Noise Traps

[Happy_Mask_Salesman]

I have recently picked up PZ two days ago and already have played over 20 hours, *Can you say addicted?*  So I have been able to become quite familiar with the game and its mechanics. Of course with only 20 hours played there is still much to learn about this game but one thing I've noticed is the lack of ways the zombies can be lured away or dealt with. For example, an alarm went off right across the street from my current base and attracted many zombies to the immediate area. At that point I had a couple options:

1. I could pick up my stuff and move.

2. I could clear out the zombies.

3. I could attempt to lure them away from the area by running around and shouting like a lunatic before pulling them away from the area and trying to loose them by jumping through houses and swinging around behind them before they notice.

Well I did not want to move and there were to many to clear out without being swarmed so I decided to lure them away. As I was running around yelling at the zombies I thought: "There has to be a safer way of doing this." I ended up with this: NOISE TRAPS! They could range from Firecrackers that make loud noises for a short period of time and attracts zombies to it similar to an alarm, to tin cans on strings that make noise when zombies pass through them to alert you of their presence. This would also allow you to simulate other survivors in the area with things such as tin cans being hung on doors and making noise when you walk in as if someone once lived there and put it there or having the what is now useless dolls have a rare chance of spawning a doll that makes noise attracting zombies in the area. Now lets head back to that last scenario, These are your options now that zombies swarm around the area:

1. You could pick up your stuff and move.

2. You could clear out the zombies.

3. You could attempt to lure them away from the area by running around and shouting like a lunatic before pulling them away from the area and trying to loose them by jumping through houses and swinging around behind them before they notice.

OR

4. You could set off a fire cracker a couple houses away and watch from a safe distance as the massive hordes of zombies shamble away from the area, you could then proceed to do the same thing till they reach the safe distance away from your home.

 

4 Sounds much nicer right? In no way would I want these items to be easy to get as they are very useful. *With the exception of the tin can alarm of course as you would have to eat the food and you have the tin cans needed.* But they would be a nice addition to the game and opens up new ways of play. These traps or distractions could also affect you in a negative way, the same way you get into a house and hear a dreaded alarm go off you could walk into an area or a house and activate a trap that sets off an alarm whatever it might be. This would be a common tactic in the real world as it would be the safest option and we all know in the real world and in PZ you don't re spawn, you just die.

Thanks for reading and any feedback is appreciated! What do you guys think?

-The Happy Mask Salesman

[Footmuffin]

I think this concept is already planned for the final game, and present in a partial state. Gunfire is highly attractive to zombies, so you can lure them with any spare ammo you have if you've found a gun. I like the idea of firecrackers and other deliberately triggered loud noises being useful for that too.

Welcome to the forums, and remember to check out this fun link that I'd totally hyperlink properly if I was on a proper computer!

http://theindiestone.com/forums/index.php/topic/192-commonly-suggested-suggestions-read-before-posting-unofficial/

[PhantomWarlock]

Something tells me cars will be great for this.....

[Happy_Mask_Salesman]

Something tells me cars will be great for this.....

Yes! Cars could have alarms but currently there are no cars in the game. :/

 

I think this concept is already planned for the final game, and present in a partial state. Gunfire is highly attractive to zombies, so you can lure them with any spare ammo you have if you've found a gun. I like the idea of firecrackers and other deliberately triggered loud noises being useful for that too.

Welcome to the forums, and remember to check out this fun link that I'd totally hyperlink properly if I was on a proper computer!

http://theindiestone.com/forums/index.php/topic/192-commonly-suggested-suggestions-read-before-posting-unofficial/

Thank you! I looked at the list before I posted and didn't see anything about distractions and such that the player can control.

[Impetiso]

I love the idea, so a big YES to distracting items.

I think firecrackers have a little problem, because in most cases you are going to be there seconds before they explode (meaning you are going to be quite near the point where zombies are going to look). Alarm clocks have the advantage of time programming but they make less noise, making them more tactical as you can make a trail of alarms making zombies move away efficiently.

 

By the way, ever considered the option of burning down the house? Just a different way to solve your problem.

[Happy_Mask_Salesman]

I love the idea, so a big YES to distracting items.

I think firecrackers have a little problem, because in most cases you are going to be there seconds before they explode (meaning you are going to be quite near the point where zombies are going to look). Alarm clocks have the advantage of time programming but they make less noise, making them more tactical as you can make a trail of alarms making zombies move away efficiently.

