H1Z1 Just Became A Car Combat Game

Has battle royale game H1Z1 just gained a leg up — or rather a wheel — over its competition? Could car-based combat be the next evolution of the survival game craze?

The original H1Z1 appeared on Steam Early Access in 2015, in the form of two modes: Just Survive and King of the Kill. The latter mode was a battle royale and it pretty much kicked off the craze for such games that’s growing to this day. The flames were fanned further by the arrival of Playeruknown’s Battlegrounds and Epic Games’ Fortnite: Battle Royale, two titles that have stolen H1Z1’s thunder recently. They had to come up with a new spin!

For the uninitiated, about 100 players are dropped onto a large map and must fight each other for survival. As time passes, the enclosed area shrinks, forcing players out of hiding and into combat. Only one can win! H1Z1’s new Auto Royale mode works in a similar fashion, only with cars. The game moved out of Early Access this morning in official 1.0 state, but Auto Royale was a surprise addition.

Choosing between ATV and sedan models, players drive across the H1Z1 map and collect power-ups such as land mines, smoke screens, oil slicks, and weapons, as well as fuel to keep going. If you run across a rival car, you must destroy them before they destroy you!

H1Z1: Auto Royale is part of H1Z1 itself, which is now $20 on Steam. The game is for PCs only.