[DayZ SA] Car Locking, Keys, and Alarms - Realistic Vehicles

[xDIx Revenge 51]

Hey guys,

This isn't a very complex idea so I'll get straight into it.

Current State:

Once you have a vehicle repaired, you can currently simply hop in and drive it. This works fine, but it does allow for someone to easily get to your car, and hijack it, or even hop in the back/boot.

Theres really not much to do to prevent this besides shooting this person or driving away. Sometimes you are unable to do this, because you are preoccupied etc.

For example, one time when I had just spawned into a new server, I had a vehicle approach me almost straight away. I noticed there were 2 Ghilli Suit characters inside the car, and both hopped out to try to shoot me (for whatever reason). I was relatively close to the vehicle, and the instant the driver move a bit away from it, I just dashed for the door, jumped in while bleeding, and drove off.

One of the other guys managed to get into the passenger seat, and it was quite awkward driving away while bleeding to death looking at this stranger that had just hopped out to try and murder me.

Point being, did I really deserve to get into that car? No. Would I have been able to do that in real life, even IF they were that bad a shot to not be able to kill me? No. They would simply drag me out of the door, or push me away.

Its hard to represent that in game, besides a melee system with staggering etc. I don't really want to cover this, what I want to cover is realistic vehicle handling.

Proposed Idea:

I'd suggest a new item be added that spawns in with each working vehicle. This would be a simple key.

Now before you start thinking i'm going to suggest you need to have this key to drive, stop. I'm not going to say that, because I realise the effect that would have on the game. You could essentially log out, and have a vehicle that is un-drivable until you come back with the key.

What I am going to suggest is the following.

• If you are in possession of the key (which can act as a utility style item (theres little to no information on how the new inventory will handle items), you are able to start the vehicle it corresponds to, and lock/unlock it.
  
• Locking a car is available once you leave the car, and while you are in it (the latter can be done without the key).
  

Locking / Unlocking

Once you have locked your car, several situations can occur. The car doors and gear are inaccessible to a player without the key. However they can break into the car.

Breaking into the car causes several things:

• Once you break into the car, you are able to unlock the door which you broke through (using the window). You can move to any seat inside the car as you can now, without having to break any more glass.
  
• That windsheild is now considered broken, and will need to be repaired (exposing the passenger/driver to easier damage, and zombies dragging you out of the car).
  
• If the car was locked when you broke the windsheild to get in, the car alarm will trigger.
  

Car Alarms

If you happen to trigger the car alarm by attempting to (and succeeding to) break into a car, it will sound for as long as the car's engine is not turned on. Turning the car engine on isn't as simple as it is with the key however. It will take a bit longer, and make a bit more noise.

Essentially you would do the Hollywood style "break open the dashboard" hot wiring of the car to start the engine. This will be an action that takes a few seconds, meanwhile the car alarm is going, and the sound of bashing the window in has already happened. The car will rev a bit while you attempt to turn it on until finally it turns on.

Consequences of Stealing a Car

The reason why stealing a car would then become a harsh decision, is you'd have to take several things into account.

1. While breaking into the car, you're left in the open, bashing in a window. This will create a fair bit of noise that both nearby players and infected will hear.
   
2. While starting the car, the car alarm will attract and draw a lot of infected to the vehicle, and alert any player nearby that there is a car being stolen.
   
3. The windshield on the drivers side (or passenger side) would now be broken, which leaves you with little defense against bulets and infected (who can hopefully pull you out of broken windows).
   

I'll leave it at that so that I don't go off-topic too much into different ideas. Please post what you think of these ideas, and how I could improve them, or anything else you think of!

Thanks for reading!

[Testwd3r235 2810]

This...again? I'll give you that it's a polished and a good idea but expanding on an older topic about this would work. Not saying it's not a brilliant idea. ;)

[xDIx Revenge 51]

This...again? I'll give you that it's a polished and a good idea but expanding on an older topic about this would work. Not saying it's not a brilliant idea. ;)

I tried searching it up but didn't find any dedicated threads on the idea.

I did find a few threads titled like "Standalone Suggestions" that simply had a dotpoint of "Car Alarms - Attract Zombies".

