H1Z1 Early Access unlock time, PC requirements revealed

No pre-load option

***Update 2***

Looks like the launch has been pushed back again. According to Smedley, Early Access will now begin at 1:00pm Pacific (4:00pm Eastern) as H1Z1 is "in final testing on some fixes."

***Update 1***

SOE president John Smedley has announced that H1Z1 Early Access will now launch at 12:00pm Pacific (3:00pm Eastern).

***Original***

Today's the day! After months of waiting, we're finally able to enter the post-apocalyptic, zombie-infested world of H1Z1. 

Early Access for the eagerly awaited game begins today for those of you who have purchased one of the two bundles (even though the game will be free-to-play when it officially launches). According to Senior Game Designer Jimmy Whisenhunt, the game will early access will unlock at 10:00am Pacific Time (1:00pm Eastern Time). But unfortunately, pre-loading is not an option, so you'll first have to download the game when it becomes available.

As for your PC requirements, here are the system specifications as detailed on Steam.

MINIMUM: 

  • OS: Windows 7 64 bit 
  • Processor: Intel i3 Dual-Core with Hyper-Threading (required) 
  • Memory: 4 GB RAM 
  • Graphics: nVidia GeForce GTX 275 series or higher 
  • DirectX: Version 10 
  • Network: Broadband Internet connection 
  • Hard Drive: 20 GB available space 
  • Sound Card: DirectX Compatible Sound Card

RECOMMENDED: 

  • OS: Windows 7 64 bit 
  • Processor: Intel i5 Quad Core or higher / AMD Phenom II X6 or higher 
  • Memory: 8 GB RAM 
  • Graphics: nVidia GeForce GTX 560 series or higher / AMD HD 6870 or higher 
  • DirectX: Version 10 
  • Network: Broadband Internet connection 
  • Hard Drive: 20 GB available space 
  • Sound Card: DirectX compatible Sound Card

Now before you enter the world of H1Z1, you might want to read up on this nifty survival guide provided by Sony Online Entertainment. Your life might just depend on it.