Why Proper Realism Can Never Be Achieved In Day Z

[Flying Mathias 18]

I've been lurking around the forums for a few months now, and I've seen arguments from both sides. The arguments against PvP usually involve some silly, gamey mechanic that breaks the realism, while the arguments for PvP usually involve the poster's deranged and unrealistic thoughts on how people would react in a real apocalypse.

The thing is, the Survivors are right from a realism perspective, the Bandits are right from a gameplay perspective.

You see, in real life, people don't kill people because they have fear. They may fear the law, they may fear karma, or a god. But they don't fear a silly bandit skin or a respawn penalty. But Day Z can't accomplish

this, because there's nothing to fear in a video game. No god will smite you for killing a man in fiction. The law won't punish you for homicide in a game.

And there's no way to fix this without breaking immersion; except one.

The players themselves. A group of bandit hunters can be formed, or people can just stop killing each other except with it's absolutely necessary.

Of course, that can't happen. People will continue to be dicks, looking to create their fun at the expense of others. And that's not a bad thing, it's your right to have fun in this game, even if it means ruining it for others.

It's just unfortunate, that, even with the greatest technology, a game like Day Z can never be completely realistic or immersive, because people are dicks when they're behind a screen and that they know nothing bad will happen to them in return.

"An outbreak, like this does, things to men. The violence. The death. Seeing loved ones die, change. It makes people snap, just like that.

People just like you and me. Just when humanity should be coming together, they turn on each other instead. " - Chuck Greene, Dead Rising 2, Off the Record.

[Wrath (DayZ) 140]

Congratulations, you worked out that Day Z is a game. Now lets go have some fun with it.

[DemonGroover 8836]

You are right - it is a game and despite all its realism it still comes down to shooting. I propose we change the name of the mod to Day of the Dick (With Zombies)

[Flying Mathias 18]

Congratulations' date=' you worked out that Day Z is a game. Now lets go have some fun with it.

[/quote']

I know, I just felt like posting my philosophical semi-rant.

I feel much better now.

[rick57@gmx.de 38]

I feel enlighted. We Need A KARMA System.

You kill people, no good lootz for you.

You help People, You'll find an NVG in a Barn.

Too bad the Arma Engine would fuck dat Idea up :(

[Flying Mathias 18]

I feel enlighted. We Need A KARMA System.

You kill people' date=' no good lootz for you.

You help People, You'll find an NVG in a Barn.

Too bad the Arma Engine would fuck dat Idea up :(

[/quote']

But you see, that's part of the problem. It's a gamey solution that doesn't apply to real life.

The only solution is players, and unfortunately, players are dicks.

[rick57@gmx.de 38]

But you see' date=' that's part of the problem. It's a gamey solution that doesn't apply to real life.

The only solution is players, and unfortunately, players are dicks.

[/quote']

Karma will get em'

I betcha' :D

[Wrath (DayZ) 140]

Sorry that my first reply was douchey, but it is accurate. The main appeal of this game is freedom, and adding some gamey solution to attempt to resolve this is a really bad idea.

The only possible way is to think of a system that accurately portrays real life and can work seamlessly in the game.

A little off topic, but one of the main reasons trust is 'hard' in this game is a lot of trust can be read of peoples expressions, mannerisms, and right down to watching their hands as they reach for their guns - unfortunately this sort of thing is impossible until we get some matrix level virtual reality, which unfortunately will be something our children get to enjoy as we will most likely be dead by then.

[Flying Mathias 18]

Sorry that my first reply was douchey' date=' but it is accurate. The main appeal of this game is freedom, and adding some gamey solution to attempt to resolve this is a really bad idea.

The only possible way is to think of a system that accurately portrays real life and can work seamlessly in the game.

A little off topic, but one of the main reasons trust is 'hard' in this game is a lot of trust can be read of peoples expressions, mannerisms, and right down to watching their hands as they reach for their guns - unfortunately this sort of thing is impossible until we get some matrix level virtual reality, which unfortunately will be something our children get to enjoy as we will most likely be dead by then.

[/quote']

Unless we find the fountain of youth. ;p.

But hey, don't worry man. Your comment was fine. It's just my wish to see Day Z expanded into so much more. I want it to be the next Half Life, the "best game" in the world.

[Shifty_Pete 11]

One way to make deaths more punishing - perhaps have a 5-minute timout after you die before you can spawn again? Will also stop people from spawn-hopping until they get where they want.

[grimes (DayZ) 0]

LOL @ people discussing a "realistic" game about the zombie apocalypse and pretending that bad people don't exist in the world.

[Wrath (DayZ) 140]

Unless we find the fountain of youth. ;p.

But hey' date=' don't worry man. Your comment was fine. It's just my wish to see Day Z expanded into so much more. I want it to be the next Half Life, the "best game" in the world.

[/quote']

Mine too. I like to imagine the possibilities this game would have given the funding of an AAA title. It would without a doubt my favourite game (it already is in its current state). I worry that as it becomes more mainstream, the pressure to 'casualise' it will increase though.

Anyway, back on topic, perhaps a long way down the track when Rockets 'radio' and 'radio station' idea is implemented bounties could start to be put in place on people who have killed a determined amount of people.

[Flying Mathias 18]

One way to make deaths more punishing - perhaps have a 5-minute timout after you die before you can spawn again? Will also stop people from spawn-hopping until they get where they want.

But once again, this is a gamey solution (even if the idea of respawns are already quite gamey) and ruins a bit of the immersion. And besides, 5 minutes is a bit too small. It just gives you time to go make a sandwich.

However, I must congratulate you on making this fair for everyone, the bad survivors and the bad bandits will both be punished, while the good survivors and bandits won't be.

[KoukenNZ 6]

perma-death would fix this,

or how about 1 life a month

then people will be more careful

[Wrath (DayZ) 140]

LOL @ people discussing a "realistic" game about the zombie apocalypse and pretending that bad people don't exist in the world.

perma-death would fix this' date='

or how about 1 life a month

then people will be more careful

[/quote']

Ha, its also a good way to make people never play the game.

[wolfstriked 143]

Want a way for more realism....stop the sniper camping spots from being the major loot grabs.Let survivors roam the whole map searching for fallen helis,downed soldiers and vehicles etc as they drop best loot and are rare.This way you make the bandits have to actually hunt instead of sit in one place and watch the desperate/without a clue chickens run around the hangers searching for that special weapon knowing full well they are the targets in a shooting range.Remove these huge hot spots and now bandits will be all over map searching themselves.

[xeaglenec 13]

oh god. not again... enough

[Valec 55]

Want a way for more realism....stop the sniper camping spots from being the major loot grabs.Let survivors roam the whole map searching for fallen helis' date='downed soldiers and vehicles etc as they drop best loot and are rare.This way you make the bandits have to actually hunt instead of sit in one place and watch the desperate/without a clue chickens run around the hangers searching for that special weapon knowing full well they are the targets in a shooting range.Remove these huge hot spots and now bandits will be all over map searching themselves.

[/quote']

I actually somewhat like this idea. Get rid of the obvious 'best loot here' spawns and have it more random. Admittedly, this is beyond unrealistic(Hey, I found an AS50 in a pub!), but as others have pointed out, it's a game.

I'm sure Rocket has read some of the suggestions from the community and at the end of the day, he'll do whatever he thinks is best.