I personally think theres a lot of depth lacking in vehicle control, and really wish they would expand on it, so i wrote up an idea that I hadn't seen written into recently.

Could you link me to a thread about it? I did only search fast as I just did this in my break :)

[±Traditore± 17]

I hear car alarms is being thought of for standalone.

[scoffield77@gmail.com 192]

Locking/unlocking is a Idea I stand with, thought I don't know how well it would be in execution, I can see keys being lost all the time cause of deaths or any other thing.

Maybe if there was a way to make keys for cars, I'd really put my support behind this. But I can only see people driving around with broken into cars. I would like to see a key being required to start up a car though, so you would have to hot wire it witch would take time and not be reliable too though. I feel the positive out weighs the negative in this. If only there was a way to make keys easy to find.

Maybe instead of keys for indivdual cars, they would be a 'universal' key for a model of a car... i.e. a UAZ would need a UAZ key... instead of having individual cars require individual keys... Or maybe even a code for the more modern cars like the SUV...

[TIC 1050]

I had done a lot of mentioning in my posts(not topics) about car alarms but haven't completely covered this topic thoroughly but I think car alarms would be great for alerting zombies and other people around the proximity.

Locking/unlocking a car wouldn't have much of a purpose because you could break out the windows, unlock it, hotwire it with a toolbox and drive off.

[Josh225 129]

When I read the part about the car alarm I instantly came up with a scenario along the lines of one player attempts to steal the car while his friends all take up position around it to fend off the infected. Sounds very movie-like.

[hatfieldcw 184]

I'd like to see this in the game. Require a toolbox to start a car, maybe.

I'd also like to be able to leave my engine running when I get out. Maybe it takes a couple seconds to start the car, so if you're just filling your canteen or want to be ready to make a speedy getaway, you leave it on. In your example, I'm guessing the guys piling out of the car to machinegun a stranger wouldn't take a moment to pocket the keys, so maybe your daring theft was more believable than you think.

[Red_Storm 0]

You have my beans sir. Good idea! Side note, I think having a toolbox to break in would be a suitable addition.

Edited February 1, 2013 by Red Storm

[xDIx Revenge 51]

I hear car alarms is being thought of for standalone.

I also think I read that somewhere, just felt like expanding on the idea :)

Locking/unlocking is a Idea I stand with, thought I don't know how well it would be in execution, I can see keys being lost all the time cause of deaths or any other thing.

Maybe if there was a way to make keys for cars, I'd really put my support behind this. But I can only see people driving around with broken into cars. I would like to see a key being required to start up a car though, so you would have to hot wire it witch would take time and not be reliable too though. I feel the positive out weighs the negative in this. If only there was a way to make keys easy to find

Maybe instead of keys for indivdual cars, they would be a 'universal' key for a model of a car... i.e. a UAZ would need a UAZ key... instead of having individual cars require individual keys... Or maybe even a code for the more modern cars like the SUV...

Universal keys could work. Alternatively you could find materials that could be moulded into a key (if you found the "universal" key mould) etc. Either way, there could also be a system for respawning the key once it despawns (when somebody dies).

Thanks for the input :)

I had done a lot of mentioning in my posts(not topics) about car alarms but haven't completely covered this topic thoroughly but I think car alarms would be great for alerting zombies and other people around the proximity.

Locking/unlocking a car wouldn't have much of a purpose because you could break out the windows, unlock it, hotwire it with a toolbox and drive off.

Not necessarily "great" for alerting zeds. It would be quite terrifying :) The whole idea of the locking system is to make car alarms have an actual existence. Without locking a car, car alarms shouldn't exist, and its a choice you have to make. "Do i have enough firepower / is no one around to make it worthwhile to smash this window open and hot wire the car?"

You even stated the "purpose" in your statement about it not having purpose aha. :)

When I read the part about the car alarm I instantly came up with a scenario along the lines of one player attempts to steal the car while his friends all take up position around it to fend off the infected. Sounds very movie-like.

