{{Short description|2012 video game}} {{redirect-distinguish|The War Z|World War Z (disambiguation){{!}}World War Z}} {{redirect-distinguish|WarZ|Warez|War (disambiguation){{!}}Wars}} {{confused|Infestation: Origins}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2016}} {{Infobox video game | title = Infestation: Survivor Stories | image = Infestation - Survivor Stories - logo.jpg | caption = | developer = Hammerpoint Interactive | publisher = OP Productions | producer = Sergey Titov | writer = Sergey Titov | composer = | engine = Eclipse | genre = Survival horror | modes = Multiplayer | platforms = Microsoft Windows | released = {{Video game release|WW|December 17, 2012}} }} '''''Infestation: Survivor Stories''''' (formerly known as '''''The War Z''''') was an open world zombie video game developed by Hammerpoint Interactive and published by OP Productions.<ref name="developed">{{cite web|last=Gauntlett|first=Adam|title=Zombies Eat the World in The War Z MMO|date=July 20, 2012|url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/118614-Zombies-Eat-the-World-in-The-War-Z-MMO|publisher=Escapist Magazine|access-date=October 18, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141013064402/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/118614-Zombies-Eat-the-World-in-The-War-Z-MMO|archive-date=October 13, 2014|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref name=IGN1>{{cite web|last=Gallegos|first=Anthony|title=The War Z -- A New Zombie Survival Experience|date=July 19, 2012|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/07/19/the-war-z-a-new-zombie-survival-experience|publisher=IGN|access-date=October 18, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130424095917/http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/07/19/the-war-z-a-new-zombie-survival-experience|archive-date=April 24, 2013|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> ''Infestation: Survivor Stories'' features both first-person and third-person shooting perspectives. The game offers players the option of killing zombies or playing against other users (PvP).<ref>{{cite web |last=Lahti |first=Evan |title=The War Z announced: zombie survival shooter-MMO with strong parallels to Day Z |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/2012/07/19/the-war-z-announced-zombie-survival-shooter-mmo-with-strong-parallels-to-day-z/ |newspaper=PC Gamer |date=July 19, 2012 |access-date=October 18, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017125329/http://www.pcgamer.com/2012/07/19/the-war-z-announced-zombie-survival-shooter-mmo-with-strong-parallels-to-day-z/ |archive-date=October 17, 2012 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
''Infestation: Survivor Stories'' was able to be purchased and played online without the need for an ongoing monthly subscription with free updates. Players could, however, purchase cosmetic and convenience items such as ammo, and other items that they would otherwise have to find in the game.<ref>{{cite web|last=Zeidler|first=Brett|title=Zombie survival MMO The War Z to release this fall|date=July 20, 2012|url=http://www.destructoid.com/zombie-survival-mmo-the-war-z-to-release-this-fall-231729.phtml|publisher=Destructoid|access-date=October 18, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025134250/http://www.destructoid.com/zombie-survival-mmo-the-war-z-to-release-this-fall-231729.phtml|archive-date=October 25, 2012|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> ''Infestation: Survivor Stories'' had dedicated public servers accessible by all players in addition to player-purchased private servers.<ref name=Patch02122013>{{cite web |author=Kewk|title=Patch Notes 2/12/13 |url=http://forums.infestationmmo.com/showthread.php?115801-Patch-Notes-2-12-13 |publisher=OP Productions|access-date=March 25, 2013}}{{dead link|date=September 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> A "spiritual successor" to the game, ''Romero's Aftermath'', was released by Free Reign Entertainment on September 25, 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-03-27-infestation-survivor-stories-the-war-z-gets-a-reboot-with-romeros-aftermath |title= Infestation: Survivor Stories / The War Z gets a reboot with Romero's Aftermath |date= March 27, 2015 |access-date= September 25, 2015 |work= Eurogamer |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150927075937/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-03-27-infestation-survivor-stories-the-war-z-gets-a-reboot-with-romeros-aftermath |archive-date= September 27, 2015 |url-status= live |df= mdy-all }}</ref>
The game was panned by critics, with many considering it one of the worst video games of all time. The game servers were taken offline on December 15, 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://steamcommunity.com/games/226700/announcements/detail/341540564442771798|title=Steam Community :: Group Announcements :: Infestation: Survivor Stories Classic|website=steamcommunity.com|date=November 22, 2016|language=en|access-date=2017-02-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161206131542/http://steamcommunity.com/games/226700/announcements/detail/341540564442771798|archive-date=December 6, 2016|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
