Suggestion For Stand-alone Version (semi long)

[Xxav 10]

I'd like to start off by saying that I think what Rocket has done with Day Z as is, is fantastic. He's created a great mod to further build on, but the game is very limited and clunky due to the fact that it is a mod. I have a of suggestions for the stand-alone that I'd like to get some feedback on and see what others think.

Base Building

I read that Rocket would like to include base building, even before the stand-alone version of the game is released. I think this is a fantastic idea, because it really adds another goal for the players to work on rather than just farming other players in electro for loot. I read on the forums that he wants to have the bases underground so that players don't ruin the game world by cluttering it with bases and buildings. While I understand the reasoning behind that, I also think that the game world should actually be a part of the base building aspect. Imagine being able to find one of those residential houses that you can't enter as of right now, and being able to fortify the walls, and place sandbags outside of it. I think this would give players something to value, which would get more people out in the world, looking for shelter instead of just sniping noobs on the beach. If you're lucky enough to own and fix up one of these houses, they should include stuff that you'd expect a house to have after an Apocalypse. Storage, maybe a well to fill water bottles with, and a place to rest (which i'll get to later).

Character Names

Make these permanent and unique. Have them tied into the account, and every time you create a new character, they all have the same name. I believe this will cut out a lot of the bullshit. If you want to go around and kill noobs all day, that's fine. But your reputation will carry with you for the duration of the game.

Notes

Have notebooks and pens as a new item, and allow players to leave notes for other players to read. Whether it's letting them know of the danger up ahead, or some kind of strategy. Maybe letting them know of a settlement or camp around the area. I sort of took this idea from Dark Souls/Demon Souls but the idea is slightly different, as they were pre-written words, but with these notes, allow the player to write whatever they want.

Rest

Include a new condition called 'rest' or something similar. This condition would only be applied if you log off either inside shelter, or in the vicinity of a tent. Allow it to remove certain stats, such as sprained ankle or concussion. Logging out in shelter, or by a tent slowly removes these conditions until you come back in.

More Items

Create more items other than weapons for players to loot. Make more slots on each character to include more items. Perhaps different kind of shoes, a jacket so that when it rains out your body temperature stays warmer longer, sunglasses that you can wear if the day is sunny for visibility. These are just a couple of examples, you can really expand on this.

Expand On Investigate Body

I don't know if the feature is currently broken or not, but investigating a body should show if you the body died from gunshot wounds, what kind of gunshot wounds, or if it was from a zombie attack. This way, it'll allow for players to track bandits and be on the look out for danger.

Bigger Map, Less Servers, More Players

The map is a good size for where the game is now, but I really think the game could benefit from a bigger map that holds more players, and a smaller amount of servers. Allow for 200 people per server. If you want the game to be more persistent rather than having people jump servers every time they log in, then you're going to need dedicated servers provided by the game, and stop allowing players to rent servers. Have a set number of servers, so that when players log in, they log in to the same server every time. This would add a community to each server, and you get a feeling for who the bandits are, who are the good guys, and allows for much more social interaction. With persistent servers, you would see community driven events, black markets, shelters, doctors, people playing as policemen, group of bandits, mercenaries, rival clans, all types of stuff you would expect from an MMO.

These are just a couple of my ideas I was thinking about. I'll probably add more to it later.

Edited August 16, 2012 by Xxav

[Xxav 10]

No replies? Whaaaaat? :'(

[Butane 2]

You've got a reply right here.

I caught a link to this from gamespy. It discusses base building in the stand alone in an interview between Rocket and Rock-paper-Shotgun. He talks about instancing some of the construction. While it sounds cool I am 50-50 as it could severely ruin the experience. Here's the link.

http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/08/15/day-z-standalone-instanced-building-more-chernarus/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+RockPaperShotgun+%28Rock%2C+Paper%2C+Shotgun%29

I agree with you on character names. It's important and will help the community identify bandits easier.

Notes and stuff would be a little bit too difficult. Though cool I do admit. Seems like a down the road kind of thing.

Resting can hurt gameplay. It shouldn't be required. It can also dampen the "survive the night" effect.

Agreed. More items, more food types, more tools, more weapons, MOAR!

I do agree on the investigation. Was he bitten, shot, stabbed, fall? It's all important and will help immerse people. Also if people know a body's been shot then there could be a chance for the shooter to be around. people return to the scene of the crime y'know :).

Just cause 2 had a multiplayer mod beta with what like 1000 people on the server? DayZ servers should at the very least go up to 100-150.

[Xxav 10]

You've got a reply right here.

I caught a link to this from gamespy. It discusses base building in the stand alone in an interview between Rocket and Rock-paper-Shotgun. He talks about instancing some of the construction. While it sounds cool I am 50-50 as it could severely ruin the experience. Here's the link.

http://www.rockpaper...Paper, Shotgun)

Thanks for link. While I don't fully support instanced base building, I guess it's a start. I just see an issue with people camping the loading screen to and from the instance for an easy kill. I'd prefer the base building to be in the open world.