Rocket, I'd really like to know what you think of this idea. Your input is priceless

[KField86 237]

Ok fellas, I've tossed this idea around in my head since I first started playing DayZ this week. The one glaring issue I've had was the difficulty in finding other people to team-up with. Unless you're in a clan, most people who download DayZ and play are doing so solo, although that's not to say there's not a ton of people out there who aren't playing in large groups. The problem with that is, those groups can pretty much monopolize the important areas of the map, like the NW airfield/stary sobor where military weapons/DMRs, and NV goggles can be found. A person playing solo attempting to get into those places at any time other than pitch black(And then by the time you turn on a chemlight, you have a .308 round mid-flight coming straight to your center mass, and you can pretty much forget the hour long run it took you to run from Kamenka to the north to get to the strip, so this was the idea I had running through my head.

For people who have played the battlefield series, when you first load up a map, you are given the choice to play rogue, or to join a squad, or make your own. Now depending on how many people are in the server, that would determine how many squads are available. I think it's safe to say this game is a lot more fun when you're playing with people at your side. People to give you blood transfusions, to drag you out of a fire fight and bandage you up, to drop a spare weapon when you run dry on ammunition. What if, when we spawned into Chernarus, we had the ability to join a squad. And then we could use the group channel to voice chat with our squad no matter where we are on the map, even if one person is in elektro and the other is in NW airfield, etc. Another thing, I think it could be cool if we could see our squad mates on the map. Keep in mind, until you actually obtain the map, you would still see a black screen, except for the circles and player names of your squad mates. You still wouldn't be able to get a compass reading, or direction they were pointing, but at this point we all use dayzmap.info for that anyway, so I can see that working in conjunction with this quite well. There would have to be a way to do this without completely trivializing the need for a compass and map. As they are undoubtedly the most important items in the game in terms of navigation.

My reason for this is simple. For a new comer to the game, it's very hard to play solo against people who are all the best equipment due to being in clans and having complete control over the areas that hold the best firearms available. Another reason I think this would be a good idea is that this could establish new clans, new friendships, and in the long run, I can see it increasing the longevity of the mod. Now, one thing I want to say is, I am not "Hating" on the people who busted there ass and won firefight after firefight at places like stary/airfield/hospital. They put in the work, they deserve the rewards. The main purpose of this proposal is to give all players a chance to experience the game the way it was meant to be played, with a group of survivors. Joining a squad would NOT be mandatory. A simple "OPT OUT" option could be clicked, and you could be on your way, but if you decide you'd like to join a squad, you'd have to hit escape, and have an "open squad interface" tab available to bring up a new interface where you can select a squad. If all the squads are full, you could either be put in queue, or form your own squad, and others like yourself who opted out could join up with you.

If this has already been posted, please feel free to move this thread to the proper place. My main goal is to increase the longevity of this game, and continue to see it grow and prosper. More clans. More servers. More groups. More memories. More memories shared amongst the gaming community = More DayZ downloads and a larger playerbase. I just think the option of being able to join a squad of 5 at the start of your game could be an awesome thing, and also, I forgot to mention...each squad will have a squad leader, and they and they alone have the ability to lock the squad, even if it's less than 5 players if for example they have 3 or 4 people in their squad that they know and trust, and would rather not have anyone else taking up the fight with them. I think this would create some extremely intense and EPIC battles at the prime locations in Chernarus and help starter players learn the aspects of patience, commitment, and most of all, TEAMWORK.

Any feedback, both negative and positive is appreciated. But if you're going to post negative feedback towards my idea, at least make it constructive and point out flaws instead of smashing your face into the keyboard with random internet memes you picked up on /b/. Thanks everyone.

KFieLD / Kevin / OneMilAway

[ravenger 10]

They shouldnt add this. Either take your chances with someone on the game or meet in one of the ts channels. I have actually never been shot at the airfield in the 6 times ive been there. I must be lucky or sneaky. I dont like this concept because in a zombie outbreak you dont get green diamonds that you can see through mountains and stuff to show where your squad is.

