What does it take to survive?

[codemonkeys101 3]

I have about 9 hours clocked through steam so far (And a very sad amount on the Dayz mod) and I've died around 4 times (Once because my friends an ass) A few major things I've kept track of are starting to make the game and it's mechanics fall into place for me with this conversion to standalone. I'll list them below and try to make sure I get it all put down as I perceived it in game.

 

1. Wearing extra crap seems to make me more fatigued/pass out faster:

I tested this with a motorcycle helmet, beanie, and no headgear. I would sprint for as long as possible and see how long it took to pass out. In the order I listed them, it seems like I get a lot more "Im dizzy/head throbing" messages with headgear more so than without anything on.

 

2. I must be morbidly obese:

Seriously, I have to eat more food than a diabetic child, why did you do this to me Rocket? I put Scott Malkinson to shame here.

 

3. Water must have crack in it because I'm fiending every 10 damn minutes:

Why they decided to make this a thing is beyond me. This is the only part of the game that truly pisses me off, making me need water every second (Even after just satisfying my thirst) is probably the most stupid thing in this game. The mod had this part right, I didnt need water every few steps. And why cant I drink from a sink, lake, pond, waterpump, or even a toilet. Those are all literally viable options in real life, although I'm not sure the toilet would be my first choice.....

 

4. The loot system.....

We all know that the loot system is completely fucked up, wont bother going into details here.

 

5. Day/night cycle:

I'm not a damn vampire, I can't see in the dark with a magic spell, and it's daytime where I am in the world. I spent 8 hours playing in the dark last night, so I was kinda hoping to play when the sun was out on a seattle server which isnt far from me. But I guess not, fuck me right. Seriously rocket, fix this shit.

[Target Practice (DayZ) 1335]

Okay, we'll start with the 'obvious answer is obvious' response:

Alpha. Shit's gonna be broke. If you want a game without issues, this ain't it right now. It'll be fixed in time.

 

Anyway, now onto the actual response.

 

Yeah, I agree that water and food (and particularly rest) mechanics are horribly, horribly broken right now. Good news is, devs are aware and looking into it. You can drink from wells and ponds (although I wouldn't recommend it unless you like the taste of antibiotics), but I think there was a bug with that in the last version that's being patched out in the upcoming version Rocket just announced.

 

I'm not sure what your specific complaint with the loot system is - too much high-grade loot? Loot not respawning? Not enough variety? There's reasons for all that, but without knowing which particular one bugs you, I don't really know what to say. All I can say is that will improve fast. Just over a week ago, there were only a handful of buildings that spawned anything at all. You were more likely to find an M4 in a town house than you were in a Barracks building. Now, it's dramatically improved, and I'm guessing will continue to do so as time goes on.

 

The day/night cycle is a problem. Everything runs off the public hive right now, so I'm presuming everything has to be the same across the board. That means that no matter what you do, some poor fucker is going to be playing an awful lot of night-time gameplay. Once they get the server files out there and get their feet under them a little, I've got no doubt things will even themselves out. Personally, if I was in Rocket's shoes, I'd have perhaps left things on perma-daytime for a while until that particular hiccup and the fact there's so few portable light sources was sorted, but it's easy to say that from all the way over here. I'm sure he was more concerned about just getting the damn game working. :p

[Merrick362 (DayZ) 263]

I have to say, I agree with you about the colossal amount of food and water I need to function, however I would imagine that running water would be one of the first utilities to shut off after a catastrophic event, perhaps tainted water was the source of the infection? Electricity would last a very long time, especially if it was a NPP providing power (nuke plants can run autonomously for ages).

This game is supposed to be authentic, which is why the day night cycle is real. You knew what you were getting into, deal with it.

As of yet, I have not had any major problems with the loot system, aside from the to be expected alpha bugs. I've has ammo vanish, a couple of dupes(bonus saline!), but nothing game breaking. I'm quite impressed with it so far.

EDIT: FORCE FEEDING OTHER PLAYERS! Am I the only one who wants to cuff someone and make them eat until they die?! I can't be the only one..right?

Edited December 17, 2013 by Merrick362

[codemonkeys101 3]

Okay, we'll start with the 'obvious answer is obvious' response:

Alpha. Shit's gonna be broke. If you want a game without issues, this ain't it right now. It'll be fixed in time.

