Complex damage model considerable for DayZ? (No suggestion)

[Darrus Dreadtiger 6]

Hey,

I've been thinking about something lately. Arma, whereever I hear about it is described as a simulation game (or Daddy game if you ask Yahtzee), but still the damage system in itself is very simple in it's nature. I daresay it is completely overshadowed by the damage system of a game that prominently uses simulated ASCII graphics: Slaves to Armok 2: Dwarf Fortress

Those who know it by experience or just from reading or watching about it might either squee or smash their palms in the general direction of their heads. To keep it short: Dwarf Fortress is a mix of building, simulation and madness. You generate a complex world, pick a spot and build an underground fortress, dealing with all the things that make your life a living hell, like invasions, monsters, elves or lack of booze. But I'm not here to gasm about this game in total but about a single part of it: The damage system.

DF's damage system is just as complex and oftentimes difficult to keep track of as the rest of the game. Instead of simple health points or separate body parts DF simulates each individual by the sum of it's parts. This starts at the single parts of a body, then adds layers of tissue, muscle and fat to each part, connects all parts by joints and finally stuffs a share of vital and nonvital organs into the whole thing. Every part of this construct has several states it can be it, reaching from healthy over bruised, torn, mangled, nonfunctional, broken and missing...

How does that play out in the actual game? Depending on what kind of injury a creature suffers it tracks the damage to individual body part and the results of it. Slashing damage will cut through tissue, muscle and fat, might even separate body parts, blunt damage will pass through protective clothing and only bruise upper layers, but shatter bones and joints mercilessly. Piercing damage will effortlessly penetrate all layers and has a high chance to damage.

Creatures that suffer damage to their joints or bones of their legs are impaired in their ability to stand and walk and may need crutches to move until it's healed, same with arms and grasping. Damage to internal organs might range from simply pain and bleeding over nonfunction of connected body parts (lower spinal area) or systems (nervous tissue), over severely impairing injuries (both eyes= blindness) to ultimately (major artery, heart) or instantly fatal (brain).

Injuries heal over time depending on severity. Some will never heal like damage to the nervous system, others might heal quite quickly, like bruises and cuts. Broken bones can be supported with splints or plaster. Injuries lead to various degrees of pain that can impair capabilities, induce reactions like vomiting or lead to passing out. Damage to lungs can impair lung functionality, leading to shortness of breath... or complete loss of function leading to death in a handful of seconds.

Of course, DayZ is a bit more action-oriented than this simulation strategy game, but still, why not consider it for a game that considers itself a simulation, especially with design goals including realistic diseases.

Therefore, oftentimes, combat reports between individuals can be very interesting reads

The question that's on my heart is... what do you think about such systems. Would you find such a complex system in your survival simulator stimulating? Maybe considerable? Maybe just bothersome?

Edited September 26, 2012 by Darrus Dreadtiger

[RogueOne 112]

I think it would be a great idea however it sounds like it would be complex to add to the game. IE: probably push back development time considerably so I wouldn't vote for it. Maybe down the road in a patch possibly.

[Hetstaine 10852]

Eye pain. I want eye pain simulated. The amount of running through the forest i have done.. i am sure i would have at least a couple of hundred fir needles under my eyelids and more than a few pokey sticks.