How exactly is this game fun?

[jungodungo 5]

Ok, some background first.

I played Arma/Arma 2 for years, loved em, but I could tell it wasn't for most people. The extreme realism made it far less exciting than something like BF or Call of Duty, but to me that realism and scale made the game awesome, so I was happy to hop one of few servers available and full of people playing the kind of matches I liked. Then DayZ servers started popping up. Soon there were a ton of servers full of people playing Arma. NICE! Waaaay more than there ever were before. So I figured I'd give this whole DayZ thing a go. After 5 or 6 solid attempts at the game I've got to ask, how exactly is this game fun?

Don't get me wrong. I don't consider not being able to appreciate a game something to be proud of. I WANT to be able to enjoy the game like everyone else, so I figure there is something I must be missing. My problem is the game just seems down right boring. I walk around for hours. Find a gun and um...beans (oh boy!). I can shoot some zombies, but it makes more since not to since ammo is scarce. So I basically end up wandering around for a few more hours, find nothing interesting going on, and put the game down. Maybe a month later I'll give it another go, try to push through to some kind of payoff, but it never arrives. Just walk walk walk. Can of beans. More walking. Road flare. And so on.

What I don't really get is how DayZ seems to be so much more popular than the original Arma game, since from what I can tell the original game had way more going for it than the DayZ mod. Like I alluded to before, I'm not hear to come on a DayZ forum and just crap on the game. If there's a hump that I just need to get over where this game actually get's interesting I'm down to give it a go. I guess I'm asking why do you like this game? What is it about it that makes it exciting for you? And most of all what am I missing here?

[Trizzo 632]

Yay I love soma...fun is what I like weeee....

It isn't fun. Fun was never included in the DayZ mission statement. Rocket said so himself. Happy now?

Survival isn't meant to be. Despite the glitches, hacking (less now) and yet to be fully developed ideas it's exhilarating and exhausting. It's an experience that will physical move you. Few games will ever give you adrenaline shakes, making your mouse hand unsteady enough to effect your aim and if they do it is usually after the fact and unsustained. It's a part and parcel of the gameplay in dayz.

DayZ, like love, takes patience to yield its full fruits.

Edited November 4, 2012 by Trizzo

[cyklopas 0]

You're missing the fact that in original ArmA2 you also wonder around and no nothing else than shoot random people. What makes DayZ fun is the teamwork, just like in original ArmA2. You find some people on skype who play the game, and team up with them, killing other players, or just bandits.

The worst thing is when a hacker comes into a server. In fact, if there are at least 30 players, there is 99% possibility that there is at least one hacker who will try to make your gameplay less exciting than ever.

[Edgar Allen Bro (DayZ) 13]

I think because it's building on the point you made on ARMA, the realism point. If a Zombie Epidemic actually broke out, you wouldnt be living in levels and upgrading guns like in call of doody, you would be doing this. Sneaking around, being quiet, not trusting anyone, scavenging any supplies you could find, not wasting ammo, ACTUALLY suffering from thirst and hunger. So the same reason's that you love ARMA for being a more realistic FPS, we love DayZ because it's a realistic view on what would happen. No leveling, no grinding for any kind of gear whatsoever, none of that. Just pitting yourself against the world that was destroyed, and now is out to destroy you !

[harley001 315]

1st

NO ONE CARES!

Okay now about why Dayz is fun. MEET SOME PEOPLE OR DO SOME PVP! SUDDENLY ITS FUN!

[dallas 5195]

Go towards more populated areas, for more "fun."

[Mash Tactics 3]

I like this game because it's an intense player versus player game with a zombie twist thrown in.

Why do you like ArmA? I mean, this game is basically ArmA with zombies, so I'm not sure you're even enjoying the previous game if you're having trouble having fun in this one.

[jungodungo 5]

Hmm, well thanks for the feedback guys. I understand what some of you are saying and I guess I can see your point of view. The hackers are a big problem, in fact DayZ attracted so many hackers they ruined Arma for me, so I'm a little annoyed at that but oh well that's not DayZ's fault.

I guess I just wanted to make sure there wasn't something else I was supposed to be doing or some kind of goal. I'll give it another shot.

[jungodungo 5]

Why do you like ArmA? I mean, this game is basically ArmA with zombies, so I'm not sure you're even enjoying the previous game if you're having trouble having fun in this one.

That you would say that makes me think you never played a good large scale Arma match. In DayZ you are 1 person trying to scavange and survive. In Arma you command a large squad of soldiers, tanks, helicopters etc. as part of an army trying to take over the entire map using realistic military tactics and strategy. Good or bad, it's a completely different game.

[Mash Tactics 3]

Nah, there's not really a goal in DayZ. That's why it's so beautiful. You can do whatever you want, whenever you want, wherever you want.

I imagine it'll get quite a bit better once the standalone comes out. ArmA simply is not a game that's able to sustain what DayZ requires.