[Kobra (DayZ) 0]

I read like 2 paragraphs and I actually like the idea, HOWEVEr I do not think you should be able to talk to anyone anywhere in your squad... Without a radio :) So yes I agree but I think you need to add radios then add this to it so you can communicate with them.

check out my thread too pls

http://dayzmod.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=23586

[KField86 237]

Ok, so maybe we wouldn't have any way of seeing squad mates, that I can understand, but I still feel that being able to join up with a squad of 5 would open a lot more doors for new players to make friends, and keep them playing longer. I've heard of a lot of people quitting due to just not having fun solo. In a zombir apocalypse, groups of survivors find each other and team up. All this does is make that a little easier to do. The only reason I suggested the idea of being able to see your squad members on the map is because due to the 225 square km map, it's very hard to find another player you're in TS with(even if you're not entirely new to the game) if you don't know the area like the back of your hand. Regardless, I feel like it would be worth a shot during beta, and if popular vote says it's not worth it, than away it goes.

I just think it would do a lot more good for the game than bad. Like I said. New players coming in solo get discouraged very quickly(not all, I know) because most of the people they encounter shoot them on sight. At least, if they were in a squad, this would be eliminated but not entirely. Sure other squads would shoot opposing squad members, but the fact is... this would open the door for new players to create friends, and those new players would continue spreading the word of DayZ which equals more players, and more players equals longevity although longevity isn't an immediate concern since the game being only in alpha has a larger playerbase than A LOT of mainstream FPS games. I honestly believe this is the greatest game developed in the last 10 years, and it's a mod. That says a lot. I just see the pros outweighing the cons, but I appreciate your opinion. I like to debate. I'm not arguing, I just want you to know that,.

[WhiteTigerShiro 25]

Ok fellas, I've tossed this idea around in my head since I first started playing DayZ this week. The one glaring issue I've had was the difficulty in finding other people to team-up with.

I stopped reading right about here. There's already a forum for that.

[KField86 237]

Well what would if we used a group chat based on a number system( say there's 5 squads, group chat #1 is for squad 1communication, and used direct comm within 50-100 meters for voice chat amongst squad mates. I get your point, the voice comm over the entire map would be a bit much. I may have overlooked that a bit. I'm also on my ADD medication so I'm on a typing spree :)

Like I said, my main goal with the squad thing is to give new players more confidence that they are going to be able to build trust in people, and it may help the "shoot first ask questions later" mentality a tad. It will also create some very, very intense fire-fights. And I don't know about you Ravenger, you must of gotten really lucky. Anytime I goto Stary Sobor, or the NW Airfield, you have a complete cross fire of DMRs going off, not to mention M4s and AKMs. I get into a firefight 1 out of 3 times I visit, and it's usually due to a "Squad" of people on TS being there. It shouldn't be mandatory to join a clan to get that experience, which is why I think a built in squad system would help a lot.

The only issue that really makes this is a bit tricky is having to find your squad in a hurry, which is why I suggested the map thing. Maybe we could add a GPS item in the game for squad leaders that would set off a ping on the map(even if you didn't have a map yet) that would allow squad members to rally up quickly if need be. But that is really a fine-line to walk without it being too much. I mean, I know in battlefield series you have the option of spawning on top of your squad leader, but I think that's going a bit too far. Either way, my main focus is for new players to be able to take part in group survival instead of being forced to find a clan that plays at their hours, on the nights they can play, because it's not the easiest thing in the world to do that, and I've already talked to several people who have gotten discouraged of the game because playing solo just doesn't offer a fun experience for them. They love the survival aspect. They are patient players and have been waiting for a game like this, but it's about sharing those tense moments with other players. That's where this game shines.

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Ok fellas' date=' I've tossed this idea around in my head since I first started playing DayZ this week. The one glaring issue I've had was the difficulty in finding other people to team-up with.[/quote']I stopped reading right about here. There's already a forum for that.

