 2017}}</ref>
right|thumb|''Z1 Battle Royale'' logo
Players start each match by parachuting in from a random location above the map. Once they land, they must search for a way to defend themselves. This can take the form of anything from grabbing a weapon and actively hunting other players, to hiding while other players kill one another. Vehicles are placed throughout the world, allowing players to chase down opponents or make a quick getaway. Players can scavenge a variety of supplies from their surroundings, including weapons, equipment, and first aid kits. The game also features a crafting system that allows players to create makeshift tools, such as deconstructing scavenged items into functional bandages or body armor.
As the game progresses, a toxic gas cloud compresses the map, dealing damage to players who remain in it. This effectively makes the playable portion of the map smaller, so that players are eventually forced to confront one another in close quarters. The gas spreads in timed increments, dealing a greater degree of damage in the later stages of the match.
== Reception == {{Video game reviews | MC = (PC) 70/100<ref name="mc-pc">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/h1z1-battle-royale/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=H1Z1 for PC Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=2021-09-29}}</ref><br/>(PS4) 66/100<ref name="mc-ps4">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/h1z1-battle-royale/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4 |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=2021-09-29 |title=H1Z1: BATTLE ROYALE }}</ref> | IGN = 7/10<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jagneaux |first1=David |title=H1Z1 Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/03/10/h1z1-review |website=IGN |date=9 March 2018 |access-date=29 September 2021}}</ref> | GSpot = 7/10<ref>{{cite web |last1=Higham |first1=Michael |title=H1Z1 Battle Royale PS4 Review: All Kills No Frills |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/h1z1-battle-royale-ps4-review-all-kills-no-frills/1900-6416960/ |website=GameSpot |date=28 February 2018 |access-date=29 September 2021}}</ref> | GI = 8/10<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Tack |first1=Daniel |title=H1Z1 - Solid Survival Shooting |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/games/h1z1/b/pc/archive/2018/03/07/solid-survival-shooting.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180309163942/http://www.gameinformer.com/games/h1z1/b/pc/archive/2018/03/07/solid-survival-shooting.aspx |url-status=live |archive-date=March 9, 2018 |magazine=Game Informer |date=7 March 2018 |access-date=29 September 2021}}</ref> }} ''Z1 Battle Royale'' received "mixed or average" reviews according to Metacritic. By the start of 2017, the game has been a fixture in the top most played games on Steam.<ref>{{Cite news|author1=Christopher Livingston|date=2017-09-12|title=King of the Kill devs talk about PUBG: "We just sort of try to ignore any comparison"|language=en|work=PC Gamer|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/king-of-the-kill-devs-talk-about-pubg-we-just-sort-of-try-to-ignore-any-comparison/|access-date=2021-12-19}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-03-30|title=Fans Won't Stop Playing One Of Steam's Most Popular Games, Even Though They Claim To Hate It|url=https://www.kotaku.com.au/2017/03/fans-wont-stop-playing-h1z1-king-of-the-kill-even-though-they-claim-to-hate-it/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903134612/https://www.kotaku.com.au/2017/03/fans-wont-stop-playing-h1z1-king-of-the-kill-even-though-they-claim-to-hate-it/|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 3, 2017|access-date=2021-12-19|website=Kotaku Australia|language=en-AU}}</ref> Although it predated Fortnite and PUBG: Battlegrounds in the Battle Royale genre, the game has not been able to maintain its position, ultimately losing a significant portion of the playerbase.<ref>{{Cite web|title=H1Z1 has lost 91% of its players in the last seven months|url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/h1z1/h1z1-player-count|access-date=2021-12-19|website=PCGamesN|date=February 23, 2018 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Arif|first=Shabana|date=2021-11-01|title=H1Z1's Player Base Down 91 Percent as PUBG and Fortnite Reign Supreme in Battle Royale|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/02/20/h1z1s-player-base-down-91-percent-as-pubg-and-fortnite-reign-supreme-in-battle-royale|access-date=2021-12-19|website=IGN|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-02-26|title=H1Z1 Loses 91% of Player Base Right Before eSports League Launch|url=https://gamerant.com/h1z1-player-base-drop-539/|access-date=2021-12-19|website=Game Rant|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Hall|first=Charlie|date=2018-02-20|title=H1Z1 struggling to keep players in the face of competition|url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/2/20/17031910/h1z1-struggling-player-count-down-90-percent|access-date=2021-12-19|website=Polygon|language=en-US}}</ref>
The game has been experiencing large number of bugs since 2015, which has led to many users leaving the game for other battle royale titles.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hall|first=Charlie|date=2018-02-20|title=H1Z1 struggling to keep players in the face of competition|url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/2/20/17031910/h1z1-struggling-player-count-down-90-percent|access-date=2022-01-21|website=Polygon|language=en-US}}</ref> In August 2017, a ''Combat Update'' which changed spray patterns for many of the weapons and tweaked movement has been released which also resulted in backlash from the game's users.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2022-01-08|title=H1Z1: Why did it fail? From Popular Battle Royale To A Dead Game - Game Tutorial Pro|url=https://gametutorialpro.com/game-reviews/h1z1-why-did-it-fail-from-popular-battle-royale-to-a-dead-game/|access-date=2022-01-21|language=en-US}}</ref>
The game has also taken a hit due to multiple unscheduled server downtime occurrences caused either by DDoS attacks or server strain.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Copeland|first=Wesley|date=2015-01-21|title=H1Z1 Offline for Eight Hours, Item Dupe Glitch Fixed Quickly|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2015/01/21/h1z1-offline-for-eight-hours-item-dupe-glitch-fixed-quickly|access-date=2022-01-21|website=IGN|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Daybreak Games Hit By DDoS After CEO Threatens Lizard Squad Hacker|url=https://kotaku.com/daybreak-games-hit-by-ddos-after-ceo-threatens-lizard-s-1717014668|access-date=2022-01-21|website=Kotaku|date=July 10, 2015 |language=en-us}}</ref>{{clear}}
== References == {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{Official website|https://www.h1z1.com}}
{{Daybreak Game Company}}
Category:2018 video games Category:Battle royale games Category:Early access video games Category:Esports games Category:Free-to-play video games Category:PlayStation 4 games Category:Post-apocalyptic video games Category:Video games developed in the United States Category:Video games with gender-selectable protagonists Category:Windows games Category:Xbox One games Category:Video games about zombies