Depth in DayZ (Roleplay? KoS?)

[Mahado 15]

Hello!

Lately I've been doing some thinking and reading these forums while also playing the game itself. Which led me to noticing that DayZ has a problem which is: KoS = Kill on Sight. (No shit!?!)

 

I'm sure KoS isn't anything new to anyone. We cannot prevent this by condemning/disapproving this behaviour in any way. While also we have to admit that if we think realistically, it could very well happen in a real world situation where world has fallen into complete anarchy. However, I believe most would still resort to other choices/alternatives to resolve conflicts or those situations. I feel like DayZ should be the same in that matter, while also not forcing PvP lunatics to obey invisible "rules". I believe it should come directly from gameplay mechanics to encourage different approaching in the game. In case someone likes the way it is, perhaps there should be alternative mods/plugins/modes to support these in the future, not just communities trying desperately to recruit certain type of people. Similarly as in Minecraft.

Basically, DayZ could be very deep game. In fact, even in current state you don't have to do much to be "roleplaying" and feeling how fun it is. Though most of my interactions with players have been KoS, which is like slap in to the face of potential depth. In this text I will be just analyzing this "problem" if we may say so, but also trying to keep in mind that some actually like it this way. Not that I wouldn't like killing in DayZ!

 

Firstly, I hope some of you see that if you KoS, you destroy some of the potential fun DayZ allows you to do. In games like Call of Duty, there is no particular reason not to kill your enemy, actually its the main goal/you have to do it in order to reach main goal. In DayZ you have the freedom and you can play in much more versatile way compared to CoD (obviously). Its the easiest and safest solution just to kill players in DayZ, especially if you got something to lose. Anyway, here is something to think about:

 

Why would you play like in CoD if there is room for so much more?
Don't dumb the game down to another fps shooter game. At least when the Game is actually "trying" to be more then just another fps shooter. Yes, DayZ PvP is much more exciting due to its high risks, I agree on that. But, its not the everything you can do. This is just my view.

Here is ways to interact with other players instead of doing just typical killing:

* Rob them: Make them go onto their knees, handcuff them or don't, but take their stuff.
* Force feed: Be nasty, after robbing you may give him a little partaway present.
* Charity: Or you could just refrain yourself from robbing and give him food or leave stuff out of pity for the robbed guy.

* Ask/Share Info: You could ask has the xxxx area been looted or how dangerous there is or whatever you want to know.

* Trade Supplies: You could ask for drink/ammo/food/weapon/bandage/any in return for any other supply/item.
* Group Up: Group up with some random guys/gals to feel more safer and possibly gain something from it, ex. food for hunger or treatment if you go down.

* Take hostage: You could demand all sorts of things in for freeing the hostage. Depending on the situation you might go out with win/win result or it could turn into bloodbath.
* Territory claims: You could state to people that certain area belongs now temporarily to your group and if they won't leave, they will face the consequences.

* Roles: These may be just within groups or you may choose act in your own role. Like example. you could become a hunter who sells his prey to groups, or a man who always has the right supplies for groups. You could even form a relationship as they might offer their protection to you, or even take you into their group.
* Bounty Hunter/Henchman/Guard: Become a guard or henchman for someone in return for something, or just for the fun of it. You've got clear goal in your head, you have to confirm your "clients" intentions and possible target and possibly ask a reason why if you are curious.

 

There is just few, I think the list could go on forever. Its all about your imagination. If you don't have any, try one of these and you may even find it likable thing to do.

DayZ is relying completely on players behaviour and how they choose to play it. The majority will choose to KoS, as it "may" be "smartest" thing in order to retain your gear and also have fun. Obviously you can't just trust others so much for these other features to work out well? Probably this is the case, unless you've got good community.
 

So, I've been wondering if "Roleplay" mode would be applied and made as another choice among regular/hardcore. In this mode your standing would be shown if you target the player. Status colors would be: Red(Bad),  Yellow(Neutral) and Green(Trusted). Status persists even after death, though it would rise slowly as to give you a new chance if you've been bad boy(only up to neutral). With this it would be clear as day who you can trust and who you can't. Status would drop by doing "nasty" things, like killing/robbing and increase above neutral from unique player feedback. Unique player feedback is from succesful roleplay events and only limitedly given (similar to reputation in forums). In gaming world we cannot "sense" or "feel" as well as we could in real life to know when we should be on alert, so this system would do that for us. Of course, not even green standing would quarentee anything, but it would just be more likely to be "friendly" fellow with whom you can do these stuff.

 

There should be more "downsides" to roleplaying mode in order to discourage KoS. Perhaps longer spawning times and weapons being even more rare as they are now. It would be nice if people in-game would generally look more like typical survivors and not armed soldiers. Possibly just for this mode or in general, I don't really care. Guns could be used in trading and considered as very valuable asset compared what to they are now. Of course your regular or hardcore character cannot play in roleplay server.


