Recruitment in GTA V

[Rockstar20124]

One of the things I really like in SA is the ability to recruit gang members to come with you. With a certain cheat you can also recruit everyone on the street Pedestrians, cops, you name it. It is pretty handy and even necessary while driving so they can shoot enemies. You can't manually aim or drop grenades from your car just like in GTA IV. It isn't the end of the world, but it is still a pity. I still have so much fun with Vigilante in GTA IV with manually aiming and dropping grenades near criminal gang members with stopping gang activity

 

But anyway, I think it's is fun to have multipe NPC characters following you. On foot and getting in the car with you. I actually think it's a shame they almost entirely removed this from GTA IV. In GTA IV you can call Dwayne for Backup. Then two goons come help you out and follow you. But you can't give them any specific orders. In SA you have two orders. Stay or Follow. So that isn't that great either. Could we maybe get a more complex tactical team command system with GTA V??? Maybe not as complex as a Ghost Recon or Rainbow Six Vegas, but at least have the option to mark a position where your NPC followers should hide behind? And maybe give a specific target they should focus on? Or start shooting blindfire as an Aggro distraction like Army of Two so you can flank the enemy? In Mass Effect this has been done as well. It is pretty simple. And with that game you can also choose what weapon and what special power/skill they should use. Obviously with a cool down period. In the original Kane and Lynch you also had squad commands. It wasn't great but it worked somewhat. If Rockstar could improve on this it could be pretty handy with big heists just like the best missions of Kane and Lynch

 

So, what are your thoughts about recruitment and giving orders to NPC followers? Should the amount of NPC be limited to two or three? Should they each have different skills simular to Mass Effect and even The Godfather II videogame? Should it be more simple like Army of Two / Kane and Lynch or should it be more complex like Rainbow Six Vegas? Simple positioning and targeting enemies? Or advanced breach / frag / flash / (silently) open and clear rooms with enemies?

 

Personally I would love to have some control of NPC followers which isn't the case with GTA IV. And I would like to see the cheat back where you can recruit everyone on the street. From homeless people to cops to bikers to regular people to hookers Also, wouldn't it be great if you can order them to drive their own vehicle? With TBOGT with the Drug Wars activity those two friends always show up. If you take a 2 person vehicle, the second friend will take another vehicle close by. This one time returning back with the stash I was driving a 2 person sportscar with the first friend and the second friend would follow me at the very same high speed...with a forklift truck He was tumbling and turning on his axis the whole time but he remained close to me. Really funny to see that

[GTA_stu]

It was fun in SA to go cruising with your homies. I used to get right in to it and get a huntly sport then go to transfender and make it black with big rims, basically trying to look "gangsta". Then I'd go recruit some guys n do drive-byes, getting in a chopper with multiple people was fun as well.

 

In IV you could use dwayne's boys. I never experienced it myself since I couldn't be arsed to be around with his whining moaning attitude. I used to call him "drain" because he would drain your energy away with his incessant whinging.

 

I liked in VC when you had guards at your mansion, it'd be cool if you could hire your own personal body guards to come with you when you wanted. But as for the tactical orders I'm ok with keeping it simple. Maybe a "kill him" marker, but it's more about the actual act of having back up for me, not bothered about the orders as much.

 

 

[Maxsbigbro]

The idea of telling an npc where to go kind of sounds like a mission in RDR where you had to tell some rebels where to place bombs by standing at a spot you want and pressing a button, maybe something like this will show up?

[Silentype]

I hope R* goes greatly in depth in this area,(especially, and hopefully, if we get a protagonist who becomes a/the boss.) and combines and improves upon gameplay elements found in the warriors, scarface, assassins creed brotherhood & godather 2.(to name a few.) For instance, it would be nice if at certain point in the game(when 1 has become a crime boss.) you could give out edicts/commands to the criminal organization you run in a variety of areas. For example,(in my ideal view) you could "recruit"(members of you organization, freelance hitmen, defectors from a rival organization/group/gang you may be at war with) like sa but have more commands to give them(like the warriors but expanded) like you suggested, but you also could give out orders to npcs to carry out such as, main story missions(if an individual so chooses. assassinations, gang wars, extortions,extortion rates/money collecting, drug pickups, the list goes on(from afar) that would be carried out without the player having to be around and could be driven and/or walked to and "observed" being carried out by the player(like a real boss.)

