AI Bandit/Military/Civilian survivors

[Ind0ctr1n3 5]

[The Idea:]

Implimenting groups of AI controlled Survivors (Bandits, Military, Civilian) into Day Z to increase gameplay.

[Argumentation:]

To put it simply; Due to the vastness of Chernarus, a lot of time spent in the game is running around just holding W for 10 minutes or longer. In fact; 70% time is running, 25% is scavenging, and 5% is avoiding zombies and/or engaging human targets. What we need besides a auto-walk button (Future suggestion!) is more unpredictability in gameplay, such as running into variably enemy, neutral or friendly targets besides other players. This would modify gameplay immensely ofcourse, due to the fact other survivors can also be just AI. These can be moving patrols/convoys, or stationary targets like castles. It increases chances of something random and unexpected to happen (Such as AI bandits engaging a group of players, whom could gain support or yet more harrasment from an AI military unit depending on them being bandits themselves) and many more possibilities.

As how it is now; Smart players will not usually fire on zombies because it would only attract more and they are easily avoidable, and besides the main cities the chance of running into somebody coincidentally are slim. There are also only zombies found near structures, which makes anywhere else relatively safe. Having the possibility of various random groups potentially running into you would increase the level of constant paranoia Day Z is looking for. The way things are now, it means running around a lot with a full clip and pretty much never losing ammo. This is ofcourse discounting certain clans having wars with eachother. Ergo; quite boring for an fps for an average player.

[implimentation:]

AI groups with varying numbers (Say 4 to 10) and various default allegiances, exampled below:

Allegiances;

Bandits: Allegiance with other bandits (including player bandits, unless fired upon), hostile to civilians, non-bandit players, military, Black Ops, infected wildlife and moving/spawned zombies. Engage on contact. May disengage and flee from certain enemies. (Such as Black Ops)

Military: Allegiance with other military, civilians, and non-bandit players. Hostile with bandits and bandit players, Black Ops, infected wildlife and moving/spawned zombies. Engage on contact.

Civilian: Allegiance with military, civilians and non-bandit players. Hostile with bandits and bandit players, Black Ops, infected wildlife and moving/spawned zombies. Do not engage unless fired upon. May disengage and flee from certain enemies. (Such as Black Ops)

Black Ops: Allegiance with Black Ops. Orders to terminate everyone else. Engage on contact.

Infected Wildlife: Allegiance with Infected Wildlife (Depending on species?) and moving/spawned zombies. Hostile to all other AI and players. Engage on contact.

Moving Zombies: Allegiance with infected Wildlife, moving/spawned zombies. Hostile to all other AI and players. Engage on contact.

Weapons;

Bandits: Variety of all available weaponry, but only the ones possible from scavenging others. (Rarely if any Black Ops Items)

Military: Military equipment. No camo or 'specialised' weaponry.

Civilian: Low grade equipment. Varies between Makarov to Lee enfield (Farm weaponry, etc)

Black Ops: The 'specialised' weaponry mentioned earlier. May or may not include NV.

Infected Wildlife: Claws and teeth. Possibly hooves.

Moving Zombies: Same as spawned zombies.

Interactions;

- Patrol at random through Chernarus, possible with various missions assigned to them (?). May also be stationed statically at certain locations.

- Do not spawn zombies. All groups will however engage player-related spawned zombies, besides the zombie-groups. (Which, due to the fact the zombies would keep spawning if a player was close enough, could lead to the demise of said groups.)

- Once an AI team has been neutralised, a new group may be spawned at random at a specified interval. Due to the scale of the map, quite an amount of groups could be deployed simultaniously.

- May respond to external stimuly such as gunshots, radio chatter, movement, possibly wildlife and lakes? (Food + Water) Groups each respond differently to vehicles. Some will flee, some will ignore, and some will engage.

- Military may or may not have access to vehicles. Recommended keeping those low-armored due to low likelyhood of AT armaments.

- Have fixed or random salvage-able spawned gear.

- Do not have player-specific targets. Can therefor usually be easily avoided when encountered, unless ofcourse already spotted by that group. (Increases player awareness of surroundings at all times to avoid unwanted contact)

- Have HP equal to players, may or may not have additional stats and conditions for temp, blood, etc.

- Limited ammo, will flee when depleted. May or may not re-ammo themselves from fallen comrades when possible.

- Military medics can heal fractures and make blood transfusions when a patient is below + - 4000 blood, may also apply this to other military units, civilians, and non-bandit players when they happen to be near them. (Perhaps only with hero status?)

- Possibility, amount and density of roaming groups may or may not be configurable per server.

- NOTES -

Edits are due to continious updates on idea.

Edited August 28, 2012 by Ind0ctr1n3

[omgwtfbbq (DayZ) 1069]

It would take a bit of realism from the mod, as the point of DayZ is to induce human emotions while playing, and not only do AI not feel that, the AI would not have the unpredictability that a real person does. Robots can be programmed to attack you after enough time. Humans, however, can be agitated by a buildup of things, not just programming. This idea won't work in DayZ.

