September 26

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Posted By Friendly?: A DayZ Podcast | October 2nd, 2026 16:00 CEST

DayZ Badlands Dev Blog Week 84 – Motorbike Mayhem in the Sound Booth

Week 84 of the Badlands dev blog is a cracking peek behind the curtain, showing just how much graft the team is putting in to make this DLC feel truly alive. This one dives into the chaos of recording motorbike audio and it’s brilliant seeing how much effort goes into capturing something players will only hear for a split second while tearing across the map.

You’ve got devs huddled around roaring engines, tweaking levels, chasing that perfect mix of grit and realism so the bikes sound exactly like the beasts they’re meant to be. It’s the kind of dedication that reminds you how much love is going into Badlands, from the big headline features to the tiny details that make DayZ feel dangerous, unpredictable and absolutely locked in.

With just a few weeks left to go, we genuinely cannot wait to get beaten up by an infected in the middle of a sandstorm!

Community Spotlight

Each month we want to celebrate the hard work this community puts in to keep DayZ feeling fresh and new 13 years on! Below are some of our favourites from the last month.

Wobo’s First Look at 1.30

Wobo’s at it again, breaking down DayZ Experimental 1.30 like a bloke who’s been living in the patch notes since spawn. We love his first look at the motorbikes, showing how these things are about to flip travel on its head. No more slogging 300‑metre stretches on foot or praying a knackered Olga spawns with wheels, just pure two‑stroke freedom blasting across the map.

He digs into the new fixes and gameplay tweaks too, pointing out the stuff most players miss because they’re too busy looting a shed. Wobo’s always got his fingers on the pulse, keeping the community locked in and clued up and this breakdown proves once again why he’s the DayZ content god.

Devs Survive 87.8 Interview!

Our good friends (and arch enemies) over at @87.8 Survivor FM have delivered something massive for the community, sitting down for a huge 2:30 interview with DayZ Project Lead Thales and Lead Designer Özgür. Massive credit to @Boydy for pulling this off: given that he's getting on a bit, we are stunned he stayed awake past his usual 7pm bedtime without needing to nod off in his chair!

Jokes aside, the chat is packed with vital intel on Update 1.30, the harsh Badlands setting and the upcoming Nazdara map. Surviving the desert is getting a huge mechanical rethink, turning scorching heat and hydration management into real tactical decisions instead of mere status-bar micromanagement.

The devs also pulled back the curtain on the new rebuilding features. Far from safe-space base construction, restored buildings will lack artificial "ownership" locks, leaving them wide open for organic player drama, modding tweaks and good old-fashioned betrayal.

This is essential listening for anyone invested in DayZ's future.

Top work from Boydy and @Cobra for keeping the devs spilling the beanz for that long.

Capturing the Soul of Chernarus Towns

Did you spot this?! Creator @xCommanderSonx has been putting together a brilliant series of spotlight posts celebrating the iconic towns and cities scattered across Chernarus.

Capturing the unique character, lore and gritty atmosphere of settlements we all know inside out, the focus on Severograd stands out.

Framed as a dense northern bottleneck where patient snipers lurk on the outskirts while the urban centre erupts into fierce chaos, it perfectly captures the high-tension dystopia that makes surviving up north so thrilling.

We love seeing creators showcase the map’s diverse geography like this, reminding us of the distinct stories and dangers every corner holds.

DO A BARREL ROLL!

We have seen so many videos of flips and rolls recently. We even saw someone do a triple backflip! Unfortunately, we couldn't find it again (insert sad face).

So here's the next best thing from @Metro: a double backflip!

Now, we're not sure how much of these stunts we'll see once out of experimental, but for now, we're 100% here for it!

Freshspawns on Why 1.30 Will Change DayZ Forever

Freshspawns have rolled out a belter of a video digging into why the 1.30 update is about to reshape DayZ in a way we’ve not seen since the old wipe‑day chaos. John and George are in peak form, showing off just how good the game can feel when you’ve got a duo that’s locked in and bouncing off each other.

They might be the second best pair in DayZ after a certain UK DayZ Podcast... but they’re easily among the finest creators in the scene, always finding that perfect mix of madness and insight. Watching them tear around, break down the changes and hype up the future makes the update feel massive, like we’re stepping into a whole new era of survival.