Definitely :) I'm thinking L4D and Walking Dead scenarios all the time :) It mainly came to my attention when I was playing the Walking Dead game and there was a screw driver inside a car. But the car was locked, so I instantly thought "hey I'll just bash the window in". Turns out the noise it created was enough to alert nearby walkers of my presence :L

I'd like to see this in the game. Require a toolbox to start a car, maybe.

I'd also like to be able to leave my engine running when I get out. Maybe it takes a couple seconds to start the car, so if you're just filling your canteen or want to be ready to make a speedy getaway, you leave it on. In your example, I'm guessing the guys piling out of the car to machinegun a stranger wouldn't take a moment to pocket the keys, so maybe your daring theft was more believable than you think.

I don't mind the tool box being needed to hot wire the car, as that again means not just anybody can hop in a car and jump-start it. But i don't like it being the replacement of a car key.

Also, you can currently leave the engine running when you get out of a car by "Ejecting" instead of using the option to "Get out.".

It is a true statement that that could of been the case, but I still think in a proper environment, you wouldn't be able to run past a man, open a car door, hop in, turn the keys, and drive off, without some intervention.

You have my beans sir. Good idea! Side note, I think having a toolbox to break in would be a suitable addition.

Thanks :D I don't know about a tool box to "break in" although possibly you could even go more in-depth:

- If you have NONE of the available items to break the glass, you bunt it with your elbow (slower, longer noise [more hits], and possibly hurts you a bit?)

- If you have a weapon (axe, knife or other blade, even a crowbar) or the butt of a gun you can smash it open using that (possibly degrading the weapons quality slightly (i don't know how that system works fully yet))

- If you have a tool box you can pull out a hammer to do the above ^ without any degrading (unless tool boxes degrade as well)

[xDIx Revenge 51]

Bump :)

[LostManMike 0]

Oh man I can imagine it now.. Finding a car and fiddling with it, accidently setting its alarm off..

Then the entire town's population of zeds comes rushing towards the sound of the alarm.

[hogscraper 328]

I like the idea, but the solution should be an expansion to what we already have. Forget making motors one giant thing that I can magically place three of in a coyote pack. Make the engine problems even more specific like bad distributor cap, battery or any other thing. Then allow players to not only add these things but also take them off. Same principle as shooting out one of the tires when you log out with one in your pack but much more involved. Add in car alarms that can drain the battery completely if not turned off or disabled and that just adds another reason to be out scavenging once you get geared up. As for your theory that your escape was unbelievable watch cops sometime. They shoot tons of bullets at people at point blank range and still miss. I also see reports on the news here and there of some crafty criminal dodging a cop and stealing their cars.

[grim981 5]

I don't mean to be an ass in this particular situation, but this has been discussed, by me as well. It's called "Vehicle Suggestions" , because I go over more than just this, but I go into just as much detail on the locking and hijacking details.

[Dylanco1 10]

I think of all these cars having suffered so much that they can be started with anything flat like the back of a teaspoon the whole breaking in thing YES the should be something like that but it should mainly happen in Hotspots (Such as If you watch the walking dead Glenn and Rick work together to Hotwire a car with the alarm continually going off by first breaking the window then hotwiring without cutting the Alarms cable) and even then Keys MIGHT Spawn on newspawns but would correspond to a fairly basic Car that doesnt have much space for loot but more for players then you avoid the Car alarm but breaking the window the alarm would go off automatically upon bumping the car if they have suffered the damage they seem to always be left with

[Rekli 995]

toolbox to smash a window.....gettin me a video link.......

ignore this guys voice...laughand breathing and...MUTE THE VID XD Edited February 2, 2013 by NeedzBeanz

[Katana67 2907]

This is a great idea. The only problem I see is that most vehicles tend to be stolen when their "owners" are offline, which sort of negates the problem of players being close by and may not actually translate into making stealing cars more risky on average. I think it's certainly a good and immersive idea.

Perhaps implement a kind of "hot wire" mechanic where your character must have a specific type of tool. I almost want to suggest a hot wiring mini-game, but I'm not sure how that'd fit into DayZ's philosophy.