==Gameplay== ''Infestation: Survivor Stories'' was a zombie survival game where players endure the hardships of a post-apocalyptic, zombie-infested world. By collaborating with other players, and finding weapons and items, players increase their chances of survival. The game incorporated survival elements like hunger and thirst, which gradually decrease over time. Supplies such as food and water could be found to battle hunger and thirst. If the player failed to properly quench their hunger and thirst, the player's character would eventually die. It was possible to buy food and drinks if the player had none or chose not to scavenge for the items in the world. Items carried by the deceased character were lost on death - whether purchased in-game or not - but could be found and retrieved by other players, continuing the cycle of life and death in the game.<ref>{{cite web |title=Interview: The War Z And Surviving A Zombie Apocalypse MMO |date=September 8, 2012 |url=http://www.cinemablend.com/games/Interview-War-Z-Surviving-Zombie-Apocalypse-MMO-46683.html |publisher=Gaming Blend |access-date=October 18, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016010144/http://www.cinemablend.com/games/Interview-War-Z-Surviving-Zombie-Apocalypse-MMO-46683.html |archive-date=October 16, 2012 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
Safe settlements or safe zones gave users an area where they were protected from combat and zombie attacks. There, players could access "Global Inventory" - an inventory shared between characters - and shop for items via the General Store.<ref name=Patch02122013/>
Outside the safe zones, players could engage in player versus player combat and player versus environment combat with zombies. Killing other players granted the user reputation based on the victims standing<ref name=rep>{{cite web|author=JonnyTruant|title=Reputation Explained|url=http://forums.infestationmmo.com/showthread.php?147169-Reputation-Explained|publisher=OP Productions|access-date=March 25, 2013}}{{dead link|date=June 2014}}</ref> and a chance to collect their dropped items, whereas killing zombies granted the user experience points for use in the game's skill tree.<ref name=Patch03042013>{{cite web|author=Kewk |title=Patch Notes 3/4/13 |url=http://forums.infestationmmo.com/showthread.php?134211-Patch-notes-1-1-1-3-4-13 |publisher=OP Productions |access-date=March 25, 2013}}{{dead link|date=June 2014}}</ref>
==Development== ''Infestation: Survivor Stories'' was developed originally under the name ''The War Z'' by OP Productions.<ref name="developed"/> ''The War Z'' began its open alpha on October 15, 2012<ref>{{cite web |last=Mitchell |first=Richard |title=The War Z closed beta starts on Halloween, pre-orders get in early |url=http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/04/the-war-z-closed-beta-starts-on-halloween-pre-orders-get-in-ear/ |publisher=Joystiq |access-date=October 18, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008003420/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/04/the-war-z-closed-beta-starts-on-halloween-pre-orders-get-in-ear/ |archive-date=October 8, 2012 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> and was fully released on Steam December 17, 2012. Two days after the launch, the game was removed from Steam due to false advertising; several features listed in the store description were not available in the game.<ref name="bbc - 1">{{cite news|title=Player complaints drive zombie game off Steam|date=December 20, 2012|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-20796455|publisher=BBC News|access-date=December 26, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121226055523/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-20796455|archive-date=December 26, 2012|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> After rectifying the issue, ''The War Z'' was again made available for purchase on Steam on February 26, 2013.<ref name="warz back">{{cite web |url=http://store.steampowered.com/news/10024/ |title=The War Z Now Available for Purchase |work=Steam |publisher=Valve |date=February 26, 2013 |access-date=February 27, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130227203905/http://store.steampowered.com/news/10024/ |archive-date=February 27, 2013 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref> On April 4, 2013, the source code of ''The War Z'' became available,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ragezone.com/2013/04/12/the-war-z-source-code/ |title=The War Z Source Code released. (Update: Infestation: Survivor Stories MMO source code released) |date=April 12, 2013 |access-date=August 12, 2014 |publisher=ragezone.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140731223248/http://ragezone.com/2013/04/12/the-war-z-source-code/ |archive-date=July 31, 2014 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref> most probably as leaked code from a hacked server.<ref>[http://steamcommunity.com/app/226700/discussions/0/810920962515556276/ How The War Z got hacked] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130708150225/http://steamcommunity.com/app/226700/discussions/0/810920962515556276 |date=July 8, 2013 }} on steamcommunity.com</ref> On June 20, 2013, the game's name was changed to ''Infestation: Survivor Stories'' due to trademark problems.<ref name="newname">{{cite web | url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/125206-The-War-Z-Picks-Up-A-Brand-New-Title | title=The War Z Picks Up A Brand New Title | date=June 20, 2013 | access-date=June 20, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130805122532/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/125206-The-War-Z-Picks-Up-A-Brand-New-Title | archive-date=August 5, 2013 | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }}</ref>
