Uneasiness around other survivors for excessive murders

[Junos 57]

Preface: I dislike artificial consequences--I am wholly against bandit skins. I have no problem with bandits. It's part of the game. I would hate to see any separation of PvP/PvE. I do have a problem with pointless sniping of newly spawned players. This is tantamount to griefing. In a "real zombie apocalypse," survivors wouldn't waste ammo, reveal their position, and potentially attract zombies by shooting other survivors who are clearly no threat.

But the real issue is the lack of psychological consequences. There are few true psychopaths who feel nothing after taking human lives. Shooting innocent, non-threatening people over and over again would take an enormous mental toll, especially in a hostile environment in which human contact was already rare.

My idea is this: survivors who have committed a large number (to be determined) of murders begin to develop uneasiness and distrust of all other survivors. Being in close proximity to them (perhaps 50-100 meters) causes the survivor's heartrate to increase and his aim to become unsteady. This simulates anxiety and paranoia, simple psychological effects which would add up over time after so much senseless killing. The survivor could also sweat more, causing a slight reduction in body temperature.

The end result would be that bandits would be pushed into loner roles and discouraged from operating in gangs. Bandits who grouped up would find it more difficult to "concentrate" on shooting their targets, because they'd be "paranoid and worried" about their fellow bandits shooting them in the back.

On the other hand, non-bandits would find it helpful to cooperate, and find it easier to defend against bandit gangs. And since bandits would be encouraged to go solo, they would be less threatening, since lone bandits are more vulnerable than gangs.

[Twosheds 22]

think its been suggested before, but i like the idea of more murders get you more psychologicaly damaged...

[SteamTrout 18]

Yeah, because if me and my mates have murdered a village or two we'll suddenly become uneasy with each others presence and retreat to the forest to spend the rest of our life helping squirrels.

EDIT: Just in case. I'm against murdering harmless people. But this is still not a solution (like countless other "let's fix bandits" threads).

Edited July 24, 2012 by SteamTrout

[alderous (DayZ) 16]

Yeah, because if me and my mates have murdered a village or two we'll suddenly become uneasy with each others presence and retreat to the forest to spend the rest of our life helping squirrels.

EDIT: Just in case. I'm against murdering harmless people. But this is still not a solution (like countless other "let's fix bandits" threads).

You dont murder a village in DayZ. You and your mates kill other survivors while its neccesary (or not). If you are not dumb you should be aware that those "mates" of yours would kill you without much regret if they need - maybe they like the stuff you have found and are planning to do this at the very moment? Thats what makes you feel uneasy around them - other peoples lives have no value for you so you expect the same from them.

Welcome to the world of distrust and paranoia.

[Junos 57]

Exactly. Alderous hit the nail on the head. If you and your mates place so little value on human life, why would you value each other's life any more? The more you and your mate kill innocent survivors, the more you realize that your mate doesn't value life, and the more likely he'd not bat an eyelash at taking yours. Every time you have a minor disagreement, you'll be that much more careful around him. You'll jump at any sudden moves he makes. You'll sleep with one eye open. You'll be very aware of where his gun is pointing. You won't like it when he's behind you. "Boy I wish I had a rifle like the one you took off that guy we shot." Gulp. "Hey, nice job taking out those oblivious 'survivors.' Why don't you go loot their corpses while I stay back here and 'provide overwatch.'" Um, ok...

Remember, I'm not against banditry. But in real life you wouldn't know if you could trust the guy you've been massacring people with. In this game, you know your buddy in real life, and you know he wouldn't shoot you in the back. There aren't any consequences. There need to be.

Edited July 24, 2012 by Junos

[Ivanuvo (DayZ) 117]

At least this suggestion doesn't put every bandit in an acid trip with hallucinations.