[aksuduud 64]

If stealing cars was to become so difficult i'd like also having more options to damage a car other than shooting it. For example slicing the tires with a knife, cutting ignition wires and puncturing the fuel tank.

[flypp 21]

I was in Djibuoti (northeast Africa) and the major part of taxi drivers didn't need any key to turn on the motor. The just rub two wires. Seriously, search "djibouty taxi driver" in google or youtube.

Djibouti is a very-very poor place. I could imagine that a zombie apocalypse enviroment would be a little-MUCH worse.

Also, sometimes i have problems to find my own car key in my house.

No keys, no alarms, not in this dayz world.

Maybe... it would be nice that you must have a toolbox to use vehicles.

[Hellfire1014 12]

I like the idea of keys too. I thought about it before I saw this thread. I love the idea of being in the trunk. When I get the game I really want to wait around in a trunk at someones base, and wait for them and ambush them.

For hotwiring I think there should be something you should have to find to do it rather then simply doing it. Maybe a screwdriver, or wirecutters, or both. I would also like the idea of putting bomb traps on your car incase someone starts it when you're not there it will blow up. That might be a bit much though.

[xDIx Revenge 51]

I like the idea of keys too. I thought about it before I saw this thread. I love the idea of being in the trunk. When I get the game I really want to wait around in a trunk at someones base, and wait for them and ambush them.

For hotwiring I think there should be something you should have to find to do it rather then simply doing it. Maybe a screwdriver, or wirecutters, or both. I would also like the idea of putting bomb traps on your car incase someone starts it when you're not there it will blow up. That might be a bit much though.

I love the idea of it as well, its an awesome idea for Meta-gaming etc. Even the act of "lying" across the back seats would be AWESOME.

As stated in the comments for hot wiring, I think a Tool Box is the thing you would require, unless they start separating them into individual tools (that can be placed in a tool box for storage reasons).

Idk about bomb traps, seems a bit crazy, but could be cool!

I was in Djibuoti (northeast Africa) and the major part of taxi drivers didn't need any key to turn on the motor. The just rub two wires. Seriously, search "djibouty taxi driver" in google or youtube.

Djibouti is a very-very poor place. I could imagine that a zombie apocalypse enviroment would be a little-MUCH worse.

Also, sometimes i have problems to find my own car key in my house.

No keys, no alarms, not in this dayz world.

Maybe... it would be nice that you must have a toolbox to use vehicles.

Are you saying because people in a poverty affected area can start cars without keys that there shouldn't be keys for cars in DayZ? I think thats a bit of a bad comparison. Even so, keys to start it normally, and a tool box to hot wire the car. Alarms exist in most car models that arent > 20 years old.

If stealing cars was to become so difficult i'd like also having more options to damage a car other than shooting it. For example slicing the tires with a knife, cutting ignition wires and puncturing the fuel tank.

That could be interesting! Although you can currently bust the tires, just there isn't an actual weapon like a knife. You can melee them with a hatchet though! Damaging parts without simply spraying parts of the car could be interesting!

This is a great idea. The only problem I see is that most vehicles tend to be stolen when their "owners" are offline, which sort of negates the problem of players being close by and may not actually translate into making stealing cars more risky on average. I think it's certainly a good and immersive idea.

Perhaps implement a kind of "hot wire" mechanic where your character must have a specific type of tool. I almost want to suggest a hot wiring mini-game, but I'm not sure how that'd fit into DayZ's philosophy.

The idea of the alarm isn't just to alert players nearby of the act, but also to draw a lot of attention from the infected near the car. Obviously if its parked off in the woods your good to go, but much like gunshots, alarms ring through valleys like crazy, so no matter what, your putting yourself out there to steal the car. As for hot wiring, I think a tool box is fine (unless they introduce individual tools).

toolbox to smash a window.....gettin me a video link.......

ignore this guys voice...laughand breathing and...MUTE THE VID XD

Aha pretty epic :P Screw using tools to get in, we'll just roundhouse kick the windows. I was thinking you could bash the window in with your elbow, as thats entirely possible.

