Journals/Diaries for writing down Events.

[TonyStarks 2]

Simple, easy Idea that is very easy to implement and has a big impact.

Some sort of notebook everyone starts with. Players could write down anything they'd like, for instance what items they found, who they encountered, personal feelings, poetic etc. Could be abused for vulgar language and ascii images but I think only a very very small percentage of players would treat the feature like that.

Reading others notebooks you find on dead players or share with mates would deepen immersion. Knowing that a player actually had an identity and went through things would add a lot of emotional impact. I personally would quite enjoy reading other peoples stories. It's all about immersion in this game, for me at least, and adding this feature would greatly enhance the authenticity of the world.

The only problem I see with this is slot space. I mean you're not going to carry around 20 journals. Maybe they stack? Suggest solutions please.

[xBlackCat 1]

Simple' date=' easy Idea that is very easy to implement and has a big impact.

Some sort of notebook everyone starts with. Players could write down anything they'd like, for instance what items they found, who they encountered, personal feelings, poetic etc. Could be abused for vulgar language and ascii images but I think only a very very small percentage of players would treat the feature like that.

Reading others notebooks you find on dead players or share with mates would deepen immersion. Knowing that a player actually had an identity and went through things would add a lot of emotional impact. I personally would quite enjoy reading other peoples stories. It's all about immersion in this game, for me at least, and adding this feature would greatly enhance the authenticity of the world.

The only problem I see with this is slot space. I mean you're not going to carry around 20 journals. Maybe they stack? Suggest solutions please.

[/quote']

I like this idea. Most players wouldn't use it, but finding the odd body that actually had a diary on it would be very interesting.

Personally, i would be inclined to do a short write up on anything interesting that happened just to share it with the person who eventually finds my body.

[TonyStarks 2]

Personally' date=' i would be inclined to do a short write up on anything interesting that happened just to share it with the person who eventually finds my body.

[/quote']

I think most people are going to write down something in their journal. I mean, you are going to die, why not let others who will discover your body know what you went through. Letting others know that you actually existed and weren't just another ant in the bunch.

[Bashfluff 0]

Ooh, THIS I like. It would add to immersion and perhaps reveal interesting information. But I can't help but think no one would use it because it only offers incentives for the person who finds it, and none for the one who writes it.

If someone can come up with an in-game reason to write in it, I'm sold.

[xBlackCat 1]

Personally' date=' i would be inclined to do a short write up on anything interesting that happened just to share it with the person who eventually finds my body.

[/quote']

I think most people are going to write down something in their journal. I mean, you are going to die, why not let others who will discover your body know what you went through. Letting others know that you actually existed and weren't just another ant in the bunch.

Just for discussion:

There is obviously the potential for trolling here. I'm not sure if anyone would care much, but i expect at least some people to fill their diary with swear words or generic complaining that "you killed me".

On the other hand, humanizing the other players has a small chance of decreasing banditry by a tiny bit.

[Bashfluff 0]

Personally' date=' i would be inclined to do a short write up on anything interesting that happened just to share it with the person who eventually finds my body.

[/quote']

I think most people are going to write down something in their journal. I mean, you are going to die, why not let others who will discover your body know what you went through. Letting others know that you actually existed and weren't just another ant in the bunch.

Just for discussion:

There is obviously the potential for trolling here. I'm not sure if anyone would care much, but i expect at least some people to fill their diary with swear words or generic complaining that "you killed me".

On the other hand, humanizing the other players has a small chance of decreasing banditry by a tiny bit.

I don't see a reason for bandits to want to read it, and I can see obvious issues with forcing players to read it when a kill is made or even when looting.

UNLESS there's something in there that they could possibly want. However, there's next to no reason to suspect that without a reason for someone to write in the journal. And even then one would think that the contents would be for entertainment purposes, not information.

[TonyStarks 2]

There is obviously the potential for trolling here. I'm not sure if anyone would care much' date=' but i expect at least some people to fill their diary with swear words or generic complaining that "you killed me".

[/quote']

In the process of looting a corpse, you can take a tiny glimpse in the journal. If there's just a bunch of nonsense written down you can quickly ignore it and continue on.

[Strategos (DayZ) 190]

SEARCH!

http://dayzmod.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=4090

[TonyStarks 2]

SEARCH!

http://dayzmod.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=4090

I knew about that thread and in my view, it kinda got ignored. Just wanted to show with this thread that I do care very much about this feature.

[TheSexyGoat 5]

I like the idea.

[messageboy 0]

I am concern about server resources with this idea but what if there is one journal and it is automatically filled with events that the player went through during his life.

Such as the following.

