Thermal Vision Eyepiece

[Allan Barcelos 0]

Suggestion for Including Thermal Vision Eyepiece in DayZ next Update

Hello, DayZ development team and community!  

I’d like to suggest the addition of a Thermal Vision Eyepiece to the game. This could bring an exciting layer of strategy and immersion to the survival experience while maintaining the balance and challenge DayZ is known for.  

To keep this item rare and valuable, it could be implemented as a special loot that spawns only during specific events, such as a plane crash scenario. These events could introduce a sense of urgency and competition among players, as they scramble to claim the eyepiece before others.  

To avoid overpowering gameplay, the eyepiece could have limited usability, powered by rare batteries that last only 1-2 minutes per charge. This would encourage players to think critically about when to use the thermal vision, making it a tactical tool rather than an all-purpose advantage.  

To balance this addition further, you could introduce a special type of clothing or gear that conceals the wearer from being detected by the eyepiece. This could be crafted from rare materials or found as a unique loot, adding another layer of strategy where players must decide between equipping thermal vision or wearing protective gear to counter it.

This addition could enhance the game's atmosphere, particularly during nighttime gameplay or in areas with heavy foliage, where spotting other players or threats becomes more difficult.  

Thank you for considering this suggestion! I’d love to hear feedback from the community and see how this idea could evolve.  

Best regards,  

Edited January 4 by Allan Barcelos

[Riddick_2K 187]

I wouldn't mind a thermal scope... I use them almost all the time in Battlefield, but it's (should be) another type of game, I'm afraid it makes it even more of a "War FPS" (it already is too much, given how it's handled).
However, if you want the game to remain balanced, you should at least make them fairly common... or, at least, not too difficult to obtain, otherwise you just get the result of giving someone an advantage over everyone else. It definitely should NOT be "limited" (with: ^count_in_cargo="1"^, ^count_in_hoarder="1"^ & ^count_in_player="1"^) otherwise it's too easy to hoard all the spawnable units and block the item for everyone else.
>>> IMO Actually NO item should have those flags. They should be eliminated completely.
For the heat suits, I don't know... pretty much the same thing. OK, to make them difficult to find (it's part of the game and makes it more fun), but DO NOT make them limited in order to: 1) balance the game between players 2) prevent them from being blocked by the "sly guy" on duty or by some organized group.
As for the drums, I don't agree. If you find the instrument you must also be able to use it, or it becomes useless or stupid. OK, special drums, but "normally usable" and under the conditions above: rare but not "unique".

😉

[Allan Barcelos 0]

 

@Riddick_2K Thank you for sharing your opinion and raising valid concerns regarding the potential impact of a thermal vision eyepiece on DayZ’s balance and survival-oriented gameplay.

However, I would like to address these points and explain why I believe this item could enhance the game if implemented thoughtfully.

 

1. DayZ is not just an FPS, but a strategic survival game

• DayZ stands out for its tension and strategic depth, not just for direct confrontations. The addition of a thermal vision eyepiece would not turn the game into a generic FPS, but rather introduce a tactical tool that requires careful and limited use.
• Survival in DayZ is grounded in scarcity and planning. The eyepiece would serve as a situational asset, much like sniper rifles, NVGs (Night Vision Goggles), or radios, which already exist in the game without disrupting balance.

2. Regarding the rarity of the item

• I understand concerns about “hoarding,” where certain players or groups monopolize rare items. However, limiting the number of thermal vision eyepieces in circulation does not mean it would be exclusive to specific players:
• Randomized spawns through dynamic events (e.g., plane or helicopter crashes) could ensure fair and unpredictable access for everyone.
• Rare items like SVDs or NVGs already exist in the game and are not considered overpowered because their scarcity ensures they remain balanced. The thermal vision eyepiece would follow the same principle.

Rarity is crucial in DayZ. Making the item too common would undermine its strategic value and dilute the core survival experience.