I think of all these cars having suffered so much that they can be started with anything flat like the back of a teaspoon the whole breaking in thing YES the should be something like that but it should mainly happen in Hotspots (Such as If you watch the walking dead Glenn and Rick work together to Hotwire a car with the alarm continually going off by first breaking the window then hotwiring without cutting the Alarms cable) and even then Keys MIGHT Spawn on newspawns but would correspond to a fairly basic Car that doesnt have much space for loot but more for players then you avoid the Car alarm but breaking the window the alarm would go off automatically upon bumping the car if they have suffered the damage they seem to always be left with

You confused me a fair bit there, but if what you were trying to say was "touching cars shouldn't set off the alarm", thats not anything like what i suggested. Actually smashing the window open triggers the alarm. Theres a whole element i dind't think of, which could be if your car windows were already smashed up, or gone, then your car is much more prone to being stolen without risk.

I like the idea, but the solution should be an expansion to what we already have. Forget making motors one giant thing that I can magically place three of in a coyote pack. Make the engine problems even more specific like bad distributor cap, battery or any other thing. Then allow players to not only add these things but also take them off. Same principle as shooting out one of the tires when you log out with one in your pack but much more involved. Add in car alarms that can drain the battery completely if not turned off or disabled and that just adds another reason to be out scavenging once you get geared up. As for your theory that your escape was unbelievable watch cops sometime. They shoot tons of bullets at people at point blank range and still miss. I also see reports on the news here and there of some crafty criminal dodging a cop and stealing their cars.

I think you went a bit off-topic here. I'm not going into detail about engines, but I really think being able to carry an engine is fine (its a gameplay > realism factor). It takes up 6 inventory slots, which is a LOT. I do think having the car alarm on (and triggered) will drain the battery, and so someone could trigger a car alarm as a diversion, and leave it going. It would only stop when the car turns on, or when the battery drains (which means you need a new battery, or jumper cables).

I don't mean to be an ass in this particular situation, but this has been discussed, by me as well. It's called "Vehicle Suggestions" , because I go over more than just this, but I go into just as much detail on the locking and hijacking details.

Again, this is a SPECIFIC thread on the matter. I'm no amateur at this, I searched the forums for car alarm threads, and found one that go into this much detail. The most i found was compiled lists of ideas, such as your own "Vehicle Suggestions" thread, which really would be a compiled list of a bunch of other ideas. I think your being a bit ironic by saying your thread with a list of ideas that most likely you found on the forums is something I should have commented "yes i like it" on. This thread filled a gap that I saw when I was searching. I'd be happy to check out your so called thread, but you haven't even gone to the effort of sending me a link!

Oh man I can imagine it now.. Finding a car and fiddling with it, accidently setting its alarm off..

Then the entire town's population of zeds comes rushing towards the sound of the alarm.

Oh yeh, that would get your heart racing, just imagine the L4D horde scream noise D: *shudders*

[xDIx Revenge 51]

Bump :)

[frosti 2165]

Keys? Car alarms? Then why not this:

[xDIx Revenge 51]

Keys? Car alarms? Then why not this:

Aha that gave me a good chuckle :P

As an actual addition though, the ability to pick the lock of the vehicle could be interesting. :)

[grim981 5]

Again, this is a SPECIFIC thread on the matter. I'm no amateur at this, I searched the forums for car alarm threads, and found one that go into this much detail. The most i found was compiled lists of ideas, such as your own "Vehicle Suggestions" thread, which really would be a compiled list of a bunch of other ideas. I think your being a bit ironic by saying your thread with a list of ideas that most likely you found on the forums is something I should have commented "yes i like it" on. This thread filled a gap that I saw when I was searching. I'd be happy to check out your so called thread, but you haven't even gone to the effort of sending me a link

So, I guess it is ironic that I told you that it's been said before, because I had the same happen to me, but I said it because it sounded a lot like mine. And no, I did not copy other people at all I may have quite similar things, but I didn't copy. Btw, I did not mean to insult you if that is what you got out of it, I wasn't blaming you for anything I was simply informing you.

My "thread" : http://dayzmod.com/forum/index.php?/topic/115637-vehicle-suggestion/#entry1092831