djanico

2 hours ago, Old Hermit said:

And if you are reading/sewing and your Rest bar reaches zero, it means you napped, and lose task's progress and awake a random hours later, totally disoriented hahaha

Honestly i would love that!

On 1/27/2021 at 6:37 PM, hozz1235 said:

I just repaired them at the BI workshop milling station!

Sweet jeebus thnx my man! ill try that out!

On 12/27/2020 at 11:46 AM, ManicManiac said:

This gets discussed quite a bit, and I recommend to other folks reading this to also use the search function in addition to reading this thread.  I say that only because there has been a large amount of good discussion about this very topic.  Including many more ideas on how other folks would implement such a thing.

As for me, I really don't want NPCs or animal companions (wolf, dog, or otherwise) in the survival sandbox.

I think this could work fine in the Story Mode or as a dedicated Challenge... but I would not like it if this were incorporated into Survival Mode.  I think it would undermine the lonely isolation and personal struggle that I enjoy so much in survival mode.

Another reason, is that I think that if we had an animal companion... then we might have a hunting partner, or even to a limited extent a protector.
I don't like that idea because it makes life easier for the player... and I'm rarely in favor of things that would make life easier for the player.

Let me clarify that I'm not against the idea  of an animal companion... I just really don't want it in my Survival Sandbox. 

Personally, I don't think an animal companion really works from a lore perspective anyway.  I think even if we did find a wolf or dog... it would probably immediately try to eat our faces off due to the effects the aurora (in that carnivorous animals are preternaturally aggressive and blood thirsty).  Considering they would most likely just turn hyper-aggressive, I think it puts this particular type of animal companion somewhere in between "extremely dangerous" and "just not really possible under the circumstances."

 

Why not have the best of both worlds..

It is why the devs created the custom tooklit sandbox. You could add the option of adding/removing dog companion and there you go...  true solo survival or giving the option of keeping the dog for those that are interested.  You satisfy both end of your customer base.

I understand the point of the game is to survive, but as stated "man" has been using domesticated dogs since the dawn of time for survival. That and how much more difficult it would be to survive for two. 

I suggested this awhile back ago.. see topic:

Agree, tinder just seems like such a waste afterwards.  i think fire starting past level 3 should just start adding a small bonus to fire starting depending on which tinder you use (as you mentioned)

You could also add the ability to use multiple tinder plugs (2x 3x etc) to stack fire starting bonus. (with a % max cap) Would help allot with the newbie skills.  So say a 10% max cap is reached by adding 5 tinder plugs at skill 1,  4 at skill 2,  3 at skill 3.. etc etc. 

Many moons ago I suggested that there be a Dog/Wolf as an  ingame companion (Search "Would love a Doggo"). This Dog would spawn after XX Days somewhere in Bear Island, you would get a cue from McKenzie ("Im so lonely... there must be someone out there") that would trigger the event.  Adding a Dog companion would give you perks for sleeping (cuddling heat bonus), tracking, hunting, alerting and possibly defending at low tiers (wolves only). But would also incorporate more difficulty as your dog must eat, drink and can also get injured. So now you are surviving for two.

Guys.. here the Crampons with the damage taken.. i was mauled by a wolf down by the burnt forest.. not sure if that's what did it.

Found it a little odd you cant repair them.

Would be nice to fix them if they get damaged.  1 metal scrap + Cured leather?

By the way.. For the Dev's..  A+++ on Ash Canyon !!!! Holy crap what an incredible zone!

<< Winter Apocalypse >>

"You're realizing now the true scope of the event before you. The world is getting colder.. and colder and all life on this island is slowly dying.  The blizzards are getting stronger and more dangerous as time passes. This is the end of humanity as we know it.. a feeling of dread  and desperation is hitting you.. yet you sense a primal urge to survive. How long can you last?"

