The Early Access version of the standalone Arma 2 mod, DayZ, will be a "true-blue" alpha with many features still in progress when it hits, creator Dean Hall wrote in a recent update.

"I really can't emphasize enough — this is going to be an early access project on steam," Hall wrote. "Massive areas of the engine were entirely reworked, involving a large team of people over the last 12 months. Much of what these achievements will enable won't be seen for many months — so I really plead for anyone who is on the fence to take a skeptical approach — watch streams, read reviews, watch some let's play and form your opinion. You could always come back to the game in three, six months time and buy it then."

According to Hall, buying the early alpha "will be a recipe for disappointment" unless players are looking to be part of the entire process. The alpha is intended for those that value development as much as the whole experience.

"For many, this is the opposite of what they want," Hall wrote. "To enable a smooth launch, we really are targeting it at a core audience who want to get deeply involved in a very barebones experience that is a platform for future development."

In August, Hall told Polygon that the team no longer had release dates, but instead wanted to focus on completing the alpha. Read about the alpha's most recent changes in the full post.