[*Exile* Sami 188]

Like they said, DayZ isnt meant to be fun, its meant to piss you the fuck off :P

[Mash Tactics 3]

That you would say that makes me think you never played a good large scale Arma match. In DayZ you are 1 person trying to scavange and survive. In Arma you command a large squad of soldiers, tanks, helicopters etc. as part of an army trying to take over the entire map using realistic military tactics and strategy. Good or bad, it's a completely different game.

If you like large-scale coorperation, then DayZ is not the game you're looking for.

Take it or leave it.

[brachra 112]

I think of dayZ like i do when i play EvE online, Hours of not having much fun, For that few seconds of heart pounding adrenaline because something absolutely crazy has happened. like, surviving, being out in the middle of nowhere, a player comes across you and you are at a standoff, a firefight ensues and zombies start hording towards you, and you and the guy you were fighting with automatically become buddies because neither of you want to die, a few seconds later, a van with 4 bandits rolls through and kills everything, you get robbed. Game over.

Those moments don't last long, and are few and far between the tedious running/resting/eating/drinking simulator that is DayZ, but those moments keep it worth it, and always will.

[fosty99 160]

The adrenaline

[herrjon 478]

DayZ is a sandbox game, there is no goal aside from what you decide you want to do. That's the beauty of it. You can be a lone wolf survivor, you can be in a squad. You can be a bandit, you can be a hero. You can stay in the towns, or live in the woods. Whatever you want to do, feel free to give it a go.

I enjoy the tense feeling it gives you. It's strange, because it's not really that fun, it's stressful and can become very intense, it really gets the blood pumping. You may not have experienced that, since once you figure out zombies they just don't do it, but go on a high pop server when you hear gunshots all around you and you have no clue what's going on or what to do, you'll know what I mean.

In the end, it's not for everyone. If you don't prefer the game as is, maybe wait to see how standalone turns out.

[wolfstriked 143]

Try Namalsk and you will have fun.Dayz started out with excellent intentions but faltered slightly.The game is about survival first and foremost and so when your doing the hiking simulator waiting hours for an adrenaline fix you should instead be constantly needing to do something to survive.Namalsk helps out by making food and drink a bit more rare and also the fact its a smaller landmass and has tons of weapons you will find action more often.

[brachra 112]

Try Namalsk and you will have fun.Dayz started out with excellent intentions but faltered slightly.The game is about survival first and foremost and so when your doing the hiking simulator waiting hours for an adrenaline fix you should instead be constantly needing to do something to survive.Namalsk helps out by making food and drink a bit more rare and also the fact its a smaller landmass and has tons of weapons you will find action more often.

Im sure thats cool, but doesnt that just turn it into Battlefield or CoD with an eating and drinking meter?

Im not saying running around for hours is fun, but

TONS OF GUNS + SMALL MAP + asshole players?! thats just a deathmatch waiting to happen..

They seriously just need to keep PVP the way it is, and make zombies an actual threat....then Chernarus wouldnt suck.

[zenorc123 137]

Ok, some background first.

I played Arma/Arma 2 for years, loved em, but I could tell it wasn't for most people. The extreme realism made it far less exciting than something like BF or Call of Duty, but to me that realism and scale made the game awesome, so I was happy to hop one of few servers available and full of people playing the kind of matches I liked. Then DayZ servers started popping up. Soon there were a ton of servers full of people playing Arma. NICE! Waaaay more than there ever were before. So I figured I'd give this whole DayZ thing a go. After 5 or 6 solid attempts at the game I've got to ask, how exactly is this game fun?

Don't get me wrong. I don't consider not being able to appreciate a game something to be proud of. I WANT to be able to enjoy the game like everyone else, so I figure there is something I must be missing. My problem is the game just seems down right boring. I walk around for hours. Find a gun and um...beans (oh boy!). I can shoot some zombies, but it makes more since not to since ammo is scarce. So I basically end up wandering around for a few more hours, find nothing interesting going on, and put the game down. Maybe a month later I'll give it another go, try to push through to some kind of payoff, but it never arrives. Just walk walk walk. Can of beans. More walking. Road flare. And so on.

What I don't really get is how DayZ seems to be so much more popular than the original Arma game, since from what I can tell the original game had way more going for it than the DayZ mod. Like I alluded to before, I'm not hear to come on a DayZ forum and just crap on the game. If there's a hump that I just need to get over where this game actually get's interesting I'm down to give it a go. I guess I'm asking why do you like this game? What is it about it that makes it exciting for you? And most of all what am I missing here?

Honestly, I haven't played arma or DayZ yet but I do watch some videos on YouTube. I think you do lack some experience most of the players experience. I think you haven't encountered bandits or players yet, those are the elements needed to make this fun, interaction. Nothing beats shouting in your mic if a stranger is friendly or not, the fact that another person would get you any minute might boost the excitement while playing. .... and those spooky urban legends too (whether true or fake), they're worth keeping an eye on. ;)

[Michaelvoodoo25 3120]

A lack of imagination springs to mind, What you mention are the scratches on the surface. There is so much more to the setting and environment of the game.

