Custom server level "zones"

[surfarcher 2]

It just occurred to me that my post on the KoS thread is about more than just KoS. So I figured I'd post it in here too...

 

I find myself constantly coming back to an idea of "server zones".

 

The idea is basically that server admins could define a zone or zones on their server that can behave differently to the rest of the server. These would have flags on them like "disable PVP", "gear spawning" and maybe "zombie spawning" and "zombie entry". These could be areas for people to trade, build (once building is developed) and other things.

 

Yes, bandits/KoSers will camp on corridors to and from these areas. That actually seems quite realistic and to me good for the game. After all we would expect some psychos in a post-apocalyptic world to do this! This would lead to players who align themselves with the zone trying to mitigate this with their design (multiple entry/exit corridors, etc) and putting together police-type forces, etc. In other words, complications! Complications are good in games :)

 

The developers could, of course, place limits on the number and/or size of these zones if they felt that was important.

 

I guess it just seems to me that this kind of thing could promote more diverse playstyles.

 

Anyway, just an idea I thought I'd put out there...

 

Admins: I don't think this cross-posting is breaking rules? If it is please do delete this post.
 

[Chaingunfighter 917]

Seems too artificial. Having something like this enforced by the server seems like an unreasonable limitation; in reality, what's stopping some bandit from going into a trade post and shooting it up? Nothing. It might seem like it would be diversifying playstyles, but it's not really doing that, as it is just taking away the ability of the (supposed) most common playstyle.

 

If players actually managed to set something like this up themselves, I'd find that to be much more interesting and cool than an enforced in-game feature, anyway.

[surfarcher 2]

Hi Chaingunfighter!

 

I think it would depend on how it was implemented and built. There are spins and variations you could make on the basic idea. Like maybe it's "minimal PVP" where you don't die but go down to unconsicous, very low blood and energy and where each hit damages an item carried in that part of the body.

 

Or maybe NPC "crowd control" could be added. You can start a fight, even kill another player. But you are going to get beaten for about the same amount of damage as the other guy took... Unless you are very, very quick on your feet.

 

There are other possibilities too.

 

The thing is, without server protection it ends up at best like Epoc. Even the best built base can be taken down with satchel charges. You can't have a true safe zone built under the current server rules.

 

And as things stand there are no basic mechanics in the game the encourage a playstyle beyond KoS.

[hannibaldaplaya 1095]

In real life, apocalyptic trade posts would only succeed if:

 

1. They were 100% secure, with armed guards 24/7

2. They were well-hidden or in a defendable position

 

When building is added, people will make trade posts, but they will only succeed if the place has tight security and prevents threats from getting close or getting in.

 

UNFORTUNATELY,

 

This is DayZ, and it is a game, and not everyone can be on 24/7, which is the only flaw in all of this. In real life, you can have a team of guards up 24/7, but in a game like DayZ, that would be nearly impossible.

 

Still, NO ZONES. No. NO.

And as things stand there are no basic mechanics in the game the encourage a playstyle beyond KoS.

 

-Bullets ruin loot on bodies

Sure, this can be solved with a clean headshot, but it encourages mugging / robbing

[surfarcher 2]

-Bullets ruin loot on bodies

Sure, this can be solved with a clean headshot, but it encourages mugging / robbing

KoSers don't want your loot...

 

Guessing you don't like NPC guards either??

[hannibaldaplaya 1095]

KoSers don't want your loot...

 

Guessing you don't like NPC guards either??

 

No, it would require way too much work on the AI that could be allocated to Zeds. :|

[surfarcher 2]

So... Viva le KoS! (?)

[Chaingunfighter 917]

Hi Chaingunfighter!

 

I think it would depend on how it was implemented and built. There are spins and variations you could make on the basic idea. Like maybe it's "minimal PVP" where you don't die but go down to unconsicous, very low blood and energy and where each hit damages an item carried in that part of the body.

 

Or maybe NPC "crowd control" could be added. You can start a fight, even kill another player. But you are going to get beaten for about the same amount of damage as the other guy took... Unless you are very, very quick on your feet.

 

There are other possibilities too.

