I think the problem with the whiners is that they aren't willing to take a step back and look at this patch without bias. Bias towards the DayZ mod prior to this patch, that is. To any QQ'ers reading this, I ask you one simple question. Have you thought to yourselves, "What if patch 1.7.1 was how the DayZ mod functioned upon it's release?" I use this kind of question in particular debates amongst friends. Usually I say "If humans domesticated cows instead of dogs, would we call the killing of dogs for meat animal cruelty?" (No need to respond, just elaborating the train of thought for the question above) Anyway, I think this patch is FANTASTIC! I agree, the focus is now placed on the zed instead of the bandits. There's still the same threat of other players taking you out. Although, those that like to kill others must be cautious of the zombies when moving into position to murder you. The new mechanics are excellent tension builders! As some others have noted, the new feature of shaking the zed off your tail is quite exciting! I, too, did some tests by aggro'ing as many zed as I could and then experimenting with different methods of breaking LoS. Now, more than ever, do I feel that thrill depicted in an epic chase scene from my favorite action flicks. I couldn't praise these new mechanics enough. We all have to learn the quirks to this system together. You may have become comfortable with your methods of traveling and scavenging from before. However, don't forget that you had to die many times to learn those methods. The cycle is just going to repeat itself now. In a few weeks you'll discover a slew of new strategies that are just as effective as those used prior to patch 1.7.1. Oh, just so I cover all bases, the newly designed spawn inventory is great! It's another way of adding more tension right from the get-go. Those first few minutes/hours are even more intense than before! Love everything you guys, the DayZ staff, are doing. Thank you for all your hard work and innovative gameplay choices. Remember, gaming used to be a niche market. Gamers used to be described, or described themselves, by what genre of games they played. Don't fall into the trap that all the greedy companies out there have set. A video game shouldn't be made to appeal to the masses. A game should be what it was envisioned as, and those that enjoy that concept will love it. If anyone is kicking and screaming to make a change, because they're upset, they can go find the game that doesn't make them upset. I did a full week of research into this mod before I bought Arma II: CO. I'm supporting your work, and wouldn't dare think I'm entitled to dictate how the game progresses. Thanks again. PS - Love the actual Arma II campaigns as well! Honestly, the only thing that upsets me is that I didn't purchase an Arma game sooner.