[krammkracker]

I loved the recruitment option in SA, it made the game just that much more fun to have your "homies" cruising with you, or to go into a helicopter with them and jump out and watch them splat like bugs on the ground.... goodtimes.

 

I hope that most of the features from VC and San Andreas make a return in 5. (I'd kill for another mahem icon)

[Matty]

I also loved the fact that you could recruit your gang members in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, the only problem was that they were only good for bodyguards, and by bodyguards I mean taking bullets for you. This was at least somewhat rectified in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories.

 

I have said this before, or maybe something similar; in another topic -- I would like it if your recruits gained experience and ranked up by doing missions, killing rival gang members etc. The higher a gang members rank, the more damage they deal to enemy gang members. If your recruited gang members are seriously injured in a gun-fight or whatnot, then you should be able to call an ambulance to come along and heal the injured gang member, but as a consequence; the gang member looses experience.

 

A system like that would have to have serious constraints though. Maybe having only a maximum of two gang members recruited to your group at any one time? They would follow you around during missions, and you wouldn't have to recruit new gang members if you save with them recruited, and reload the game. That would make things more balanced, and you can focus on improving the experience level of the two gang members rather then focusing on a whole mob of inexperienced gang members. I would also like it if you could equip them with different weapons also, based on their experience levels.

[Silentype]

 

I also loved the fact that you could recruit your gang members in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, the only problem was that they were only good for bodyguards, and by bodyguards I mean taking bullets for you. This was at least somewhat rectified in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories.

 

I have said this before, or maybe something similar; in another topic -- I would like it if your recruits gained experience and ranked up by doing missions, killing rival gang members etc. The higher a gang members rank, the more damage they deal to enemy gang members. If your recruited gang members are seriously injured in a gun-fight or whatnot, then you should be able to call an ambulance to come along and heal the injured gang member, but as a consequence; the gang member looses experience.

 

A system like that would have to have serious constraints though. Maybe having only a maximum of two gang members recruited to your group at any one time? They would follow you around during missions, and you wouldn't have to recruit new gang members if you save with them recruited, and reload the game. That would make things more balanced, and you can focus on improving the experience level of the two gang members rather then focusing on a whole mob of inexperienced gang members. I would also like it if you could equip them with different weapons also, based on their experience levels.

Well if R* were to implement their own version of items found in others games(assassins creed brotherhood & godfather 2, for example) that I feel they could've and should've done before these games did then it would alleviate the problem associated with your ranking up idea.(It wouldn't have to have "serious constraints" as you stated, seeing as games that aren't quite, in my opinion, on the same level of gta have already done what you seem to suggest R* can't do and which, unfortunately R* hasn't done yet or completely gotten right, in my opinion.)

Edited July 3, 2011 by Silentype

[20cent]

Maybe you could recruit someone at different positions in the gang. Recruit foot soldiers (who specialize in dealing drugs or shooting people) then you build up that recruit in whatever skill you think he needs. Give him skills in gun handling then he can level up to an enforcer. Levels up in drug dealing then he helps bring more revenue to your gang. You ask "but how do we level up the recruits 20?" well you send them out on missions a la Assassins Creed:Brotherhood. Example:

 

1.)José Canstelleta was promoted from Soldier to War Lord.

For $2500 Send José to take out a mob boss in Vice City (+10 Accuracy) 78% success rate

 

2.)Ralph Vega has been recruited into your gang.

 

3.)Tyrone Dubose has been promoted from Middle Man to Supplier.

For $1250 Send Tyrone to Algonquin for business (-25 Ecstacy, +20 Connection) 65% success rate

 

...and so on.

[GTA_stu]

It'd be great if you could have a team of body guards following you around in a seperate car. You drive around in a a sports car, and you're cloesly followed around by your guys in a black sedan or SUV who are ready to spring into action if any sh*t goes down.

 

I really it liked in The Godfather II where you could choose your gangs clothes individually, so you could put them in black suits or have them looking more casual. I just have a great picture in my mind of the reservoir dogs scene with a bunch of guys in black suits wearing shades strutting down the street; the epitome of cool.

