Day 1 and onwards. My story.....

[kappatango 16]

A view from a 38 year old guy......

To quote Dylan Thomas and 'Under Milk Wood' :

'To begin at the beginning'

So, why? well for me, the beginning of DayZ is REALLY just that. Its is only the start of an amazing experience.

I bought Arma just for DayZ. I also told (asked) 2 friends to get it, as I knew they would like the challenge I saw in the game reviews. First night was hell. I dont know if you have seen the real Life Action start to DayZ on YT (Google: My First Experience Playing DayZ - Live Action) but it summed up my first night.

The I took stock and researched. I 'learnt' how to survive. I dont NEED a gun on spawn. what I NEED to do is find one.

I have never player killed. Why should I? We are all out to survive. Fact is that me and a buddy have spent the last 2 nights 'Living' in this world. Scavenging buildings, working together and trying to survive. Finest moments already saw me run and attract 2 Z's that were chasing him down - they then followed me while he bandaged himself up. We had no weapons. We had no easy out, but we did have each other. We saw another player being chased down, so we took out The Zeds fro a distance and moved on. Not even a word to our compatriot.

This game, in part, is what you make it. If you want to run to the nearest city and loot, good luck to you. Just dont come here and moan that 'the game sucks'. We choose to roam the map. Find the barns and watch each others back. We choose not to kill other survivors. Has this cost us our lives? Yes, at times. We have been slain at the hands of other human players, but with our conscience clear. Maybe this is naive. But to me, its about the ability to survive and work through the hard times.

I have passed out through lack of food and drink. I have lost the chase to Z's and died at the ravaging hands of the living dead.

But, in all the horror I have also Lived. I have survived and just existed. I have crawled for what seem like hours through fields to find delight in a single can of food. I have ditched the empty MP5, which I have searched for 2 hours for ammo, in favour of the life-saving weapon with slugs included. I have made decisions based on survival, not a whim, or gaming glory or pride.

Yes its a game, but it is also an experience, If you are not getting your fill of promise from reviews, then you are are more than likely holding YOURSELF back and not immersing yourself in the world and concept of the game. This is not an FPS, this is pure, simple, primeval survival.

I for one love every second of my time on the servers,

Kappa

Edited July 21, 2012 by kappatango

[JoeFury 2]

I agree completely! maybe it's because we're old ;) i'm 40, but i'm getting the same enjoyment as you out of it. not looking to kill anyone. but whenever i hear gunshots I get nervous as hell and try to hide the best I can. (and love it that a game can do that to me). love crawling around just to find that one item you need. or trying to decide if it's a good idea to cross that open field to check out that barn.

[nahaz 132]

I shoot anyone not responding in chat/voice or if they just look like they would kill you (heartbeats etc)

Best thing to do is get a decent mic and use ingame voice in direct chat. You can both scare people and avoid death, but there's ALOT more players out there that just kills you than before the immense popularity hit.

[kappatango 16]

Currently me and my mate communicate on OOVOO. We found in game chat gave others a heads up we were in the area and then we got killed. I would love to meet up with other survivors who want to form a group and stick through thick and thin, just my experience so far of others is 'Bandit' territory I'm afraid.

There has been no chance to converse, they shoot first and ask questions later, which is a shame, but to be expected in a post apocalyptic zombie infestation. Most live by 'Kill or be Killed', I tend to prefer the 'Survive and let others be' philosophy.

Kappa

Edited July 21, 2012 by kappatango

[kappatango 16]

Quick Question: If I find a small bag on the ground, why can I not look in it and find lots of stuff?? I middle click the mouse button, but only seem to find one, maybe 2 items of low value.....

Any guidance on this appreciated!

Kappa

[M O N S T E R 599]

Small bags are typically items that don't have a unique skin yet. These would include some magazines, most equipment for your tool-belt and some other bits and pieces. If it's bigger than your initial backpack, then you've got yourself a winner.

On a side note; It's great to see a couple of guys getting so immersed in what this mod has to offer - if I saw you (and had it on good info that it was indeed you), I'd be sure to leave some goodies behind for you!