3. Limited usage ensures game balance

• Unlike games like Battlefield, the thermal vision eyepiece in DayZ would be heavily limited by short battery life and rare batteries. This would make it a tool for critical, situational use rather than a constant advantage.
• For example, players would need to decide whether to use the eyepiece to scout a dangerous area at night or save it for combat emergencies.
• It’s not about creating permanent advantages but offering players tactical options.

4. Countering thermal vision with camouflage

• Just like the eyepiece itself, thermal-resistant clothing would be rare and require careful decision-making.
• Players would have to weigh the benefits of wearing thermal-resistant gear against its potential downsides, such as reduced inventory space or mobility.
• This would add a strategic layer without undermining the overall balance of the game.

5. DayZ thrives on intentional inequality

• It’s important to remember that intentional inequality has always been a core aspect of DayZ’s survival gameplay.
• Not all players have access to the same gear at the same time. Survival hinges on adaptability, improvisation, and smart decision-making.
• Players without a thermal eyepiece can still outmaneuver those who have one through stealth, teamwork, and environmental awareness.

6. Comparison with existing rare items

• There are already examples of highly desirable and situational items in DayZ, such as:
• Rare rifles like the SVD or M4.
• NVGs (Night Vision Goggles).
• Ballistic vests and military-grade helmets.
• These items add depth and variety without disrupting gameplay, and the thermal eyepiece would be no different.

Conclusion

The thermal vision eyepiece should not be seen as a threat to DayZ’s balance but rather as a way to enhance its focus on planning, scarcity, and strategy. If implemented carefully, with limited battery life, rare spawns, and counterplay options like thermal-resistant clothing, it could enrich the survival experience without turning DayZ into a conventional FPS.

 

What do you think of this perspective?

[Habibabob 12]

  On 1/6/2025 at 9:29 PM, Allan Barcelos said:

 

@Riddick_2K Thank you for sharing your opinion and raising valid concerns regarding the potential impact of a thermal vision eyepiece on DayZ’s balance and survival-oriented gameplay.

However, I would like to address these points and explain why I believe this item could enhance the game if implemented thoughtfully.

 

1. DayZ is not just an FPS, but a strategic survival game

• DayZ stands out for its tension and strategic depth, not just for direct confrontations. The addition of a thermal vision eyepiece would not turn the game into a generic FPS, but rather introduce a tactical tool that requires careful and limited use.
• Survival in DayZ is grounded in scarcity and planning. The eyepiece would serve as a situational asset, much like sniper rifles, NVGs (Night Vision Goggles), or radios, which already exist in the game without disrupting balance.

2. Regarding the rarity of the item

• I understand concerns about “hoarding,” where certain players or groups monopolize rare items. However, limiting the number of thermal vision eyepieces in circulation does not mean it would be exclusive to specific players:
• Randomized spawns through dynamic events (e.g., plane or helicopter crashes) could ensure fair and unpredictable access for everyone.
• Rare items like SVDs or NVGs already exist in the game and are not considered overpowered because their scarcity ensures they remain balanced. The thermal vision eyepiece would follow the same principle.

Rarity is crucial in DayZ. Making the item too common would undermine its strategic value and dilute the core survival experience.

3. Limited usage ensures game balance

• Unlike games like Battlefield, the thermal vision eyepiece in DayZ would be heavily limited by short battery life and rare batteries. This would make it a tool for critical, situational use rather than a constant advantage.
• For example, players would need to decide whether to use the eyepiece to scout a dangerous area at night or save it for combat emergencies.
• It’s not about creating permanent advantages but offering players tactical options.

4. Countering thermal vision with camouflage

• Just like the eyepiece itself, thermal-resistant clothing would be rare and require careful decision-making.
• Players would have to weigh the benefits of wearing thermal-resistant gear against its potential downsides, such as reduced inventory space or mobility.
• This would add a strategic layer without undermining the overall balance of the game.

5. DayZ thrives on intentional inequality

• It’s important to remember that intentional inequality has always been a core aspect of DayZ’s survival gameplay.
• Not all players have access to the same gear at the same time. Survival hinges on adaptability, improvisation, and smart decision-making.
• Players without a thermal eyepiece can still outmaneuver those who have one through stealth, teamwork, and environmental awareness.

