Keep/Replace the zombies "zig zag" movements

[Karmaterror 982]

Ok my idea is that for SA they either keep or replace that zig zag motion as the zombies run towards you. The thinking is that when they just run at you in a strait line they aren't a challenging target. A good example of this is Left 4 Dead 1 and Left for Dead 2. In 1 they had the zeds just run in strait lines and players could easily make headshots. In 2 they made them run more iraticly wich made it much harder.

 

The first thing that comes into my mind is that new stumble animation that sometimes plays as we get hit by zeds. If the zombies stumbled and got back up every now and then when chasing you it would make them harder to shoot. You could have 2 runners....you line up the headshot on 1st....but he stumbles...the re-aim time allows the 2nd to get close and maybe hit ya.

 

This could also help the people that moan about loosing zeds, if they stumble could give you those few seconds needed to break LOS or hide in a tree.

[enforcer1975 1111]

A predator doesn't zigzag if it attacks you, it goes a straight line...their prey does.

[Karmaterror 982]

A predator doesn't zigzag if it attacks you, it goes a straight line...their prey does.

 

Hence replace it with the stumble animation....or make it look as if there running is haphazard, like loosing footing ect.

[SFRGaming 718]

You know the zig zag came from an engine limitation right? They zig zag because all the Zombies are, are reskinned soldier AI with a set mission. They zig zag due to a mechanic added into the engine which is a serpentine from soldiers to dodge bullets. Rocket couldnt take it out of the mod because it would break the AI, thus no zombies. the Zombies in SA with NOT zig zag since the serpentine code will no longer exist.

 

Edit: And stumble or not, they will still go in a straight line. And from looking at Rockets animation sessions and devblogs, they will stumble slightly.

Edited October 13, 2013 by Shadow134

[Karmaterror 982]

Yeah I understand why they do it....I just feel that they should keep it in as a feature, just improve on it. Watch, if they run strait at you in SA people will be moaning that its too easy within hours ;)

[SFRGaming 718]

Yeah I understand why they do it....I just feel that they should keep it in as a feature, just improve on it. Watch, if they run strait at you in SA people will be moaning that its too easy within hours ;)

They are mindless animals. They don't realize what's about to happen when you raise your M4 to project a bullet through their brain. They will run at you in a straight line because that's what they do,

[Karmaterror 982]

They are mindless animals. They don't realize what's about to happen when you raise your M4 to project a bullet through their brain. They will run at you in a straight line because that's what they do,

 

Im not saying they should shout "shit hes pointing an M4 at me" and start ducking and weaving. "they will run in a strait line because that's what they do" How do we know that's what they do? these aren't zombies technicaly....there infected...so if the infection messes with the brain then why wouldn't it effect there motor functions?? I just want the head to move up down left and right as they run at you trough a slight weave that could look like they are slipping and sliding around....then stumbling and getting back up. If we can fall over then they shouldn't only be able to....but should do so a lot as there brains have been torn apart by an infection.

 

Its mainly a challenge thing .....a head that never moves except towards you is not a challenge to shoot....I want a challenge.

[enforcer1975 1111]

Yeah I understand why they do it....I just feel that they should keep it in as a feature, just improve on it. Watch, if they run strait at you in SA people will be moaning that its too easy within hours ;)

 

Not if you have chronic ammo shortage...

 

 

Im not saying they should shout "shit hes pointing an M4 at me" and start ducking and weaving. "they will run in a strait line because that's what they do" How do we know that's what they do? these aren't zombies technicaly....there infected...so if the infection messes with the brain then why wouldn't it effect there motor functions?? I just want the head to move up down left and right as they run at you trough a slight weave that could look like they are slipping and sliding around....then stumbling and getting back up. If we can fall over then they shouldn't only be able to....but should do so a lot as there brains have been torn apart by an infection.

 

Its mainly a challenge thing .....a head that never moves except towards you is not a challenge to shoot....I want a challenge.

 

And because of the lack of survival instinct they attack head on, they won't waver and try to get to you no matter how they have to, even if they lose their legs. The only thing that will stop them is a bullet or something massive.

Edited October 13, 2013 by Enforcer

[Karmaterror 982]

Not if you have chronic ammo shortage...

 

 

 

And because of the lack of survival instinct they attack head on, they won't waver and try to get to you no matter how they have to, even if they lose their legs. The only thing that will stop them is a bullet or something massive.

 

This would be even better with a chronic ammo shortage.....people would have to be even more stealthy around zeds. or you could end up wasting your only bullets on 1 zombie trying to hit the wobbling head.

