why would new players scavenge for loot if they can find a place to work all day for money to trade? why would new players search the whole map (1) if there's a map on a wiki showing them where the shops, quests, etc are to be found?

IMHO those are that kind of players that would quit after a while, anyway. How long can the game be fun for players who don't actualy enjoy playing it?
Also, I think those players you are talking about wouldn't get very far in this game. Like, you know, noobies forever, with low stats, without even knowing what they are doing and stuff.

So I don't think this is much of a concern.

if there was a trading system that works through a NPC, where loot was sold & bought for prices based on quality/quantity, then trading may work.

Yep, we already said that the trading system prices should be controlled not by players, but by ZP itself.

imo, a game tutorial/wiki/guide shouldn't be available. players should figure out everything on their own.

But then again, it can be pretty frustrating when player don't understand the game and cannot look at the tutorial / guide. That leads to the unpleasant situation, when the game is flooded by bored, trolling newbs.

Besides, people don't read, anyway (as you, more or less, confirmed in your own post ).

But tutorials are entirely different topic, so back to the original topic

if trading is implemented, shops should be "closed" ...the whole system should be trading/barter through NPCs in dark alleys where players can only buy what other players have sold. if you want a powerful rifle, you have to ask a player to sell it to the NPC so you can purchase it. new supplies should be given to NPCs periodically (not every 24 hrs at midnight ...but at random times)

edit: i tried to stay on topic this time

edit 2: and you'd have to make sure the person who's selling something you want sells it when you're online/in the alley so no one else will buy it before you

that seems fair.maybe allow trading at a certain level 2.

I must say that I agree that trading should be allowed, but also the NPC trading must stay too...

That way ppl can try to sell higher than the buy price of the NPC shop, while they can buy lower than those NPC shop item sell price.

For example : there's this M14 that's worth 9700 if you buy from the NPC shop, and then its sell price is at 5820. If there's an auction, some ppl that hate to be a sniper but found the M14 can sell it in the auction house for more than 5820, like say...9500, while the player who want to be a sniper can buy it from 9500, which is lower than those 9700 NPC price. Oh yeah, those item description while mouse hovering is also important, to make sure that everyone can see the base price of sell and buy in the NPC shop, that way they can't be scammed...

To think objectively, we must allowed the economy to grow even in Zombie infested city, and it's done thru auction-like market. Premium item must also can be sold in that Auction. That way ppl that can't have premium can also enjoy premium item, while the premium one can also gain money faster. That way, the dev can also have their only income (now, because they're jobless... ) and then can maintain good server condition.

For the real suggestion, visit this : http://blog.zombiepandemic.com/Forum/tabid/65/aft/3445/Default.aspx

Hopefully all you guys can agree to this and thus be implemented faster

(now, because they're jobless... )

Not true This is their job now

About longevity of the game, try this : http://blog.zombiepandemic.com/Foru...fault.aspx

Combine it with this suggestion can make the dev have real job while also maintain the good server condition (the server sux now, too many lags complain in the forum really have my eyes open)...