What DayZ Can Learn From Literature

[wrobel 40]

Being a HUGE fan of zombie books, i have read almost every book in this genre. There are only a few hundred published and circulated books that actually stick with the "End-Of-The-World-As-We-Know-It-Due-To-A-Zombie-Apocalypse" type feel. These books range from a science fiction feel to a DayZ style strive for survival. My favorite books are the ones that folllow the basic need to survive. Some great books (if you are looking to find some) are the Morningstar Series, World War Z (DUH), the Eden Series, and Day By Day Armageddon (with its sequel). Now, it would take quite a long time to give a synopsis of every book, however, the Morningstar series would have the most influence on DayZ. First, the Mornignstar series follows a deadly plague that causes violent and spastic qualities in its victims. These victims are alive, however, they have no control over their bodies and will attack (and devour) any living creature. This virus has a second stage when the host dies, the host is then reanimated and is completely under the power of the virus. The story follows a United States Military General who is tasked with holding off the infection in the middle-east. Africa has been deemed "lost" (always starts in Africa, ALWAYS) and now the world will hold off the infected. The defense completely fails however, leaving 50 soldiers out of a few thousand to deal with the virus. Along with a handful of civvies, the soldiers set off for America after the destruction of Cairo (fear+panic+fire=death). The story follows the group as they travel throughout America to meet up with the head researcher on the Mornignstar virus (meeting up with a friend-DayZ??). Throughout their travels they encounter survivors, bandits, settlements, every piece of weaponry imagineable, and (of course) zombies. I think that the developers could take notes from Mornignstar. DayZ is great, however, it lacks a certain feel. It would improve the game if you were able to have more ingenuity and freedom. Being able to fortify (and cleanse) towns would allow for permanenent human settlement. Allowing for vehicle and weapon modification would improve the feeling of "survival". Nerfing the zombies running, or at least nerfing some of the zombies running (this would give an impression that some zombies were in better conditions). Allowing for more hordes and the mentality for them. Instead of being chased by 10 zombies, try 30 and dont allow for the ability to climb or open doors. These ideas are just some that i have gathered or come up with through the collection of zombie books that i have. Well, this is the suggestions area so......

[Strategos (DayZ) 190]

I can think of a few things you DIDN'T pick up from all those books....

[duddbudda 33]

like paragraphs

[WhiteTigerShiro 25]

I can think of a few things you DIDN'T pick up from all those books....

*Raises hand and waves it around frantically* Ooo! Ooo! Pick me! Pick me!

Is it... paragraphs?

[duddbudda 33]

oh and in WWZ it starts in china, not africa

[Runtz 0]

You do know game designers can't snap their fingers and make everything come true right? It has to be dealt with and coded in the engine, and if you're talking about changing the mechanic it could take 3-4 months maybe with a mod team or 1-2 months with a full team. Luckily rocket is pretty awesome at what he does and he can update the game fast enough but the point I'm trying to make here is that its not just something you can just "do". Also, do consider that this would change the feel of the entire game. I wouldn't really like a safehaven, I would consider it pretty boring. I like being on the run and hiding from Zombies, that's the good feel this game strives for and that's why people like it so much. You raid houses for provisions cause you are on the run and you're never too sure if you are safe even with a gun, so its always a rush. But that is just my opinion.

[wrobel 40]

*Slow Clap* Im so sorry. I forgot to use paragraphs. Silly me for not giving a fuck. I am also aware of how games are designed. Im not saying that rocket should simply "snap his fingers" its a simple suggestion of a few mechanics that were missing. This is a suggestion thread not a "demand whatever the hell you want" thread. And let the flaming begin............