Night time In Dayz SA and your thoughts?

[BlackDalia 95]

Greetinsg folks, been awhile since I have posted here,, I do a lot more reading than posting...

 

Anyways, even In this early state having a ball and love the feeling in whichn the standalone takes, feels like the old dayz....

 

Here is a thing I have noticed though, and it is nothing new of course, But server numbers go from 40 to 1or 2 when its night time?!

 

The fact that you start with means to somewhat counter this, with a torch and battery, and with headsets as common as hell, I have found that night time play makes up a HUGE part of the dayz experience for me. 

I never played on private servers which would not allow night time and find it seems to be a real downtime in the player numbers. I am far from complaining of course.

 

I Logged on to the server I have been playing on and it was pitch black and LOVED the fact there was only me and one other guy named wolfy :) . Anyways, I simply reached into my pack, grabbed my headtorch and a battery, locked it in Eddie and was good to go.

 

I picked up 7 full magazines and a cool red dot scope from the hangers at the North-weat airfield and never once had to look over my shoulder, due to the fact I thought I would be rather safe from the only other player on the server. I had to take out a few zombies which ran out of the edge of the torch light, which not only looked bloody cool, but made for a little bit of excitement while I gathered a huge amount of ammo and supplies, with no fear of being shot in the back.

 

Anyways, just wanted to get others thoughts on night time play, and why folks DO or DONT :) . I love it and now look forward to the night "scaring" away all the KOS kiddies :)

 

Cheers

Edited December 25, 2013 by BlackDalia

[GOD™ 2795]

I enjoy night time when there's moon light.

[Homiak 21]

Yep, nights are very quite in Chernarus =)

 

Without source of light you are not able to see a damn thing, but it's ok when you have no light pollution around and when you position is somewhere in middle latitudes. I beleive most of players don't play on night time servers as if they'll activate some source of light they'll become easy targets. And it's hard to spot loot at night time, even with light on because lighting is working strange inside buildings.

[TheNerdySecret 13]

I think its a bit too dark, but that is just what i think :p

 

if they just would brighten it up a tiny bit i would be very happy

because now i tend to only play on daytime server because of the pitch black night! 

[Aussie Bogan 350]

I wouldn't mind night time but I'm to much of a chicken... There i said it :(    24/7 Day z servers for me :D

 

                   <<< That's me in my Office

[enforcer1975 1111]

What? There are still day time servers in the SA?? I played the mod on night again yesterday for about 3 hours with dense fog and snowfall, you could barely see 100m when i logged in again to play at a later time for almost an hour :D without nvg

Edited December 25, 2013 by Enforcer

[mestido 0]

I would play in the night but it's way too dark(in real life I never saw that kind of darkness), that is why I stick on "only day" servers.

Night in BF3 was perfect(moon light night).

[PhilB 230]

From a realism and simulation standpoint I think this works. Most folks don't cavort around in the middle of the night even with the conveniences of modernity. Imagine our fear of the night in an apocalypse.

 

Looting at night is dangerous. There are many unseen dangers such as falling off roofs or rockfaces/cliffs or simply getting lost in woods. I think it is a fair trade off that there aren't many other survivors present. We could imagine it as if they are sleeping. 

 

It appears playing DayZ at night will continue to be limited to only the most stout-hearted. I for one love it. I agree with OP that, although it can be nerve wracking at times, looting at night is very productive.

[thatoleserpent 15]

I really wish they would add lights and electricity from the power plants, and forcing everyone to play in the dark. However, there should be 2 Dayz days inside of one RL Day. Evading the night is cheating too. Just has minimal impact.

[Intactus 128]

Hello everyone.

It's nice to see that there actually exists people who don't hate the night time. 98% of people usually just flee when it turns into night on any server... Such a waste of potential says i. Nothing more thrilling than wild nighttime firefights. (Which are even more awesome once you get to see those as a bystander.)