 

Anyway, now onto the actual response.

 

Yeah, I agree that water and food (and particularly rest) mechanics are horribly, horribly broken right now. Good news is, devs are aware and looking into it. You can drink from wells and ponds (although I wouldn't recommend it unless you like the taste of antibiotics), but I think there was a bug with that in the last version that's being patched out in the upcoming version Rocket just announced.

 

I'm not sure what your specific complaint with the loot system is - too much high-grade loot? Loot not respawning? Not enough variety? There's reasons for all that, but without knowing which particular one bugs you, I don't really know what to say. All I can say is that will improve fast. Just over a week ago, there were only a handful of buildings that spawned anything at all. You were more likely to find an M4 in a town house than you were in a Barracks building. Now, it's dramatically improved, and I'm guessing will continue to do so as time goes on.

 

The day/night cycle is a problem. Everything runs off the public hive right now, so I'm presuming everything has to be the same across the board. That means that no matter what you do, some poor fucker is going to be playing an awful lot of night-time gameplay. Once they get the server files out there and get their feet under them a little, I've got no doubt things will even themselves out. Personally, if I was in Rocket's shoes, I'd have perhaps left things on perma-daytime for a while until that particular hiccup and the fact there's so few portable light sources was sorted, but it's easy to say that from all the way over here. I'm sure he was more concerned about just getting the damn game working. :P

 

I played the mod for a long time, I know/knew what to expect with this. As I said these are things I said are clearly broken and gave a different way to look at them. (Although I dont think the equipment one is broken, if I'm wearing more then I should fatigue faster) I tried drinking from wells and ponds, nothing happens when I do so. It may just be a broken bug on my end, who knows (My friend has a similar issue with his flashlight, just cant use it and I even set it up for him)

 

My gripe with the loot was that it doesn't spawn really at all, and I'm out in some small mountain town that has plenty of zombies so I know it wasn't pillaged (Or maybe ninjas went through there) but I couldnt find a drop of water or even food. Other than that the spawning is fine, I like the randomness of weapons even if I only ever find melee stuff. If they make food and water so vital then the spawns for it should be much greater, in my opinion at least.

 

I have to say, I agree with you about the colossal amount of food and water I need to function, however I would imagine that running water would be one of the first utilities to shut off after a catastrophic event, perhaps tainted water was the source of the infection? Electricity would last a very long time, especially if it was a NPP providing power (nuke plants can run autonomously for ages).

This game is supposed to be authentic, which is why the day night cycle is real. You knew what you were getting into, deal with it.

As of yet, I have not had any major problems with the loot system, aside from the to be expected alpha bugs. I've has ammo vanish, a couple of dupes(bonus saline!), but nothing game breaking. I'm quite impressed with it so far.

 

I know its realistic, did you not read how I'm playing? I played all last night, it was night, now I'm playing during the day (And it's noon here) and it is still dark out, riddle me that. I never said I hated the game, these are things that I blatently think are broken as I stated. And as I said before as well, water pumps and ponds dont need a water plant to flow, if there are side effects to drinking them then let me deal with that fallout when it happens, but at least make it an option.

[Zeppa 562]

Its funny, seems like people tought that they were buying in to a fully released game. (not about this topic, just in general) Amoun of QQ in this SA forum is already hilarious.

Now about this topic, said many times already that I have browsed through here.. but I have to agree on some part.

Eating and drinking is WAY over the top as it is now. Just jogging between balota and those new buildings behind it gives you need to eat like a horse, you travel like few km and you have to eat 5 cans of sardines or what ever... Same with fluids, I dont know how someone can eat and drink that much in such a short time.. even if you run your ass off.

Some tweaking with the loot would be ok, as they have made some adjustments that has been said in the patch notes. I think they could make the food spawn even more scarse and just puff the time alot that you can be without eating or drinking..

Not really too many zeds around, could use more of those.

[Scoobeus 18]

The system really does have potential, but the "whines" are too vague/general right now.

 

I would like to see the stuff in one line instead of spread all over the place.

 

"You are thirsty and feel ill"

 

Maybe a max of two whines per line?

 

Also move it away from "Username is using a different data file" because it's also red and keeps making me think I'm dying from something when it's just a data file thing.