The game was rebooted by Swedish developers Fredaikis AB as ''Infestation: The New Z'' in late 2016.<ref name="TheNewZ_Reboot">{{cite web |url=https://lutris.net/games/infestation-the-new-z/ |title=Lutris' bio for Infestation: The New Z |website=Lutris |publisher=Free software movement |date=8 April 2024 |access-date=April 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240408172333/https://lutris.net/games/infestation-the-new-z/ |archive-date=8 April 2024 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
==Reception==
===Alpha reception=== A reviewer for ''PC World'' stated that "overall, the game looks terrific" and had the "typical alpha bugs" of an alpha release, with the game holding promise.<ref>{{cite web|last=Cocilova|first=Alex|title=Hands-on with The War Z|url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/2010276/hands-on-with-the-war-z.html|publisher=PC World|access-date=October 18, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121028105336/http://www.pcworld.com/article/2010276/hands-on-with-the-war-z.html|archive-date=October 28, 2012|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> A reviewer for Joystiq praised the character personalization, saying there were more options than they expected and the gameplay would be easy for experienced gamers to understand.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hindman|first=Beau|title=GDC Online 2012: A (severed) hands-on with The War Z|url=http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/12/gdc-online-2012-a-severed-hands-on-with-the-war-z/|publisher=Joystiq|access-date=October 18, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014192607/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/12/gdc-online-2012-a-severed-hands-on-with-the-war-z|archive-date=October 14, 2012|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Another reviewer for Joystiq commented that one of the game's biggest dangers comes from other players, with the game currently not having any rules or policing regarding the PvP element and hacking.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hinkle|first=David|title=The War Z makes it easy to tell your own story|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/24/the-war-z-makes-it-easy-to-tell-your-own-story/|publisher=Joystiq|access-date=October 18, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120926201126/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/24/the-war-z-makes-it-easy-to-tell-your-own-story|archive-date=September 26, 2012|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
===Critical reception=== {{Video game reviews | GR = 19%<ref name="GR">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/678652-the-war-z/index.html|title=The War Z|work=GameRankings|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=March 16, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130325075211/http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/678652-the-war-z/index.html|archive-date=March 25, 2013|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> | MC = 20/100<ref name="MC"/> | EuroG = 3/10<ref name="eurog - review"/> | GSpot = 2.0/10<ref name="GSpot - review">{{cite web|url=http://uk.gamespot.com/the-war-z/reviews/the-war-z-review-6402496/|title=The War Z|work=GameSpot|publisher=CBS Interactive|first=Brett|last=Todd|date=January 17, 2013|access-date=January 19, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130121010848/http://uk.gamespot.com/the-war-z/reviews/the-war-z-review-6402496/|archive-date=January 21, 2013|df=mdy-all}}</ref> | GSpy = 0.5/5<ref name="GSpy - review"/> | IGN = 3.0/10<ref name="IGN - review">{{cite web|url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2013/01/08/the-war-z-review|title=The War Z review|work=IGN|publisher=News Corporation|first=Anthony|last=Gallegos|date=January 8, 2013|access-date=January 9, 2013}}</ref> | PCGUS = 30/100<ref name="PCG - review">{{cite web|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/review/the-war-z-review/|title=The War Z Review|work=PC Gamer|publisher=Future plc|author=jumpsteadeh|date=January 25, 2012|access-date=January 26, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130128051532/http://www.pcgamer.com/review/the-war-z-review/|archive-date=January 28, 2013|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> | rev1 = ''Metro'' | rev1Score = 1/10<ref name="metro - review">{{cite web|url=http://metro.co.uk/2013/01/04/the-war-z-review-apocalyptic-vision-3337790/|title=The War Z review – apocalyptic vision|work=Metro|publisher=Associated Newspapers|first=Roger|last=Hargreaves|date=January 4, 2013|access-date=January 4, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130107011659/http://metro.co.uk/2013/01/04/the-war-z-review-apocalyptic-vision-3337790/|archive-date=January 7, 2013|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> }}
