Interview with Matthew Lightfoot

[Fraggle (DayZ) 15720]

@ FinKone - Yeh it's gonna be interesting that's for sure.

I agree about the zombie behaviour but TBH it just comes down to how they decide to prioritise their time. We know that the zeds will be getting the full overhaul, the only question really remaining is at what point in the process it'll happen.

[DemonGroover 8836]

well thats true however why not just fix the zombie AI and include it in the initial release if it is something that is easier then what they are currently doing? However i am curious to see how zombies have improved without a AI rework

Maybe all it took was to make them run in straight lines, run indoors and to not allow them to hit through walls or walk through objects. After all a zombie is a perfect AI in computer games. No dodging or weaving just investigate noises and once spotted run straight at the player.

Improvements however, of the kind they can add later may be on the lines of zombies aggro-ing each other (ie: if zombies see other zombies running maybe they will join in the fun), life cycles of zombies, different model types, dormant zombies springing to life, zombies hiding in cupboards.....who knows their plans?

I think the idea is simply get the engine and architecture stable and tested and then rollout the features. I am confident once the alpha is released to everyone the additional features will keep coming and coming.

[Fraggle (DayZ) 15720]

Yup, once the initial release is out and stable that's when the sexy stuff'll start being sorted.

[Bat (DayZ) 230]

I think Rocket and Bohemia's decision here is pretty obvious.

1. Sell beta access to whichever 100 people will pay the most for it.
   
2. Use the revenue generated to hire a crack team of macho deadly mercenaries to rescue Ivan and Martin from their evil greek captors
   
3. Churn out standalone faster with their help of the freed devs
   
4. PROFIT
   

Is quentin tarantino directing this one?

on topic : I can't fucking wait for the first streaming footages, want to see that UI, inventory, clothing system (this one gonna be epic I can tell...), new character animations hopefully? and chernarus with take on helicopter weather system.. gonna be atmospheric to say the least !

[ImageCtrl 719]

... and chernarus with take on helicopter weather system.. gonna be atmospheric to say the least !

Already shared in toh thread. Leave it here again... :P

[Skint (DayZ) 138]

It will only be released on Steam because they don't have a big enough team for an anti-cheat (They will be using VAC) or download system.

Hmm, I was hoping for more options ofr purchase.

Also, I'm a bit disappointed with the £14 price, I was expecting it to be half that.

Especially considering that they are now saying they haven't tackled the Zed AI and the character/environment collision issues.

It just doesn't sound like a release worth £14.

More like £6 or £7 tops for the first stage.

[Fraggle (DayZ) 15720]

It's worth remembering that for that price you will own the game including all future patches until it is complete. Also, buying it is not mandatory. I honestly think if there's one thing you can't criticise about the SA, it's the price.

[Fraggle (DayZ) 15720]

Is quentin tarantino directing this one?

on topic : I can't fucking wait for the first streaming footages, want to see that UI, inventory, clothing system (this one gonna be epic I can tell...), new character animations hopefully? and chernarus with take on helicopter weather system.. gonna be atmospheric to say the least !

Volumetric clouds are looking very nice in that engine :)

I really hope the critics are starting to see the strengths of the engine now rather than focussing on the "buginess", much of which was/is a result of DayZ being a mod.

Edited January 11, 2013 by Fraggle

[crazykillag 2]

wow, that really looks great. Look forward to it

[floomoo 21]

I think Rocket and Bohemia's decision here is pretty obvious.

1. Sell beta access to whichever 100 people will pay the most for it.
   
2. Use the revenue generated to hire a crack team of macho deadly mercenaries to rescue Ivan and Martin from their evil greek captors
   
3. Churn out standalone faster with their help of the freed devs
   
4. PROFIT
   

This. Is. Amazing.

Exactly what needs to happen.

[nmv06 8]

If i remember in Take on Helicopters, there is an option to auto start the choppa. Will it still be available in DayZ ? also, will we get to have the auto hover feature in it ? because it took me almost 30 min in the first few training missions just to get the helicopter to hover in one point. (Don't want to remember the mission where i had to land between buildings)

[madballster@gmail.com 23]

1) Zombie AI [and more different types of Zombies]

2) Walking down/up hills and stairs behaviour

3) Indoor walking behaviour / moving around corners => Currently it's simply shit

[...]

All these things I consider basic

Check Rocket's reply on reddit. He also considers the above basic as in 'simple'. However, he said they're working on the complex issues first (client and server data storage and communication) and try to get them stable. Rocket said Zombie AI stuff is rather easy and they like to tackle the harder parts first as a 'proof of concept'. When that's done, the easy stuff like Zombie AI should be a breeze.

That's why I am willing to wait on these walking/AI/movement issues and happily allow them all the time in the world to tackle the architectural issues in a first release.

[Jonsse 69]

If i remember in Take on Helicopters, there is an option to auto start the choppa. Will it still be available in DayZ ? also, will we get to have the auto hover feature in it ? because it took me almost 30 min in the first few training missions just to get the helicopter to hover in one point. (Don't want to remember the mission where i had to land between buildings)

I would actually support more difficult startup and handling mechanics rather than more simple ones. It would require a dedicated member of a group to be the pilot, someone who knows how to do it and can perform in difficult situations.

Also it would prevent just any noob running to a helicopter and taking of with it, and then crashing it a few minutes later. Makes the entire thing so dispensable.

Edited January 12, 2013 by Jonsse

[Menny 116]

If i remember in Take on Helicopters, there is an option to auto start the choppa. Will it still be available in DayZ ? also, will we get to have the auto hover feature in it ? because it took me almost 30 min in the first few training missions just to get the helicopter to hover in one point. (Don't want to remember the mission where i had to land between buildings)

It should be hard.

I see DayZ as a zombie survival simulator. Having realistic chopper handling really adds to that.

[bnblue@hotmail.com 40]

Only just noticed this thread, will give me something nice to watch till my server gets dark and less populated!

Many thanks! <3

[Fraggle (DayZ) 15720]

Not much to watch cos it's a TS Q&A session but there's some good info in there. We arranged it at short notice so don't expect anyhthing too amazing :)

[bnblue@hotmail.com 40]

Not much to watch cos it's a TS Q&A session but there's some good info in there. We arranged it at short notice so don't expect anyhthing too amazing :)

Yes I did quickly notice that and liked the "looks so much better in 480p comment" :P but an enjoyable listen all the same! :D

[Fraggle (DayZ) 15720]

If we do it again we'll open a thread so we can ask them some of the questions you guys want answered. We didn't really have time to arrange it that time, it was only going to be an informal meeting and we decided to do the Q&A bit at the last minute.

Edited January 13, 2013 by Fraggle

[bnblue@hotmail.com 40]

That would be cool, I'll keep an eye out for that, already got my question, is there any intention to add fishing to the game? :D

[Axon0p62 11]

Great as always, but all i am waiting for is someone telling me where(or when) to preorder it?

Thx for your good work, Creators for the game and Forumstuff for sharing with the community.

Edited January 13, 2013 by Axon0p62

[SmashT 10907]

Great as always, but all i am waiting for is someone telling me where(or when) to preorder it?.

There won't be any preorders

[gesundheitk 420]

There won't be any preorders

Can we presteal it? I've been meaning to use my rope and hook for some time now.

[jimaway 3]

does anybody know if the ~18€ price is the "heavily discounted price in alpha stages" or the full price when the game is complete?

[daze23 549]

does anybody know if the ~18€ price is the "heavily discounted price in alpha stages" or the full price when the game is complete?

apparently that is the "heavily discounted price in alpha stages"

[jimaway 3]

wow the full release is going to be about 50€ then?