Another thread advocating radios!

[Taso (DayZ) 13]

I've seen a few other threads on radios, but they seem short-sighted in scope- so I want to make this a comprehensive thread detailing why radios are a necessary addition to this game!

1. Realism

We all know this game focuses a lot on the aspect of realism and immersion to grant us a fundamentally unique experience. I think we can all agree that Side Chat being available to all players was NOT working towards those ends. Part of this is because people can spam, part of this (for the most stringent RPers) is because people will type in shorthand, and part of this is because all players anywhere can hear all other players whether they want to or not, and there's nothing you can do about it.

So, why add the radio? With the ideal radio, you can turn it on or off to start with. Furthermore, the ideal radio would have a large number of frequencies available to it. Perhaps some would be set as default modes of chat. The starting frequency for radios could be the open "Survivors" channel, where anyone can talk to anyone else (ideally using the microphone, but using text if not maybe). Then there could be a frequency for people looking to find partners or groups. And of course, we can have numerous frequencies for private groups to utilize.

1.5 Having frequencies for private groups open up a unique opportunity for two different things:

1. The implementation of radio frequency passwords, so that clans can enjoy the privacy of Mumble/Vent/Teamspeak, but with the flexibility of an in-game voice network that people can join easily if they need.

2. NOT having passwords, and instead making it a deliberate tactic that players can get on radio frequencies waiting and listening for a clan to speak- then using their own chatting to locate them. This represents a more realistic idea of radios, where an open frequency is a double-edged sword that can be used against you!

2. Solving the problem of massive loneliness and Shoot On Site (SoS) style play

We're all familiar with how anxiety-provoking this game can be when you have no clue where you are and you're scared of running into someone who will shoot you first and ask questions later-

One of the beautiful things about side chat is that you could ask someone 200 feet away if they were friendly or not. Of course, this wasn't very realistic, but if you couldn't ask them, it was always safer to shoot them.

With a radio system, players could at least be given the chance to communicate their harmlessness. Furthermore, meetings could be setup and large group resistances could be orchestrated without losing sight of the immersion we seek. Ultimately, while the game has a lot to offer in the way of PvP, I think we can all agree that working together adds amazing elements to it as well, and it shouldn't be disregarded as a mechanic. With the radio, it's encouraged!

3. Beginner aid!

Spawning as a new player bites. Chances are, you or someone you know has spawned since 1.7.1 only to find they have no means of protection and they're not sure where to go. Especially new players. New players have no idea what's going on, and unfortunately, without a basic starting weapon, water, and food, they have no idea how any of the mechanics work either!

Now, this isn't something I'm completely sold on, but what if all starting spawn points alongside the coast came equipped with a tall pole that had a radio transceiver embedded into it. The radio could not be moved, so you'd be forced to give up your only means of outside contact when you moved, BUT you would be able to ask necessary questions and also possibly enlist some outside help before setting off.

These same stations would be peppered throughout the landscape for the same reason. Portable radios wouldn't be COMMON per se, but they wouldn't be too rare either. As rare as a watch or a compass perhaps.

Ultimately, with this feature, you would want to have a function to mute other players in-game through the Players tab in the map menu.

The goal of the radio would be to increase player interaction (both negative AND positive), while increasing the immersive elements of player-communication, and at the same time, increasing the survivability and knowledge base of new players far faster than when they start the game completely alone.

4. Alternate communication tool- The Megaphone!

As I mentioned earlier, we (the community) have a rather nasty "Shoot on Sight" policy in most servers. I know for my part, if I see someone running along, I would rather not kill them, but I also don't want to lose my stuff. Imagine an item, the megaphone, which is just another communication channel with its own color that transmits your voice up to 200 yards instead of the base 40?

Could easily have this in addition to the radio. *WINK*

I appreciate all comments and criticisms, and I will update my posts with better ideas and good feedback!

[Taso (DayZ) 13]

Bump~

Would like to hear thoughts on this idea~

[Chatham 8]

I like it.

[roguerazr 8]

I like the idea of radios as well. It can work just like a CB. Just have like 10-20 channels per server.

Then if you and your buddy have a radio you can switch to a channel. Most Radios also have a sweep function that will lock on to the first channel it hears a person talk on. Thus enabling spies, bandits, ect.

You could also have a broadcast all frequency selection. This would broadcast what you say on every frequency, but you cant receive responses. This would enable people to call for an SOS if they need it.

+1 on radios.

Not a big fan of the megaphone idea, nor the beginners aid though.

they just seam a little impractical.

[Netu 0]

I like your ideas. :| I wish I had more to say than that! Perhaps I will post in this thread again with some better thoughts as this picks up steam! Penises!

[Taso (DayZ) 13]

What do you mean "impractical," exactly?

[xBlackCat 1]

I like the idea of being able to sneak into the channel of the enemy. Realistically though, if there is any possibility of it happening, any clan i know of will just continue to use third party chat.

[PineScentX 18]

I love the idea of the megaphone.

[Taso (DayZ) 13]

Megaphone was one I wasn't too sure of- adds that sense of realism, and doesn't require that the receiver have their radio on a specific frequency to avoid getting shot- but really- I'd be worried that they'd get no use since everyone plays by Shoot-on-Sight...

Mayhaps a lower humanity should cause some sort of problem for a person...

[PineScentX 18]

Bump because I think being able to project direct chat through a megaphone to a player far away is an awesome suggestion.

[BL1P 252]

Good Idea asked for it a myself

A.C.R.E used ingame rather than in ts3.

http://forums.bistudio.com/showthread.php?133891-A-C-R-E-Advanced-Combat-Radio-Environment-1-4-Stable-Release-Thread