Arma 2: Combined Ops (ARMA 2 Base game now free!) (Zombie Mod!)

[Ingmar]

If we had a server where I didn't have to worry about getting murdered by the Russian version of Slayerik I would actually think about getting/trying this...

[Trippy]

Yes I was thinking about setting up an F13 server (hence my question earlier in this thread) but then I heard about the rules about running a server and dropped the idea. If I could run a server with PKing turned off completely and run it as just a zombie survival mod I would do it.

[CmdrSlack]

Playing at night is crazy, I thought should be fewer players stealing all the equipment, I'm sure I can find my way around.  Pitch black running from zombies, turn my torch on to quickly get my bearings at exactly the right time to see a zombie 3ft in front of me coming the other way snarling.

You can crank your brightness, gamma, and one other setting to give better night vision. Thing is that right now we are coming up on a new moon. This means that night is gonna be DARK till we're back towards a quarter and half moon.

[Kageru]

Yes I was thinking about setting up an F13 server (hence my question earlier in this thread) but then I heard about the rules about running a server and dropped the idea. If I could run a server with PKing turned off completely and run it as just a zombie survival mod I would do it.

The forum user-base goes crazy ape-shit if you suggest anything like that. Since that would allow you to either avoid PvP or cheat at PvP and neither can be countenanced.

That said I believe you can do it if you run your own hive (the back end database that provides persistency) server. Still, a lot of effort and cost. I don't imagine the server side tools are any more elegant than the client side.

[Malakili]

Yes I was thinking about setting up an F13 server (hence my question earlier in this thread) but then I heard about the rules about running a server and dropped the idea. If I could run a server with PKing turned off completely and run it as just a zombie survival mod I would do it.

I would also like to see the mod go a bit more in the zombie survival direction.  I actually don't mind PK part of the game so much in principle, but a bigger issue is that zombies basically just aren't a big part of the game right now unless you've just spawned and have absolutely nothing.  I'd definitely like to see survival itself actually require a bit more cooperation (perhaps by making surviving zombies more difficult? More of them? More difficult? I don't have specific answers!).  Then people would be encouraged to cooperate naturally.  Right now unless you just don't like PKing, there is basically no reason not to kill everyone you see and take their best stuff. It is simply the best survival technique at the moment.

[CmdrSlack]

Yes I was thinking about setting up an F13 server (hence my question earlier in this thread) but then I heard about the rules about running a server and dropped the idea. If I could run a server with PKing turned off completely and run it as just a zombie survival mod I would do it.

The rules that I've seen seem to be:

1) Must have 40 slots unless you're in a developing nation, then 30 slots.
2) Limited reasons to ban, etc. I'm not 100% sure why.
3) No locking/private servers for your clan/friends/etc.

The loophole that I see -- rules are more lax for server admins. On a server that is open to THE WORLD, one might need a squad of several server admins. If those admins need to get on the server to be admins, there may be a plausible deniability reason for kicking asshats to make room.

It is also worth noting that there appears to be plenty of abuse with very little reprisal from the DayZ folks.

That said, it's pretty easy to justify having a core group that loots the server for a few hours before public launch as a "testing" measure. This would leave an f13 server with a small advantage as it would be possible to have a stockpile started when the server is opened to the unwashed masses. Even if a small stockpile, with no vehicles, it would be possible to gear up several folks with the beginning of a decent camp before someone would call shenanigans.

I guess the TL;DR is that while there are loads of rules that won't let you make the server exclusive, there's plenty of grey area in the rules that would allow one to establish a nice starting stockpile before the unwashed masses arrive.

Non-hive servers seem to allow the flexibility of what you want to do. We'd be able to play on that server, but our characters would not be playable on others. The thing is that I have no idea how to establish a non-hive server.

[Thrawn]

I would also like to see the mod go a bit more in the zombie survival direction.  I actually don't mind PK part of the game so much in principle, but a bigger issue is that zombies basically just aren't a big part of the game right now unless you've just spawned and have absolutely nothing.  I'd definitely like to see survival itself actually require a bit more cooperation (perhaps by making surviving zombies more difficult? More of them? More difficult? I don't have specific answers!).  Then people would be encouraged to cooperate naturally.  Right now unless you just don't like PKing, there is basically no reason not to kill everyone you see and take their best stuff. It is simply the best survival technique at the moment.

