Do people play with or without static and/or random NPCs?

ianpwilliams · 2014-11-15T17:25:29.000Z

Ok thanks for that. So it seems to be a case of taking a risk bugs-wise if going for NPCs on, or playing it safe with no NPCs, which is presumably how the game was intended, seeing as both NPC options default to off. It does surprise me though, because from what I’d read about the game (albeit briefly), I got the impression that character interaction was a big part of the game, and that the zombies “are not the only threat”.

Either way, I’m guessing that having NPCs on would make the game dramatically different? And if so, in what ways?

And do many people here play with one or both of the NPC options on? I’d be keen to get some general views on the game from people in the various camps.

BigLie · 2014-11-15T17:35:14.000Z

They do crash the game though — shooting you point blank with a shotgun.

And do many people here play with one or both of the NPC options on? I'd be keen to get some general views on the game from people in the various camps.

This has been discussed before, actually.

http://smf.cataclysmdda.com/index.php?topic=8256.0

And another recent topic regarding NPCs:
http://smf.cataclysmdda.com/index.php?topic=7998.0

ianpwilliams · 2014-11-15T17:45:37.000Z

Thanks again.

Did an option get added to control the number of random NPCs? I note in that first thread that people thought there were far too many NPCs with the random option on, and I’m sure I would feel the same way, only wanting to see one (or a group) every now and then. Otherwise it would have to be static only for me I think.

And would it not be possible to avoid game-ending problems using manual saves and/or a system of rotating auto saves (if the game supports that)? Certainly if an NPC shot and killed me for no reason then I’d be fine with reloading, assuming the NPC wasn’t going to be programmed to do it every time.

BigLie · 2014-11-15T18:06:11.000Z

[quote=“ianpwilliams, post:12, topic:7897”]Did an option get added to control the number of random NPCs? I note in that first thread that people thought there were far too many NPCs with the random option on, and I’m sure I would feel the same way, only wanting to see one (or a group) every now and then. Otherwise it would have to be static only for me I think.

And would it not be possible to avoid game-ending problems using manual saves and/or a system of rotating auto saves (if the game supports that)? Certainly if an NPC shot and killed me for no reason then I’d be fine with reloading, assuming the NPC wasn’t going to be programmed to do it every time.[/quote]

No, I think.
Yes, it is possible, quick save before talking to the NPC; in case of problems, close the game, start it and load your save. As for programming, I am not sure. I did the quicksave-trick four times with one npc today — and each time he was hostile to me.

ianpwilliams · 2014-11-15T19:35:37.000Z

Interesting. Think I’ll have to give it a try with both NPC options on to begin with and see how it goes.

And in the meantime I’ll have a look in the suggestions section to see if anyone has suggested the option of controlled numbers of random NPCs.

Dec · 2014-11-15T19:55:52.000Z

I do like keeping both on, especially in challenge worlds with 0.1 loot spawns. AND when I have hobo/crackhead/tweaker characters who need to trade with NPCs to get their fix.

Lordpawn · 2014-11-15T20:47:06.000Z

I used to play with static on and dynamic off, right up until i spawned a new abandoned character and mr happy pink npc exploded me with a grenade 5 seconds in :(.

Chaz · 2014-11-16T06:24:13.000Z

I play with NPCs of all kinds switched off. Initially this was because of bugginess, but even after most of the issues were fixed, I stuck with it, because I like to play as the last (moth)man on earth, as it were. Of course, this comes with challenges of its own, like the time a bunch of police robots apprehended me and slapped cuffs on me (I let myself be arrested, thinking maybe something cool would happen like I’d get dragged somewhere, but I just got left alone, then got zapped repeatedly as I tried to walk around. The bots were waiting for policemen who would probably never arrive.)

HunterAlpha1 · 2014-11-16T06:32:14.000Z

[quote=“Chaz, post:17, topic:7897”]I play with NPCs of all kinds switched off. Initially this was because of bugginess, but even after most of the issues were fixed, I stuck with it, because I like to play as the last (moth)man on earth, as it were. Of course, this comes with challenges of its own, like the time a bunch of police robots apprehended me and slapped cuffs on me (I let myself be arrested, thinking maybe something cool would happen like I’d get dragged somewhere, but I just got left alone, then got zapped repeatedly as I tried to walk around. The bots were waiting for policemen who would probably never arrive.)[/quote]Wouldn’t it be hilarious if a bunch of zombie cops responded?

