Wait, what? H1Z1 splits into two games, not free-to-play anymore

Do you remember H1Z1 and how this survival MMORPG is in early access since the time when Daybreak Game Company was still Sony Online Entertainment? Well, in a surprising and somewhat unheard of twist, H1Z1 is turning into two separate games: H1Z1: Just Survive is a persistent, open-world zombie survival game, while H1Z1: King of the Kill is a high-intensity last-man-standing shooter.

Each standalone game is going to have its own dedicated development teams and they will also be heading into early access on February 17, 2016. Players who have already purchased H1Z1 will be granted both versions, but from that date onward players will have to buy each game for $19.99.

But wait, wasn't H1Z1 going to be free-to-play, you ask? Well, yes, that was the initial plan, but Daybreak decided to do an Albion Online on us, which is to say that it won't be free-to-play anymore: “At this time, we do not have any plans to make either H1Z1: Just Survive or H1Z1: King of the Kill Free-to-Play titles.”

Daybreak plans on getting H1Z1: King of the Kill out of Early Access on the PC and to Xbox One and PlayStation 4 this summer, but there's still no date for the release of H1Z1: Just Survive.

You can read more details on this exciting story on the official H1Z1 site. We don't even dare to guess what will happen with Landmark and EverQuest Next…