[Official General]

It'd be great if you could have a team of body guards following you around in a seperate car. You drive around in a a sports car, and you're cloesly followed around by your guys in a black sedan or SUV who are ready to spring into action if any sh*t goes down.

 

I really it liked in The Godfather II where you could choose your gangs clothes individually, so you could put them in black suits or have them looking more casual. I just have a great picture in my mind of the reservoir dogs scene with a bunch of guys in black suits wearing shades strutting down the street; the epitome of cool.

@ GTA_stu

 

I know you don't like Dwayne and his whining, but you should make friends with him to get the gang member help benefits. Once you do, whenever you call the gang members up for back up, go to any area with other gang members (eg. Firefly Projects, North Holland or Acter) and start trouble there - just watch crazy gunfights go down between Dwayne's boys and rival gang members!!

[Finn 7 five 11]

Maybe you could recruit someone at different positions in the gang. Recruit foot soldiers (who specialize in dealing drugs or shooting people) then you build up that recruit in whatever skill you think he needs. Give him skills in gun handling then he can level up to an enforcer. Levels up in drug dealing then he helps bring more revenue to your gang. You ask "but how do we level up the recruits 20?" well you send them out on missions a la Assassins Creed:Brotherhood. Example:

 

1.)José Canstelleta was promoted from Soldier to War Lord.

For $2500 Send José to take out a mob boss in Vice City (+10 Accuracy) 78% success rate

 

2.)Ralph Vega has been recruited into your gang.

 

3.)Tyrone Dubose has been promoted from Middle Man to Supplier.

For $1250 Send Tyrone to Algonquin for business (-25 Ecstacy, +20 Connection) 65% success rate

 

...and so on.

Actually in TLAD this was implemented slightly when you had those big gun battles and your gang members would gain fight experience.

[20cent]

Now that you mention it you're absolutely right! They could make it work lol

[Rockstar20124]

 

I hope R* goes greatly in depth in this area,(especially, and hopefully, if we get a protagonist who becomes a/the boss.) and combines and improves upon gameplay elements found in the warriors, scarface, assassins creed brotherhood & godather 2.(to name a few.) For instance, it would be nice if at certain point in the game(when 1 has become a crime boss.) you could give out edicts/commands to the criminal organization you run in a variety of areas. For example,(in my ideal view) you could "recruit"(members of you organization, freelance hitmen, defectors from a rival organization/group/gang you may be at war with) like sa but have more commands to give them(like the warriors but expanded) like you suggested, but you also could give out orders to npcs to carry out such as, main story missions(if an individual so chooses. assassinations, gang wars, extortions,extortion rates/money collecting, drug pickups, the list goes on(from afar) that would be carried out without the player having to be around and could be driven and/or walked to and "observed" being carried out by the player(like a real boss.)

Really liking the idea of a kingpin/boss as the protagonist Yeah, elements from The Godfather 2 game like Dons' View of whatever it's called. Managing clubs/businesses/basically your whole expanding empire almost light RTS style. Sort of similar with Assassins Creed. There you get more money from your properties if you invest in the structure and style and such

 

Having NPC members doing non or light story driven missions would be cool. Sort of like the Drug Wars in TBOGT. But then you can let them do it without you with maybe a succes rate percentage before you start. With maybe a money penalty if they fail as well. Sort of taking a chance/gamble. But you should be able to join them. And obviously you the player has to be in control when there is a story heavy sequence with possible decision moments

 

I also would like to give orders to a foot solider/goon/henchman or a story driven character when it comes to driving. Like a personal driver I suggested in my Improved Public Transport topic And not the simple fade out like in LA Noire to your destination. But like GTA IV with the taxi system. You could enjoy the whole ride. But you could also skip it. And as a crime boss I definitely want to be driven by limousine with two hot ladies sitting beside me as a public transport I also mentioned in that other topic of mine. Or what to think of a limousine with a hottub and girls in the back. Maybe also watching some tv or surfing the internet or doing mini games while being driven as well? How cool would that be?