 

I think its a bit too dark, but that is just what i think :P

 

if they just would brighten it up a tiny bit i would be very happy

because now i tend to only play on daytime server because of the pitch black night! 

 

I would play in the night but it's way too dark(in real life I never saw that kind of darkness), that is why I stick on "only day" servers.

Night in BF3 was perfect(moon light night).

I live in Finland, Northern Europe next to Russian border and i assure you, nights are a complete pitch black utter darkness without any external lightsources. In here, we have darkness atleast 15 hours a day at wintertime, almost as much in autumns and ofc summertime when sun hardly sets at all and it's never dark. Darkness in game is actually a lot less dark than it is here, for apparent reasons. Irl you simply cannot run through forest at night cause you don't see even your own hand in front of your face. For instance any military activity at night time (even just setting up normal camp and appropriate security measures etc.) requires excessive preparations, planning, drills etc. carried out before the sunset so troops are able to function at all during night time. (Been there, done that.) - Must sound weird to most of you huh... :lol: The night really makes EVERYTHING hard, slow and confusing, just as it does in the game.

In my opinion, it's not just an aestethic thing to have a night, it's something that really affects every aspect of your conduct, performance and possibilities just as it does in real life. In my opinion, it's beautifully implemented mechanic.

Personally i love the nighttime, mostly for the fact that it brings a whole new level of atmosphere and excitement to this game, but also offers a better camouflage than any ghillie there is.

People should really use more of the flashlights and chemlights and flares (i know theyr're not yet in SA) and other tools that we are given. 9/10 It's the movement that gives you away at nighttime, not the light. ;)

And this is probably well known for all the Mod veterans out there, but for the occasional newbie hating the nighttime:

The most essential part of enjoying the nighttime is to set HDR at it's maximum value during nighttime. ("Low" setting on the SA) Otherwise the game wont render the shading properly and the night become intolerable black and white mess.

See you out there.

2nd Lt Out.

Edited December 25, 2013 by Intactus

[dirny 24]

Hello everyone.

It's nice to see that there actually exists people who don't hate the night time. 98% of people usually just flee when it turns into night on any server... Such a waste of potential says i. Nothing more thrilling than wild nighttime firefights. (Which are even more awesome once you get to see those as a bystander.)

 

 

I live in Finland, Northern Europe next to Russian border and i assure you, nights are a complete pitch black utter darkness without any external lightsources. In here, we have darkness atleast 15 hours a day at wintertime, almost as much in autumns and ofc summertime when sun hardly sets at all and it's never dark. Darkness in game is actually a lot less dark than it is here, for apparent reasons. Irl you simply cannot run through forest at night cause you don't see even your own hand in front of your face.

 

Wha wait what? I have never had that bad problems with darkness here. Like you can see where you are walking for sure after the eyes get used to it. (Do not press the hand over your eyes -jk-) ;)

[Coleman (DayZ) 14]

Night time servers separate the men from the boys, if you don't have the balls to play at night no matter how dark it is then go join a server with a different timezone.

 

'nuff said.

Edited December 25, 2013 by Coleman

[FSF Lino 10]

Day & night! But real time for me 24/7 for sure!

 

 

Simulation hardcore fan!

 

But... hate the fact some guys plays with max gamma...

 

So i will love hardcore server on 24/7 with first person only, gamma block and other stuff.

Edited December 25, 2013 by FSF Lino

[soulfirez 901]

Night looting is great low numbers i just pull out my gas lantern turn it on then put it back in pack and bam i have 10 to 15 feet around me lit up nicely very easy to see loot in buildings as the light fills the room rather than shines through it like the torch does.

 

I no longer fear the KOSer as they havee left for the night looking for another day server  to do there grief work lol .