Thanks for contributing to the thread. Regardless if you took the time to read it. I'm well aware of the forum. My idea has nothing to do with that forum. My idea has everything to do with implementing a new feature to the game that would eliminate the need to for that all together. Being able to form up squads in game on the fly could be a great thing for this game. Yes, you could do it via finding other people via that forum but I didn't come up wit any worthwhile results. I just feel like being able to set up squads on the fly would help with a number of issues being complained about right now. One: Players new to the game would immediately make friends, and possibly long standing relationships. Two: It would help stop the discouragement of new team-mates being shot by the first person they come across, and if they did, they'd at least have back up.

Again, I'm not arguing..I just think the process of finding other people to play with would be MUCH easier and open a lot more doors for future gameplay mechanic updates than being forced to look through countless posts. Again, I sent 6 different thread starters pms asking for information about clans, and teamspeak servers, and haven't gotten a single response yet) and then you have to worry about finding people who have hours of play that sync up with yours. Especially people in different time-zones. With in-game squad game-play, it's all laid out right in front of you as soon as you log on, and it isn't detrimental to the foundation of the game in anyway. That's the main reason I suggested it. Granted, I listened to your post, and I'm not arguing. I don't argue, I just debate. Not stepping on toes. I can take negative feedback just fine, just expect rebuttals :)

Ask yourself: What harm would it do. I'm willing to bet money it would bring MORE players to this amazing mod. People LOVE squad based game-play. It was battlefield's biggest selling point, or one of them. It puts teamwork at the forefront, and without teamwork, don't expect to win any battles. I will admit, I do play with a select group of individuals, but to be honest, they're not the right group for me, and I will continue looking for other groups, I just am a firm believer a squad based system would do great things for this game. For veterans and new comers a like. Veterans included, but a lot of cases you have a bunch of people in the same clan playing on the same server, and they like to split off to accomplish multiple tasks at once, so then they could fill two squads.Yes, I know they could just do that by joining a different channel on teamspeak but you get my point, hopefully. :) If I thought a squad-based setup would cause more harm than good, I would of never suggested it.

[bad_mojo (DayZ) 1204]

I've never run into large groups holding down the airfield or town. And I'm disappointed about that.

No groups, why wouldn't a bandit infiltrate your group and murder you all?

[KField86 237]

I've never run into large groups holding down the airfield or town. And I'm disappointed about that.

No groups' date=' why wouldn't a bandit infiltrate your group and murder you all?

[/quote']

You're disappointed because you never see large groups holding down the airfield, I wish you played on the servers I do because I see it daily, and if you had squads with that mission in mind, you'd see just that and have one less thing to be disappointed with!

Also, you're right...there's nothing stopping a lone bandit, that is a very good point. They'd die anyway, but my main point about the formation of squads was to have newer players have an easier way of forming up with other players. I'm glad you guys are offering the criticism though, I honestly am. I don't take harsh criticism badly, it's all a learning experience. The reason I first thought of it, is because I've had such a hard time finding a decent clan to be apart of that plays at my hours, and the couple friends I did play with left because they just don't enjoy the game playing solo. But as far as the lone bandit goes, you run that risk with or without squads. You run that risk joining a clan via the new player forum section, hopping on there ts, finding them, and butchering them, taking all their equipment and server hoping. There's really nothing that's going to stop that.

I guess at the end of the day I just want to see easier access to cooperative play. And I think squads would do that, or "groups of survivors" for better term anyway.

I mean, call me crazy, but if a patch went live with this system implemented, I feel like a lot of people would rave about it. "NO MORE PLAYING SOLO. YES!" etc etc.

[DevilDog (DayZ) 455]

This would not change anything IMO. There would still be people that join you just so they can shoot you in the back, just like in the game now. Just because your name is a different color now means nothing to a true bandit.

You will just have to ask around and try to find a trustworthy person to play with. That is part of the fun honestly. Never knowing if a guy is friendly or not. Not knowing if you are about to make a great team or have to murder a guy. Safety forced by some game mechanic takes away from the joys of finding helpful people.

[KField86 237]

Just wanted to say again, thanks for all the feedback, both in agreement and disagreement. I'm still hoping rocket reads this posts and considers putting it into his book of ideas. I know he reads the boards regularly so here's hoping. I just think it would be a ton of fun. And I think a lot of you guys who disagreed would enjoy it if you got to try out squad based DayZ if you got to try it out just once.