Jake’s DownBad Redux Part 2

Jake’s kicked off his content creation grind with a beautifully slick edit, and Part 2 of his DownBad Redux series shows he’s already got the chops to hang with the big DayZ lads. After the wild opener in Part 1, he and Lunar dive straight into Bitterroot’s blender, bouncing from one PvP scrap to the next with barely a second to breathe. It’s constant gunfire, risky pushes, fat loot hauls and that classic duo panic where you’re laughing and sweating at the same time.

The wipe ramps up fast and the chaos never lets off, making it one of those long‑form adventures that feels like you’re right there beside them. For a veteran stepping into content creation, Jake’s absolutely on the right path.

Scalespeeder’s Experimental Playground Drop

Scalespeeder is back at it with another treat for the tinkers, testers and server‑side goblins among us, dropping a fresh experimental showcase that feels like rummaging through a high‑tier loot room nobody else has found yet. He’s cooked up a json object spawner packed with all the new 1.30 toys, from motorbikes to weapon skins to those ramps everyone’s already dreaming up cursed stunts for.

The beauty is you can fire it up on experimental right now, mess about, train, or even craft your own tutorial chaos once the update hits consoles and community servers. It’s classic Scalespeeder energy too, giving the community the tools to go wild and shouting out DAB’s Editor Mod for making the magic happen.

Tracking Footsteps with Winter Chernarus V2

Modder and BI asset interior designer @That__Lad is testing out an exciting mechanic that could change the way we hunt and stalk survivors across Chernarus. After pushing through a few technical hurdles, his brand-new dynamic footstep feature is officially undergoing a stress test on the @DayzUnderground server.

The community has jumped in to help put the system through its paces under heavy server load, with the goal of ironing out any quirks before a wider rollout. If the test run proves solid, the feature is slated to make its way into the 1.30 Stable update.

We think having visible tracks to follow will bring a massive boost to immersion, tracking and woodland ambushes. Jump onto the DUG server now to try it out for yourself and help stress-test the tech!

Smoke’s Bridge‑Crossing Bedlam

Smoke’s latest upload drops you straight into the thick of it, no warm‑up, no gentle stroll along the coast, just raw DayZ survival with a squad that’s constantly one bad decision away from disaster. The group is weaving through hostile territory, slipping over bridges that feel like death traps, scavenging whatever scraps they can find while every shadow looks like a player lining up a shot.

You can feel the tension building as they push deeper, juggling gear fear with the need to stay mobile, watching each other’s backs while the world tries to chew them up. It’s classic Smoke energy too, that calm chaos where every encounter could flip the whole run on its head.

Frostbitten Confession

DontPokeTheBear’s latest video hits that perfect mix of cold‑weather misery and emotional honesty, dropping him into a frozen wasteland where every breath looks like it’s judging his life choices. He does this on PS5 console.

As he trudges through the snow, he starts unpacking the strange fear of getting too attached to DayZ, that worry every long‑term survivor knows where the game becomes more than a hobby and starts feeling like a relationship you’re scared to commit to. His smooth southern accent carries the whole thing with this calm, warm charm that contrasts beautifully with the brutal landscape around him. It’s reflective, atmospheric and quietly funny, the kind of video that makes you nod along because you’ve felt that same pull from DayZ yourself.

GAULD’s Namalsk Reality Check

GAULD’s new Namalsk edit is a slap in the face from a map that never lets you forget who’s in charge. He stitches together three short, brutal lives that each teach a lesson you only need to learn once. First comes the classic Namalsk curveball where even a server restart can turn into a death sentence if you let your guard down.

Then he shows how hanging around too long in the wrong spot is basically asking the island to bury you. Finally the cold itself becomes the villain, pushing him into desperate choices that spiral fast. It’s cinematic, tense and painfully relatable, the kind of story‑driven DayZ run that reminds you survival isn’t about the fights you win, it’s about the mistakes you carry forward.

The Deer Isle Endgame...maybe?

The teamup of teamups! @TheRunningManZ and @HollyRex have teamed up on Deer Isle for a rollercoaster of an adventure, taking on one of DayZ's most brutal and ambitious end-game quests.

Deer Isle is never a walk in the park and this run delivers everything from intense firefights and nerve-wracking portal jumps to freezing conditions that push their survival gear to the limit. Between gear-loss setbacks and high-stakes player hold-ups, the chemistry and persistent humor between the two keep the energy high through every brutal twist of fate.

