Why are people against the idea of NPC guards?

[Rising (DayZ) 99]

I don't feel that they are unrealistic, and they seem like a reasonable trade-off compared to some of the more drastic measures that people are calling out to restrict PvP. I am totally against the idea of "safe zones", aka places where you either cannot shoot your gun or it doesn't do damage on other players. However I am also wary of the complete lawlessness of the current DayZ world. It's great for awhile, but then people get bored and in the end everyone and everything becomes pvp. To help slow this down, I don't see why there cannot be inclusion of NPC guards for only certain designated areas. Let's say, a very small military camp with nothing but free water for new players? It could act a temporary social hub for players, huddled inside the camp under the protection of the guards, who only shoot at players who shoot and damage another players, and of course themselves can be killed, but will respawn regularly like zombies in that area.

Basically this is my idea of adding more content to the game to make it interesting. I love the idea of having the game entirely run by player community, but as we've seen with the trading posts for example, the biggest problem is that hardly anyone plays DayZ like a profession, people simply don't have time to guard an outpost 24/7 or even 12/4. I dont think it would unbalance the game, and bandits are still gonna bandit. As a matter of fact, perhaps the homicidal maniacs will be attracted to camp and snipe this place to satisfy their urges, freeing up the northern areas so the newbs can actually have a chance and get some gear. And then, of course, in the endgame there will be conflict.

My vision for such a camp is from the banks in UO. It was the most important location of the town, as well as being a haven of killers, thieves, liars, and general scum of the earth. It was an area under protection of the town guards, who were unfortunately invincible, but still there were often crimes being committed in broad daylight, like theivery. Ever mysteriously lose items in your backpack to a glitch? Nah, that was actually me. Unfortunately if you want to be a thief in DayZ against random pubbers it is very difficult without getting a hatchet to the face, but such NPC guarded camps might give people the false sense of security needed for them to lower their guard. OF course, these newbies need to actually find this legendary landmark in the first place... and when you spawn without a map, it's not as easy as you might think.

Thoughts?

[danielreid 84]

I don't see this changing the landscape of DayZ, except to create a goto place for newbies and snipers alike (newbies thinking they're safe, snipers enjoying the free kills). This won't have an impact on a game where you can kill at 1200m.

Personally, a nerf on the current sniper rifles, such that a mobile and intelligent player can beat them easier probably wouldn't hurt. THAT said, I think that snipers are mostly only bad for new players. Experienced people know to stick to the trees, zig-zag in the open, and use overwhelming fire-superiority (groups) to stay alive. For a survival game, these things may seem like common sense, but I think learning them is an as designed part of the experience - people should be grateful they get more than one spawn...

Edited July 23, 2012 by TolEressea

[Worrun (DayZ) 108]

I think it would make the game a little less lonely atleast :)

And also add some structure

[norreka 45]

I want autoshooting towers and minitanks and of course i want flying drones and cause we are there i want an xbox in my base underground in a hole!

First bugs, then everything else.

[logga619@hotmail.com 0]

I'm on the fence about this one. I do like the idea of having NPCs and 'safe-zones' but surely this just means the murders happen to the mid level players, attempting to get up to airfield, while the vets with their high quality gear are heading down south to skirmish the 'safe-zone'.

And how do you regulate which players the AI should shoot. I have a few murders to my name, but most were in self defence and against trigger happy Enfield users. (On the flip side of this, I personally wouldn't feel the need to head for this safety for the reason I've pointed out, unless there was something of use like a trading post there.)

Dunno really, thats just my 2p

[Swoosh Bear 12]

It's not a terrible idea but it might not really fit in with the setting of DayZ. Maybe it would, maybe it wouldn't. Problem though is how would you deal with people and snipers camping the edges of the safe zones? They could just sit on a hill and just pick off people as they enter and leave the safezone.

It would definately need some serious thinking and work to make it worthwhile and functional.

[Joker716 4]

This isn't a mmorpg. It's a war game.

[phorest 54]

You realise that having NPC guards that shoot at people that shoot at other players is pretty much the same as having safe-zones, right?

Bad idea.

[Rising (DayZ) 99]

I'm on the fence about this one. I do like the idea of having NPCs and 'safe-zones' but surely this just means the murders happen to the mid level players, attempting to get up to airfield, while the vets with their high quality gear are heading down south to skirmish the 'safe-zone'.

And how do you regulate which players the AI should shoot. I have a few murders to my name, but most were in self defence and against trigger happy Enfield users. (On the flip side of this, I personally wouldn't feel the need to head for this safety for the reason I've pointed out, unless there was something of use like a trading post there.)

Dunno really, thats just my 2p

They don't care about your history. they only regulate their camp, and a small radius around it (the perimeter). They only shoot hostile players who shoot them or other players. I hope this is even feasible in the current engine.