On release, the game was universally panned by critics. Aggregate review website Metacritic assigned an overall score of 20 out of 100 based on reviews from 13 professional critics.<ref name="MC">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/infestation-survivor-stories-the-war-z/critic-reviews/?platform=pc|title=The War Z|work=Metacritic|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=March 16, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130308061146/http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/the-war-z|archive-date=March 8, 2013|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> GameSpy writer Craig Pearson stated that the game "displays astonishing design ineptitude and some of the worst kinds of microtransactions in gaming, all in one ugly package".<ref name="GSpy - review">{{cite web|url=http://uk.pc.gamespy.com/pc/the-war-z/1227010p1.html|title=The War Z Review|publisher=GameSpy|first=Craig|last=Pearson|date=December 21, 2012|access-date=December 24, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121225005437/http://uk.pc.gamespy.com/pc/the-war-z/1227010p1.html|archive-date=December 25, 2012|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> ''Eurogamer''{{'}}s Rich Stanton gave it 3 out of 10, calling it "a real disaster" and criticized both the game's design and the developer's ethics.<ref name="eurog - review">{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-01-02-the-war-z-review|title=The War Z review|publisher=Eurogamer|first=Rich|last=Stanton|date=January 2, 2013|access-date=January 2, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130104131016/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-01-02-the-war-z-review|archive-date=January 4, 2013|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Stanton elaborated that the developers were "both dishonest and incompetent."<ref name="eurog - review"/>
Despite the negativity, ''Infestation: Survivor Stories'' has sold 2.8 million copies since the game launched in November 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-01-15-the-war-z-sold-2-8m-copies-despite-dismal-reception?|title=The War Z sold 2.8m copies despite dismal reception|author=Jeffrey Matulef|work=Eurogamer|date=January 15, 2015|access-date=January 15, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120010444/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-01-15-the-war-z-sold-2-8m-copies-despite-dismal-reception|archive-date=January 20, 2015|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
===Controversies=== In October 2012, executive producer Sergey Titov referred to spawn campers in ''The War Z'' as "faggots" in a forum post.<ref name="Gspot - camper">{{cite web|url=http://uk.gamespot.com/news/the-war-z-producer-calls-campers-fgots-6398729|title=The War Z producer calls campers f**gots|publisher=GameSpot|first=Eddie|last=Makuch|date=October 23, 2012|access-date=December 24, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115032753/http://uk.gamespot.com/news/the-war-z-producer-calls-campers-fgots-6398729|archive-date=January 15, 2013|df=mdy-all}}</ref> A representative of the game's press team issued a statement saying that Titov has no prejudice against homosexuals and that it was just a poor and inappropriate choice of words.<ref name="Gspot - camper"/>
On November 15, 2012, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) sent a letter to the game's publisher and developer stating that the request to trademark the name ''The War Z'' had been suspended.<ref name="GSpy - trademark">{{cite web|url=http://uk.pc.gamespy.com/pc/the-war-z/1227023p1.html|title=The War Z Might Have to Change Its Name|publisher=GameSpy|first=Brian|last=Mardiney|date=December 23, 2012|access-date=December 24, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121227001009/http://uk.pc.gamespy.com/pc/the-war-z/1227023p1.html|archive-date=December 27, 2012|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The cause of the suspension was the close resemblance of the game's name to the title of Paramount Pictures' then-upcoming film ''World War Z''.<ref name="GSpy - trademark"/> On December 24, 2012, Titov responded by saying that he does not think that the trademark has been suspended even though the USPTO lists it as suspended.<ref name="kotaku - trademark">{{cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/war-z-creator-says-his-games-trademark-wasnt-suspended-5971099|title=War Z Creator Says His Game's Trademark Wasn't Suspended|publisher=Kotaku|first=Jason|last=Schreier|date=December 24, 2012|access-date=December 25, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121231172720/http://kotaku.com/5971099/war-z-creator-says-his-games-trademark-wasnt-suspended|archive-date=December 31, 2012|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