6. Comparison with existing rare items

• There are already examples of highly desirable and situational items in DayZ, such as:
• Rare rifles like the SVD or M4.
• NVGs (Night Vision Goggles).
• Ballistic vests and military-grade helmets.
• These items add depth and variety without disrupting gameplay, and the thermal eyepiece would be no different.

Conclusion

The thermal vision eyepiece should not be seen as a threat to DayZ’s balance but rather as a way to enhance its focus on planning, scarcity, and strategy. If implemented carefully, with limited battery life, rare spawns, and counterplay options like thermal-resistant clothing, it could enrich the survival experience without turning DayZ into a conventional FPS.

 

What do you think of this perspective?

Regarding #1, 99% of use cases would literally just be killing people. 

Regarding #2, things put in heli crashes that are that op behave about the exact same. Night vision already is a detrimental piece of equipment in the game for the majority of players.

Regarding #3, when it comes to dayz, it does not. yes, players get to use it less, but I think you forget just how little you can stay in your scope and still use the thermal scope effectively. Yeah, you MIGHT want to keep it, but if your in a fight and youre already that geared, then youd totally be using it every chance you get for every advantage. And, i hate to break it to you, yes, you can USE it temporarily, but it doesnt add complexity to the game at all. In dayz, 99% of cover is foliage. Having a player be able to ignore that is cheap, requires little thinking, and is essentially a "one problem one solution" card.

Regarding #4, honestly bro, if you made that another part, listen, oml, just hear me out. 

So the thermal vision is already rare, right? most players wont even have to really worry about encountering someone with it. 

So what makes you think, that any players are going to go looking for this, or even want it in the first place? it would have to be 24 slots, high insulation, and then at that point, its playing into a power fantasy. And yeah, it WOULD undermine the balance of the game, because the very, VERY few times that someone encounters someone with thermal vision, its just,

"eh, i guess you dont have the super rare awesome super cool armour set that we wanted you to have for this specific situation. Too bad theres absolutely nothing you can do now except MAYBE run away?"

 

Regarding #5, no, dayz does not rely on intended inequality. Yes, that is a core component of the gameplay, but dayz relies on intelligence and ingenuity to bridge those gaps. For a skilled player with thermal, if you get in a fight with them, you basically have 0 counterplay unless hes already in a horrible position. which is unlikely. It basicallly turns that players experience into a luck of the draw. 

And yeah, there are options. You dont, HAVE to fight the guy. You could be friends, but the point is that fighting him at any distance beyond point blank is out of the question. not to mention that someone that deep in the map with a thermal, probably isnt going to take the chance with any body. 

 

ALL that its gonna do, is make those "sniper 'you're dead', oh well, unlucky" moments much more frequent, and thats about it.

 

Regarding #6, uhhhhhhhh, yeah... the svd and m4 are desireable. But that desireability also comes from the niche use cases that they provide. Overall, an ak and an m4 do not have the egregiously large gap in equality that thermal vision would have. If the LAR or the ak 101 was the rarest weapon in the game , most people would probably want that one instead. (if it wasnt for the 40 and 60 rounders for the m4. my point is that the rarity affects player perception more than it affects the use of it)

 

yeah, the thermal night vision is already kind of bad for the game. heres the motto for night vision and "thermal vision"

 

"Its feels ridiculous unfair for the person against it, and it feels cheap for the person using it."

now, night vision still has some redeemability. If it showed a little light on the face like it does irl, had way worse quality, was blinded by lots of light, and also had realistic closed focus (everythings blurry past 30 meters), then it would be a perfect addition. As of right now, when people get it, they just turn it on 24/7 at night, and prey on people who dont have it. 100% of people with night vision leave it on the whole time, and spot people from 100s of meters away that they couldnt even see normally if they were 5 feet from them.

here we go again, 

"Its feels ridiculous unfair for the person against it, and it feels cheap for the person using it."

Its too big of a gap to be bridged by anything, leading to one side being entirely helpless and unable to change their predictament.