 

 

Yeah though, I like the whole idea and will love it once it is executed perfectly. 

[MastrBlaster 17]

The Day/night system is definitely a little messed up, I too played last night for 3 or so hours around midnight then jumped on at noon today and it's still night. I would hope this is one of the first major issues they tackle. I don't mind having trouble finding loot, or eating and drinking a ton to survive as long as I can see what I'm doing and where I'm going. Additionally being stuck in night just makes players even more prone to attack on site. When you can't see what the other person is doing, or what weapon they are carrying you are more likely to shoot first and ask questions later. 

 

The food and drink system just needs balancing. As everyone has said the amount you need to eat/drink is ridiculous. 

[Sterling (DayZ) 22]

There's a time when a person is giving legitimate feedback and suggestions, and then there's a time when a person is just spewing out profanity and anger. This is something people need to realize, on both sides of the spectrum (those giving the feedback, and those reading it). I think you're doing a mixture of both, expecting the game to be perfect and demanding Rocket fix things, while also providing some interesting feedback in regards to the first point you made about the wearing a cap effecting your fatigue. 

 

Anyways, I won't repeat what has already been said, I've noticed the bulk of the issues you have already declared as well, so let's just hope they get fixed in a relatively small amount of time. 

[Merrick362 (DayZ) 263]

"I know its realistic, did you not read how I'm playing? I played all last night, it was night, now I'm playing during the day (And it's noon here) and it is still dark out, riddle me that. I never said I hated the game, these are things that I blatently think are broken as I stated. And as I said before as well, water pumps and ponds dont need a water plant to flow, if there are side effects to drinking them then let me deal with that fallout when it happens, but at least make it an option."

I obviously read your post. I replied to all your points. Don't take offense to counterpoints.

As far as the day/night cycle, is it possible that you Happened to miss first and last night? I played yesterday, and first night was around 0100 EST, with sunrise around 0215. It was glorious, if a little sudden with the shaders lol.

Pumps and some ponds are currently bugged, that's being addressed. If u can find a water bottle you can still top it up at a pump though.

[Kegaro 19]

New to the forums and relatively new to DayZ as well... but I do have to agree with the point on food and water consumption. If the day and night cycle are suppose to be realistic, why not the food and water consumption as well. I eat two, sometimes three times a day... granted I am not running across and island being chased by zombies, but even if I was I don't think I would be complaining about how hungry I was every 5 minutes. The water thing I can kind of forgive if you are doing a lot of running. But what if you spend most of your time moving slowly and methodically through the environment, I don't think you would need to drink nearly as often as you currently do in the game. And yes, I understand it's alpha and I knew what I was getting myself into when I purchased early access. These are just my thoughts on the matter.

 

-Keg- 

[alaskafish (DayZ) 26]

I personally like the food.

 

See, don't be that guy who waits for the iPhone 5 24 hours before it's released.

 

Everyone is going to the new places, or the places people go to..

 

Balota, the new cherno buildings, NWAF, military bases, then complaining "THERE'S NO LOOT! WTF DEAN!"

 

Why not go to the places people don't go to. Like some houses in that town you don't know the name off. Hell, I got fully kitted up in Elektro with the enter-able buildings (The 2-3 floor buildings on the street). I got my self a fricken sniper by laying low. 

[codemonkeys101 3]

There's a time when a person is giving legitimate feedback and suggestions, and then there's a time when a person is just spewing out profanity and anger. This is something people need to realize, on both sides of the spectrum (those giving the feedback, and those reading it). I think you're doing a mixture of both, expecting the game to be perfect and demanding Rocket fix things, while also providing some interesting feedback in regards to the first point you made about the wearing a cap effecting your fatigue. 

 

Anyways, I won't repeat what has already been said, I've noticed the bulk of the issues you have already declared as well, so let's just hope they get fixed in a relatively small amount of time. 

 

My profession in the Army has changed the way I talk, you've no idea how many times I had to delete something profane so this wasn't dismissed as a anger thread lol. I don't expect it to just work, I just think that bringing up what I did and hoping somone would shed light on some of the issues (Someone told me you CAN indeed drink from certain ponds and pumps, and some were bugged) And I also agree with what some people have said here, like the lack of Zeds to kill. I brought up all the points that I could think of to gripe about for now and nothing more.