We think this is a brilliant showcase of why Deer Isle’s deep lore and complex mechanics make for legendary DayZ storytelling, coupled with two of the best entertainers in the space and edited by @EditsByFinn, this is nothing but a winning recipe. Go check it out, you will not want to miss how this journey unfolds!

Coincidence? Or fate!

Our good friend @Rakan has dropped a brilliant video that perfectly captures the unpredictable magic of DayZ encounters.

Given the massive scale of the game with thousands of servers and players across the globe, bumping into the exact same stranger more than once should be practically impossible. Yet while checking out a heli crash, Rakan crosses paths with Scott, a survivor from Scotland he had randomly met months earlier on a completely different server. Even crazier, Scott barely plays the game, but somehow their paths keep aligning in the vast wilderness.

Between reminiscing about past servers and chatting about podcast life, the interaction turns into a genuine, wholesome connection in a game usually known for cutthroat paranoia. We love stories like this because they show how reaching for your microphone instead of your pistol can create unforgettable moments.

Go give it a watch!

Double Milestone Celebrations

Huge congratulations are in order for two absolute cornerstones of the DayZ creator community celebrating massive personal milestones.

First up, @HollyRex is celebrating a massive milestone of her own, continuing to deliver top-tier survival content and infectious good vibes to the scene.

@mrgibb0n has hit an incredible target in his streaming journey, proving that consistent grind and genuine community building always pay off.

Reaching achievements like these takes serious dedication, grit and countless hours surviving the wasteland with chat along for the ride. We love seeing our favourite creators hit their strides and get the recognition they deserve.

Be sure to drop into their streams, say hello and send some well-earned love their way!

Our Favourite Shorts of the Month

If you are looking for quick bursts of pure DayZ carnage, our community shorts have absolutely delivered this month.

I mean... there are not many videos that have plot twists as sadistic as this one, but I'm glad @Amishzed shared it!

Comms are key, but betrayal, well that's a choice you make on your own.

But being real, we gasped and then slow clapped this one.

I guess it wouldn't be a September Spotlight without featuring some motorbikes!

We've seen some incredible ragdoll deaths over the past few weeks, but the speed of this one earns it's place in the article!

@Muller somehow manages avoiding several collisions himself. His buddy? Not so lucky.

Mav DayZ has dropped a short that every player should take a moment to watch, whether you’re a freshie or a long standing veteran who thinks they’ve seen it all. It’s a rapid hit of practical advice delivered with that calm confidence, covering the little habits that keep you alive longer than your mates. Simple stuff, smart stuff and the kind of reminders that make you nod because you know he’s right.

Video of the Month

@Prasifal’s latest entry in his solo saga is exactly why he’s become one of the most reliable storytellers in the DayZ scene. Day 2 and 3 on Official takes his journey from steady survival to full chaos, with loot runs turning into PvP scraps and quiet moments flipping into heart‑pounding fights.

The close‑range airfield encounter is the kind that makes you grip your mouse, terrifying composure from a man running solo with no backup. Seventy‑two hours on Official never goes how you plan it, and Prasifal captures that perfectly, showing the highs, lows and absolute madness that keeps us all locked in. It’s a cracking watch from a creator who just keeps levelling up.

Friendly DayZ Podcast’s Pick of the Month: Prasifal from Ep.197, because they are punching and we love it.

Be the Bad Guy

We don't often get a video from @DozingChopper, but when we do, it just feels so good! Teaming up with the legend that is @Babarius, alongside Zodec and VinnytheRatt, the crew sets out to become public enemy number one. Honestly, it makes a refreshing change from the have-a-go hero videos we often see.

Fortifying the Vybor Military Base, they plunge the server into absolute chaos by terrorizing local factions, taking hostages and raiding rival groups. The sheer tyranny eventually unites over 45 players across rival factions in a massive coalition raid to wipe them out. The resulting multi-hour final stand is pure cinematic gold. Go check it out!

Can I Kickflip an Infected?

I mean, I get it. It is not your normal DayZ video and I do not even skate, but this was a funny watch and surprisingly spot on.

Creator @BillyJames draws a brilliant parallel between surviving in DayZ and hitting the skatepark, showing how both pursuits demand total commitment and learning through endless failure. From proving that top-tier gear cannot carry you without genuine skill to showing how both hobbies permanently rewire how you look at everyday architecture, the comparisons hit surprisingly close to home.

It is a clever, refreshing take on the mindset required to thrive in Chernarus. Definitely give this one a watch!