On December 17, 2012, Hammerpoint Interactive launched the "foundation release" of the game on Valve's digital distribution platform Steam.<ref name="finance yahoo">{{cite web|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/hammerpoint-interactive-launches-foundation-release-002200080.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130713065916/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/hammerpoint-interactive-launches-foundation-release-002200080.html|archive-date=July 13, 2013|title=Hammerpoint Interactive Launches Foundation Release of The War Z on Steam|publisher=Yahoo! Finance|date=December 17, 2012|access-date=December 19, 2012}}</ref> Sergey Titov stated in a press release "Now that we've reached the Foundation Release milestone we will continue to work, as promised, to add features and content that will satisfy our community and keep them playing."<ref name="finance yahoo"/> The developer was accused of attempting to get customers to buy the game directly from their website rather than Steam's platform by claiming that they would be raising the price of the game on Steam.<ref name="destructoid - 1">{{cite web |url=http://www.destructoid.com/the-war-z-launches-on-steam-amid-accusations-of-fraud-240814.phtml |title=The War Z launches on Steam amid accusations of fraud |publisher=Destructoid |first=Jim |last=Sterling |date=December 18, 2012 |access-date=December 19, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121231052352/http://www.destructoid.com/the-war-z-launches-on-steam-amid-accusations-of-fraud-240814.phtml |archive-date=December 31, 2012 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
Following the game's release, many customers accused the developers of fraud because of key features that were advertised but not featured in the game.<ref name="bbc - 1"/><ref name="destructoid - 1"/> The game was initially described on Steam by the developers as containing certain features, such as multiple large game worlds varying in size, a skill point-based leveling system, player versus environment combat, hundred-player servers, and private servers, none of which were a part of the game at the time.<ref name="bbc - 1"/><ref name="gamespy - 1">{{cite web|url=http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/the-war-z/1226980p1.html|title=A Shocking Interview With The War Z Developer On False Steam Store Claims|publisher=GameSpy|first=Dan|last=Stapleton|date=December 18, 2012|access-date=December 19, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121219072423/http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/the-war-z/1226980p1.html|archive-date=December 19, 2012|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The Steam page was updated within 24 hours of release, but still mentioned features not yet in the game.<ref name="gamespy - 1"/> Titov defended the way the information was presented by stating that the map size and player limits fell within the ranges shown, e.g., "Size of the area, once again, come on—[the] first map is over 100 sq km. So [the] text is right."<ref name="gamespy - 1"/> However, an independent analysis by PCGamesN.com estimated the actual map size at just under 10 sq km.<ref name="pcgamesn">{{cite web|url=http://www.pcgamesn.com/how-big-war-zs-map|title=How big is The War Z's map?|publisher=PCGamesN.com|first=Steve|last=Hogarty|date=December 19, 2012|access-date=March 28, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130318213917/http://www.pcgamesn.com/how-big-war-zs-map|archive-date=March 18, 2013|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Titov also claimed that players had misread the information about the game's features on the store's page.<ref name="gamespy - 1"/> The game was pulled from Steam and any customer who purchased the game during the initial sale of the game was eligible to receive a full refund from Steam, which was at the time an almost unheard-of move by Valve.<ref name="shack news">{{cite web|url=http://www.shacknews.com/article/78005/the-war-z-back-on-steam-refund-offer-ends|title=The War Z back on Steam, refund offer ends|publisher=Shack News LTD|date=February 27, 2013|access-date=July 18, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130722173336/http://www.shacknews.com/article/78005/the-war-z-back-on-steam-refund-offer-ends|archive-date=July 22, 2013|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
The game has also received criticism for using a pay-to-play business model while including the micropayments frequently seen in a freemium game.<ref name="destructoid - 1"/> On the day of the game's launch, players could respawn one hour after their character died.<ref name="bbc - 1"/><ref name="kotaku - 1">{{cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/the-war-z-gets-suspicious-microtransactions-just-as-it-5969663|title=WarZ Gets Suspicious Microtransactions Just As It Hits The Top Of Steam's Charts|publisher=Kotaku|first=Luke|last=Plunkett|date=December 19, 2012|access-date=December 19, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121230181051/http://kotaku.com/5969663/warz-gets-suspicious-microtransactions-just-as-it-hits-the-top-of-steams-charts|archive-date=December 30, 2012|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> On the following day, Hammerpoint Interactive released an update that increased the respawn time to four hours and added the ability to instantly respawn for in-game currency that is purchased through microtransactions.<ref name="bbc - 1"/><ref name="kotaku - 1"/> Two days later, a patch was released that returned the respawn time to one hour.<ref name=patch12202012>{{cite web|url=http://forums.playwarz.com/showthread.php?81204-Patch-Notes-12-20-2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130114011414/http://forums.playwarz.com/showthread.php?81204-Patch-Notes-12-20-2012|archive-date=January 14, 2013|title=Patch Notes 12/20/12|publisher=OP Productions |author=Sagor |date=December 20, 2012 |access-date=March 25, 2013}}</ref>
