Why Don't the Zombies Just Run Straight?

[omgwtfbbq (DayZ) 1069]

seriously, why can't we change them so they run directly at you? and they're a bit slower? hell, even buff them to even it out, if that's what it takes. i'm sick of the zombies that run 50mph through walls in zigzags that can falcon punch your legs off. i also think it's funny that if you aggro a zombie from a long distance, then start running, the zombie will catch up to you in less than five seconds. also, if they're going to zigzag, at least have them slow down a bit when they turn, rather than having them being like freaking tron lightcycles, which can turn without losing speed. if they run straight at you, then it would make headshots be actually useful, rather than shooting them as much as possible in the shortest amount of time. if the zombies are going to zigzag, can we at least run the same speed/faster than them? it's silly that a fit ex-military human in their 20s can't outrun something that's been dead for a while.

so, come on, why did anybody think it was a good idea to have genetically enhanced kenyan zombies? let's have them run STRAIGHT!! someone explain why they don't!

(no i didn't die from a zombie, but i was attacked by a train of zombies running in this fashion and i found it hilarious. also, i was meaning to make this post for a while.)

EDIT: yes, i know it's easy to avoid zombies, and to make them stop following you, but this is one of those major issues that everyone just kind of looks the other way on. while this is a big issue, it still isn't gamebreaking. but you know, the zombies being the center of the game and having them act like makes total sense.

Edited July 30, 2012 by omgwtfbbq

[timmoboy 39]

It's because of the AI path finding in Arma 2. The speed I believe is just to compensate that they have to stop to melee atack.

Probably something he can't fix before going stand alone.

[Kyrator 11]

Yeah I think it's retarded that if you run from zombies you cannot kill them without risking being hit,if you try to run away then turn around to shoot them then you only have split second to react if you want to avoid damage.

[FrostDMG 398]

It's because of the AI path finding in Arma 2. The speed I believe is just to compensate that they have to stop to melee atack.

Probably something he can't fix before going stand alone.

Could be this, but I have never seen NPCs in ARMA 2 zig zagging instead of running forward

[Vellarain 73]

They are the most aware zombies in any game knowing that running right at a player will mean a quick death, so they zigzag to break your legs with their bear hands!

[mindtrucks 28]

Could be this, but I have never seen NPCs in ARMA 2 zig zagging instead of running forward

NPCs in Arma 2 don't have to get close and melee you. They choose their own paths instead of altering it every time the target takes a step.

[Alixtheone (DayZ) 40]

Maybe the game isn't made to actually kill the zombies? Dayz isn't a regular zombie schoot them up? They are there to be a pain in the ass for a reason. I mean seripus, in a real zombie apocalipse you won't run into a group of zeds and show off your cod mlg 360 no-scopes just for the lulz.

[sausagekingofchicago 4711]

Zombies that run straight at you in a very slow run are not a threat at all. Might as well ask to make them bigger so we don't have to aim at them.

The zombies we see now are probably nothing like the zombies we'll see in beta or the stand alone.

[omgwtfbbq (DayZ) 1069]

NPCs in Arma 2 don't have to get close and melee you. They choose their own paths instead of altering it every time the target takes a step.

wait, they change paths every time you step? so if i stand still and aggro a zombie, it'll run right at me?

[sausagekingofchicago 4711]

Dude, this is how you kill zombies out in the open.

Step one: Attract zombie

Step two: While running, turn around and run backwards.

Step three: Wait for stupid zombie to stop and swing at you.

Step four: Take aim and shoot while zombie flails about.

Repeat three and four for as many zombies as you need.

It's easy enough.

[vekien 84]

When it calculates a path, it calculates it on a X/Y path so it has to run on specific points across X then Y Then X then Y, so most often if you're at a diagnol it has to zig zag across the axis to get to you.

The speed is to ensure it gets back on track when calculating the zig zag. While they look fast, they're no faster than you its just to compensate for the ZZ.

[omgwtfbbq (DayZ) 1069]

Dude, this is how you kill zombies out in the open.

Step one: Attract zombie

Step two: While running, turn around and run backwards.

Step three: Wait for stupid zombie to stop and swing at you.

Step four: Take aim and shoot while zombie flails about.

Repeat three and four for as many zombies as you need.

It's easy enough.

i do this, and yeah, it does work. i still think it's silly for the zombies to run like that anyway.

[sausagekingofchicago 4711]

i do this, and yeah, it does work. i still think it's silly for the zombies to run like that anyway.

Sure is but I've always assumed the zombies in their current form are nothing but a placeholder beefed up to actually be dangerous.

