Neutral Trading Zones - NPC enforcers if possible

[jprime84 22]

For anyone who used to play WoW out there, think about Booty Bay.

 

It would be interesting to have a place on the map where you could trade items that you have for items that you need.  I am thinking something similar to the NPCs I see in the videos from the mod.  Perhaps you can trade medical supplies for ammo, or weapons for food, or clothes for water, etc.  To borrow an idea from Metro 2033, ammunition could double as currency with its value depending on the quality.

 

Instead of these areas turning on "god mode" for players as I have seen in some mod vids, players should instead remain fully vulnerable.

 

It might be too much dev work to develop new AI, but it would be neat if instead of "god mode", these zones had enforcer type NPCs who hung around and engaged anyone in the area who injured another player.  The enforcers would be well equipped, but still able to be killed and possibly looted by a well organized group of bandits.

 

I think this could create an interesting setup for some pvp encounters, while at the same time providing a place to get what you need even if you are only able to scavenge food in a particular day for some reason.

 

Thoughts?

Edited January 28, 2014 by jprime84

[Khad (DayZ) 293]

I am absolutely for a (lorefriendly) Militarybase, which is a safezone, protected by Elite-Soldiers. 

[doublebrain 255]

Nope, no NPCs. And I think the most stuff  thats in WoW doesent fit into DayZ too much.

[Korsbaek 1778]

And while we're at it we might as well just spawn fully geared...

[weedmasta 784]

No

[Dunxel 17]

I like this idea.. Not sure about the NPCs.. I could see people farming them for gear.  I know I use to do this in STALKER to get decent gear early on.

Have the location deep in land far from early spawns?

Perhaps a way to make a small base that disables fire & attack capabilities.  Trade Bullets or food? for particular supplies.
Ammo Box full of pristine 7.62 rounds for a Jeep?

[Hethwill_Khan 233]

I am all for player self made and enforced zones. I am all not for artificial mechanics to enforce it ( aka. npcs, etc ).

Basically, if you want it done, get it done. Join a group and do it.

Good luck.

[FuriousJam 11]

No awful idea, sorry not for this game!

[jprime84 22]

And while we're at it we might as well just spawn fully geared...

 

I dont see how you made that jump.

[jprime84 22]

I am all for player self made and enforced zones. I am all not for artificial mechanics to enforce it ( aka. npcs, etc ).

Basically, if you want it done, get it done. Join a group and do it.

Good luck.

 

This could be interesting, but with no way to communicate on a map wide scale, how would you advertise your little trading post?

 

I guess I just cant imagine anything fully player regulated ever being something any other player would trust.  Why trade food for ammo when you can just kill the guy and take everything?

[byrgesen 1341]

No NPC's.

If you want a trade station, gather up some players and create one on a server.
Its your responsibility to make it work and make it safe, the devs doesnt have to waste time making a "WarZ" trading post in this game tbh.

The whole goal of DayZ is to have a player controlled world, much like we see in EVE online.
So start gathering people for your trade station :)

 

EDIT:
Just want to add, this is also the way it worked on most servers in the mod, sure some had NPC's, but most of it was completely player controlled and tahts the way it should be.
Earn the trust of strangers (like some of the medic groups) through things like a trading station, or a medical emergency team :)

 

The whole game revolves around player interaction, so please dont take that away, by putting "static" NPC's into the game :(

Edited January 28, 2014 by Byrgesen

[Hethwill_Khan 233]

This could be interesting, but with no way to communicate on a map wide scale, how would you advertise your little trading post?

 

I guess I just cant imagine anything fully player regulated ever being something any other player would trust.  Why trade food for ammo when you can just kill the guy and take everything?

I like how you answered your own question in a indirect and self suggesting way ahahahaha !

Maybe such a enterprise needs more imagination than the simple example you gave - book seller, fashion shop, etc - instead of the useful items like food and ammo - the trick with setting up trade is individualization of your avatar. Any business needs to have customers, as anyone can get food and guns, why not sell surplus decorative stuff ?

On top of that, gather a security ring around the area and get ready for some awesome fun firefights while bandits try to break through.

Back to the initial post;

I don't think any mechanics of NPC will do whatever the players can not do already themselves.

Edited January 28, 2014 by Hethwill_Khan

[Element47 2480]

there are several successful trading venues in DayZ, FTC comes to my mind for example.