Dark_Star · 2014-11-16T14:49:02.000Z

I play with both active static because there are the refugee center and them remind me “the walking dead”'s survivor communities.Random because when i finish the battle against zombies,then…i start my battle against hostile survivors +__+

StopSignal · 2014-11-16T19:06:32.000Z

I had this run with no monters, and only NPCs (which I edited to make them hostile) it was pretty fun, running around evading bullets and being robbed, and still not being able to find a gun. The thing with this playstile is to make the item spawn almost inexistant, which I did not so it’s not that hard and fun. Looting though.

Dark_Star · 2014-11-16T19:26:52.000Z

StopSignal:

I had this run with no monters, and only NPCs (which I edited to make them hostile) it was pretty fun, running around evading bullets and being robbed, and still not being able to find a gun. The thing with this playstile is to make the item spawn almost inexistant, which I did not so it’s not that hard and fun. Looting though.

Bloody hell! O__O i think that i couldn’t survive in your world,it’s really hard xD

latogato · 2014-11-16T19:42:03.000Z

Mostly i turn them off. The game is relaxing without sudden (means npc) challenge. Sometimes i turn them on, but hostile npcs can be a pain, because they have a lot of hp and if they have a better gun… Some of them has a flamethower and set everything on fire. Also allied npcs are stupid, accidently shot each other or me.

StopSignal · 2014-11-16T21:10:08.000Z

There should e a way to poder their hp. You need a lot of bullets to take them down and it’s not fair.

HunterAlpha1 · 2014-11-16T22:28:16.000Z

[quote=“StopSignal, post:23, topic:7897”]There should e a way to poder their hp. You need a lot of bullets to take them down and it’s not fair.[/quote]It depends on what they’re wearing. NPC wearing armor = harder to kill.

StopSignal · 2014-11-16T22:32:33.000Z

Yeah, I know, but sometimes it is really unrealistic. You need a lot of bullets to kill them!

Loendal · 2014-11-16T22:58:01.000Z

Chaz:

I play with NPCs of all kinds switched off. Initially this was because of bugginess, but even after most of the issues were fixed, I stuck with it, because I like to play as the last (moth)man on earth, as it were. Of course, this comes with challenges of its own, like the time a bunch of police robots apprehended me and slapped cuffs on me (I let myself be arrested, thinking maybe something cool would happen like I’d get dragged somewhere, but I just got left alone, then got zapped repeatedly as I tried to walk around. The bots were waiting for policemen who would probably never arrive.)

I let myself be arrested once as well, for exactly the same reason Wound up just sitting around waiting for something to happen, then I think the cop bots started shooting one another and/or some NPC’s in the vicinity.

As a side note:

If you’re dressed as a Cop, the Eyebots won’t call in the robots, despite the alarm you just set off crowbaring into that building over there… I don’t know if it’s the badge or the shirt that makes them leave you alone though.

KA101 · 2014-11-16T23:02:34.000Z

Loendal:

[quote=“Chaz, post:17, topic:7897”]I play with NPCs of all kinds switched off. Initially this was because of bugginess, but even after most of the issues were fixed, I stuck with it, because I like to play as the last (moth)man on earth, as it were. Of course, this comes with challenges of its own, like the time a bunch of police robots apprehended me and slapped cuffs on me (I let myself be arrested, thinking maybe something cool would happen like I’d get dragged somewhere, but I just got left alone, then got zapped repeatedly as I tried to walk around. The bots were waiting for policemen who would probably never arrive.)

I let myself be arrested once as well, for exactly the same reason Wound up just sitting around waiting for something to happen, then I think the cop bots started shooting one another and/or some NPC’s in the vicinity.

As a side note:

If you’re dressed as a Cop, the Eyebots won’t call in the robots, despite the alarm you just set off crowbaring into that building over there… I don’t know if it’s the badge or the shirt that makes them leave you alone though.

Hmm. Were you really a Cop, or just dressed as one?

Loendal · 2014-11-16T23:08:03.000Z

Really a Cop, though I assumed it was the outfit.

I suppose there could be an Officer database that they pulled info from for Officer insert-name-here. That’s definately alluded to in the message given

HunterAlpha1 · 2014-11-17T00:48:15.000Z

[quote=“Loendal, post:28, topic:7897”]Really a Cop, though I assumed it was the outfit.

I suppose there could be an Officer database that they pulled info from for Officer insert-name-here. That’s definately alluded to in the message given[/quote]Oh SWEET! definitely gives a reason to choose cop as a profession!