Wilderness Dangers

[Onionfighter]

In the earlier times of the first map, the wild, low civilization areas were fairly dangerous to live and travel in. Since most area was grassland, you would get constantly harassed by foxes.

When dynamic civilization levels were first introduced, the map's civ level increased to the point where most areas were fairly safe.

Then dynamic civilization levels were made non-linear, and some areas became a bit more dangerous. This carried over into the new map, but since the default land type was forest, the wilderness was more dangerous because of boars and bears.

Recently, the game was made more "noob friendly" by making it so that only bears would attack players. This shifted the balance of the game to make civilization levels not really matter at all with regards to forest safety, and all places essentially became accessible to all players.

I think animal attacks should be brought back. I understand that new players need to be able to wilderness spawn, but I have always thought that the dangers of wilderness travel really added to the survival experience. Perhaps in the next map there could be a greater amount of non-forest, usable (meaning non-swamp) land to let players have a place to live while allowing forest to remain dangerous.

Edit:
Suggested by theTrav:
Greater civilization given by hearth fires, but also quicker falloff so you only get a short "safe zone"
Animal AI that fears fire but will overcome its fear if provoked / tempted
More ferocious animals at night, but make em even more afraid of fire
Animals that will aggro you but can be escaped either by sprinting, climbing trees, or dropping resources.
Suggested by Sabinati:
Animals have limited stamina

[Bigfish]

I think animal attacks should be brought back. I understand that new players need to be able to wilderness spawn, but I have always thought that the dangers of wilderness travel really added to the survival experience. Perhaps in the next map there could be a greater amount of non-forest, usable (meaning non-swamp) land to let players have a place to live while allowing forest to remain dangerous.

I liked the old map where everything > lvl 3 attacked and hunted you down (didnt like that part a lot, maybe the could lose your track after some minutes or so). It was a lot more challanging though my first character was knocked out by a level 6 fox like twenty times and died. You really had to stick to civilisation as a beginner.

[sabinati]

the problem is that there won't be any civilization for a while in the new map. i would like it to be a bit more dangerous, though. i don't want to make boars and foxes aggro again. not sure what the best course of action would be.

[Chakravanti]

Don't forget about sharks.

But seriously...an improved AI could attack only players who had the combat level to handle it. Otoh...this just doesn't make sense. There is not danger from animals really regardless of level. They're just a major fuckign annoyance....regardless of level...

[Bigfish]

the problem is that there won't be any civilization for a while in the new map. i would like it to be a bit more dangerous, though. i don't want to make boars and foxes aggro again. not sure what the best course of action would be.

If animals would lose your track after 20-30 seconds of following when not being hit, i m ok with the old maps system. But it was rather bad to run away from a fox so only more foxes would aggro you and you couldnt escape.

[Onionfighter]

I agree that foxes shouldn't attack. Boars could still attack, but only if you move really close to them. Wolves should be the real threat.

My idea of having more non-forest was to allow areas like grassland to be safe areas that would be conducive to development.

[Seizure]

I like the idea of making the world more dangerous... It kind of became tame and bland, no sense of danger unless a ninja bear jumped out from behind a tree.

I would be fine with having animals lvl 3 and up attack, seeing as they do not camp your bodies anymore... Though, this will also lead to many newb deaths. A small price, seeing as the majority of new characters dont have enough stats to make it more than a few hours lost.

I agree that foxes shouldn't attack. Boars could still attack, but only if you move really close to them. Wolves should be the real threat.

My idea of having more non-forest was to allow areas like grassland to be safe areas that would be conducive to development.

Or this

[Chakravanti]

I'm sorry but the idea that the AI is a death threat seems about a stupid as swimming to me. Hence the mention of sharks.

IMHO the real life and death threat in this game should come entirely from two sources: Stupidity and other players.

Animals should be for resource gathering only and should produce no more significant skill development than any other activity. But again...just my humble fucking opinion. =)

[Onionfighter]

I'm sorry but the idea that the AI is a death threat seems about a stupid as swimming to me

Who said "death threat"?

[Chakravanti]

You said 'dangerous'.