*Date/Time of spawn* *Name* has wash ashore upon land and glance around for any sign of life.

*Date/Time* *Name* was wandering around *rough location not pin point.* and end up being ambushed by *number of zombies* *got injuried or not* and was able to *escape or kill them with something*.

I am concern about how it would use up resources but other than that, it would make the journals interesting to collect and read upon dead bodies, it could also include when they met other players casually or violently.

Something along those lines.

[Bashfluff 0]

What's interesting now to me is the idea posted on the other thread about players keeping the journals of everyone they have killed without being able to alter them and without wasting any space. I think that would be interesting.

[goblinshark 5]

That's just it, it IS only for entertainment purposes. There's one word that truly shines out in this concept from the OP's post, and that's "immersion." This isn't a game where people hop on and slaughter people then log off, for the most part. This game is about IMMERSION, about surviving in a most hostile and unforgiving environment. I don't see there to be a need for any practical reason to have journals, but I would LOVE to read the journal of someone I killed, or found.

Better yet, you run into someone in the heat of battle, someone you witnessed be killed, someone you never had a chance to speak to. Where did they come from? How long were they alive? Is there anything in the area you should be alerted to?

It doesn't negate the playing experience for anyone who decides not to use the journals, it can only benefit those who would use them. I for one would write about any significant experience I underwent. Maybe I narrowly escaped a bandit, maybe I narrowly escaped zombies while foraging in a city, who knows! The main thing is, someone, somewhere, would love to read it and be immersed in the game. It creates a more realistic atmosphere without sacrificing video game logic / playability.

As mentioned already, of course there's going to be trolls, of course there will be foul language and ascii drawings. You can close the journal just as quickly as you opened it.

[Bashfluff 0]

But see, the problem with that is even people who like immersion aren't going to take the time to write, most times. They're going to be playing. Most people don't trust each other and have a map open. They don't really need to write for any purpose but for the one that comes after, which would turn a lot of people off. There will be the occasional guy who jots down something worth reading, but I suspect it would be the exception and not the norm, even in this community.

I like the idea, and I support it, but I also think that there should (somehow) be some incentives for writing in the journal, otherwise it could be a next to useless feature that hardly anyone uses.

[TonyStarks 2]

But see' date=' the problem with that is even people who like immersion aren't going to take the time to write, most times.

[/quote']

How do you know that. You can't possibly know how many people are going to use or not use this feature. The cool thing is that it's completely optional. A player who doesn't care about journals of others can just ignore it while looting corpses while another who cares can read them. This feature brings absolutely nothing negative to the person who doesn't care about it.

They're going to be playing. Most people don't trust each other and have a map open. They don't really need to write for any purpose but for the one that comes after' date=' which would turn a lot of people off. There will be the occasional guy who jots down something worth reading, but I suspect it would be the exception and not the norm, even in this community.[/quote']

What has trust etc. has to do with anything journal related. I don't understand the relation here. There is a lot of downtime in this game where you just walk and a journal to write in and share your experiences has never been more appropriate in a video game environment than in this one.

I like the idea' date=' and I support it, but I also think that there should (somehow) be some incentives for writing in the journal, otherwise it could be a next to useless feature that hardly anyone uses.

[/quote']

Forcing journals onto everyone? Are you serious? It should be completely optional to use. You don't quite understand the point of a diary. Not trying to be rude here just not understanding any of your points.

[Bashfluff 0]

I know that this game constantly requires you to be moving, constantly requires your attention, ESPECIALLY when you're moving around a lot. I know that most people aren't going to write in it because there isn't any incentives for them to do so. If the only benefit comes from the person picking it up after you die, there's no reason for the person to write. There is NOT a lot of downtime; this game demands you constantly be alert. And if you're walking, how the heck can you write anyhow without risking death, which can come (and does) at any time?

Maybe you don't understand what incentive means, but what I'm talking about is giving a reason for someone to write in their journal, not requiring people to do so. Most of my problems stem from people choosing not to use the journal, so I don't understand how you got that...

[xBlackCat 1]

I know that this game constantly requires you to be moving' date=' constantly requires your attention, ESPECIALLY when you're moving around a lot. I know that most people aren't going to write in it because there isn't any incentives for them to do so. If the only benefit comes from the person picking it up after you die, there's no reason for the person to write. There is NOT a lot of downtime; this game demands you constantly be alert. And if you're walking, how the heck can you write anyhow without risking death, which can come (and does) at any time?

Maybe you don't understand what incentive means, but what I'm talking about is giving a reason for someone to write in their journal, not requiring people to do so. Most of my problems stem from people choosing not to use the journal, so I don't understand how you got that...