[Intactus 128]

Wha wait what? I have never had that bad problems with darkness here. Like you can see where you are walking for sure after the eyes get used to it. (Do not press the hand over your eyes -jk-) ;)

Dunno Dirk, i've spent many a night in the woods/wilderness at autumn time and it really is like that. In the open areas or near cities or other civilization it's another thing but take a trek 100km from nearest lightsource in the woods and you'll see it. (Not see it imean)

The point is: Even in the darkest hour in DayZ, the night really isn't as dark as in real life, so imho complaining about the darkness is just ignorant gutless whining.

And i'm sure that any of those few here who might have actually conducted any military activity or otherwise purposefully operated in real darkness, not even mentioning a firefight, would attest to the fact that the night time in the game is not anywhere near as crippling and hard as it would be in real life. Ofcourse, everybody has, and have every right to have an opinion or view what's enjoyable in a videogame and how far should we chace the realism.

Personally, i love it.

Edited December 25, 2013 by Intactus

[Tunhhu 3]

Hello everyone.

It's nice to see that there actually exists people who don't hate the night time. 98% of people usually just flee when it turns into night on any server... Such a waste of potential says i. Nothing more thrilling than wild nighttime firefights. (Which are even more awesome once you get to see those as a bystander.)

 

 

I live in Finland, Northern Europe next to Russian border and i assure you, nights are a complete pitch black utter darkness without any external lightsources. In here, we have darkness atleast 15 hours a day at wintertime, almost as much in autumns and ofc summertime when sun hardly sets at all and it's never dark. Darkness in game is actually a lot less dark than it is here, for apparent reasons. Irl you simply cannot run through forest at night cause you don't see even your own hand in front of your face. For instance any military activity at night time (even just setting up normal camp and appropriate security measures etc.) requires excessive preparations, planning, drills etc. carried out before the sunset so troops are able to function at all during night time. (Been there, done that.) - Must sound weird to most of you huh... :lol: The night really makes EVERYTHING hard, slow and confusing, just as it does in the game.

In my opinion, it's not just an aestethic thing to have a night, it's something that really affects every aspect of your conduct, performance and possibilities just as it does in real life. In my opinion, it's beautifully implemented mechanic.

Personally i love the nighttime, mostly for the fact that it brings a whole new level of atmosphere and excitement to this game, but also offers a better camouflage than any ghillie there is.

People should really use more of the flashlights and chemlights and flares (i know theyr're not yet in SA) and other tools that we are given. 9/10 It's the movement that gives you away at nighttime, not the light. ;)

And this is probably well known for all the Mod veterans out there, but for the occasional newbie hating the nighttime:

The most essential part of enjoying the nighttime is to set HDR at it's maximum value during nighttime. ("Low" setting on the SA) Otherwise the game wont render the shading properly and the night become intolerable black and white mess.

See you out there.

2nd Lt Out.

Add me on steam if you wanna do some finnish night riding :D 

[RottonKiwi 0]

First of all, it'd be nice to see sunset/sunrise implemented instead of clicking to day/night after a crash/restart. As for visibility, just use full moon visuals.

[Target Practice (DayZ) 1335]

I like the idea of night-time play, but in its current state, the SA just makes it too much of a pain to be worthwhile, and there are two main reasons for that:

 

1) Trying to navigate enclosed spaces is nearly impossible with light sources working as they do currently.

 

2) Zombies are still able to see me from 200m away and run through 2 houses and a bunch of fences on their way to clobbering me.

 

If those two issues are fixed, I'd probably prefer playing at night, because it allows savvy and alert players to see approaching lights carried by other players and therefore gives them the chance to ambush/avoid them as appropriate. It also makes raiding high-player-traffic areas a lot easier, as the darkness provides an extra element of cover.

[BlackDalia 95]

I like the idea of night-time play, but in its current state, the SA just makes it too much of a pain to be worthwhile, and there are two main reasons for that:

 

1) Trying to navigate enclosed spaces is nearly impossible with light sources working as they do currently.

 

2) Zombies are still able to see me from 200m away and run through 2 houses and a bunch of fences on their way to clobbering me.