I'm all for PKing and griefing in multiplayer games, but I think you really hit the issue on the head.  It takes away from the "Zombie horror" when it's really just degrading into another PvP FPS.

[Arthur_Parker]

Starting at a random beach spawn with no weapon is tough for a new player, I imagine there will be a lot of pressure to change that which I hope is resisted.  I also think the zombies work because they are stupid, just like PVE AI, tinkering to make them tougher risks turning something that adds atmosphere into a gimmick that breaks immersion.  

As for pk's, we appear to be in an an early UO thread, different server rulesets is the way to go, otherwise people are going to endlessly argue about this.

Edit to add, they could add roaming zombie groups and give more player crafting options, barriers, etc, I just don't want to see AI zombies getting smart enough to not seem like zombies anymore, if that makes sense.

[Kageru]

The rules against banning are because some of the servers are run by clans, so there's endless reports of "Killed the admin, was banned immediately" on the server forum.

The PK aspect destroys the game for me. Not just because it moves the "threat" from zombies to a player threat with very limited counters but also because it removes the complexity and opportunity of meeting other survivors. I was skulking around and got the drop on some guy shooting zombies, with the current mechanics the correct answer is shoot him or run away, both of which are very short and simple interactions.

But 99% of the game mechanics are from Arma-II which is all about shooting people, the designer seems to be extremely pro-PvP and angling for a standalone release / Day-Z project to replace the current mod. So I don't think any of that is changing with the current structure of it.

Of course he may also like PvP because it helps hide the lack of goals the game offers once you gather the basic survival gear.

[Mrbloodworth]

My Dayz Story   

[Xanthippe]

I want to try this but I'm unsure of what to do after buying and downloading Arma 2:CO from Steam.

[Arthur_Parker]

http://www.dayzmod.com/?SixUpdater Is what I did

[Mrbloodworth]

I also use six updater.

Just run that, let it patch and such, and you should be good to go once you pick a server.

[NiX]

Is it updating to the most recent ARMA 2 beta patch?

[Mrbloodworth]

Sixupdater does update you with the latest ArmA engine patch ( beta releases ), and Dayz mod. If that's what you were asking.


ArmA 2, itself just had an official patch ( Non beta ). Steam should take care of that.

[Slayerik]

http://www.dayzcommander.com/

Went from 6 to this....

Has recent servers...time of day in game, good filtering...

[Arthur_Parker]

Has recent servers...time of day in game, good filtering...

That sounds good.

[CmdrSlack]

Time of day in game is key. I just guess light or dark based on the occasional +/- GMT in the server description. I may have to grab that tonight.

[Slayerik]

If you aren't using it, SHAME ON YOU.

Also, there is some kind of friends function. Let's test that out tonight....Also, an RL friend of mine is hooked now so that's three around our playtime :)

[Thrawn]

I've got it installed, just haven't gotten around to getting it to actually work and run.  Hoping to put a little time into it tonight.

[Slayerik]

Ok, open invite to F13ers and friends. Tonight at 10:00pm EST, barring continued wifey/baby aggro, we head to Stary Sobor and possibly the big airfield.

If you want in, please try to be somewhere in the circle below at that time. I have a Mumble server up, PM for info or hit me up on Steam.



If I don't die by then, I have a spare pistol and clips if you are hurting really bad for a weapon!


Itinerary




1. Head from Mogilevka to Castle Zub!
2. Check for Car spawn in Vyshnoye
3. Hit Deer stand to arm someone
4. Hit HV farm and MV residential for supplies
5. Loot HV and MV Novy spawns, and deer blind
6. Approach the hotspot Stary Sobor from the hill, sweeping for snipers.


If everyone, by some miracle, is armed and ready we'll skip 4 and 5 and go directly to 6.

[CmdrSlack]

I'm just outside the circle, pretty much where I was when I'd proposed the route to NWAF that took us thru the supermarket, etc. It is likely safer for me to meet people at Zub, as that gives me forest cover the entire way.

No need to worry about equipping me with gear, although we'll be well and truly fucked if someone can't bring some morphine, epi pens, and blood bags. There may be a medical spawn at Stary, I forget.