-MONSTER

Edited July 21, 2012 by M O N S T E R

[kappatango 16]

Small bags are typically items that don't have a unique skin yet. These would include some magazines, most equipment for your tool-belt and some other bits and pieces. If it's bigger than your initial backpack, then you've got yourself a winner.

On a side note; It's great to see a couple of guys getting so immersed in what this mod has to offer - if I saw you (and had it on good info that it was indeed you), I'd be sure to leave some goodies behind for you!

-MONSTER

Cheers Monster. I am totally immersed in this mod. I play under the same tag, so if we ever meet up, then I would pay you the same respect.

Kappa

[highpanda 3]

It's a shame of people who kills at the first sight. Even though you try to be nice and start to ask "friend or foe" I always have to run away or die at the worst. I've only killed once but that was a response from a fire.

[thelonewarrior 886]

This is exactly my policy. I play the game to 'survive' not to murder.

Ive had plenty of chances to kill people when they didnt know I was there, even when I was desperate for supplies I could have shot a guy who had just ran out of ammo in his shotgun, but I called out Ill trade some food and water for 8 shells.

He gracefully declined saying he had none himself and thanked me for not shooting him and carried on. Just because he has something I need doesnt mean I had to murder him and ruin his game.

I am wary though, as once I noticed two people following me. So I started talking on the mike to myself as though I was on skype

'Are you guys in the barn? dont shoot its me coming in'

Best way to deal with bandits? Make out you have friends nearby, my friend and I also did this when he was watching me play the game for the first time.

I said over the mike 'see those two guys aiming at me, keep them in your scope and if they shoot then open up on them'

he replied on the same mike 'will do, I have them covered, they are looking around for me but havent seen me yet'

I survive at any cost, except by taking another's life. They may be good or evil, but when the world goes to shit, someone has to keep their head and think before shooting.

I have been known to steal items from peoples backpacks, but I usually do it for fun and take some low value items and replace them with a load of empty cans while they are camping or scoping out a town with binoculars

[kappatango 16]

Great post Warrior. Sounds like we play the same way. I am on most evenings, so maybe one day in this crazy death infested world, our paths may cross.

Kappa

Edited July 21, 2012 by kappatango

[thelonewarrior 886]

I usually play on servers with no name tags. But I usually call out to someone if I dont think they are dangerous. If there is a group and I know I cant get past or they are searching buildings and will eventually bump into me, I usually try things like 'Stop right there, WE (even though its just me) have you in our scopes, turn around and you die, put your weapons on the ground.'

If they do so, I sprint it in the opposite direction so by the time they have their weapons back and realise im gone, im safely away from them.

I consider myself a neutral player in all games, I do what is neccassary to survive without causing harm to others. If they are a threat to my group I avoid it unless im forced to fire, this isnt about bravery or losing items, those are not the reasons I play this way.

Theres more chance that by firing at someone, I will die.

If I avoid them, then cant

I try and talk

If not then I shoot, usually to wound them. If I can cripple them and they are unconcious I will take their items and leave them to die, but Im not going to outright kill them unless I have to (its not being a bandit, if they shoot when Ive protested im friendly they deserve to see me strip them and leave them to bleed out)

They may heal and follow me, in which case yes ill kill them

Theres far more chance of survival by thinking, avoiding what you cant handle and having someone cover your back

When your alone, and fire at everything that moves all you do is draw attention to yourself and someone will eventually get you. I mean how many bandits are going to see 3-4 guys all covering each other and using military tactics etc and think:

YEAEAEAAHAHAHH CHARGE, you might wound or kill one then they will be shooting back.

I will absolutly not let people see me if they are in a group of 2 or more, unless I KNOW and have seen them come under fire for example and protest they dont want a fight in which the few cases ive seen this I offer assistance but they obviously wont trust me, but usually say if im not with the guys shooting at them then I should get out of the way in case they hit me in the crossfire

I offer people help sometimes, but few accept it which is fine, I probably wouldnt eiether

Wow a long post I just wrote there

Half the reason I play the game this way is because I imagine I am the character, that oh shit the zombie apocalypse has happened and living it, that every decision I make is real. Do I pull the trigger.....not unless i have to.

Edited July 21, 2012 by thelonewarrior

[KennyNZ 121]

You get beans. Hope to see you in game one day.