General suggestions | What is your direction?

[Fratyr 0]

Hi,

Can't let this question be the last: Do you recruit software developers on enthusiastic basis? :)

Please allow a few minutes of your time to read if you're interested in someone's opinion.

Don't be scared by the amount of my posts, it's first, yes, but I've spend loads of hours investigating the game and watching pure game footage videos with a good commentary by seeing most probably all of the current possibilities.

To be noted

* Please forgive my lack of knowledge in this one.

I'm not aware of the modding possibilities to ArmA 2, some of them might be just impossible due to engine restrictions or whatsoever.

* YES, I do aware that this is Alpha and as a software developer, I do know the meaning of this

* NO, I'm not one of those kids asking for making a dream-game of mine, nor I want somebody to do that, because that I will do by myself one day ;-)

Probably some of the ideas or all of them are already here, but separated into lot of threads, some maybe already done or forever denied, apology for this one as well.

Why not make this game a bit more realistic, then turning it into a fantasy world?

Yep, the whole idea of zombies is a fantasy, but that's it. That's the concept and inventing new zombie types can harm people's feelings as they love the original zombie idea. It was proven by tons of other zombie-like movies and games, and the original plot always wins. Keep that in mind. :)

The slowly walking dead, and berserk zombies that run like a crazy motherlovers, but NOT that crazy is they do now.

It reminds me of a Vampire, that can run insanely fast, strafe etc... the only thing is missing is sparkles :D

Suggestions, that in my opinion can be worthy

Fast zombies vs. original zombies

Since you increased the alarm distance of zombies, it would be wise to slower them down a bit. At least don't let them strafe.

Compensate their slowness by their amount (make it hordes) and teach them to surround players.

30 walking deads is much more scary, than 3-4 running fast ones.

Besides, very fast running zombies ruin the idea of survival and post-apocalyptic game. Because: the amount of supplies must be low and hard to find, and with such a freaky zombies you have to use at least half of your mag to kill them, that brings you the inability to lower supplies around the world.

The whole idea of zombie invasion always was a tons of zombies wandering around the world and eating stupid people who got caught, but currently it feels more like paranoia+Quake/Unreal Tournament game, where you have to react very fast.

Zombie Spawn vs. Zombie Migration

I heard that zombies can spawn in front of a player. That kinda ruins the realism and possibilities.

You can't control the town, if they spawn near you.

It would be wiser to make the zombies wander in big groups around the map and small groups be on the roads.

Make them spawn in the forests and come out to the civilization, or what is left of it.

Safe Zone vs. Forest

Why forest is a safe zone? It should be the most crowded zombie zone.

If you make them spawn there, and get through the forest to cities, then people will not live in the forest and try to get out to the towns, where zombies are always coming to and players waiting to snipe them.

Safe zone must be determined by the players, if a group of survivors hold particular area clear and make low noise, then you can lower the amount of zombie invasion to that area unless players do something nasty to attract them.

Zombie abilities vs. Human

How come they feel and sense you better than you do?

If you put a lot of zombies in the cities, people won't be able to get in and take a rare loot.

They should be a bit deaf and see less, they're dead. Just make them wander in a bigger areas to compensate that decrease.

And the sounds made by a player just crouching or zombies doing his nasty sounds MUST be lowered. You always feel like the zombie is behind you.

You say that is to scary me? But no, again, it ruins the realistic part of the game where you have to stop and listen to the ambient sounds, since you don't have a faggie radar that shows you zombies around, so you have to listen from which direction they're coming

*** Please, make the roofs safe, it's the only way to rest or make your mind. Don't let dead people climb the ladder. :(

Azimuth vs. Visual sensor

If it's a problem making an azimuth sound effects where you can hear from which direction a gun shots or zombies are coming, then making a light sensor on the player screen is okay too, just to represent a small wave of the "sounds" coming and from which direction.

Just like it is in COD or other shooters. It's not making your game easier, it compensates the inability of engine or lack of the azimuth in it so you can truly hear the direction of actions being taken on the field

Existing Island vs. Modified Island

I'm not sure it's allowed, but if so, or you can ask Bohemia to provide you with such ability - change the current world map.

You earned them more money they could by themselves, so at least a map editor is nice to have.

In such world, the houses must be interactive.

I'm pretty sure you can find loads of 3D modelers here who can provide the same building models you have in game that are interactive.

I can personally help with bringing more interactivity to the world by coding it, but not sure about my 3D abilities, I do 3D, but not on the top level. :)

Global chat is evil

That's pretty much it. People don't need it. You can't walk into the city and ask before if there's friendlies. You investigate it.

Local chat + Yelling in particular area is okay.

BTW, Chatting and yelling can attract zombies!

Realistic backpack vs. Amount of cells

Actually, weight system is much more flexible. If you make backpack's cell area much bigger, but give all items weight - it can be a bit wiser.

I was in the army, and trust me, you can carry at least 2 main weapons, you just switch them.

I was carrying a heavy sniper rifle + M4A1 rifle, with a lot of mags, 2 bottles of water and I felt okay, so there was a space for a backpack with supplies.

Survival game equipment

There must be silent weapons.

Crossbow with disappearing arrows is not enough.

Knife, Axe, silencer, all this is a must to survive.

A knife is a good for starter pack :)

More to come, or close this thread :)

[bjarnidk 9]

Good suggestions but what is Azimuth? I can usually hear where things are coming from??

I like the rest except the forest not being safe. I need a place to lay down to grab a cigarette lol. Also I want to be able to know where I can go when I want to collect my thoughts and plan. I also don't want to have to crawl through the forest..''Help, I'm under fire 1km from your position'' ''OK! Be there in 1 hour!''.

I was also in the army and I carried a rocket launcher and the m4. I agree that you should be able to carry 2 main weapons.