It would just need to be carefully worked out as to not make it overboard. Remember, my whole point here was thinking of the new players who haven't gotten the chance to play with a group and experience what it's like to coordinate raids, and to take part in the bigger picture. I encourage every solo player in the mean time to try and find a clan or teamspeak group to play with. Like I said, I'm having trouble finding one myself. I think I'm a bit jaded though. Throughout my gaming "career", if you can even justify calling it that, I was blessed with meeting some AWESOME people, way back from when I first played Metal of Honor Allied Assault in 2002. People I would hang out with in real life if they ever picked up the phone and told me they were down the road at a bar. I've played with a few groups so far and I just haven't gotten that vibe and I'm desperately looking for it, and I think that's a big reason why I wanted to see squads put into action, because it puts me in direct contact with a lot more players than I currently am now since when I join a server alone, I can't even say hello in voice com to a player without taking a round in the forehead. I figure if I meet more people, I'll meet the same kinda guys with the same values and humor that I met all throughout my gaming days. But here I am ranting again.

Rocket, I hope you read this bud. Just knowing you read it without even replying would get a huge thank you from me. You're doing an excellent job. Please continue doing what you're doing. Listen to your PLAYERS. They are going to make the game what it is, they are going to lead you home while you steer the ship. Don't give into the big companies. And for goodness sake, when and if this game goes stand-alone, if EA Games ever knocks on your door, leave a bag of shit on the door-step. Survival style.

---

This would not change anything IMO. There would still be people that join you just so they can shoot you in the back' date=' just like in the game now. Just because your name is a different color now means nothing to a true bandit.

You will just have to ask around and try to find a trustworthy person to play with. That is part of the fun honestly. Never knowing if a guy is friendly or not. Not knowing if you are about to make a great team or have to murder a guy. Safety forced by some game mechanic takes away from the joys of finding helpful people.

[/quote']

Good point Devildog, I didn't think of it. I guess I was too hung up on the fact that I think a lot more newcomers would say if they had an easier time hooking up with people to play with. Which as of now isn't exactly easy since you can't talk in side chat anymore. You make very valid points trust me. I just can't get the picture of a planned squad vs squad firefight taking place over something of high value, like say a chopper or complete and unhindered access to nw airfield. Man what an epic fight that would be to watch. I don't mind playing alone. It adds to the tension that's for sure. I just have so much more fun when I have 2 or 3 people a long side of me working towards the same goal. Gearing up, and letting loose on some bandits that terrorize elektro and chernogorsk with their sniper rifles :P. I'm going to keep looking for a clan to join. Maybe I shouldn't be so picky. I'm 26 years old now. I'm full of humor, but the ones I've tried seemed to be filled with xbox live like punks whose every other word out of their mouth of penis or "I banged your mom". I'm an adult now, and I play late at night usually. Well, between 10pm to 3am usually, depends if I have work the following afternoon. And it's been hard to find a group in my kinda age bracket that likes to get shit done, laugh a ton while doing it, and play those kind of hours. Off to the drawing bored. Oh well. It sounded like a good idea at the time, but you guys all keep bringing up valid points that would hinder a squad based set-up. I think only one poster liked the idea :P. Thanks again for the feedback!

[bad_mojo (DayZ) 1204]

One of the things that really got me interested in DayZ when I heard about it and watched some videos was the complete lack of the system you are suggesting. And It's not because I'm a loner or don't enjoy squad play. I'm actually a very team minded player in most games. It got me interested because without any type of group system, clans and groups of friends don't automatically have the upper hand. Not having these squad/team/group tools actually creates a community. And not in the sense that "Oh look at us, we've got hundreds on our side and a big website with ranks and all that" but in the sense that the guys beside you, are irreplaceable.

When you play games like BF or COD, you're thrown onto a team/squad by a system. The other people expect teammates. They don't care if you quit, they don't care if you die, they don't care if you suck ass most of the time. It's all... very empty. It lacks any emotional attachment.

