Apocalypse simulator vs FPS apocalypse game? (read post before answering)

[JerFeelgood 34]

I guess what I'm asking here is, what are peoples objectives in participating in the DayZ experiment? What motivates your involvement?

For myself, I play FPS games a lot (CoD, BF etc.). I sim a lot (FlightSim, Racing Sim, etc...). In my experience there is a completely different mindset associated with operating in these two seperate but different past-times.

I come from a background of non computer gaming environments. Role play games, board games, table top strategy simulation and diplomacy. I like to immerse myself in the environment and ethos of the environment of the situation.

I feel that pc gaming in the form of thrill based high speed action has ruined the attention span of the modern gamer.

Game: A distraction I play for cheap thrills. A completely throwaway experience. After I put down the controller, after we finish a throwaway board game/card game, I walk away and the experience does not transcend into my day to day life. It's just a game.

Simulator: I look to wholly and willingly immerse myself in the simulated environment with the aim of achieving a set goal. It's not fun, It's not cheap. It can be fulfilling. e.g. I flight sim. I do it online via vatsim etc. I own extra and expensive flight sim hardware to attempt to provide hyper realism to the experience. I've learned the theory of modern flight. As a result of this simulated experience, I set myself a goal of taking a real world flight lesson with the aim of, at the end of a single lesson, being allowed to attempt a take-off, circuit, approach and landing in a light aircraft. I achieved that goal. I take lessons with the goal of achieving my pilots license. Now that's a thrill.

What I want from DayZ is to simulate the apocalypse so I can test my personal survival skills against the apocalypse environment. Now before you say it, zombies ain't real. I am fully aware of that. To me the zombie threat is a simple vector by which we can simulate the threats of our modern world reverting to a more natural environment (wild predators etc). Each different scenario provides for me to learn a different and new personal skill to take into the real world. Gut a cow in game, I'll read about the correct way to butcher an animal. Have to learn how to camouflage in game as that may save my PC, well there's another skill I can learn in real life. Need to learn how to use firearms, more skills, more skills. How would I behave in an apocalypse environment? Would I care bear, would I turn rogue, would I land somewhere in between? Will this drive me to take go on a Bear Grylls style survival course. I'm all for a good attempt at hyper reality.

If DayZ is to be another FPS zombie apocalypse game you play with your mates then it's not for me... and from what I've read of the devs motivation, it's not the goal here. If it's to be a simulation tool to explore the moral and emotional questions of post apocalyptic behaviour then I'll dive in with open arms and an open mind.

This is what motivates me about the DayZ experiment.

What do you want from DayZ?

Edited July 27, 2012 by JerFeelgood

[richard_b 15]

Forget all the bandit noobs who snipe new spawns in Cherno and KoS, this is a simulator, not a game. I take it seriously, and I enjoy it seriously. If you get cheap thrills by sniping new spawns, trolling survivors, or killing people the moment you see them, I feel bad for you, you're missing out.

[GodOfGrain 191]

I am looking for a f*****g difficult game.

Always liked difficult games. E.g. have beaten Jagged Alliance 2 v.1.1.3 on a horrendous difficulty level without loading a save game once. (And it takes about 60 hours to finish this game :) )

I love this thrill of having just "one life".

I voted for apocalypse simulator, but actually I am not sure about this. It just has to be "realistic" to a certain degree and very difficult.

I am a bandit from whole heart. I am just sad that most of us are bandits themselves, which makes my character decision kind of pointless. I would like to see many advantages for cooperative and pieceful survivors. These groups should be superior to a group of organized bandits.

So the only way to survive for a bandit is that he plays really clever. The rest dies trying.

Edited July 27, 2012 by GodOfGrain

[JerFeelgood 34]

bump