Something to keep you going

[Josephkhland]

I think that the only problem with this game (for singleplayer) is that when you manage to ensure your survival, Build a fort , with many Rain Barrels and farms, there is no other thing for you that you need to achieve. So I think that something must be done. 

My first thoughts were of having a Story for you to follow which will demand you to do other things than to survive. However I read there was a NO on allowing a different ending than that of Dying. 

So then I got another Idea : what if after you ensured your survival you could Wipeout all zombies remaining in town and then build a fort town for the remaining Survivors . You will have to increase your influence with other NPCs and so become their leader . Then they will follow your demands . 
You will be able to command them to Chop Down trees in a certain area and also you will also be able to command them to carry things around. You will also be able to command them Build things etc . If you become a bad leader a tyrant your influence will decrease and you will lose some of your followers. 

 

But that way the game will turn into a strategy one ... Well no you will still play your character and you will still have to survive. Also zombies won't be away for ever . They will keep coming as Hordes . And you will also have to protect your followers . You will be able to give them a weapon and have them with the order to fight zombies with it if they see one , or you will be able to command them if they see a zombie they run to a certain area. You will also be able to command them if they are scratched or bitten to commit suicide or to retreat. (Then you can kill them your self or have others do it for you). After you make the perfect fort town where anyone can survive you will get to the next Level .You will be able to fast travel to another town and give help or you will be able to help other survivors in other towns by sending them resources also you will be able to build a perfect squad and fight zombies.

When you die it is game over and you will spawn again either to the other town you have unlocked or to the town you have fortified.

 

So what I am basically asking is : 

-An influence meter : The Higher influence you have , the more chances of a NPC to accept your commands.

- In- Game Achievements : Those achievements will be stored to the world you are playing however this will require the game to recognise if you have a house that won't run out of food and also zombies can't attack you  . The same thing about the town Fort . When you gain the second Achievement you get the ability to fast travel to another town. Also you will be able to call for resources from your town while in the other town.

-Something to keep you playing after you ensured your personal survival

 

So what do you think ?

[Dr_Cox1911]

As far as I understood the whole NPC-thing from TIS your idea is pretty much exactly how TIS is planning it. I don´t think that we will get a real meter on how much they like you and I´m completely against this meter-thingy. The loss/gain in "trust" should be shown through npc-actions/talk and not just a bar filling up.

[Josephkhland]

The influence meter will just make them respect/trust you more as you are more well known for your achievements. Interacting with them will actually increase your relation with them (or decrease it ). 

If you actually think about it , what increase your influence is your relations so in order to increase it is required you interact with other NPCs.

[Sichaux]

Fast travel? DEFINATE NO.

Respawn in another town, same world? HELL NO.

Become leader and make a safe haven? FUCK YES.

Make PZ a more strategic game? DO IT.

[Kelgo]

Zomboid avoids meters except in the matter of health so you have a means to gauge the actual state of your character though even that could be improved upon by making the character doll on the screen have more graphics.

 

As far as make NPCs as diverse as you said, I sure hope they do as they gave us the hint they will be that complex.