Then you have a game like DayZ where just seeing someone who isn't a zombie seems like a huge accomplishment. And when you meet other people who just want to team up, it's better than most "team" games out there. When someone teams up, it's because they want to team up. Not because they "just want to play the game" and teaming up is part of it. People who "just want to play the game" and kill on sight have their place in DayZ, no need to counter-act their lack of social skills by adding group systems.

Anyway, I just wanted to say that because you were implying that I and others who criticized the idea were doing it because we disliked teamwork. Or didn't know the greatness that could happen with groups.

I have a vision of what DayZ will become, in my head I picture massive groups of survivors playing together simply to survive. People who see these groups would be intimidated and either join or flee. When two groups crossed paths, things would (realistically) get very chaotic, the lack of team skins and comms would create some interesting gameplay. I can envision firefights ending with the survivors of one side surrendering and joining up.

What's stopping this from happening now? Well, it's a bunch of things in my opinion. First off, the mod got really popular and a lot of people are being dragged into the game by their friends or whatever, and not fully understanding the idea behind the game. Second, clans and communities are trying to circumvent the DayZ setup. 3rd party voice software really hurts the community, if people aren't on your teamspeak, they become inferior. You worry too much about linking up with people simply because they're on your teamspeak.

Finally, I think the biggest problem is the lack of difficulty. I can easily go everywhere and do everything all by myself. I've lived for 20+ days and am pretty bored at this point. Close to 700 zombies kills, no murders, bandits killed, etc. I said I was disappointed not seeing a group holding down the airfield on my servers, because at least that would be something. Live or die, it would have been memorable. Anyway, my point is if I can run around by myself and go everywhere and get everything, why do I expect other people to want to group up?

If the game was extremely difficulty in some areas like the airfields and cities, it would really increase the natural formation of groups. Areas just outside Electro and Cherno would become rally points for new spawns, grouping up to try and hit a hospital inside the city.

just my .02

[DannyRed 32]

Why not add a gps tracker? You could give it to someone you trust and if you have a gps you will see your friend from there.

[DevilDog (DayZ) 455]

Good point Devildog' date=' I didn't think of it. I guess I was too hung up on the fact that I think a lot more newcomers would say if they had an easier time hooking up with people to play with. Which as of now isn't exactly easy since you can't talk in side chat anymore. You make very valid points trust me. I just can't get the picture of a planned squad vs squad firefight taking place over something of high value, like say a chopper or complete and unhindered access to nw airfield. Man what an epic fight that would be to watch. I don't mind playing alone. It adds to the tension that's for sure. I just have so much more fun when I have 2 or 3 people a long side of me working towards the same goal. Gearing up, and letting loose on some bandits that terrorize elektro and chernogorsk with their sniper rifles :P. I'm going to keep looking for a clan to join. Maybe I shouldn't be so picky. I'm 26 years old now. I'm full of humor, but the ones I've tried seemed to be filled with xbox live like punks whose every other word out of their mouth of penis or "I banged your mom". I'm an adult now, and I play late at night usually. Well, between 10pm to 3am usually, depends if I have work the following afternoon. And it's been hard to find a group in my kinda age bracket that likes to get shit done, laugh a ton while doing it, and play those kind of hours. Off to the drawing bored. Oh well. It sounded like a good idea at the time, but you guys all keep bringing up valid points that would hinder a squad based set-up. I think only one poster liked the idea :P. Thanks again for the feedback!

[/quote']

I don't dislike the idea, I am just thinking it wouldn't change anything. I remember in Star Wars they had a guild feature, where you can join up and form guilds (clans) in game. I think that would be a pretty cool feature. I like to be able to find the same people again without all the "work" of a clan.

My gaming comp has crapped the bed, but I was usually on the same times as you. I will hit you up when I am up and running again.

[red62 9]

just because you feel compelled to write a book on every post of yours doesn't mean your idea stands out from the mass of retarded ones.

[Eiskrem-Kaiser 54]

I give this idea one star. Simply because I can't vote 0 stars...

Especially the part with the marked players on the map is ridiculous. Thanks but no thanks.