• This Challenge is unlocked after completed Whiteout Challenge
• You have XX days (30/60??) to prepare yourself for the final cataclysmic event.
• Days will be getting colder.. and colder as you get closer to the event.
• When the Apocalypse starts and the "Polar Vortex" begins... all life outside dies.
• The weather outside will now be a 100% unsurvivable Whiteout Blizzard. No matter how much clothing you have on you, you cannot tolerate the cold at all  -100C++
• The inside shelter temperature will be unsurvivable without a constant fire going (will need a VERY HIGH TEMP fire) to just "barely" stay warm.
• Chose your survival shelter carefully, not all homes have the same insulation
• If your shelter fire dies out... you will die with it.
• Cabin Fever will be disable for this event.
• You must also provision as much food as you possibly can when the Apocalypse hits as you still need to eat/drink.
• In the end you will eventually die as you run out of kindling and food.. the goal here is to see who can last the longest!

<<The Sledge>>

"You gather some very critical medical supplies that are much need to save your ailing wife/husband. You have built a makeshift sledge and your ready to embark on the journey back. The sledge is heavy and tedious to pull, but you know life hangs in the balance if these meds don't make it back to base."

• New item "sledge" is added to the game. (Up to the devs if they want to make it able to hold inventory or not. or just a novelty item for the challenge)
• You can "haul" / "release" the sledge on the press of an action key (like climbing)
• The sledge is heavy, and bulky... your normal movement speed is reduced to half and you cannot run (obviously)
• There's the chance of spraining your wrists/ankle while pulling the sledge.
• Pulling eats your stamina, when your stamina hits 0 you can barely move (rest/recover is recommended)
• The Sledge will zone with you when you enter/exit an area.
• You have X number of days to make it back to base or your partner dies.
• You begin at the Hunting Lodge at the broken railroad.
• You will need to push this all the way to the Farmers House in Pleasant Valley (or any other nice long winded area to get to)

1 hour ago, ManicManiac said:

@djanico
It's a neat idea, it really is... I just don't think it would fit with the lore of the game very well.  I've had this subject on my wish lists before (a while back).  The conversation sort of came to the realization that dogs are carnivores, so they would most likely just turn hyper-aggressive like the other carnivores in the game.  Making this particular type of animal companion somewhere in between "extremely dangerous" and "just not possible under the circumstances."   

I can see both sides of the sword on this.. however this is in the end a "game to entertain" and one of the biggest complaints most players have in survival mode is how boring the dynamics get after 150+ days played. This is were a dev's would need to get creative.  Per my idea.. why not add an "albino" Dog/wolf that somehow is not affected? an anomaly of sorts. That would fit the lore of the game no?  

If this game can have "Ghost Bears" (Wintermute) that was almost unkillable, why couldn't this be possible?  Call it a "Ghost wolf" then or some sort lol.  In the end, even the devs clearly stated this isnt a "true survival simulator", its a game first and foremost. Make an exception, add said exception and breathe a little life in the endgame survival mode.

Correct UpUpAway95, should be a late game spawn, and he can be anywhere in Bear island, thus forcing you on the epic journey to find him. I would love to see a skill tree for him however and be able to train him.

**Thoughts on Aurora vs your Doggo**

The aurora should also affect your dog/wolf pet as well. turning him savage. If you are sleeping while the aurora hits, your Doggo begins to bark furiously waking you up.  To counter his rage:

1> add the flashlight in the survival mode (Flashlight spawns near the dogs spawnpoint?) That way you can ward him off temporarily by flashing it towards your dog. Make the flashlight have a very high battery drain so its not OP against wolves outside.  Way i see it,  you will have to leave your enclave to avoid getting mauled by him. (adds a survival challenge to aurora nights forcing you to temp relocate away from your Dog).

Also make Doggo extremely fatigued when its over, forcing him to rest and recover the next day.

2> Add another shroom ingame that has a tranquilizing effect that affects wolves/doggo.  You will have to prepare the game meat with the shroom to create "poisoned meat". Dropping the meat as a decoy will knock out your pet for several hours.  Once awake your dog will be "sick" from the shroom and will require rest (maybe meds also?) Basically your Doggo is out for the count the next day as he rests/recover.

Still dream that the devs would add this....

If you ever seen the Episode of Survivorman with Les Stroud when he was chased by a Moose up a tree... scared the living BEJEESUS out of me!  These guys are A> NOT tiny.. and B> rut season = full TANK mode.

3 minutes ago, hozz1235 said:

Well, HL has tried to make this as realistic as possible, so if they want to keep that goal, the dog would have to behave realistically as well.  Even a large dog is no match for a wolf.  I suppose if the dog was trained properly to not attack and hold back from combat, it might have a chance.  The cold would also be an issue - Husky, no problem but other dogs would freeze to death (unless you have a doggy-sleeping bag!) 