 

Also its nothing to do with survival.....like I said they wouldn't be ducking and weaving , more scrambling.....falling and slipping...how are these people who have had there brains destroyed by an infection still got perfect coordination to run without slipping. Another example I could do is if you see a criminal try to run away from the police...they can slip and fall repeatedly. That's because they are completely focused on getting away. In the same way a zed is focused on one thing....eating you....they aren't reading the ground and calculating there footsteps.

[SFRGaming 718]

Im sorry, but if zombies bob and weave or "stumble" so it makes it incredibly hard to hit them while moving, I wont play SA. In the mod its annoying as f*** and it will be in SA aswell.

[Karmaterror 982]

Im sorry, but if zombies bob and weave or "stumble" so it makes it incredibly hard to hit them while moving, I wont play SA. In the mod its annoying as f*** and it will be in SA aswell.

 

That's my point! they shouldn't be easy to kill.....that just makes it boring. Like I said the L4D devs had to address this with there second game and I think dayz devs could face the same thing if they just make them too easy. Trust me you will get much more satisfaction from killing a zed if its hard than easy.

 

So basically if the zombies are hard to hit while moving you wont play, but if its nice and easy you will? Would you prefer easy to kill zombies that after a weeks worth of play you can headshot every one every time, even when moving.....or hard as hell zombs that can still catch you out when you've been playing for months :P

[SaveMeJebus 164]

Zombies are supposed to be mindless, instinct driven husks .... not spazoid superhumans that jump all over the damn place and run 10x faster than you.  The way to bump up difficulty is NOT to make the zeds dodge bullets that is just stupid (I realize with mod its an engine limitation) Zombie are really only dangerous in large groups, so sneak around and kill the few that are in your way QUIETLY or end up with a hoarde on your ass because your making too much noise, this is the way it should be made to be more difficult.

[Chaingunfighter 917]

They actually haven't appeared to fix the zombie AI movement in the devblogs, at least at the moment.

[Karmaterror 982]

Zombies are supposed to be mindless, instinct driven husks .... not spazoid superhumans that jump all over the damn place and run 10x faster than you.  The way to bump up difficulty is NOT to make the zeds dodge bullets that is just stupid (I realize with mod its an engine limitation) Zombie are really only dangerous in large groups, so sneak around and kill the few that are in your way QUIETLY or end up with a hoarde on your ass because your making too much noise, this is the way it should be made to be more difficult.

 

When did I say they should doge bullets or run 10X faster than you? This would not only make them slightly slower over longer distances, but would encourage people to play QUIETLY as you said! making 1 zed much more of a threat than normally. These people have had there brains ravaged by this unknown infection, and that should show in the way they run.

[kichilron 8550]

You realise the Zombies could theoretically be hitting you MUCH harder if the wouldn't be moving the way they currently do? Because it would simply be your fault if you wouldn't be able to hit them if they run at you in a straight line. I don't think you have to be concerned about the SA being too easy. And in the mod it's just something that couldn't be taken out yet.

[SFRGaming 718]

That's my point! they shouldn't be easy to kill.....that just makes it boring. Like I said the L4D devs had to address this with there second game and I think dayz devs could face the same thing if they just make them too easy. Trust me you will get much more satisfaction from killing a zed if its hard than easy.

 

So basically if the zombies are hard to hit while moving you wont play, but if its nice and easy you will? Would you prefer easy to kill zombies that after a weeks worth of play you can headshot every one every time, even when moving.....or hard as hell zombs that can still catch you out when you've been playing for months :P

No, incorrect. I want dayz to be extremely hard. I said if they serpentine in SA like they do in the mod currently, I will refuse to play SA.

[SFRGaming 718]

They actually haven't appeared to fix the zombie AI movement in the devblogs, at least at the moment.

They have, Rocket hasn't showcased the finished AI at all. The zombies in the Devblog currently are placeholders.

[nikom7 19]

They should remove the zig zag, it is impossible to shoot a zombie in the head with that zig zag its doing and the terible low fps, yesterday my buddy died because neither me or him could hit the zombie, not even on the torso

[enforcer1975 1111]

They should remove the zig zag, it is impossible to shoot a zombie in the head with that zig zag its doing and the terible low fps, yesterday my buddy died because neither me or him could hit the zombie, not even on the torso

 

I'd say learn how to aim, how to evade and when to shoot? So far my buddies and i only died from mike tyson zeds ( the ones that knock you down when you are exhausted and bite you in the ear ). If they are too fast or too many i shoot them in the legs to slow them down to reduce the number of attackers. I mostly do that with a pistol due to chronic rifle ammo shortage since i don't play on a pvp fragfest server.

Edited November 25, 2013 by Enforcer

[joe_mcentire 2074]

i am pretty curious about the zed ai and if they will be really able to pull this off,