 

 

the only game-enforced "safe zone" i would support would be zones in which you cannot log out/in, thus preventing ghosting

[e00c 84]

I am all for player self made and enforced zones. I am all not for artificial mechanics to enforce it ( aka. npcs, etc ).

Basically, if you want it done, get it done. Join a group and do it.

Good luck.

Indeed ^^^. Similar to how the Medic group has formed. Though, with something like this. Should wait until the camps/tents or whatever it is are implemented. 

Once the group has been made / server restrictions are a bit more flexible. These controlled zones would be much easier to actually control :) 

[phoboss 224]

No because of reasons!

[jprime84 22]

I do agree that it becomes more plausible for player controlled commerce to take place once it is made impractical to server hop.  Right now there are too many ways to easily obtain equipment with relatively low risk to the player.

 

If a group could manage to obtain a good deal of rare and/or interesting items that could not be obtained by bouncing through every empty server at NW airfield, I could see more interest.  I still think that you would have to make yourself known through some meta source, unless some sort of in game global communication is established.  Just like the medic groups out there - you have to contact them through teamspeak or forums to obtain their aid.

 

Also, I never wanted lootable NPCs to exist.  I've done enough farming to know I have no interest in that.

[JiJi (DayZ) 223]

Instead of a static (ground) base with dum NPCs, wich could be invaded and looted, or create ambush & trouble in the vicinity.
Why not an unboardable little civilian cargo ship cruising out of bullet range (or providing safe moorage behind its hull).

It would be a Player to AI barter, (or act as middleman step if Player to Player result wished)

 

 

ArmA game engine family doesn't allow passenger to fire - unless if "gunner" position - , I don't think boats with turret are planned... so this weakness finally solve many security problems.

Therefore Chernarus sea area would gain interest, while no land acreage sacrified for that market place.

Sure, simple canoe aren't yet available, but later may be (?)

Edited January 28, 2014 by JiJi

[janol 65]

No. Not suitable for this game. Go and try to create a safe zone with in-game means, if you want one (that would be pretty hard, is my guess).

 

And by the way, "neutral" between what?

[doublebrain 255]

Solutions on the problems:

 

Create it:

- Barriers (future update)

- Crates (future update)

- Traps (future update)

 

Make it public:

- Post your trading zone in the forums

- Use radio (future update)

- Place notes, maybe stick notes to walls even (future update)

- Place signs that lead to your trading zone (future update)

 

Too easy to gain loot:

- Loot system (future update)

- Stop server hopping (future update)

- More items for loot balance (future update)

 

Well... ok I admit right now it could be quite hard to create a trading post but in the future there will be endless possibilities if you got some creativity.

[Dunxel 17]

The idea does not have to be mandatory for all servers.
It could be a unique custom server option.  So those super naysayers with no decent argument other than QQ no no no.  Can continue on with their regular or hardcore servers/hives & avoid the whole fiasco all together.

 

This and many more other unique ideas for a different approach could prove interesting and a different change a pace for the game.

Many games offer new game mode options as they progress to give players new & different ways to enjoy the game.

[eleventhavenue 204]

The idea does not have to be mandatory for all servers.

It could be a unique custom server option.  So those super naysayers with no decent argument other than QQ no no no.  Can continue on with their regular or hardcore servers/hives & avoid the whole fiasco all together.

 

This and many more other unique ideas for a different approach could prove interesting and a different change a pace for the game.

Many games offer new game mode options as they progress to give players new & different ways to enjoy the game.

 

Or, maybe, we can not have this.

I am rather certain that this is what will happen.

[Roshi (DayZ) 396]

Solutions on the problems:

Create it:

- Barriers (future update)

- Crates (future update)

- Traps (future update)

Make it public:

- Post your trading zone in the forums

- Use radio (future update)

- Place notes, maybe stick notes to walls even (future update)

- Place signs that lead to your trading zone (future update)

Too easy to gain loot:

- Loot system (future update)

- Stop server hopping (future update)

- More items for loot balance (future update)

Well... ok I admit right now it could be quite hard to create a trading post but in the future there will be endless possibilities if you got some creativity.

Agreed.

Rocket has said that there will be no NPCs. Any trading centres that emerge in game will have to be player driven.

Edited January 29, 2014 by Roshi

[Monkfish (DayZ) 339]

Rocket has said that there will be no NPCs. Any trading centres that emerge in game will have to be player driven.

Which is exactly how it should be. It's a sandbox game and anything created from it is done entirely by the player. No NPCs, no predetermined trade locations and absolutely no safe zones. Period.