Getting Started in Dead Zone Revive

## Before You Start
Understand this is an early, actively-in-development revival, not a finished game. The developers have been direct that core systems -- completing the tutorial, looting, building -- are still being built out. Manage your expectations for a rough, evolving experience rather than a polished launch.
Your account carries over across every platform Dead Zone Revive is available on (Steam, GameJolt, Itch.io, browser) since they all share the same server -- if you started on one platform, you don't need to restart on another.
## Choosing a Role
Recruit survivors into the 5 available roles -- Fighter, Engineer, Medic, Scavenger, and Recon -- based on what your compound actually needs rather than picking randomly. A doctor (Medic) keeps your team alive longer, a fast looter (Scavenger) speeds up resource gathering, and a front-line Engineer helps fortify your base against hordes.
## Base and Survival Priorities
Prioritize defensive buildings early -- both zombie hordes and rival human survivors pose a real threat to an undefended compound. Production and decorative buildings matter, but a base that can't hold off an attack won't get to enjoy them.
## Common Mistakes
* Expecting day-one polish -- this is an actively rebuilding fan revival of a decade-old game, not a finished commercial product.
* Forgetting that donations, not microtransactions, fund the project -- there is no pay-to-win path, by design and by the terms of the original creator's licensing agreement.