When questioned about the complaints received, Titov responded by saying that the customers complaining were a minority and "As of right now over 93% of our customers like the game, with over 40% saying it's perfect and around 50% saying it's good, but they'd like to see more polishing and features."<ref name="kotaku - 2">{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/fans-rage-over-war-zs-misleading-steam-description-but-5969504 |title=Fans Rage Over War Z's Misleading Steam Description, But Devs Say '93% Of Our Customers Like The Game' |publisher=Kotaku |first=Jason |last=Schreier |date=December 18, 2012 |access-date=December 19, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121230180935/http://kotaku.com/5969504/fans-rage-over-war-zs-misleading-steam-description-but-devs-say-93-of-our-customers-like-the-game |archive-date=December 30, 2012 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
On December 19, 2012, a Valve employee stated that they would be investigating concerns raised by users about censorship and moderation on Steam's forum.<ref name="eurog - 1">{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-12-19-the-war-z-dev-apologises-to-gamers-who-misread-steam-page-hits-out-at-dayz-fanboys|title=The War Z dev apologises to gamers who "misread" Steam page, hits out at "extreme DayZ fanboys"|publisher=Eurogamer|first=Wesley|last=Yin-Poole|date=December 19, 2012|access-date=December 19, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121231052336/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-12-19-the-war-z-dev-apologises-to-gamers-who-misread-steam-page-hits-out-at-dayz-fanboys|archive-date=December 31, 2012|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The concerns were directed towards a developer of the game who was accused of banning Steam forum users unfairly for criticizing ''The War Z''.<ref name="eurog - 1"/> On the same day, ''The War Z'' was temporarily removed from sale on Steam's store, with Valve issuing a statement saying "We apologize for this and have temporary {{sic}} removed the sale offering of the title until we have time to work with the developer and have confidence in a new build." A user also proved that ban appeals were not looked over; instead, copy and paste responses were issued stating "We have evidence that you have used multiple hacks. Your ban appeal has been denied." The developers have also been accused of bullying and bribing people who complain about the game.<ref name="kotaku - 3">{{cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/the-war-z-removed-from-steam-update-valve-calls-relea-5969836|title=The War Z Removed From Steam|publisher=Kotaku|first=Jason|last=Schreier|date=December 19, 2012|access-date=December 19, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121230181222/http://kotaku.com/5969836/the-war-z-removed-from-steam|archive-date=December 30, 2012|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Valve allowed users to submit a ticket for a refund if they weren't satisfied with the game.<ref name="kotaku - 3"/>
On April 2, 2013, OP Productions announced that ''The War Z'' game and forums had been taken offline as "hackers gained access to our forum and game databases and the player data in those databases." Hackers gained access to user information such as email addresses, character names, IP addresses, and encrypted forums passwords. No payment information was stolen, though it was noted that simple passwords would not be difficult to extract from the stolen data.<ref>{{cite web| title = The War Z taken offline after hackers gain access to player data| url = http://www.pcgamer.com/2013/04/02/the-war-z-taken-offline-after-hackers-gain-access-to-player-data/| first = Phil| last = Savage| publisher = PC Gamer US| date = April 2, 2013| access-date = April 2, 2013| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130405045759/http://www.pcgamer.com/2013/04/02/the-war-z-taken-offline-after-hackers-gain-access-to-player-data/| archive-date = April 5, 2013| url-status = live| df = mdy-all}}</ref> OP Productions later confirmed that hackers gained access to several administrator accounts resulting in deletion of the forums database as well as the banning of "several dozens" of players.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/15/the-war-z-hack-accessed-login-info-not-game-accounts/| title = The War Z hack accessed login info, not game accounts| first = Richard| last = Mitchell| publisher = Joystiq| date = April 15, 2013| access-date = April 16, 2013| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130416181225/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/15/the-war-z-hack-accessed-login-info-not-game-accounts/| archive-date = April 16, 2013| url-status = dead| df = mdy-all}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist|30em}}
==External links== * {{Official website|http://infestationmmo.com/}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Infestation: Survivor Stories}} Category:2010s horror video games Category:2012 video games Category:Video games involved in controversies Category:First-person shooter multiplayer online games Category:Inactive multiplayer online games Category:Multiplayer video games Category:Online games shut down in 2016 Category:Open-world video games Category:Survival horror video games Category:Video games about zombies Category:Video games developed in the United States Category:Windows games Category:Windows-only games