NPC directing signs? (EDIT: Future of Speech?)

Game Talk The Drawing Board
1

So I originally posted this for a Game called Project Zomboid, and I read a topic about NPC allies ‘accidentally’ stealing PC items. I remembered this and thought it might be a good idea, did a quick forum search and didn’t find anything so I’m posting it here.

Essentially it would allow a PC to modify NPC behavior without the Player needing to know how to Code. The player places a sign, and is then presented with a multiple choice menu allowing simple select A B or C to tell NPC’s how they should act in this area (Whether or not they like you determines if they decide to follow your instructions)

It would allow you to do things like tell NPC’s that they can take from a specific locker in the base
(And even how much they can take and when EX: If they are hungry they can take up to 80 Nutrition Value in items)

EDIT: As well the system could also be used in conversations too. An easy way to simulate realistic convos?

Changed topic a little for this game:
signs

Signs would let you write a message, when placing the sign, it would allow you to pick a tense, such as:
Warning
Welcome
Hint/Instruction (I.E. Hey! Supplies over here!/Store items here OR get food from here)
Etc.

For Example:
You know a building has a horde inside it, so you go near the entrance and place a sign.
You pick: Warning

Then you pick the sub category of: Don’t!

You then select the door/building. (Meaning Don’t: Open/go in there!)
For cata you might just select an option saying ‘Don’t enter attached building/area’ (Area meaning a Map tile)

You then select the reason (In this case it could be one of a few)
Zombies!
My safe house!
traps over there!
Etc.

Zombies would keep all but the stupidest/bravest of npc’s away, while saying its your base would keep npc’s from taking items from the ground IF they are friendly and warn others that they are trespassing.

A sign would be made from 2-4 boards(Or/+ paper), 1-3 nails, and 1 pencil, and can be reused.
For cata maybe allow the markers to be used for constructing ‘NPC Message’ to tell npc what’s what.

These signs could be used for all sorts of micro-management purposes, like telling the NPC’s where the food is located and where they can grab items from (When a human highlights the sign, the corresponding object would light up Or you could read the text), or telling them to NOT enter the one room with no barricaded windows or where your personal stockpile is.

It could also tell NPC’s where to drop their goods they gathered for you. (That would be under ETC btw.)
Each ‘Tense’ would have several sub-categories allowing almost anything to be told to the NPC’s.
With a bit of programming the NPC’s may leave signs for you (Though that might be asking a lot.)

So what do you guys think of signs?
Tense:Etc
Sub: Awesome
Reason: Because
Object: This post

EDIT: A thought just came to me: This could probably also be used to make a more organic speech system. using Tense and subject to simulate speech?

2

I kind of like this idea, but I don’t have the slightest clue how much of a pain in the ass it’d be to code. As I hear it NPC AI is a bit of a clusterfuck as it is.

Also, you could just put a sign outside your base and mark it ZOMBIES.

3

True, but NPC’s (Based on a stat like bravery or low INT) could still investigate anyways.
Code wise: It wouldn’t be very hard ( Don’t get me wrong not easy either), the signs would just activate an emotion in them of varying strengths based on their respect of you (Hate/Love) the ‘zombies’ would probably provoke a very small fear reaction in someone who knows nothing of you, and a good amount from someone who does.

And misleading npc’s is always fun, like saying ‘Supplies’ on a severely trapped building. :smiley:

4

Yeah, but from what you described, it’d be better to mark the sign outside your base KEEP OUT–ZOMBIES rather than KEEP OUT–MY BASE

5

true, but someone may enter your base thinking it is unclaimed/ needs to be cleared of zombies (If they are brave such as an officer/military) and then think (AI remember) that all your stuff is just loot.
Then you kill them for stealing and all their friends hunt you down for ‘murder’ for what seems as ‘no reason’. (AI is certain the building is ‘unclaimed’ after all)
If you mark it as your base an NPC will probably hold off on pissing off someone who can/will kill them. Unless they don’t like you of course or they are desperate.

6

Fixed that for you.

7

I’ve never taken Cannibal before. Or Psychopath, for that matter.

8

Yes thank you for correcting my grievous error. :smiley:

As well it could be programmed in that if an NPC dies from following an order/sign all the NPC’s of that faction will trust you less.
That way leading NPC’s to their doom will have realistic consequences.
Also there should be a way of covertly telling your allies to ignore ‘trap signs’ like a secret code I guess.