[omgwtfbbq (DayZ) 1069]

Sure is but I've always assumed the zombies in their current form are nothing but a placeholder beefed up to actually be dangerous.

they are never a MASSIVE gamebreaking issue. it actually adds to the difficulty (which is good). but it's dumb for them to do it regardless.

Edited July 29, 2012 by omgwtfbbq

[Nexus545 13]

Best way i've managed to work out so far is to not stop running. When you're being chased turn around and shoot them while running backwards. They stay on a reasonable path that way.

[omgwtfbbq (DayZ) 1069]

Best way i've managed to work out so far is to not stop running. When you're being chased turn around and shoot them while running backwards. They stay on a reasonable path that way.

i can barely focus when being chased because im laughing at the zombie's paths xD

[KEEPCARLM 146]

Maybe the game isn't made to actually kill the zombies? Dayz isn't a regular zombie schoot them up? They are there to be a pain in the ass for a reason. I mean seripus, in a real zombie apocalipse you won't run into a group of zeds and show off your cod mlg 360 no-scopes just for the lulz.

Who says you wouldn't? Well not to that extent but people might start shooting them for fun, hunting them etc.

[EnermaX 59]

It's because of the AI path finding in Arma 2. The speed I believe is just to compensate that they have to stop to melee atack.

Probably something he can't fix before going stand alone.

Exactly. The speed is also because the crappy AI pathfinding.

[omgwtfbbq (DayZ) 1069]

Who says you wouldn't? Well not to that extent but people might start shooting them for fun, hunting them etc.

i would shoot zombies more if they acted like every other zombie in movies/games and stuff, where they aren't retarded. this would drastically change game play.

[Nakke 0]

Why even bother killing em, just zigzag up a steep hill.

[Elo 44]

The "terrible pathfinding" excuse is bullshit

Guess what?

1. Determine if zombie has a clear path towards the target

2. No: Use crappy zigzag pathfinding, process ends here. /

Yes (which is true almost all the time when you try to shoot a zombie thats following you): read on

3. Get target coordinates

4. Get zombie coordinates

5. Calculate angle between target and zombie

6. turn zombie to that angle

7. make zombie run forward

8. Go back to step 1

Guess what that this results in? Zombies that follow you in a straight line, assuming there's a clear path. Don't know why rocket hasn't done this yet, should even improve performance

Only reason i could think of is the arma 2 engine not allowing you to make an actor just run forward, maybe you have to use the pathfinding system to move actors, but i dunno

[Bambo (DayZ) 42]

They should probably fix the melee attack shit too. I swear to God, I've had these bastards hit me through walls, and some of them shake like Michael J. Fox (I know! I know! I'll see you in hell!) when they pause to attack.

[Slitter 11]

The "terrible pathfinding" excuse is bullshit

Guess what?

1. Determine if zombie has a clear path towards the target

2. No: Use crappy zigzag pathfinding, process ends here. /

Yes (which is true almost all the time when you try to shoot a zombie thats following you): read on

3. Get target coordinates

4. Get zombie coordinates

5. Calculate angle between target and zombie

6. turn zombie to that angle

7. make zombie run forward

8. Go back to step 1

Guess what that this results in? Zombies that follow you in a straight line, assuming there's a clear path. Don't know why rocket hasn't done this yet, should even improve performance

Maybe because programming pathfinding is not as easy as you make it out to be?

it's silly that a fit ex-military human in their 20s can't outrun something that's been dead for a while.

Well, they are not dead, they are infected with a virus like that of 28days later, where they are enraged and feel no pain.

[Elo 44]

Maybe because programming pathfinding is not as easy as you make it out to be?

Of course it's not, but the difficult part (determine if there's a straight and clear path / LOS) seems to be implemented already and all the other steps are quite easy

Edited July 30, 2012 by Elo

[duke_ 0]

I also think, there should be some changes. I recently watched the tv show "The walking dead" and i must say, if we had those kind of Zombies instead of our infected who we have now, it would be way more better and challenging. At the moment, the players greatest problem are other players. Since the infected are just a little pain in the ass if you have to face many on open fields. Like most of us know, they are so easy to kill in cities/buildings and actually this would change...

So my idea is, why aint make them slower but increase the population to make them a bigger threat. They aint need to be deadly by individual, but as a horde. Also a good factor would be, that ppl need to group up. Since there are just too many to fight them alone. At the moment its piss easy to be a lone wolf. But with this kind of change, ppl would've stick more together to survive, i guess. Of course i dont know how to handle this scripting or programming wise neither if this would cause too much traffic at the servers.

So what do you think?

Edited July 30, 2012 by duKe_