[Ind0ctr1n3 5]

It would take a bit of realism from the mod, as the point of DayZ is to induce human emotions while playing, and not only do AI not feel that, the AI would not have the unpredictability that a real person does. Robots can be programmed to attack you after enough time. Humans, however, can be agitated by a buildup of things, not just programming. This idea won't work in DayZ.

Thank you for your input, but I don't think you fully understand the idea. I'm not proposing to program these AI to attack anyone, just to patrol at random.

Instead of diminishing human emotions, the unknown whether that other survivor is a player or not could significantly make you more paranoid. Are they a threat? Are they just friendlies passing by? Can I use this group to perhaps enhance my fighting capability against other human players and or zombies? I think it would infact open up a world of additional options and events without impeding too much on the gameplay so far. Even with these groups, encountering them would be highly irregullar, and they would rarely wander into town (If there are players around, they'd be quickly surrounded and killed by zombies, giving the players in the area a new variable to contend with in their fight amongst themselves, again increasing human emotions)

If you really think about it, a correct implimentation and balance could give the gameplay a whole new dimension. Not impede on it. That you can't interact with them the way you would with humans is irrelivant, because that is not their purpose. Just like zombies, they are more like a 'prop' or a source of equipment/weapon/ammo, not a significant threat, nowhere near the level of a human player.

[Hank_scorpio 41]

This is a terrible idea please never implement this . Bots are not for dayz it would ruin the game

[Ind0ctr1n3 5]

This is a terrible idea please never implement this . Bots are not for dayz it would ruin the game

You are obviously not grasping the entire idea, unless you think we might as well get rid of all the zombies because they are bots.

[The_Weapon1 33]

No, just no. Rocket has already said several times the only AI there will be is zombies

[00dlez 22]

Agreed with the other posters, I don't think AI survivors would add anything to the game.

While you might find the 70% running boring, I feel it contributes to the vast, lonley feelings the game can elict. When I finally DO spot another survivor, the situation immediately becomes more tense and exciting.

[Ind0ctr1n3 5]

No, just no. Rocket has already said several times the only AI there will be is zombies

That's just a very sad and limited view. If we're trying to build another PvP game, why are their zombies at all? Is the average player to see this as a marketing ploy because it has some zombies in it? The game right now is sadly predictable, where zombies are a laughable attempt at a viable enemy who spawns nearly no-where, in an area where 40 players can walk around all day and have maybe 5 encounters unless pre-arranged. Some survival game, if it's just made for clan wars.

It seems to me the Day Z authors are missing a big chance to appeal to the masses if it's true what you say. Most people I know would stop playing within 10 minutes if they knew they'd have to walk long distances with absolutely nothing to do and with extreme little threat unless you come near a city or vehicle spawn point. Chernarus is simply too big to use efficiently on an IDEAL server load of at least 40/50 players continiously and even then you'd be pretty safe in the woods.

[naizarak 41]

absolutely no. the game is all about player interaction, adding NPC's would ruin that

[The_Weapon1 33]

There are several with more then 50 players on them, and if you don't like how this mod is nobody is making you play it. I believe at least 1 server has a 100 slots in it.

[Ind0ctr1n3 5]

Agreed with the other posters, I don't think AI survivors would add anything to the game.

While you might find the 70% running boring, I feel it contributes to the vast, lonley feelings the game can elict. When I finally DO spot another survivor, the situation immediately becomes more tense and exciting.

Then you simply mis-understood the concept. You're thinking like you'd run into these groups continiously, but it would probably be as rare as finding a chopper chrash site. It would probably still be long walks with nothing to do, but still be more on the edge because you know there is more in the forest than the VERY occasional other player (I've been playing Day Z for a while now, and never encountered anyone on the move in the forest, even in crowded servers) so I ask you; Doesn't the fact you know there isn't gonna be anything in the forest is less terrifying than knowing there could be roaming groups in the forest and fields aswell? I don't know about you, but I've already gotten bored with the fact I won't run into any zombies unless I come across a building. It's that predictability that kills the game. Players are usually just assholes, and without any distractions besides eachother, we might all just be playing CoD.

[Ind0ctr1n3 5]

absolutely no. the game is all about player interaction, adding NPC's would ruin that

So zombies ruin player interaction. They are NPC's. And that damn cattle and bunnies! They impede with human interactions all the time, I know.

Why can't anyone seem to understand these groups do not interact directly with players? You can't make them do anything, nor can you trade with them. In almost all regards they are similar to zombie NPC's. I think it would actually encourage real player interaction to protect yourself against these threats, unlike the only threat now being some overequipped loser laying near Elektro sniping newly-spawned survivors in his ghilly suit. Some real player interaction now, I know.

[The_Weapon1 33]

chopper crash sites arn't really rare at all. You just need to know where to look.

[Ind0ctr1n3 5]

There are several with more then 50 players on them, and if you don't like how this mod is nobody is making you play it. I believe at least 1 server has a 100 slots in it.

Which still means most of the map is deserted. And, if they don't want suggestions, they shouldn't ask for it. Nobody is making you install updates either.

[Ind0ctr1n3 5]

chopper crash sites arn't really rare at all. You just need to know where to look.

