DayZ is the wildly popular mod to the first person shooter ARMA II. Instead of battling enemy forces, you fight to survive during the zombie apocalypse. Achievement is surviving for hours instead of minutes as the slightest mistake can mean instant demise. Adding to the complication is the online multiplayer. You can be running a perfect stealth game, slowly descending upon your target without notice. Out of nowhere, another player comes running by and gives away your location. Or, you can be minding your own business when another player decides to shoot you without even communicating to find out if you're alive.

The best illustration of this challenge I can find is the Penny Arcade strip "DayZ, DayZ." Go take a look. It's a great sight gag.

Despite the challenge (or because of it), DayZ has gained a large following of fans. However, to play the game, you had to purchase ARMA II and then install the mods.

Not anymore. Dean Hall from Bohemia Interactive, the creator of the DayZ mod, has announced a standalone version of DayZ slated to come out in December. The game will be built on the same engine as ARMA II--the game engine of developers ARMA II Operation Arrowhead--without the pesky war game basis.

DayZ will be filled with new features, including new methods of virus transmission, household items, and no more user interface. The goal seems to be an immersive survival horror grounded in a gritty realism. This isn't Resident Evil. You're probably not going to make it out alive.

You can follow the development of DayZ at their Tumblr.

So what do you think? Are you interested in the standalone version of DayZ? I've played the game on other people's computers but refuse to buy another game to play a mod. I'll gladly pick up the standalone version when it's available. What about you? Sound off below.