Don't know if I got it all in, but keep in mind that what I am sort of "suggesting" is just optional mode, not forced upon everyone. I might be overlooking something, if that is the case I hope you correct me and express yourself. :P And any other feedback is also welcome.
 

Edited April 10, 2014 by Mahado

[Richard III in Leicester 200]

I wouldn't like anything to show above anyone's head whilst aiming at them, would go against the simulation and the struggle I think. I think it's better to not have anything fed to you in this way. To be cautious because you can never know what someone will do and should never trust anyone until proven trustworthy and even then take that feeling of trust with a pinch of salt. That's me anyway lol.

 

Tho I do like the idea of more possible roleplaying being a part of the game. I think more need for co-operation will come with time and as further content is added to the game; vehicles, camps, etc etc. 

To answer the points you made, at the moment I've never robbed someone because I've never needed to, might have force fed once or twice for the lulz, have met people and asked if they needed anything or any help or wanted to trade but they have always said no they're fine. I don't think there's enough in the game yet to create the community aspect that is missing from the SA that was there in the mod. Once radios work it could become more of a possibility I'd like to think, people can call for help or trade or to report snipers and so on and others can join up in order to react to that for either good or bad. 

Same with vehicles, that would always add to gameplay and cooperation from others. For two strangers to want to cooperate there usually has to be something either has that the other wants or needs and one having a vehicle and the other needing a lift is a good start.... 

Got me rambling on now. I hope that KoS always remains but is made less of a knee jerk reaction to everyone and more of a conscious decision. And in the same regard the decision the other way should also become more common when there is more going on that needs cooperation. 

At the minute all you need to do is get some food and a gun and ammo and then the rest is just glitter. Doesn't need much in the way of cooperation between strangers to get that far so it always comes back to shooting.

For now. 

[Mahado 15]

I wouldn't like anything to show above anyone's head whilst aiming at them, would go against the simulation and the struggle I think. I think it's better to not have anything fed to you in this way. To be cautious because you can never know what someone will do and should never trust anyone until proven trustworthy and even then take that feeling of trust with a pinch of salt. That's me anyway lol.

 

Tho I do like the idea of more possible roleplaying being a part of the game. I think more need for co-operation will come with time and as further content is added to the game; vehicles, camps, etc etc. 

To answer the points you made, at the moment I've never robbed someone because I've never needed to, might have force fed once or twice for the lulz, have met people and asked if they needed anything or any help or wanted to trade but they have always said no they're fine. I don't think there's enough in the game yet to create the community aspect that is missing from the SA that was there in the mod. Once radios work it could become more of a possibility I'd like to think, people can call for help or trade or to report snipers and so on and others can join up in order to react to that for either good or bad. 

Same with vehicles, that would always add to gameplay and cooperation from others. For two strangers to want to cooperate there usually has to be something either has that the other wants or needs and one having a vehicle and the other needing a lift is a good start.... 

Got me rambling on now. I hope that KoS always remains but is made less of a knee jerk reaction to everyone and more of a conscious decision. And in the same regard the decision the other way should also become more common when there is more going on that needs cooperation. 

At the minute all you need to do is get some food and a gun and ammo and then the rest is just glitter. Doesn't need much in the way of cooperation between strangers to get that far so it always comes back to shooting.

For now. 

Yeah, but what I am suggesting is optional. You don't have to join the server with "roleplay" mode and I am not fully denying KoS, but it should be discouraged by the game/mode. We cannot prevent it fully unless we build private communities. Anyhow, I am all into more difficult and versatile gaming. Finding food is "alright" to some degree once spawns are functional, but there is so much weapons, I am worried about that if we put too much weight on that stuff. At least its not going to discourage or make KoS less frequent. Though things may be different once servers max player cap is increased, as the demand will rise.

Also we must admit that we don't have all the ways to feel/perceive if the person is trustworthy at first sight, characters doesn't have that advanced body language to give us enough time to make our decision for certain. Its safer to shoot. I can only trust guy with no weapons or if I don't have anything to lose.

Edited April 10, 2014 by Mahado

[JKS-Alex 79]

Can i suggest to read this?  ;)

 

http://forums.dayzgame.com/index.php?/topic/184130-graphic-deaths/

 

we must also say that actually the only threat (and challange) comes only from other players so until we have some pve content that need cooperation i dubt we will see less KOSers and it's a bit uderstandable

Edited April 10, 2014 by JKS-Alex

[massacrorBKK 64]

I think less equipment (ammunition and food) and more zombies would force players to cooperate...

[qww 287]

i disagree with this op suggestion totally, it goes against the basics of dayz, as i see it. op, try staying out of sight, if you get shot by someone who got the jump on you, thats the game.