Will NPCs be killable? Should They?

In morrowind you could go back to a previous save.

 

I understand this, but whenever someone refers to an NPC when in game they're usually always talking about friendlies, I don't refer to mobs as "enemy NPC's". maybe my perspective is whack.

 

Why would anyone want to attack a friendly NPC?

 

The simplest answer would be, "Because they can".

I think 'sentient' NPCs should be killable, same as the wildlife, with the caveat that quest related NPCs respawn (cloning technology, insurance etc.). Killing NPCs should have consequences though, for example if you kill an NPC who can give you quests, he/she/it will refuse to talk to you after respawning, and will only grudgingly talk to you again if you do something to appease them (pay them a large sum of Pixels, give them a rare resource, compensate their insurance/cloning costs).

Other repercussions are shopkeeper NPCs will raise their prices if you kill them, some followers might leave if you make them attack friendly NPCs etc. Perhaps some might even hire bounty hunters to kill you, or some sort of galactic law enforcement to declare you an outlaw.

All this is assuming the NPCs will have alot of depth though, I realise implementing a system like this is a lot of work, most likely friendly NPCs will be unkillable/respawn without consequences like in Terraria.

 

Because murdering unfeeling things is fun.

 

I like that possibility to exist, even though I very rarely do it on purpose. (Unless they do something I'm against, but then they stop being friendly, don't they? )

Even in GTA, for instance, I avoid killing innocents. It just doesn't click with me, even though it's just "a game". I think it has to do with me wanting to find myself embraced by the universe and typically putting myself as the main character and wanting to act according to my beliefs. :alien:

 

But in GTA you play as an criminal.

I don't think we'll play evil characters in Starbound.

 

Because killing friendly NPCs can be considered just a bit of fun for some people, I always hear/read about people complaining how they can't kill "random friendly NPC" in "associated game".

Some people want and like to be evil in the games they play.

 

Some NPC's just have it coming.. Like those preacher dudes in South Bohan in GTA IV, for example. Or those Almsivi damned Ordinators.

hm.. maybe I have something against religious NPC's in general...

 

Oh hell yes, if there will be a NPC as 'helpful' as the Guide in Terraria in the early days, I want to just be able to rip his/hers spine out with my bare, metal hands

 

How about this, every NPC can be killed, although the main quest NPCs get swapped with new ones?

*Kill NPC* 1 - 5 minutes later a new NPC appears and takes it's place, first death could create a "safety clone" but then if it dies again it's hair would change or skin color etc.

Edit: Whoops, someone already mentioned this... Oh well...

 

You might despise their fashion sense or their voice.

 

Naw thats cute.

Heres how I intend to play my character, I'll let you decide if you think its evil.

I plan to travel the galaxy visiting worlds filled with beautiful productions of evolution. Then I'm going to take a sample of each and every one of those plants and animals if I can, before I wipe the planet clean of life. If I happen to find sentient life on the planet, I will enslave it, if I cannot, I'll slaughter them as well. I will then proceed to mine the planet hollow of all resources, leaving it a barren rock. I will then move on to the next planet and do the same. I will gather resources in this manner and construct a private paradise on a planet of my choosing.

People will play whatever character they want. Even if the game says 'You're a super cool dude out to kill this super evil dude and you're totally good kthxbye" people are still going to go around and be evil.

 

I'm glad I play mainly Guild Wars 2. You simply can't be evil in there. Evil is not an option.

Evil must be destroyed.

Of course, I also playgames like Saints Row, but in there everyone is evil, as even old ladies will shoot you with a desert eagle-like weapon when you look at them for too long, so it doesn't matter who you sent to the hospital or their grave in there.

 

Evil is a relative term, really. So as Florans you might be viewing human's ever expanding colony as evil, using up tons of previous resources, clearing planet after planet. Will in most humans views this is necessary for survival... or something like that.

 

Did this really turn into a freaking philosophical discussion over kill-able NPCs?

It's an open ended do whatever you want style game, some people want the option to kill friendlies, therefore friendlies should be kill-able. That's all there is to it, you make up your own reasons and framework if you're so inclined. Or not as it were, it's not like it would be required.