 

 In other words, if they see the "youre dead" screen from someone using night vision, there is NOTHING that they can take away to do better next time. They were just at odds, thats all.

 

In other words, if you say it would be just as good of an addition as night vision, then it wouldnt be all that good at all. In some servers where its less about cunning and intention, and more about progression and time spent due to the much higher ceiling of op loot, yeah, it could work. In dayz official though, it probably would not

 

 

 

oh yeah, and thermal imaging small enough to be made as scopes didnt exist until very recently, and dayz is set in the late 1980s, so it would have to break 100% of all the lore in order for it exist. 

 

👍 (thumbs up to attone for the passive aggression)

[Allan Barcelos 0]

@Habibabob Thank you for your response and the concerns you raised. I understand the points you’ve made, but I believe there’s a different way to approach these issues. 

1. Usage of the thermal device and its impact on gameplay

You mentioned that 99% of the use cases for the thermal scope would just be about killing other players. I understand that concern, but I believe this can be mitigated by how the item is implemented. The thermal scope would not be about giving permanent advantages to the user but rather about providing a situational tool. In a game like DayZ, overusing any resource can become a problem, but the scarcity, the resource cost (like batteries), and the limited usage of the item would ensure it’s not something players would rely on all the time. In other words, it would be a temporary advantage rather than a one-size-fits-all solution.

2. Rare items and heli crashes

Regarding heli crashes, you’re right to point out that rare items can shift the game’s balance, but remember that items like NVGs and the SVD already have a significant impact on gameplay, yet they’re not considered “overpowered” because they are rare. The key to ensuring that the thermal scope doesn’t disrupt balance would be to make it just as rare (or even rarer) than existing items and limit its usage. The idea of dynamic spawns through events like helicopter crashes ensures that these items are distributed more fairly without becoming too common.

3. Complexity and balance of the thermal scope

You mentioned that the thermal scope wouldn’t add complexity to the game and that being able to “ignore foliage” would simplify things. I disagree with that. Introducing a resource like this could open up new ways of interacting with the environment. Imagine players, aware of thermal scopes, starting to use thermal camouflage or more elaborate tactics to hide. Even though the thermal scope would provide a combat advantage, it would also create new strategic opportunities, such as the use of thermal-resistant gear or the possibility of exploiting terrain for cover.

4. Counterplay to thermal vision

In response to your point about “having nothing you can do” against a player with thermal vision, I’d like to remind you that this dynamic already exists with other rare items. For example, someone with NVGs has an advantage over those who don’t have them, but this doesn’t make the fight impossible or imbalanced. DayZ has always been about adaptation and improvisation, and a player without thermal vision could still counter the advantage of the enemy by using stealth, ambush tactics, or team coordination.

5. Intentional inequality in DayZ's design

On the issue of intentional inequality, I agree that DayZ relies on intelligence and creativity to bridge gaps. The goal here is not to eliminate this inequality but to add more layers to it. Rare items like the thermal scope wouldn’t undermine the game’s core; they would add another layer of complexity. The game has always been about reacting to the world as it presents itself, and allowing one player to have more options (but also more risks, given the item’s limitations) wouldn’t ruin the core gameplay.

6. Comparison with other rare items

I agree with your comparison to items like the SVD or M4. What sets the thermal scope apart is that it would be used in very specific situations, unlike a weapon that might shift the game’s balance. It wouldn’t be about “who has the bigger gun” but about using the scope strategically, with rare opportunities. It would follow the same logic as other rare items, like NVGs, where the value isn’t in how many you find but in when and how you use it.

7. Lore and historical context ***

https://dayz.fandom.com/wiki/Lore

The LORE of DayZ likely takes place around 2013 or slightly later, based on in-game clues, such as the presence of the FX-45 pistol, which started production in 2012. Although the exact cause and onset of the outbreak are intentionally vague to allow players to create their own stories, it is widely believed that the societal collapse and the start of the infection occurred sometime after 2013. The game is set in the fictional region of Chernarus, a former Soviet republic ravaged by a civil war and a pandemic that decimated the population.