Besides the point, since we are talking about non-fixed objects.. And in that context I obviously meant if you don't know where to look, they are rare to find. Since the AI groups would be on the move, it would be even harder to encounter them.

[00dlez 22]

I don't know about you, but I've already gotten bored with the fact I won't run into any zombies unless I come across a building. It's that predictability that kills the game.

I believe forest spawning zombies is already in the works, so that solves that.

[Bratalise 26]

I do agree with what people are saying it's a human interaction type of game, The feeling of running into a build with some guy in there and not knowing what he's going to do is a very adrenaline pumping moment, while if I'm running down the road with a military patrol walking down it i feel as safe as ever because no bandit would dare shoot at an A.I. carrying automatic weapons that would be pure suicide especially if the A.I. instantly locked on right away and returned fire. I do however think zombies must be vamped up though but as previously said by someone zombies that spawn in the forest are already in the works. I do hate the long walks between places but it does give that feel of loneliness.

[00dlez 22]

I do agree with what people are saying it's a human interaction type of game, The feeling of running into a build with some guy in there and not knowing what he's going to do is a very adrenaline pumping moment, while if I'm running down the road with a military patrol walking down it i feel as safe as ever because no bandit would dare shoot at an A.I. carrying automatic weapons that would be pure suicide especially if the A.I. instantly locked on right away and returned fire. I do however think zombies must be vamped up though but as previously said by someone zombies that spawn in the forest are already in the works. I do hate the long walks between places but it does give that feel of loneliness.

I think boosting zombie prowess too much makes banditry a better option, and is not something that (IMHO) should be encouraged. What is better is having zombies spawn in more locations and more random locations to keep the hill sniping bandits on their toes... as well as survivors who are too used to blindly running through the woods.

I know personally I've blundred into zombies by a deerstand I hadn't spotted and has given me a jump, woodland zombies would improve this type of encounter

[DemonGroover 8836]

Though i dont really want to see armed AI bandits or survivors i think spicing the landscape up with uninfected civilians might be a nice touch. They could pretty much serve the same purpose as animals do (apart from being able to eat them) in that they could be found randomly wandering a field, but also found cowering in a house or being chased by zombies.

I dont think its gonna happen though.

[Hank_scorpio 41]

You fail . The game doesn't need bots people are what make this game amazing don't try ruin it with your nuke town Bot ways it doesn't need more madness ESP from fucking computers

[Ind0ctr1n3 5]

You fail . The game doesn't need bots people are what make this game amazing don't try ruin it with your nuke town Bot ways it doesn't need more madness ESP from fucking computers

Worst grammar. Ever. Also still don't get the concept. Figures.

[Ind0ctr1n3 5]

I do agree with what people are saying it's a human interaction type of game, The feeling of running into a build with some guy in there and not knowing what he's going to do is a very adrenaline pumping moment, while if I'm running down the road with a military patrol walking down it i feel as safe as ever because no bandit would dare shoot at an A.I. carrying automatic weapons that would be pure suicide especially if the A.I. instantly locked on right away and returned fire. I do however think zombies must be vamped up though but as previously said by someone zombies that spawn in the forest are already in the works. I do hate the long walks between places but it does give that feel of loneliness.

AI is still configurable, including their detection rates. Right now, bandits have nothing to fear because they're always in the advantage. Most players never notice a ghilly with a sniper as it is. If this is all you want in a game, why not just play Sniper Elite v2 or something? Is this a zombie game, or not? This philosophy of 'player-only' interaction is fake anyway, because most interaction is you running into somebody with better weapons and shooting you without any kind of communication. If this is a PvP game, why are there zombies at all?

[Hank_scorpio 41]

Did I fucking stutter! you're idea fails Sir. I'm glad rocket has said that zombies are the only bots in game and always will be . You're thread has been a massive waste of time . Good day asshole

[Bratalise 26]

AI is still configurable, including their detection rates. Right now, bandits have nothing to fear because they're always in the advantage. Most players never notice a ghilly with a sniper as it is. If this is all you want in a game, why not just play Sniper Elite v2 or something? Is this a zombie game, or not? This philosophy of 'player-only' interaction is fake anyway, because most interaction is you running into somebody with better weapons and shooting you without any kind of communication. If this is a PvP game, why are there zombies at all?

But this wouldn't do anything to help the game. Right now Dayz is mostly very paranoid people with the shoot first philosophy if you want to stop that you have to add a reason for people to group up because right now the only reason is the companionship and most people that are gamers don't care about that. I understand the idea of an I.A. patrol but in reality about 80% of the As50s are spawned in by hackers so if they fixed hacking completely and reset everyones character there would be a lot less killing going on by snipers since those high powered guns would be extremely hard to find again. Point is these are A.I. configurations you can't talk to them trade with them reason with them and they won't shoot you randomly, people like the unpredictability of humans not knowing if they guy you just picked up is going to shoot you in the back.

[Ind0ctr1n3 5]

Did I fucking stutter! you're idea fails Sir. I'm glad rocket has said that zombies are the only bots in game and always will be . You're thread has been a massive waste of time . Good day asshole

The fact you can't even differentiate between 'you're' and 'your' deems any arguments (which you don't even have) as negligable. Kindly begone of this post.