[Rising (DayZ) 99]

You realise that having NPC guards that shoot at people that shoot at other players is pretty much the same as having safe-zones, right?

Not if the NPCs are just as vulnerable as you. Just think of them as other players, but players have jobs and lives IRL, they can't be online all the time. An NPC can. And if you are not good enough to take care of them and then do whatever you want in the window before they respawn, then maybe you should stick to the coast.

[danielreid 84]

Not if the NPCs are just as vulnerable as you. Just think of them as other players, but players have jobs and lives IRL, they can't be online all the time. An NPC can. And if you are not good enough to take care of them and then do whatever you want in the window before they respawn, then maybe you should stick to the coast.

If they're just as vulnerable, but they're required to stay in one area... what's to stop them from being very dead? Constantly.

[phorest 54]

Not if the NPCs are just as vulnerable as you. Just think of them as other players, but players have jobs and lives IRL, they can't be online all the time. An NPC can. And if you are not good enough to take care of them and then do whatever you want in the window before they respawn, then maybe you should stick to the coast.

It's still a boring idea. Plus it would attract a bunch of newbies as they'd go "ooh safezone lets meet some people!" which would attract bandits that love to prey on newbies.

Same problem as the safe zones idea has except this one is even less protective considering the NPC's can be killed.

[norreka 45]

As long as you can die logging in, you shouldnt even think about it.

Bugs then something else.

[Womb Raider 92]

Because it is against what Day Z is. A player driven world, whether that be players shooting each other or being eaten by zombies. It all must be by the players.

When will you people understand that.

[bbilbo1 149]

This isn't a mmorpg. It's a war game.

Yeah! Who ever heard of guards/Soldiers in a War Game?

Edited July 23, 2012 by bbilbo1

[orb917@hotmail.com 117]

Because it is against what Day Z is. A player driven world, whether that be players shooting each other or being eaten by zombies. It all must be by the players.

When will you people understand that.

this is essentially my feeling on this. plus as others have pointed out, the npc guards would just get killed from a distance and there would be no safe zone.

I think it would make the game a little less lonely atleast :)

And also add some structure

the developers forcing structure on the players is pretty much the opposite of what this was designed to be:

are players too used to structure, tasks, rules and stories being shoved down their throats that they can't handle it when these things aren't?

http://dayzmod.com/forum/index.php?/topic/520-the-pvp-discussion-thread/page__st__440#entry6898

[sixbarns 217]

I'm alright with some type of area but players need to pay food or something to get in, weapons locked up etc. But this would only create a new area for snipers and bandits to wait. These NPC guards would need to control a big area to ensure safety in this game.

Maybe if we get a much bigger map and heavy instancing takes place.

I want autoshooting towers and minitanks and of course i want flying drones and cause we are there i want an xbox in my base underground in a hole!

First bugs, then everything else.

"everything else" will add more bugs. Might even bring back the old ones.

[jay.pis 32]

I don't mind at all, no NPC's or with NPC's I'm fine with it.

Although if they were to add something like that then they can't be everywhere, ideally just one safe zone is enough and NO storage of any kind in them, you'll still need to have your own camp/tent to store your items.

Still, I don't understand why people ask for it even though it's for trading or grouping purpose. Who's to say I can't go in there with my other account and join a group then lead them in a trap? With weapons that can shoot 600+ meters away how are you even safe unless the safe zone is completely without any windows but you'd still get shot right when you step out the door.

Edited July 23, 2012 by jay.pis

[LumberBack 43]

would love to have some npc guarding vehicles and other lootable places...

[ZedsDeadBaby 2287]

would love to have some npc guarding vehicles and other lootable places...

'cause finding PCs to guard them for you would just be too damn hard, right?

Or maybe your friends are terrible shots?

I hate every post you have ever made.

[orion 54]

Logging in and never feeling safe is the reason I started playing in the first place. Add in a safety zone, and I think it will attract too many carebears.

Edited July 23, 2012 by Haufer

[LumberBack 43]

'cause finding PCs to guard them for you would just be too damn hard, right?

Or maybe your friends are terrible shots?

I hate every post you have ever made.

there is a ignore buttom my friend...

[thehumandove 344]

Worst. Idea. Ever.

[ZedsDeadBaby 2287]

there is a ignore buttom my friend...

Oh, but that's the rub. I hate your posts but I love responding to them.

Anyway, care to address my actual question?

Why would NPC guards be necessary anywhere PCs can go?

If you need someone to watch your back or guard something, why can't you just say "Hey, buddy, watch my back." or "Hey, guard that thing over there."?

Why should rocket spend hundreds of hours writing, testing and debugging AI scripts for guards just because you can't be bothered to make a couple friends?

Edited July 23, 2012 by ZedsDeadBaby

[LumberBack 43]

cause it gives the game more meat on its bones? you really want this to only be about pvping do you...?