[/quote']

One solution would be to make the journal reference a .txt file in the game folder.

Even if 99% of people chose not to, its still an interesting addition to the game for immersion purposes. If its easy to add, the fact that most won't use it isn't a reason to not try.

[Bashfluff 0]

I know that this game constantly requires you to be moving' date=' constantly requires your attention, ESPECIALLY when you're moving around a lot. I know that most people aren't going to write in it because there isn't any incentives for them to do so. If the only benefit comes from the person picking it up after you die, there's no reason for the person to write. There is NOT a lot of downtime; this game demands you constantly be alert. And if you're walking, how the heck can you write anyhow without risking death, which can come (and does) at any time?

Maybe you don't understand what incentive means, but what I'm talking about is giving a reason for someone to write in their journal, not requiring people to do so. Most of my problems stem from people choosing not to use the journal, so I don't understand how you got that...

[/quote']

One solution would be to make the journal reference a .txt file in the game folder.

Even if 99% of people chose not to, its still an interesting addition to the game for immersion purposes. If its easy to add, the fact that most won't use it isn't a reason to not try.

I'm well aware. But before the devs use their time making this a reality, why not turn this from something few will use into something that many people would use? I get that immersion is high-up for most of us, but a journal isn't typically how people will get immersed. If this is to be done, it should be shown to be worth the time spent doing it. And that means adding some sort of incentive for the player to right in it. Nothing fancy, but enough to make it worthwhile.

I mentioned a suggestion about taking other people's journals (but not being able to alter them) automatically when you kill them. THAT has some promise.

[TonyStarks 2]

I know that this game constantly requires you to be moving' date=' constantly requires your attention, ESPECIALLY when you're moving around a lot.[/quote']

No it doesn't. There's more downtime than anything. Maybe if you're new to the game you have this constant paranoia everywhere but actually, there is a LOT of downtime.

I know that most people aren't going to write in it because there isn't any incentives for them to do so. If the only benefit comes from the person picking it up after you die' date=' there's no reason for the person to write.

[/quote']

Again, you don't quite understand the purpose of a diary. The added bonus that after you're dead others might discover your journal is is nice but not the main thing. Writing down your events and thoughts makes the game more personal and emotionally appealing. If you survive long, you have something to look back at.

You want incentives for people to write in their journals? Downtime. I see quite a lot people before logging off writing something in their journal.

Everybody can use their journal how they want. Some may just write things like "found beans", others elaborate stories of their adventure. There are nearly no limits. You can use it, use it a little, very much or not at all.

[Bashfluff 0]

I know that this game constantly requires you to be moving' date=' constantly requires your attention, ESPECIALLY when you're moving around a lot.[/quote']

No it doesn't. There's more downtime than anything. Maybe if you're new to the game you have this constant paranoia everywhere but actually, there is a LOT of downtime.

I know that most people aren't going to write in it because there isn't any incentives for them to do so. If the only benefit comes from the person picking it up after you die' date=' there's no reason for the person to write.

[/quote']

Again, you don't quite understand the purpose of a diary. The added bonus that after you're dead others might discover your journal is is nice but not the main thing. Writing down your events and thoughts makes the game more personal and emotionally appealing. If you survive long, you have something to look back at.

You want incentives for people to write in their journals? Downtime. I see quite a lot people before logging off writing something in their journal.

Everybody can use their journal how they want. Some may just write things like "found beans", others elaborate stories of their adventure. There are nearly no limits. You can use it, use it a little, very much or not at all.

There's no way that you can possibly think this game has a lot of downtime UNLESS you are new. Death coming at any moment is a reality in the game. You were just arguing in another thread how intense and scary this game is constantly, c'mon now.

I've acknowledged that people can write in their journals for more immersion. But not many will, because that's not incentive provided by anyone. That's the player doing it themselves.

[TonyStarks 2]

There's no way that you can possibly think this game has a lot of downtime UNLESS you are new. Death coming at any moment is a reality in the game.

No it fucking isn't. Like seriously' date=' are you constantly running around like a chicken with its head cut off. Then maybe I can understand how you think that "death can come at any moment". Downtime and constant forward walking is a big part of the game. Can't possibly understand how you can deny this. Maybe you're still in that "newbie paranoia phase". I know I was when i first started playing.

You were just arguing in another thread how intense and scary this game is constantly, c'mon now.

Having downtime has no affect on the intentness. It actually makes encounters more intense after a long walk.