 

If those two issues are fixed, I'd probably prefer playing at night, because it allows savvy and alert players to see approaching lights carried by other players and therefore gives them the chance to ambush/avoid them as appropriate. It also makes raiding high-player-traffic areas a lot easier, as the darkness provides an extra element of cover.

 

I think the best way to navigate night-time now in the SA is with a headtorch on IN first person view. works great for me and can loot to the cows come home. Even taking out the infected with a single shot with a pistol in this mode is nice and quick and trouble free. They do get rather close at times though, so makes for some excitement while you scavenge.  

[BlackDalia 95]

The gamma in the standalone needs to be set and fixed WAY down. Right now, gamma turned up is just easy mode. MIght as well hand out night vision googles when you land on the beach for the first time!!! its truly that bright and clear, Hell, I would go so far as to say I doubt night vision goggles would give you the same advantage as having gamma on. Hope they fix this or atleast give means for private server holders to do so :)

[DMZ_Sniper 73]

Take portable gas lamp.

Turn on.

Enjoy being a shining beacon of hope.

 

I play nights just to see flashlights and to see my own muzzle flashes.

And yes, I do turn Gamma up, because I like seeing at night.

[twingunz 308]

I want to like night time, i try and force myself to play it but being a migraine sufferer it's just so dark that it strains my eyes and i don't like to have my flashlight on the whole time so it makes it difficult for me, as i have to choose between eye strain and brining on a migraine or just not playing it. i hope they do some servers with less harsh lighting eventually still i want crazy dark but just light enough that i can atleast make out silhouettes as i walk a lot at night (Edit: in RL) and after a few minutes my eyes adjust however sadly that doesn't happen in game.

If they ever make some servers a fraction lighter so my eyes don't strain so hard i'd be the happiest boy in the land, as i refuse to do exploits like gamma as i'm a stubborn asshole so for now i miss out and hope that i can enjoy the horror of the night someday!

Edited December 27, 2013 by twingunz

[wingtip 2]

I like playing at night for several reasons... 1) fewer people play 2) you can crouch walk right up to a stupid zed and axe them in the head unlike daytime where they see you through walls and bushes a mile away and just run to  you 

 

  but the flashlight physics just suck balls....the ambient light outside the main beam of light is non existant.... its a total pain in the ass in a small tight little house trying to find crap..

[Bakercompany86 347]

I love night, with only a few caveats.

 

-Flashlight light isn't restricted by walls some times.  Which means players 100's of yards away will be able to see your beam through a house even if you're pointing it at a wall and seemingly not shining it through a window.  Obviously this needs to be corrected.

-More batteries!  I have found ONE battery in over a week of exploration.  Batteries are fairly common and since they're only good for flashlights at the moment, I don't see why they're so rare.  This character I'm running now actually didn't spawn with a flashlight or battery for some reason.  Later on I actually found someones flashlight and battery on the ground.  I used it one night.  And when I logged on next, it was gone from my inventory....  The Night Gods do not wish for me to have lights.

-Moonlight.  If the moon is obstructed by clouds, then by all means that area should be pitch black until the clouds move.  That also adds a strong element of stealth for those who want to dart between the shadows.  But otherwise there is no moonlight, and the world is pitch black.

-Lighters/matches/lanterns etc.  I have found a lantern, never got to use it though.  And I found matches, still have them.  Haven't tested these as a light source.  I imagine they're only for starting fires.  Are campfires enabled if you have sticks/firewood/matches?  That would be cool.  Although a campfire would be a deathtrap I would imagine.

 

Also, night time lasts FOREVER.  Literally 12 hours I think I read.  Would be neat to see a much shorter day/night cycle (maybe 2 to 3 hours a piece?)  That way you can experience both within your timezone not having to change servers.  At least make it an option for the server, maybe.

[Gerandar 212]

Night time is fine if you pump up your gamma/brightness sliders, you get black&white nightvison!