Satellite Phones + Future DLC with NPC missions arranged via phone.

[BigEdMan 11]

Two words: Satellite Phones

Benefits:

Friends could be automatically added to your address book.

Acquaintances like heroic helicopter pilots, daring combat medics or getaway drivers could go in the secondary address book.

You could then call people up and make plans.

But your voice will carry just like in the real world, so others hiding nearby may overhear your conversations.

This could further enrich the proper use of stealth & patients and benefit the sneaky players.

After all why kill somebody when you can follow them to a rendezvous point and take out a whole group.

Upgrades:

Your phone won't function without fresh batteries.

And perhaps you'll live long enough to add upgrades like a card that adds GPS with topographical maps.

Then you can send your favorite bandit or do-gooder a maked map location they may find interesting.

Or you perhaps find a Replacement Camera Lens that would allow you to take screenshots without breaking the immersion factor.

FYI:

For the love of God keep your cell phone on vibrate because the sound may attract zombies or worse.

(Small phone icon vibrating on your screen)

+ You could add in future DLC with NPC missions arranged via phone.

Just more to keep the avid adventurer going.

For example find a car and pick up a pregnant lady who needs to get to the doctor. Car breaks down, send/call friends for parts, defend car/lady or risk losing humanity.

Or find a lost dog or blue ribbon cow in a dangerous area for more ammo than you can shake a wet tail at.

Just picture driving somewhere with a cow in the backseat, better hope you don't have a leather interior body!

(Remember: he may just a self-made cow so go make something of yourself - sorry had to)

[GOD™ 2795]

Prank calls C:

[Failbait 60]

No NPCs. Wrong game.

[Very Ape 748]

I posted a similar suggestion, but you get credit for inspiring me.

The only problem I have with this suggestion is that it doesn't feel quite "gritty" enough for me. I guess I prefer the unpredictable nature of the radio. You just never know what you're going to hear, and god damn is the static-filled voice of a stranger creepy! Hard to explain-- but it's just personal preference talking here, it's a great idea nonetheless!

Edited December 6, 2012 by Very Ape

[BigEdMan 11]

No NPCs. Wrong game.

+ You could add in future DLC with NPC missions arranged via phone.

self-explanatory

[SP45M 240]

self-explanatory

The Dev team is madly ripping out all the NPC/AI from the engine to streamline it for the standalone, I'm thinking they are probably not going to change their minds and put it back in again.