True, but wolves don't go around attacking humans either, so there's a balance of realism and also a balance of gameplay. I love the idea of a doggy sleeping bag! lol and heck that's another good aspect! Doggo temp needs to be watched also! Maybe you can fabricate a Doggo sweater to keep him warmer! (adding a crafting idea)

6 minutes ago, Prestermatt said:

Green, glowing eyes?  Turns feral?  I'm not sure why dogs wouldn't be affected like the wolves are. That could create an interesting dynamic and dilemma for the player.

AWESOME idea!! 

2 hours ago, Prestermatt said:

What would happen to Doggo during the Aurora?

Thats a good question!

A> nothing..

B>  Scared to go outside! If he is outside he will run to the nearest shelter and stay in there (paniced) until aurora goes away.

C> thoughts?

5 hours ago, hozz1235 said:

Not a bad idea, but I'm afraid poor Fiddo wouldn't last long against the aggressive wildlife in the game. 

True if he was by himself alone, but you and him together as a team that's a whole different story.  Go find a Husky, Rott, German Shephard or a Doberman  and tell me you two wouldn't be a formidable team together?.  Intimidation goes a long way in nature

Besides lets be real, not like this is a real true wildlife simulator lol, So i don't see why Doggo wouldn't assist in deterring and attacking anything that's trying to eat you.  Big animals like the bear and the moose, obviously there's no chance there. Maybe a very very low % chance to scare away. Best he can do is bark fiercely and if it charges run away with tails between its legs. Or hell imagine the bear attack cut scene but this time your Doggo leaps on his shoulder biting fiercely and the bear swats him away like a bug severely injuring your doggo, (would be badass sorry! couldn't help myself lol)  But for wolves (the most common enemy)  I can see Doggo attempting to intimidate, deter and assist you if you are being jumped.

[EDIT] Tweaking more ideas into it =D

Why not add a dog companion to the game? Would add a TON of immersion for me.

Doggo will be a random spawn in the game that will be hard to find and require some trekking to locate. For easy games (Pilgrim, voyager) he can be an early spawn. For harder modes (Stalker, Interloper) He is a late game spawn after X number of days.. (60? 90? 100+?) You can add an ingame cue from Mckenzie when the game spawns him into the world (Its so lonely out here... there's got to be someone out there)

He will be aggressive/apprehensive at first, so you must earn his trust with food items and patience. Once he is warmed up enough to you he will begin to follow you.. thus the relationship begins between man and Dog!

Doggo must warm up to you, the more time he spends with you and is properly maintained, the more loyal he becomes and offer more services (alerting, hunting, defending you, assisting you). You can add a new Skill tree for Doggo showing loyalty level and abilities gained after winning X levels of trust (The skilltree is hidden from view until you find him so as not to give it away)

• Doggo will add a warmth bonus when sleeping together,
• Fetch items for you, sticks etc.
• Can alert you of wolves and bears that are too close for comfort
• % Chance to intimidate a wolf away from you
• Can chase and hunt rabbits for you.
• Sniff/Track Deer with scent and lead the way.
• Help fight and stave wolves away from you faster.
• Provide companionship (huge imho =) 

Will require:

Properly Fed/Hydrated, must maintain good diet of meat and not reach starvation, prolong starvation on your doggo and he will either run away, or die (man that would kill me even if it was a game) So now you are basically hunting and surviving for two.

Properly Medicated, yes your dog can get injured, especially if he is at the max loyalty point of defending you from wolves. If badly injured he will need several days before he is up to par. (Wounded/ limping and whimpering animations should be included!) So take care of your Doggo! Like above, failure to attend to his medical needs can cost his life.. 

Doggo can get cold just like you,  Will need to watch his temperature as well, maybe adding a craftable doggo coat! To increase his body temp/endurance.

Needs entertainment!  Yes just like you, he WILL get bored. You will need to go outside and play fetch with him once in awhile! Create a dogstick from a log and go play fetch! Or create a rope from dried intestines and play tug of war.. Doing so will help gain his loyalty more, and will also add great immersion for your character as well.