Starting Location Dynamics

[crcantos@gmail.com 7]

Currently, all new and recently dead players will spawn on the southern coast of Chernarus. Sometimes you can spawn way up there by Berezino and luck out, but that chance is small. This makes sense for two reasons, and they are called Electro and Cherno (I'm not even going to attempt to spell their real names). It gives players (or at least the more experienced) the chance to run to the nearest city to gear up. Personally, I always go to Cherno apartment block or Electro's Church. Easy pickings depending on the server. But this method has HUGE flaws.

This system, by design or consequence, localizes most of the action to the southern coast. It means that new players will tend to stay on the coast, and it's two major cities, until they have enough equipment to head inland. This is not what some players do, it is what all players do. This robs us of the use of over 80% of the map. It stifles player movement. Think about it; when a player is fully geared and now has a tent fully stocked, what does he do? He goes back to the coast to try and bag himself the most dangerous game. Players have the best loot, after all.

What this all means is that the current spawn system might as well be static. So why not experiment with a more dynamic system?

1) You spawn inside a C-130 that is currently on fire and descending rapidly. You need to jump out before its too late.

2) You spawn inside a train that derails somewhere along the coast, drawing lots of zombies and spilling over a bunch of junk loot.

3) You spawn on a pbx (unusable) that drifts ashore.

4) You spawn inside a RANDOM HOUSE (any of the houses in Cherno).

5) You spawn inside a chopper that is in mid crash. The crash would produce a useless chopper crash artifact with no loot or zombie spawn (unless it crashes in a city)

6) Allow all of the following to occur over ANY part of Chernarus (except int he case of the pbx and train

This would add multiple benefits to the game almost immediately. The action wouldn't be as localized as it is on the Southern Coast. With players spawning in the middle of Chernarus (inland), players will be more spread out. You also create a sense of panic and vulnerability. It is no longer as easy to pinpoint your location with a 3rd party map. It also benefits those already on the ground. Think of seeing a plane on fire zoom over your head before exploding. You know a survivor is nearby somewhere. Trace the smoke or trajectory, the hunt is on. Same with any method described above.

From an engine standpoint, I know everything is definitely do-able (except for the train). Why not add a level of immersion? Instead of dropping us randomly on the Southern Coast where every sniper in the game is waiting for you, why not give us some character development, and attachment to the avatar you pilot? This will create a much better experience for new AND old players alike.

[h3retic 224]

this is quite a good idea, however it requires a new reworked map (chernarus + +)

in addition to aesthetics, it also needs a lot of coding (heli crash character spawns)

also, think about all those projectiles falling from the sky at randomly picked locations ("o gee, look some shit s flying in the sky... i better get my as50 out" - sorta thing)

edit: would be nice if something like this was applied in the standlone

Edited August 26, 2012 by h3retic

[crcantos@gmail.com 7]

I don't think the map needs to be reworked in order to implement this system. There are plenty of small towns to raid for good equipment all throughout Chernarus.

[CerebralZombie (DayZ) 151]

I agree with the spawning being flawed as is, but this idea needs much more elaborating on. I wouldn't mind spawns being all over the map, but it seems a little far fetch that Rocket will add a bunch of startings like the ones listed. There may be a chance in the stand alone, but I don't think they'll take it that far. =]

[crcantos@gmail.com 7]

Elaborate? Ok.

Would you rather spawn by plane in mid-crash and having to parachute out?

Or accept the fact that a zombie apocalypse happened and you left your house without even grabbing a butter knife. And then went to beach...

[CerebralZombie (DayZ) 151]

Elaborate? Ok.

Would you rather spawn by plane in mid-crash and having to parachute out?

Or accept the fact that a zombie apocalypse happened and you left your house without even grabbing a butter knife. And then went to beach...

No no I understand you've elaborated, but I think getting more players to pitch in to better the idea and make it to every ones liking.

Edited August 26, 2012 by CerebralZombie

[crcantos@gmail.com 7]

How does one commence the collaboration process?

[Frozen (DayZ) 144]

current spawn system is fine, but there should be more spawn points on the east coast, especially there should be spawn somewhere at berezino, as opposite to spawns in cherno and elektro

[crcantos@gmail.com 7]

Its not fine for all the reasons stated above. But primarily, its not fine because it makes EVERYONE go to the southern coast and no where else.

[catface.jpg 75]

I do not have issue with the location of the spawns, I like that nubs are on the south and (at least mostly) the experienced folk are up north.

However I agree that the spawn needs a story. There needs to be a reason you're where you are. Not just "I suddenly appeared on a beach...mysteriously I'm packing a bottle of ibuprofen and a band-aid, but I don't have any weapon and I can't use my fists."

Maybe you wake up in the hospital. Maybe you wake up in a house, that you can assume is yours. Maybe you're on a train. Who knows, there's lots of potential ideas in a sandbox this big. But a little story lead-in for each spawn would be pretty cool. Maybe randomly, you could spawn as a police officer who barricaded himself in a station. This would allow the option of spawning with a weapon, because it would make sense for you to have one.

[santiagoaquino6@hotmail.com 37]

I only like the "spawn in any house" thing. That should be a thing. You should be able to spawn in literally any house in the entirety of Chernarus.