Range of heartbeat and direct chat. And is this a DM?

[mattressi 3]

I've just started playing again after a few months break. I've noticed that it takes me quite a lot longer to get started, because it seems that zombies can both see and hear you a lot easier now, meaning I tend to crawl everywhere. A few times I've managed to get (from coastal towns/cities) the gear necessary for me to head off into the wilderness, but each time I've been leaving the town I've seen someone (or a group) maybe 100 to 150 m away. I've tried putting my crosshair over each of them for a while and listened carefully for the heartbeat noise, but heard nothing. I then tried walking closer and closer, each time asking them in direct chat (typing it) if they're friendly. I've only had one person respond and that was when I was really close to him. A lot of them eventually spot me and just shoot me. In fact, I've only had one non-violent encounter so far, despite me trying my best to show I'm friendly (direct chat, friendly dance, saluting).

So, has the game completely devolved into a deathmatch now (last time when I played, at least some people didn't try to kill me) or do direct chat and the heartbeat thingy only work really close, so when people see me they figure it's best to just shoot without taking chances?

What range does direct chat work to? What range does the heartbeat sensor thing work to? Is this game now just a giant DM or have I been unlucky so far? I used to enjoy playing even when I got killed with good gear. Now, it just seems like my only option to prevent being killed with basic or even no gear, is to kill them first.

Any advice for playing a friendly survivor? Is it still possible? As I said, I haven't played in a few months now and haven't followed the updates.

[bond1971@tpg.com.au 92]

Nope, its now a deathmatch simulator. Your scores show in the top right corner in the debug section.

[integ3r 5]

I had 4 murders once and my friend told me he could hear a heartbeat very faintly.

He needed to be within like 10m in order to hear it though... Don't know if more murders increase the range.

Edited August 7, 2012 by integ3r

[nucleqrwinter@gmail.com 156]

Yes it has completely devolved into a deathmatch.

Hearbeat range is 20 meters.

Direct chat is 80 meters IIRC, probably less.

Those who are still playing as friendly survivors are the ones who hide and avoid other players. Don't talk to anybody, don't let anybody see you and you'll be fine.

Edited August 7, 2012 by Nucleqrwinter

[Zymi 64]

For friendly survivor? Hide.

Hide in the forest, live off animals and have a water source nearby.

[ssimmons 72]

Unfortunately, right now it's kill or be killed because there's no incentive to let other players live.

[teteiyusu 36]

Blood for the Blood God!

RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWR!

[mattressi 3]

Damn, I was hoping the heartbeat thing would have a much longer range. At 20 m, if they haven't already seen you, they will have by the time you're aiming intently at them trying to hear a faint heartbeat :(

At least direct chat has a decent range if 80 m is correct. I guess that means that most people that I called to could hear me and just weren't friendly.

I think I'll stop playing for a bit again. I was really hoping it would once again be viable to play as a friendly survivor, but right now the only way I can see doing that is to stalk people to within 80 m and then ask if they're friendly, then shoot if they don't respond in a few seconds. I mean, this could work ok, I guess, but it's hardly ideal and seems like it would still mean I'd get shot a lot at close range (when it's too close to type before they shoot) and long range (where direct doesn't work), even if I don't get shot as much at short-mid range. I actually miss the days when someone would tell you in global that they're friendly, then stab you in the back. At least it gave a little variety - now I'm just shot in the face on sight.

I spent a heap of time before I stopped playing, living in the woods, avoiding everyone and eating animals - but it gets boring without any zombies, let alone good and bad people.

Edited August 7, 2012 by Mattressi

[Theplanbpill 12]

Basically the only way to safely approach a player is to sneak up on them from behind. Hold them at gun point and tell them to drop all there weapons if they are friendly or you'll shoot them. It's risky but possible to meet team mates that way. Otherwise it's pretty interesting seeing how they react.