But not many will' date=' because that's not incentive provided by anyone. That's the player doing it themselves.[/quote']

And that is a GOOD thing. Players should chose what to do with their journal. The fact is that it adds absolutely nothing negative to the people who don't wanna use it and positive things to the ones that do. How many people eventually end up using it is something you and I both can't know and is irrelevant unless the implementation of journals are difficult for the server to handle, so technical related difficulties.

[Bashfluff 0]

There's no way that you can possibly think this game has a lot of downtime UNLESS you are new. Death coming at any moment is a reality in the game.

No it fucking isn't. Like seriously' date=' are you constantly running around like a chicken with its head cut off. Then maybe I can understand how you think that "death can come at any moment". Downtime and constant forward walking is a big part of the game. Can't possibly understand how you can deny this. Maybe you're still in that "newbie paranoia phase". I know I was when i first started playing.

You were just arguing in another thread how intense and scary this game is constantly, c'mon now.

Having downtime has no affect on the intentness. It actually makes encounters more intense after a long walk.

But not many will' date=' because that's not incentive provided by anyone. That's the player doing it themselves.[/quote']

And that is a GOOD thing. Players should chose what to do with their journal. The fact is that it adds absolutely nothing negative to the people who don't wanna use it and positive things to the ones that do. How many people eventually end up using it is something you and I both can't know and is irrelevant unless the implementation of journals are difficult for the server to handle, so technical related difficulties.

>No it fucking isn't. Like seriously, are you constantly running around like a chicken with its head cut off.

No. Please don't stoop to childish insults. If death weren't constant, there wouldn't be as much tension as there was. And even if it wasn't, there are plenty of other time-based things you need to take care of...

>Downtime and constant forward walking is a big part of the game. Can't possibly understand how you can deny this. Maybe you're still in that "newbie paranoia phase". I know I was when i first started playing.

What is your fascination with calling people new if they don't agree with you? Yes, moving is a big part of the game. Downtime is not. If you could write while moving, you'd either run into a zombie or off a cliff, or into a tree, etc. It would be a smarter gameplay move to make you stop when you opened a journal.

>Having downtime has no affect on the intentness. It actually makes encounters more intense after a long walk.

Walking is not downtime. There are things you have to look out for as you walk with every step: players, zombies, buildings in the distance, plans, level of supplies. Yes, there ARE some moments in the game where you might be holed up in a house or something, waiting for someone to leave you be. But even then it's important to keep an eye out.

>And that is a GOOD thing. Players should chose what to do with their journal. The fact is that it adds absolutely nothing negative to the people who don't wanna use it and positive things to the ones that do. How many people eventually end up using it is something you and I both can't know and is irrelevant unless the implementation of journals are difficult for the server to handle, so technical related difficulties.

The amount of people who use the feature is something you can guess at AND it's relevant. There's no reason to implement a feature no one is going to use. It wastes time. If there's no reason to write in the journal, most people won't. That's just common sense. They'll be busy actually playing. They'll be looking for paths into the next town or zombie-surrounded house, or for other players, supplies, etc.

Yes, SOME people may use this feature, and I think that being able to get the journals of people you kill and store them until you get killed is a fantastic idea that I think may be enough. But I'd like something more. I just don't think there's QUITE enough justification for this as-is.

[shonix 0]

I think the idea of having a diary or journal is a very good idea, maybe you shouldn't start with it, but have to find one first, or just be able to find pages which would stack. Then you wouldn't have to have a journal, it would be something not everybody has, and therefore it would be exciting when you actually find someone who has one. And it would also be a cool feature if you could leave a page or two somewhere, after you've experienced something remarkable and want to share it, then you could go into a barn, write a page, and then put it down in there for others to find..

dunno if i'm the only one thinking this would be a really fun feature.

[skipper1993 0]

This would be amazing, it would add depth, immersion, emotional gravity or even humour, massive ammounts of benifits.

you could find a dead guy, read his journal, he broke his leg jumping off a roof while escaping zeds, he crawled for days trying to find a hospital, but finally died of starvation.

Loads of possibilities along those lines, it would add backstory to every corpse your find, sometimes sad, sometimes funny.

I suggest as a game mechanic it works as follows: every player is bound to a journal, they can use it if they want or just ignore it, its 100% optional, it doesnt take up any inventory space, it simply exists within your gear screen in its own area, you cant drop it or remove it from dead players, so there is no need or worry regarding "how to carry found diaries" you simply have a journal in your inventory and it takes up no space and cannot be removed, un realistic yes, but this is a game, and this is the best way to impliment this feature in my opinion.

[ChaoticRambo 4]

I actually really love this idea. I must admit, I really hated it at first, but the thought of getting one of a dead body (even someone you didnt kill) and see what they wrote would be very neat.

Could also be a cool way to freak out people who killed you :)