[Opinion] NPCs and DayZ

[[DGN] Johnny 115]

Was surfing some other threads, thinking about Base Building Issues and Trade Market Issues, plus the concept of dynamic events. And it made me question, a really simple concept, NPCS.

So, we already have NPC's in DayZ. These are animals and zombies. Both of which will have a few antagonist properties to character survival. Zombies will of course, eat you. Animals can feed you, but some will also in the future, feed on you. And that's the realm that NPC's play in currently. Which brought a question to a mind.

What role would you like to see NPC's play in DayZ? Would you like to see more types of NPCs? Do humanoid NPCs feel meaningful or damaging to the environment? Humanoids possibly being both dynamic hordes of cannibals or random bandits that spawn if certain areas are unsecure. (Thusly promoting holding key terrain, making low population servers more dangerous which helps fight low pop gearing, and give more reasons for future base building) Would you like to be able to "purchase" NPC's to protect your bases or loot when you're offline, through some sort of gear/food/water depreciation system, NPC's abandoning your camps if you can't support them.

I know it's a sticky question, because I don't think anyone to falls into the realm of "quest givers" but I'm curious where the community feels NPC's fall into DayZ, since one of our very core mechanics revolve around them.(Zombies)

 

[Brokenbones 62]

I would like them (the infected) to read books, that way they would become knowledgeable of different subjects instead of roaming around like chickens with their heads cut off.
As for "purchasing" NCP's, only through micro transactions and reasonably priced DLC packages so that people like you can give more money to the Devs for the upkeep of teh Lambo's parked in the drive.

You should have posted this in the "bright ideas" sub-forum, where it belongs.

Having a nice day, thankyou.

[igor-vk 909]

There wont be NPCs in vanilla game, and it was stated 20 times by devs. But I hope they leave option for that for moders. I played on servers with at least 30 different versions and types of NPCs both in DayZ mod and Arma 3. Some were dumb, some were boring mission AI that spawn around crashed heli and disapear in middle of firefight because script timed out. But there were interesting AI patrols, that patrol around map and interact with zombies and players. Some were hostile, some were friendly survivors. Once I was trapped in tent on Balota AF and about to die when I heard shots and someone killed all zombies that were after me. There was NPC in hero skin, he saluted and went on his way. 

I really hope that devs leave option for NPC, because there are great posibilities. 

[[DGN] Johnny 115]

6 minutes ago, igor-vk said:

There wont be NPCs in vanilla game, and it was stated 20 times by devs. But I hope they leave option for that for moders. I played on servers with at least 30 different versions and types of NPCs both in DayZ mod and Arma 3. Some were dumb, some were boring mission AI that spawn around crashed heli and disapear in middle of firefight because script timed out. But there were interesting AI patrols, that patrol around map and interact with zombies and players. Some were hostile, some were friendly survivors. Once I was trapped in tent on Balota AF and about to die when I heard shots and someone killed all zombies that were after me. There was NPC in hero skin, he saluted and went on his way. 

I really hope that devs leave option for NPC, because there are great posibilities. 

Animals and Zombies are NPCS, but I understand what you're saying. The version of more classic humanoid NPCs that are "living" most likely wont make an appearance.  I think it would be pretty interesting, and IMO, would make classic base building a bit more viable, along with outposts and all that jazz. Having a passive defense force tied to the server, with it's own demands and characteristics sinks more in line with the "humanity" and "realism" themes I often read players complaining about. It's all very unlikely...

But still, fun to think about. ^.^

[igor-vk 909]

Animals are not really carachters.

[[DGN] Johnny 115]

2 minutes ago, igor-vk said:

Animals are not really carachters.

Just out of curiosity, how do you figure?

[shadowjack 254]

I consider all you other players NPC's  with better AI .... sometimes.  :P

[Funkmaster Rick 373]

If they allow you to purchase NPCs to guard your camp, will I be able to pimp them out for ammunition and fuel? Can I run a post-apocalyptic bordello in downtown Kamenka?

[emuthreat 2837]

40 minutes ago, Funkmaster Rick said:

If they allow you to purchase NPCs to guard your camp, will I be able to pimp them out for ammunition and fuel? Can I run a post-apocalyptic bordello in downtown Kamenka?

Kamenka, the town with two gas pumps that sits just south of Pavlov mil base?  Maybe you'd do better pimping them out for food and building materials. 

[Funkmaster Rick 373]

Man, you have to understand. Kamenka has been a nowhere shithole that only bambis and I go to since, like, summer 2012. It's the ultimate hipster hangout in Chernarus. It's also a great place to stash things since nobody goes there. Plus, two gas pumps and a grocery nearby - you can't underestimate that. I have a feeling I could turn it into a premier cozy little resort town.

EDIT: And then I re-read your post and understood, because I'm clearly thick and need to do things twice so I don't derp it.

Edited March 5, 2016 by Funkmaster Rick

[[DGN] Johnny 115]

3 hours ago, Funkmaster Rick said:

If they allow you to purchase NPCs to guard your camp, will I be able to pimp them out for ammunition and fuel? Can I run a post-apocalyptic bordello in downtown Kamenka?

Mandatory, lol.

Edited March 5, 2016 by [DGN] Johnny

[Irish. 4886]

I just died laughing.. thank you to all who helped in that. 

Now to the OP, I would love to see what the modders do with NPC's. There were some mods for the early dayz that had NPC soldiers in them that I loved.. and Ive always found the arma AI to be quite fun to go up against. 

Edited March 5, 2016 by lrishjake