Conclusion

Ultimately, I understand your concerns about the thermal scope potentially unbalancing the game, but I believe that with careful implementation—taking into account scarcity, limited use, and counterplay options—it could be an interesting addition. DayZ has always been about improvisation, adaptation, and strategic decisions, and a resource like this would only expand those options, not undermine the core of the game.

Of course, it all depends on how the developers balance it, but I don’t see the thermal scope as a way of simplifying or “cheapening” the gameplay. Instead, I see it as a strategic tool, much like the other rare items already in the game.

Once again, thank you for the thoughtful discussion and insights!

[Habibabob 12]

  On 1/16/2025 at 2:13 AM, Allan Barcelos said:

@Habibabob Thank you for your response and the concerns you raised. I understand the points you’ve made, but I believe there’s a different way to approach these issues. 

1. Usage of the thermal device and its impact on gameplay

You mentioned that 99% of the use cases for the thermal scope would just be about killing other players. I understand that concern, but I believe this can be mitigated by how the item is implemented. The thermal scope would not be about giving permanent advantages to the user but rather about providing a situational tool. In a game like DayZ, overusing any resource can become a problem, but the scarcity, the resource cost (like batteries), and the limited usage of the item would ensure it’s not something players would rely on all the time. In other words, it would be a temporary advantage rather than a one-size-fits-all solution.

2. Rare items and heli crashes

Regarding heli crashes, you’re right to point out that rare items can shift the game’s balance, but remember that items like NVGs and the SVD already have a significant impact on gameplay, yet they’re not considered “overpowered” because they are rare. The key to ensuring that the thermal scope doesn’t disrupt balance would be to make it just as rare (or even rarer) than existing items and limit its usage. The idea of dynamic spawns through events like helicopter crashes ensures that these items are distributed more fairly without becoming too common.

3. Complexity and balance of the thermal scope

You mentioned that the thermal scope wouldn’t add complexity to the game and that being able to “ignore foliage” would simplify things. I disagree with that. Introducing a resource like this could open up new ways of interacting with the environment. Imagine players, aware of thermal scopes, starting to use thermal camouflage or more elaborate tactics to hide. Even though the thermal scope would provide a combat advantage, it would also create new strategic opportunities, such as the use of thermal-resistant gear or the possibility of exploiting terrain for cover.

4. Counterplay to thermal vision

In response to your point about “having nothing you can do” against a player with thermal vision, I’d like to remind you that this dynamic already exists with other rare items. For example, someone with NVGs has an advantage over those who don’t have them, but this doesn’t make the fight impossible or imbalanced. DayZ has always been about adaptation and improvisation, and a player without thermal vision could still counter the advantage of the enemy by using stealth, ambush tactics, or team coordination.

5. Intentional inequality in DayZ's design

On the issue of intentional inequality, I agree that DayZ relies on intelligence and creativity to bridge gaps. The goal here is not to eliminate this inequality but to add more layers to it. Rare items like the thermal scope wouldn’t undermine the game’s core; they would add another layer of complexity. The game has always been about reacting to the world as it presents itself, and allowing one player to have more options (but also more risks, given the item’s limitations) wouldn’t ruin the core gameplay.

6. Comparison with other rare items

I agree with your comparison to items like the SVD or M4. What sets the thermal scope apart is that it would be used in very specific situations, unlike a weapon that might shift the game’s balance. It wouldn’t be about “who has the bigger gun” but about using the scope strategically, with rare opportunities. It would follow the same logic as other rare items, like NVGs, where the value isn’t in how many you find but in when and how you use it.

7. Lore and historical context ***

https://dayz.fandom.com/wiki/Lore

The LORE of DayZ likely takes place around 2013 or slightly later, based on in-game clues, such as the presence of the FX-45 pistol, which started production in 2012. Although the exact cause and onset of the outbreak are intentionally vague to allow players to create their own stories, it is widely believed that the societal collapse and the start of the infection occurred sometime after 2013. The game is set in the fictional region of Chernarus, a former Soviet republic ravaged by a civil war and a pandemic that decimated the population.