 

The thing is, without server protection it ends up at best like Epoc. Even the best built base can be taken down with satchel charges. You can't have a true safe zone built under the current server rules.

 

And as things stand there are no basic mechanics in the game the encourage a playstyle beyond KoS.

Well, that's how I feel it should be; everything should be vulnerable, not invincible.

 

I'm all for them adding more mechanics that encourage different playstyles (vehicles/bases = better endgame to strive for, hunting/fishing = opportunities to survive outside of cities, etc.). In fact, I think the biggest reason we have so much KoS and PvP is because there's not a whole lot to do. It's an early alpha game and the only real things we can do are test out the new features and report bugs, after that it's pretty much solved.

 

But zones that have higher zombie spawns and variable loot rates is a great idea (i.e. military bases or large cities), I can fully support that.

[blunce 991]

I definitely like the idea, but I feel that it's up to the players to decide. I don't think any admins should try to "force" things such as safe zones. If it's safe, it's safe, if not, it's not. In real life scenarios, safe zones become safe zones for a number of reasons. It could be a low-traffic area, very minimal zombie population, not easily accessible (rough terrain), close by to resources (water, wood, etc.), things such as that. The place should have a history behind it, & a legitimate reason as to why it is "safe". Not simply because an admin says "don't do this while you're in this area".

 

Once private servers & persistant loot/storage/base-building are implemented, this could very much become a reailty. It's up to YOU to establish a community. Find the designated area that you'd like to consider a safe zone or trading post, preferably one that only has one way in & one way out so it can be monitored. Gather a group of supporters. People who share the same idea as yours. People who could benefit from joining your community as long as they can provide a service to it such as gathering food to bring back, gathering resources, guarding posts, building vehicles. etc.

 

Once you have an established area/community, treat it how you want it to be treated. If you want to openly welcome new comers to trade goods, treat it as such. When someone approaches, don't shoot on sight, ask their intentions, & ask them what they have to offer or if they'd like to see what you have up to trade. Do the deal, & send them on their way. If you like their attitude, ask them to join your community.

 

If you do this successfully enough, you'll start to earn a reputation. It will become a known thing that you have a legitimate, professional, established, safe zone/trading post tied to one server (until you decide to switch servers). If the people you recruit to join your community are unprofessional, & just kill anything that moves, then that's the reputation that your zone is going to gain.

 

You have the tools at your disposal, & reputation is everything.

[surfarcher 2]

Oh I don;t think zones should only be for "peacful places"!

 

High Zed spawns and all other kinds of things coulke for some really interesting play!

 

The thing is, even in mods liek Epoch a safe zone isn't possible. Someone always griefs it. lol. I guess I feel a better supporting mechanic would be good.

 

Anyway, there's a number of ways zones could swing an I thought it was worth consideration.

 

Thanks for the thoughts folks and more would be welcome.

Edited April 18, 2014 by surf

[blunce 991]

Oh I don;t think zones should only be for "peacful places"!

 

High Zed spawns and all other kinds of things coulke for some really interesting play!

 

The thing is, even in mods liek Epoch a safe zone isn't possible. Someone always griefs it. lol. I guess I feel a better supporting mechanic would be good.

 

Anyway, there's a number of ways zones could swing an I thought it was worth consideration.

 

Thanks for the thoughts folks and more would be welcome.

I see where you're coming from. Me personally, I really support player-driven gameplay, rather than admin driven

[hannibaldaplaya 1095]

Someone always griefs it. lol.

 

Welcome to the apocalypse!

 

Even in real life, any place can be attacked, even in this day and age. Sure, the chances of the attack being successful are slim, but it is not IMPOSSIBLE. Nothing is preventing you from doing such a thing, other then the police. Your actions aren't suppressed or prevented when a city. You can go and kill someone in any city in the world. Will you get away with it? Probably not! You'll enjoy life in prison.

 

What I am trying to say here is the only way to secure something realistically is to have some sort of police or justice system that is effective enough to discourage crime. People don't murder each other willy nilly in real life due to the fact you are probably going to go to jail if you do it and suffer from years of guilt if you're not fucked up in the head.