The Masks- An excellent addition, that I'll never use

[Bribase 251]

There has been quite a lot of flack about the masks being added to the SA, mostly because people feel as if they don't fit with the setting or the tone of post-apocalyptic Chernarus. Despite being borrowed from a more credible game there is something very WarZ about them. But I think that has an interesting effect when it comes to player psychology.

 

First, I think the important thing to bear in mind is that when it comes to things like clothing items, the SA is much more of a proof of concept for the inventory and character customisation than it is a finished section of the game. The systems are working and it opens a world of new possibilities for the game. The current loot tables for things like clothing are only the beginning and are bound to be changed before beta release.

 

But the point of the topic is, I often find myself coming across masks in game and think to myself "No one is going to take me seriously if I wear this. People will expect that I'm here pretending to be Jason Vorhees or that I'm not playing to survive, but to kill. They won't trust me for a second."

 

I also realised that it's not just the design of the masks at all but the act of covering one's face at all. There are dousens of FPSs where all of the enemies are conveniently wearing helmets and masks to hide their features, from Splicers to clone supersoldiers, to the combine. Not just because faces take a lot of design work to get right but because it stops you from identifying them as people and more as targets. There is a reason why the bandit outfit in the mod had a headscarf on; it's so you see your target as a bandit and not as a person.

 

I'm finding more and more that this approach to clothing is informing my loot choices. I'm planning on playing as a lone-wolf survivalist that avoids confrontation and aspires to be a paramedic once the radio mechanics are in place. I do my best to avoid the more conspicious colours but I try not to look too military either. I  held on to my tactical vest but I opted for dull colours but non-camo clothing, all blue (hoodie and pants) but with a military hat. I just hope they come up with a medical armband I can wear to show that I'm at least pretending to be a field medic.

 

I know that bandits and the like will still K me OS but I hope it's not because they think I'm a bambi or a rival military badass. And I hope they feel like shit when they see my medical supplies, radio and armband.

Edited December 23, 2013 by Bribase

[Hosty 647]

I thought the masks were supposed to be an easter egg, not common items.

 

Oh well.

[Steak and Potatoes 13480]

Maybe the infection started on halloween?

[Aussie Bogan 350]

As much as i hate warz... Your right it does feel warz like in deed..

 

I still think they are a great addition to the game, perhaps for more so identification purposes than intimidation.

[Imbalanxd 59]

I think it would be very cool if a greater array of masks were introduced.

 

At the moment I'm still getting used to things, and do not pick up masks when I see them, even if I have nothing in that inventory slot. However, when I get more into things, and I'm playing with my usual squad of 3-4 other guys, masks would be a great way to immerse yourself in team dynamics.

 

In the mod, your characters appearance was an OK way to differentiate one another, but things like masks could make it far easier, and adds another level of depth to customisation. Kind of how like the ghillie of the squad kind of took on that persona, and didn't necessarily run with the rest of the team. Masks could shape how players regard themselves and others.

[LouisK 85]

Some people might use it, some might not. It's up to the players how they want to look. DayZ SA opens an incredibly high amount of customization regarding characters. We barely used to have three unchangable skins. We now have a whole set of stuff to combine that might look good, might not, might give your position, might not and so on. Every single kind of clothing is welcomed as every single part added means even more customization, differentetation and it also opens, as you said, the type of character you can be and different situations that might happen.

 

So what if someone just wants to have a mask and start killing everyone and be known as the crazy clown? I wear a mask myself, one of those payday's clown masks. I wear it only because I just found. If I find something better such as a gas mask i will immediatelly swap it. It's up to the people how they want to play, make their history and see the others.

 

I am in a group of three or four people. It feels awesome to have the same clothes, or at least the same colors, the same helmets, the same masks, etcetera. So what if another game has it? NOEZ, YOU CAN WALK, THIS IS SO WARZ. Because someone did it first doesn't mean you can't improve it.

Edited December 23, 2013 by LouisK

[Verex11 95]

Personally, when I see someone decked out in all tactical gear wearing a mask/gas mask and a helmet, I see them as an instant threat because they look like they're ready for a fight. For the past few days I've been ditching the "tactical" look and have been sticking to more survivor looking clothes. The result has been less KOS. Wether that's from me just meeting more friendly people and less bandits by random chance is unknown, but I think it plays a factor when you look less military like. Just my opinion.

Edited December 23, 2013 by Verex11

[420jeppe 28]

Yea the masks are so silly and out of place.

[liquidcactus 719]

I can see where most people come from about the mask idea but shit I dont think that deems them 2 be a bad idea or too warz'ish.. they are just there for the freak in all of us (maybe). If it doesnt feel right just dont wear it. Variety is the spice of life.. As for the kos, I have easily played 10-15 hrs so far and havent been kos yet.. good run yes.. I played for a few hrs yesterday and ran into about 5 different players and they were all freindly it was f'ing amazing I dare say.. we swapped a few stories than went our different ways..

[James Henry II 8]

I love the masks, not that I wear them myself, I love them because it instantly tells me something about the player I am encountering.

Someone who plays this game for the survival aspect of the game, won't wear such a mask. Only the COD buddies do that, so I know to not make contact with them.

[LouisK 85]

I love the masks, not that I wear them myself, I love them because it instantly tells me something about the player I am encountering.

Someone who plays this game for the survival aspect of the game, won't wear such a mask. Only the COD buddies do that, so I know to not make contact with them.

 

Because wearing a gas mask in a post apocalyptic scenario where airbone diseases might be a problem is so COD. Unless you meant the clown masks (specify please). In that case I don't see a relation between COD and those masks. Either ways the last COD I played was the fourth one several years ago.

[roykingtree 125]

Personally I don't like the addition of the Payday masks, it blends the 2 games and ruins the immersion. At the very least don't use the exact same masks from Payday.