Conclusion

Ultimately, I understand your concerns about the thermal scope potentially unbalancing the game, but I believe that with careful implementation—taking into account scarcity, limited use, and counterplay options—it could be an interesting addition. DayZ has always been about improvisation, adaptation, and strategic decisions, and a resource like this would only expand those options, not undermine the core of the game.

Of course, it all depends on how the developers balance it, but I don’t see the thermal scope as a way of simplifying or “cheapening” the gameplay. Instead, I see it as a strategic tool, much like the other rare items already in the game.

Once again, thank you for the thoughtful discussion and insights!

as for #1, the "situational" tool of thermal vision will be used 99% for pvp, 100%. The only thing it does it highlight players. Thats it. (and i suppose animals as well, but theyre not hard to find at all).

Also, the scarcity does not nerf it. It just makes situations where you get headshot sniped out of nowhere happen barely more often. Thats not "counterplay" or "immersion". If someone has these goggles, what they are gonna do is whenever they get to a high vantage point, they will quickly turn it on and off, essentially making the battery system pointless. If they get in a fight, they are turning it on 24/7. Its basically a get out of jail free card unless the opponent get REALLY REAALLY lucky.

Youre basically pushing a game in which, yeah, its unfair to fight against, but its only gonna happen a few times. So yes, because of the rarity, the encounters with it would be rare and it would hardly affect the game. But when it does effect it, 95% of the time its gonna be a negative experience for both players. 

As for #2, same as before. Night vision IS often a detriment to gameplay. Just because it happens less often doesnt make it any better, it just means that the player is gonna have to endure the unavoidable failure less often.

as for #3yeah so unless you find that "super cool awesome high tech anti thermal vision" armor, in every other police station, then yeah, there is basically 0.1% counterplay. it hardly exists because of how rare the thermal vision is in the first place.

as for #4, saying that you can totally fight against thermal vision because you can do it against night vision doesnt fully work. the ONLY tried and true method of fighting people with night vision, is to fight them at night. so what bout thermal vision, when that doesnt matter?

as for #5, lets say you have a box. Just a 2d square right? and the square represents the type of counterplay, situations, loot, and everything in the game. The higher it gets, the harder it gets. what youre doing isnt expanding, fleshing out, or complicating the box, youre just adding a higher layer that is entirely dependent on time played. 

Its similar to the style of game like rust, just with one life.

#6, the problem i personally find with that is what youre expecting players to do with it. Youre thinking of players having suspicions of another player nearby, and using the thermal vision (im gonna call it TVGs from now on) to check.

Whats most likely gonna happen, is those players, clearly being geared enough to not really want anythin other than people to shoot, are going to actively seek out high places, in order to flip it on and off so they can snipe somebody. And if they get in a fight, theyre not gonna be thinking, "how can i solve this problem, while simultaneously preserving the longevity of my TVGs like a responsible and forethinking adult?", no, no, no, 100% theyre gonna be thinking "i need to NOT die right now" and proceed to flip the TVGs on for the rest of the fight or until they kill the other. It could be a geared guy with m4, or a freshy with an ij-90. 

 

#7 ah. I thought it was in the 1990s. my mistake. still, thermal vision wasnt commercially acceptable nor was it widely used in the military. 

[Sid Debian 150]

Thermal? Why for, whatever it's useless item and before 2010th thermals not used anywhere on military service, if shooter required such equipment he could get it, but it's not a part of standard military equipment. So it's no use, use thermal at military ok but it's not for huge distances. So I bet that thermal scope will not appear in the game.

[nemorus 281]

Thats the last thing that game needs - legal esp. I remember dayz mod and how people were always using thermovision - alongside as50...

[Habibabob 12]

  On 1/17/2025 at 9:38 AM, Sid Debian said:

Thermal? Why for, whatever it's useless item and before 2010th thermals not used anywhere on military service, if shooter required such equipment he could get it, but it's not a part of standard military equipment. So it's no use, use thermal at military ok but it's not for huge distances. So I bet that thermal scope will not appear in the game.

EXACTLY BRO