DayZ is now free to download for PlayStation Plus Essential subscribers as part of August 2025’s monthly lineup, but the launch hasn’t gone entirely to plan. As a flood of new and returning players attempt to connect, many are being met with persistent server issues, preventing them from logging into the hardcore survival game on PlayStation 4.
Players Report “BIOS Error” on PS4
Since DayZ went live on PS Plus yesterday, frustrated players have taken to social media, the official DayZ forums, and Reddit to report that they’re receiving a “BIOS Error” when trying to access the game. Although Bohemia Interactive has yet to release an official fix or response, it’s clear that the game’s PlayStation servers are under immense pressure from the sudden surge in player activity.
This issue appears exclusive to PlayStation platforms, and it coincides directly with the game’s addition to the PS Plus Essential lineup. As the influx of subscribers jumps into the game for the first time, the infrastructure simply hasn’t held up.
A History of Peaks and New Expansions
Originally released in Early Access in 2013 and launching in full on PC in 2018, DayZ made its way to consoles in 2019. The game saw its all-time peak on Steam just last year in October 2024 with the release of the Frostline DLC, which brought players to the freezing wasteland of Sakhal. Despite early criticism of its $26.99 price tag, the DLC received a warm reception, particularly for its harsh survival mechanics and fresh content.
That momentum seems to be continuing. With DayZ now available for free to a large segment of PlayStation users, the servers are once again being pushed to their limits—only this time not by a paid expansion, but by sheer player volume.
What’s Next: DayZ Badlands Expansion in 2026
Looking ahead, Bohemia Interactive has already teased what’s next. In June, the studio revealed DayZ: Badlands, a major expansion scheduled for 2026. Set in the Nasdara Province, a war-torn desert zone filled with new enemies and infected variants, the expansion promises another significant shake-up to the game’s sandbox survival formula.
If the past is any indication, DayZ could break its own concurrent player records yet again once Badlands drops—provided the servers are ready for it this time.
PS Plus August 2025 Lineup Offers More Than Just DayZ
DayZ isn’t the only title making waves in this month’s PS Plus lineup. Subscribers can also grab:
- Lies of P, a dark Soulslike title
- My Hero One’s Justice 2, a fast-paced anime fighting game
- Sword of the Sea, an atmospheric adventure from the creators of Abzu and The Pathless, arriving day one on PS Plus Extra on August 19
While these games offer variety and quality, it’s clear that DayZ is stealing the spotlight—for better or worse—due to its server complications.