If after all the maps released and sever choice available you still haven't found a continually enjoyable way to play then all I would suggest (and do if it was me) would be to put DayZ on the shelf and find something else to play. Try that Game where they stack shit as high as they can in a vain attempt, I think it's called WarZ.

How people don't get their hearts racing all the time (Not just confrontations) is beyond me. This game must have given you a reason to buy it in the first place? what was it?

[boneboys 7988]

Find a Bus, drive around giving people a lift here and there.

That is fun.

Shoot the infected in the kneecaps (AKM will do the job) and watch em do the chain dance while you loot the town.

That is fun.

Best of all, try playing the game,,,loads of fun.

[mr_chabowski@live.co.uk 2416]

Going from ArmA to DayZ would have started you with a good knowledge of the controls, and how weapons handle.

A lot of the current community (myself included) seems to have had more excitement out of NOT knowing how things worked.

I had Operation Flashpoint back in the day, but was always more of a Max Payne / Resident Evil / Deus Ex kinda guy, the authentic simulation side of things is still fresh and new in the sci-fi / horror scene.

This game must have given you a reason to buy it in the first place? what was it?

A fuckload of people seem to have jumped on the bandwagon, only to realise, they don't like where it's heading.

[DKR 104]

On my 4th day, I have realized why so many people enjoy the game. I would say it requires a person to REALLY put themselves in the characters shoes to create this dynamic.

Food, supplies, essentials...they're all scarce. Avoiding zombies while trying to find items can be hectic and tense. I spend hours finding items to survive.

Its the moment when you see someone else, several yards away, that your heart starts pumping, and adrenaline starts rushing. It's not a game. It's me dude. I'm trying to survive, and if I die its all over. Everything I did is over. That's about as close to real death as you can simulate in a video game. Permadeath man.

So why do I enjoy this game? Because I'm ACTUALLY terrified. My heart rate skyrockets when I'm stalking someone, or run into someone. its because there's no Save button. There is no respawn at last location. its over If I'm killed. I'm scared, incredibly tense, and I love every minute of it.

Its the most frustrating and emotionally draining game I've ever played, for real. because I try to put myself in the shoes of the character as I try to survive. As i write this, I'm still coming down from an incident ten minutes ago. I mean I'm literally trembling with anger.

It's not a "pick up controller, press start, start shooting" type of game.

And if walking and looting isn't your thing....head to Cherno or Elektro on a server with 20 or more people. You'll see the value when you come face to face with someone. I assure you.

I've been playing PC Games since Doom was out on shareware. I'm 25, and I've played all the big blockbuster games and the lesser known ones as well. This mod for Arma is literally the first game I've ever played that makes my heart pound. If you treat it like its you, and not a game, then you might see the greatness of the mod. its easy to miss because there's SO MUCH empty space out there on the map. The mod seems boring. Repetitious. Just learn where to go for loot, and you'll run into others. After you've spent a couple hours finding some awesome stuff, come back and tell us how it feels to get it all ripped away from you.

Is there any other game that manipulates your emotions as much as DayZ?

Edited November 4, 2012 by droscoe

[pliskin9201 0]

I get extremely paranoid playing. I swear I start hearing footsteps behind me or rustles through the grass and I'll stop all the sudden hit the deck and sit there and listen for a minute. When you've got nothing in your inventory you just run around not caring because you have nothing to lose. You should get fully stocked, that's when it means everything to avoid making a bad decision and winding up at the end of a DMR scope.

[tommes 331]

The long runs of boringness give you a much higher kick when you finally get into action. Ever got ambushed while running through a forest? Makes you pumping with adrenaline in an instant.

In regular shooter games you start with a weapon get in a firefight within 30 seconds to the point where you don't care anymore about being shot at. In DayZ even seeing another player in the distance gets you excited. Silence makes you value sounds more.

[iegle 117]

That you would say that makes me think you never played a good large scale Arma match. In DayZ you are 1 person trying to scavange and survive. In Arma you command a large squad of soldiers, tanks, helicopters etc. as part of an army trying to take over the entire map using realistic military tactics and strategy. Good or bad, it's a completely different game.

You answered your own question. Arma is a specialist's game, requiring a deep understanding of fire-team and squad level manoeuvre tactics. You have to think and be a team player to do well in Arma.

DayZ is much simpler, and has a lower barrier to entry. Anyone with FPS experience can pick up a gun and succeed in DayZ; not so in Arma. DayZ appeals to the simple masses. :)

To be honest, I find it a shame that DayZ has done as much damage as it has to the Arma community I do believe that things will get better when the DayZ standalone is released and Arma can once again be returned to the true enthusiasts.