Moreover, if anyone planning to play has a spare box of matches, I'd appreciate the help.

[Slayerik]

Damn matches, I can't ever seem to find any!

Medical supplies is a must for sure. Hmmmmm. Maybe raid cherno before we go if we are really hurting for some.

[Slayerik]

Live action newbies!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7hIeNPkvqQ&feature=relmfu

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMp8LNFLEXI

[Slayerik]

So, the trip didn't go too well. I fell in a barn, maiming myself then a zombie broke my leg. My friend was murdered right when we met up.

On the plus side, we got 3 people on the same server (4 if Surly wasn't so busy loading up on the phats). We'll try again tonight! The noobs ride again!

[Mrbloodworth]

Live action newbies!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7hIeNPkvqQ&feature=relmfu

Sums it up.

[Thrawn]

Got it running and working last night.  I had watched a few videos on ways to start and get going without dying instantly.  They all became completely useless as the videos start you with a gun and apparently you no longer start with any weapon?  So last night was figuring out that the default controls are terrible and I need to do some remapping, then walking in a direction until I found a zombie I had no way of killing and it runs me down.  

[Slayerik]

Got it running and working last night.  I had watched a few videos on ways to start and get going without dying instantly.  They all became completely useless as the videos start you with a gun and apparently you no longer start with any weapon?  So last night was figuring out that the default controls are terrible and I need to do some remapping, then walking in a direction until I found a zombie I had no way of killing and it runs me down.  

Ah yes, bet you are hooked now!

Use X to crouch run.
Many times to quick loot I full out run past zombies and run into building and dive to prone. They really aren't all that bright. You can jump fences using V, that usually loses em pretty good. Overall, you'll die a lot. Hell, a couple weeks in and I still do...I just know how to re-equip decently fast.

Oh, and when you find a hatchet you will need to Right click on it in  the inventory, and "remove from toolbelt" . This will allow you to reload it (lol) and you can then start whacking Zeds!

Bandages are key. Keep an eye on your blood. The inventory is horrible.

Hope ya stick it out bro.

[Mrbloodworth]

Avoidance and sneak is a hug part of this game mod.

My first target is always a barn, to find a hatchet. Industrial areas have crowbars.

Never fire a Lee-Enfield :)

[CmdrSlack]

Also always fire from iron sights (right mouse click to sight, not right mouse hold -- holding is for zoom once you're sighting). I burned an M9 mag last night panic shooting a zombie that had snuck up on me. Now I'm out of food and down more blood than I was before I fucked up and aggroed a zed I couldn't see.

Granted, someone chose a server without third-person view......but I should have been going slower and using freelook.

[Slayerik]

Also always fire from iron sights (right mouse click to sight, not right mouse hold -- holding is for zoom once you're sighting). I burned an M9 mag last night panic shooting a zombie that had snuck up on me. Now I'm out of food and down more blood than I was before I fucked up and aggroed a zed I couldn't see.

Granted, someone chose a server without third-person view......but I should have been going slower and using freelook.

Ok fine, you pick the server tonight :P I'll find some blood bags before we try and fail miserably at meeting up. :)

[Mrbloodworth]

I personally require regular mode, with 3ed person and sights. My group has a "home" server, just forget what that is right now.

[Thrawn]

Hope ya stick it out bro.

For sure, just bad timing with finals and crap next week.  Really my biggest worry right now from reading about the game is apparently hacking is getting really out of control.  People that are invincible, be able to kill/wound/teleport everyone on a server, etc...

[CmdrSlack]

Hope ya stick it out bro.

For sure, just bad timing with finals and crap next week.  Really my biggest worry right now from reading about the game is apparently hacking is getting really out of control.  People that are invincible, be able to kill/wound/teleport everyone on a server, etc...

I have yet to see hacking occur while playing. I almost logged into a server the other day, and noticed two guys in the lobby. I can't recall the first name, but the other was something like "l33t hax" or whatever. I decided to find a different server.

[Slayerik]

So, same plan for tonight. I have an Enfield, a bad pistol, I Czech backpack, and a buncha medical supplies near Cherno. Shooting for 10:00pm EST again...