A man can dream...

[paraplegic_panda 1]

I'll be the first to say that this is a great mod. This is one of the most absorbing and entertaining mods that I've had the privilege of playing in years. However, I feel that the vastly important dynamic that is player interaction is greatly lacking (particularly pertaining to anonymous interactions,) which is a shame because it's the most interesting and immersive aspect of the game, and I feel that's where the greatest potential for memories to be created.

And that's what I play this game for: Creating unique memories that'll make me say, "Man, I can't wait to get on again." But, those memories are just so few and far in between, really.

Don't get me wrong. I have a set of friends that I play this with; heck, I play with them as often as I can, because- in short- it's fun. But, sometimes I don't want that familiarity that comes from drawing an outside source into the game. I don't want to be comfortable. I want the difficulty that comes with reluctantly trusting some anonymity. Given, I have had some interesting occurrences with the ones I commonly play with. But, what can take place when playing with people that you know from the outside world are inherently different those that come with playing alone. And, I feel that this is one of games that is best experienced in isolation.

It's just so difficult because when encountering another player, the outcome just seems so obvious-- it's gonna be a kill or be killed situation, which can be exhilarating, sure. But, there has to be more to it. I don't think murder is the immediate choice for EVERY situation. Yeah, you're going to have to kill someone some of the time because they're more of a threat than you're comfortable, but you shouldn't have to feel that you must kill every single person you come across. Frankly, it's just uninteresting. I cannot speak wholeheartedly for those who are on a "shoot first, ask questions later" mindset (I've never played as one YET,), but I would think that it would get old quickly. Yeah, the kill is pretty darn fun, but you'd eventually become desensitized to the thrill that comes with it. The kills would run together and would lose meaning and purpose. It just becomes something to do for the sake of it. But, that's my perspective and I speak only out of my own observations.

That being said, I WANT to die by bandits, sadistic murderers, and wary survivors. It's a necessary aspect of this game and these types of interactions are what make this unique. But, all of these murders are just becoming an annoying threat. As I had mentioned before about murders running together because of the eventual blandness of the event, being killed is much the same.

"Welp, I guess he didn't want to talk..."

"That was the 4th time I died on the coast today. Cool..."

"Sniper in Cherno? What are the odds..."

Most of these deaths have no impact because they are so frequent and aren't memorable. It'd be cool to join up with some stranger, loot and play with them for hours or even days, only to have my brains blown out by the guy when I'm picking up a can of beans. Sure, I'll be pissed and foolish, but I'll have something worth remembering. I think about that dick when I'm mowing the lawn/ showering/ pooping/ whatever and both be frustrated and in awe of his actions. Then I will have a fun story to tell to my friends that also play the game. And that's what I think those who play this should have. Fun and interesting stories.

I'm not blaming anyone; I embrace all playstyles, because they are necessary for the experience- this is as you make it. But, there's that integral player interaction that's ultimately being avoided out of fear, self-preservation, selfishness, perhaps lack of imagination, whatever. I'm not saying that everyone needs to be best friends, because a world where you have nothing to fear (let's face it: zombies ain't nothin' and those environmental factors aren't worth a wag of the finger) is far less interesting than one that has some sort of terror around every corner, be it physical or psychological. I'd just like to see a few more people willing to communicate with words instead of bullets, because that's a beautiful, magnificent, and horrifying prospect of the game that a lot of people want, but few are willing to do something about.

Wishful thinking.

[Priceless 154]

Maybe you just havent found any players with your playstyle check forums/join voice chat for servers to find friendlies, dont expect to much if you see someone in game and the interaction is with bullets.

[MeatAbstract 47]

Bottom line: You don't like the shoot on sight mentality.

I've said to other people, if you wanna team up with someone then meet people on the forums. People are far too paranoid in-game. No, not everyone shoots on sight but expect that in populated areas. Avoid Cherno. You will be sniped there. I don't get people getting annoyed at being shot on sight when they're in places like Elektro and Cherno. Those aren't paranoid 'I don't trust you' stuff, its people that shoot you for the sake of killing you because they get off on it.

[puppetworx 474]

The ability to raise your hands up showing that you are not a threat would be good and might make interactions a little smoother then two people going face to face with guns in hand.

[Kozmas 30]

The ability to raise your hands up showing that you are not a threat would be good and might make interactions a little smoother then two people going face to face with guns in hand.

Shooting someone who raises their hands in surrender would only make it more fun. I support this idea.

[Ankhenaten 111]

The ability to raise your hands up showing that you are not a threat would be good and might make interactions a little smoother then two people going face to face with guns in hand.

There is a surrender simulation in the game (hands over your head). I have it on ctrl x .. it has no key by default.

[puppetworx 474]

Shooting someone who raises their hands in surrender would only make it more fun.

That's true for many on the zero-sum side of things but for those who lean more towards cooperation(and there are lots of them) a non-hostile gesture is very useful.

Come to think of it I have seen people use the salute gesture to signify non-aggression, so this isn't a priority in anyway.

Edited July 22, 2012 by puppetworx

[paraplegic_panda 1]

Maybe you just havent found any players with your playstyle check forums/join voice chat for servers to find friendlies, dont expect to much if you see someone in game and the interaction is with bullets.

The thing about that is I'd have to be pulling from the outside world, and I think that takes away from the authenticity of it. What I'm saying is that it'd be nice to meet more people in-game who's willing to have a positive interaction. I'm not saying that it should be a drastic increase of friendly encounters, but it's so infrequent that it speaking to someone is essentially a death sentence. I think a little diversity would be nice.

Bottom line: You don't like the shoot on sight mentality.

I've said to other people, if you wanna team up with someone then meet people on the forums. People are far too paranoid in-game. No, not everyone shoots on sight but expect that in populated areas. Avoid Cherno. You will be sniped there. I don't get people getting annoyed at being shot on sight when they're in places like Elektro and Cherno. Those aren't paranoid 'I don't trust you' stuff, its people that shoot you for the sake of killing you because they get off on it.

Haha. That's a nice way of putting it.

I don't condone the kill-on-sight mentality, but I agree that it is a legitimate tactic. To me, it's just a bit too prevalent. I think there are a lot of people that'd actually like to play in an anonymous group, but they're so worried about some sort of betrayal that they've abandoned that option all together.

Players that wish to experience this type of group play shouldn't be deterred by their constant deaths, but persevere. What is disappointing to me are those that give in and get on the KoS bandwagon, because I think those people are missing out on something great.

Okay. I'll admit that the Cherno sniper example wasn't the best. That is a high-traffic area and the dangers are only exacerbated by those that get a jolly out of murdering for the sake of doing so. In such places, I don't really blame the PvP that goes on. But outside of the high risk areas, I would think survivors would be less uneasy and more open. But from my experience, that's not the case.