 

By the way, ever considered the option of burning down the house? Just a different way to solve your problem.

No it seems to dangerous even now. Yes timed alarms such as alarm clocks would be way better but you don't always have that option, Firecrackers have a short fuse but make a way louder noise than alarm clocks. While alarm clocks have a longer fuse but make less noise. Just a thought.

[PhantomWarlock]

 

Something tells me cars will be great for this.....

Yes! Cars could have alarms but currently there are no cars in the game. :/

I was thinking more along the lines of driving a car, putting something heavy on the horn, jumping out, and letting it mow down any zeds in the way, while also luring them away. And then, if it's still going fast enough, it would explode when it hit a wall. But, well, to each his own...

[Footmuffin]

 

 

Something tells me cars will be great for this.....

Yes! Cars could have alarms but currently there are no cars in the game. :/

I was thinking more along the lines of driving a car, putting something heavy on the horn, jumping out, and letting it mow down any zeds in the way, while also luring them away. And then, if it's still going fast enough, it would explode when it hit a wall. But, well, to each his own...

 

Cars usually don't explode when they crash, do they?

[Happy_Mask_Salesman]

 

 

 

Something tells me cars will be great for this.....

Yes! Cars could have alarms but currently there are no cars in the game. :/

I was thinking more along the lines of driving a car, putting something heavy on the horn, jumping out, and letting it mow down any zeds in the way, while also luring them away. And then, if it's still going fast enough, it would explode when it hit a wall. But, well, to each his own...

 

Cars usually don't explode when they crash, do they?

 

Burst into flames maybe. But usually no. That would be a very unsafe car.

[Flaros]

I think this is a great idea. It was one I was thinking of too. I certainly hope it makes it into the final game. Something to distract the Zombie Hordes would be excellent.

I miss being able to leave an oven on for a long period of time and basically set off fire alarms to lure Zombies to those houses. I think that feature got removed, but I'm hoping it comes back. Because I really would love to loot a house that's far from my base, set off the fire alarm when I'm a decent distance away and have all the Zombies get attracted towards that noise.

I believe you could do that back when you did the Tutorial Level with Baldspot and Kate if I'm not mistaken. Not sure why that feature isn't present anymore, it was brilliant.

[PhantomWarlock]

 

 

 

Something tells me cars will be great for this.....

Yes! Cars could have alarms but currently there are no cars in the game. :/

I was thinking more along the lines of driving a car, putting something heavy on the horn, jumping out, and letting it mow down any zeds in the way, while also luring them away. And then, if it's still going fast enough, it would explode when it hit a wall. But, well, to each his own...

 

Cars usually don't explode when they crash, do they?

 

In my world they do.... For I live in the darkest recesses of my brain.

[Bolgfred]

 You could set off a fire cracker a couple houses away 

Tz tz tz, why a fire cracker? Basically you can throw anything. And if you throw it into a window its even more cool. My personal favorite is the Kettle on a fire place. Long consistent noise and... yes you will miss your grandma's lovely kettle.

 

I have recently picked up PZ two days ago and already have played over 20 hours, *Can you say addicted?*  

Newbie!

In my world they do.... For I live in the darkest recesses of my brain.

Access card for your world, please.

 

And cars will explode if you get enough pressure on the gas tank. As this is mostly on the backside of a car and reinforced, it is unusual a car explödert in a frontal crash.  Make a fire  under the tank or shoot it. This might help, but probably not. Wizardry might give a solution.

[Happy_Mask_Salesman]

 

 You could set off a fire cracker a couple houses away 

Tz tz tz, why a fire cracker? Basically you can throw anything. And if you throw it into a window its even more cool. My personal favorite is the Kettle on a fire place. Long consistent noise and... yes you will miss your grandma's lovely kettle.

 

I have recently picked up PZ two days ago and already have played over 20 hours, *Can you say addicted?*  

Newbie!

This is true, firecrackers were only an example. I may be a noob but I survived for a month before I lost my character *Clicked the little clock while reading a book to see what it did, starved instantly.*

[ColonelSandersLite]

 

My personal favorite is the Kettle on a fire place. Long consistent noise and... yes you will miss your grandma's lovely kettle.

 

*That* is actually a really good idea.  Long timer though.

 

I'm actually a fairly big fan of the idea of using a kitchen timer, but maybe too quiet to get very many.