3/8/13 Dev-blog Critique-Suggestion

[[email protected] 26]

Hey so I'll likely come back to this post and make some more critiques of what I've seen from the Dev-blog but for now I thought I'd hit on the first thing that jumped out at me. 

 

The first thing that caught my attention in the Dev-blog was comments Ivan made about map updates. So to summaries: Ivan mentioned that map progress is likely going to be slow and a complex process to implement. Basically this means updates are likely going to be more infrequent than most other major components and when they do come about it'd probably follow another major game update. Also the main key point: game progress would likely be reset to a different position (I'd ask for clarification but I'm pretty sure what was mean't by this; was that your in-game position would be reset to beach and not necessarily your gear.) As mentioned by Ivan him-self: they'd only do an map update if the cause was worthy enough; as it would cause a lot of immersion breaking position changes. 

 

Critique:

 

I think resetting players locations is a bit drastic (though I understand it's perhaps unavoidable)

 

Also some basses will likely be deleted or trapped under objects or the ground.

 

Suggestion(s):

 

Simply spawn players in mid air and have them parachute to the ground with control to avoid them landing on tops of tall objects. (This would only work providing they reworked the parachute system)

 

Maybe map updates could be broken into two steps, step one: soft update (introduce new visual map elements or plot out area that are to receive updates) this gives players time to move camps from locations inside objects or under terrain. Then step two: hard update, add collision mesh's/fully render textures and provide plenty of warning before the update. You then combine this second update and para drop players into game; upon spawn. 

 

I think this way map updates could be more frequent and feed-back could be given when new additions are added; before being fully implemented.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4j0cPwIbwsM

Edited August 3, 2013 by Rpatto92

[applejaxc 2500]

Have you played vanilla ArmA 2? Parachuting is a dangerous business that more-often-than-not lands you on buildings or into the enemy...

[[email protected] 26]

Have you played vanilla ArmA 2? Parachuting is a dangerous business that more-often-than-not lands you on buildings or into the enemy...

 

Come on now: if you're gonna criticise my suggestions at-least finish reading the sentence you have an issue with. Plus they're building a new game this isn't just a mod anymore; they can re-build the parachute system and make it possible. 

[Tumoa 359]

this is your worst suggestion yet.

[phL (DayZ) 63]

i am more worried about everybody running around with motorcycle helmets for protection...

 

at least it should have some disadvantage like decreased FOV so you would only put it on if necessary.

Edited August 3, 2013 by phL

[Tumoa 359]

 I also would like to add it doesn't make any sense what so ever.

[fluxley 2228]

It's an alpha, In my opinion things like resetting player positions and even resetting the whole database should be expected.

 

Also adding buildings without collision is just a terrible idea, you'd essentially just be giving everyone the ability to wall hack. 

[joe_mcentire 2074]

i am more worried about everybody running around with motorcycle helmets for protection...

 

at least it should have some disadvantage like decreased FOV so you would only put it on if necessary.

drawbacks were already confirmed

[djzombie 22]

boy that standalone footage makes the game look awfully playable doesn't it? makes me wonder why we're still without a release.

[Tumoa 359]

boy that standalone footage makes the game look awfully playable doesn't it? makes me wonder why we're still without a release.

Because it's not ready yet and you will buy it in alpha stage so you are tester first gamer second if you are going to buy it go to your corner of shame

[djzombie 22]

sorry my interwebs are slow - currently tethered to a cell phone atm as my main connection is down. "it's not ready yet" doesn't really give me any more information than i had before.

 

been trying to watch the video most of the day but it simply will not load via this connection. would anyone mind paraphrasing the actual reasons dean gave in the video as to why "its not ready yet." cause what little gameplay footage i was able to load in that video makes it seem like its ready.

 

edit: after 4 hours i was finally get to a point where dean starts talking about the release. network bubble. i got it. 2 words that would've told me more than the 4 above: "it's not ready yet"

Edited August 3, 2013 by djzombie

[[email protected] 26]

It's an alpha, In my opinion things like resetting player positions and even resetting the whole database should be expected.

 

Also adding buildings without collision is just a terrible idea, you'd essentially just be giving everyone the ability to wall hack. 

 

I agree: data base wipes and character resets will be a consideration to be expected after alpha release but at that point it isn't an internal alpha; it's a paid for public alpha. As a result I know the DayZ team will do all that they can to limit these major set backs; to make the early adopters experience as seamless as possible. What I've suggested is a way to allow them to push out updates for testing as often as possible; without causing too much disturbance. (the more updates they can push out the faster feedback can be given)

 

I see what you mean by people taking advantage and soft-spotting to kill people but it's a compromise which should allow players the time to relocate any tents they might have before the update resets their camps. There's probably a better way that you could achieve the same out come; like maybe simply plotting out the new assets before a hard release. They do already have parts of the northern reaches aerial views plotted to aid in the design process. 

 

However I don't see anything wrong with parachuting into game above where you logged out after an update; as long as they adjust the parachute mechanics to make them controllable and prevent people from becoming strained on the tops of builds. 

 

This system isn't perfect but it could limit the amount of full resets and "soft updates" would only be for a limited time. 

Edited August 3, 2013 by Rpatto92