 

It would indeed be nice to customize your npc followers as well Reservoir Dogs style And I also like the idea of npc followers having their own speciality and leveling up and getting stronger/doing more damage as well

[Silentype]

 

I hope R* goes greatly in depth in this area,(especially, and hopefully, if we get a protagonist who becomes a/the boss.) and combines and improves upon gameplay elements found in the warriors, scarface, assassins creed brotherhood & godather 2.(to name a few.) For instance, it would be nice if at certain point in the game(when 1 has become a crime boss.) you could give out edicts/commands to the criminal organization you run in a variety of areas. For example,(in my ideal view) you could "recruit"(members of you organization, freelance hitmen, defectors from a rival organization/group/gang you may be at war with) like sa but have more commands to give them(like the warriors but expanded) like you suggested, but you also could give out orders to npcs to carry out such as, main story missions(if an individual so chooses. assassinations, gang wars, extortions,extortion rates/money collecting, drug pickups, the list goes on(from afar) that would be carried out without the player having to be around and could be driven and/or walked to and "observed" being carried out by the player(like a real boss.)

Really liking the idea of a kingpin/boss as the protagonist Yeah, elements from The Godfather 2 game like Dons' View of whatever it's called. Managing clubs/businesses/basically your whole expanding empire almost light RTS style. Sort of similar with Assassins Creed. There you get more money from your properties if you invest in the structure and style and such

 

Having NPC members doing non or light story driven missions would be cool. Sort of like the Drug Wars in TBOGT. But then you can let them do it without you with maybe a succes rate percentage before you start. With maybe a money penalty if they fail as well. Sort of taking a chance/gamble. But you should be able to join them. And obviously you the player has to be in control when there is a story heavy sequence with possible decision moments

 

I also would like to give orders to a foot solider/goon/henchman or a story driven character when it comes to driving. Like a personal driver I suggested in my Improved Public Transport topic And not the simple fade out like in LA Noire to your destination. But like GTA IV with the taxi system. You could enjoy the whole ride. But you could also skip it. And as a crime boss I definitely want to be driven by limousine with two hot ladies sitting beside me as a public transport I also mentioned in that other topic of mine. Or what to think of a limousine with a hottub and girls in the back. Maybe also watching some tv or surfing the internet or doing mini games while being driven as well? How cool would that be?

 

It would indeed be nice to customize your npc followers as well Reservoir Dogs style And I also like the idea of npc followers having their own speciality and leveling up and getting stronger/doing more damage as well

Options is the keyword to me. If I want to sit back(once i'm the boss) and let my underlings,foot soldiers, npcs etc. essentially carry out almost the entirety of the game from side activities, to storyline missions, to whatever, I want to be able to do that, if I don't want to do that but want to be a 1 man army, I want to be able to do that too, and even yet still, if I want to recruit a bunch of killers, gangsters, thugs(you get the point.) to come along with me and play as a "squad leader" type of deal I want to be able to do that as well.( Variety much like the various ways to kill a "mark" in the hitman series, not just 1, and considering the fact that it's gta the variety would be much bigger in scope, allowing various ways to carry out a mission on various levels, and adding vast replayability in just 1 segment of the game, nevermind the side missions and other miscellaneous things.)

 

Btw, I can not emphasise enough, "options" the keyword in this summary.(just had to put that out there for the people who suggest that having npcs carry out storyline missions shouldn't be in the game. It's just 1 of the many "options" that doesn't have to be explored by people who deem it unnecessary, 1 in which I personally would like to use on a certain type of mission, such as the assassination of a major underworld figure and rival. To be able to order the hit, sit back somewhere in a car or whatever with myself or gangmembers I recruited and watch it being carried out by other "npcs" I sent to do the deed, would give the video game equivalent and feeling of being John Gotti when he had killers kill his boss and assumed leadership, nothing would be sweeter in a gta/crime game than to replicate that and many other "mob/crime boss" type things, if you ask me.

Edited July 17, 2011 by Silentype

[visionist]

This thread is Pure Gold. I encourage R* to implement every single idea here, if not in V then on next gen consoles.

[Punk-in-Drublic]

I always liked Dwayne's back up in GTA IV, that was sometimes helpful during missions (Even if the AI was a bit sh*t). If GTA V had a more gang crime related theme it would be good to be able to recruit a few people to accompany you. You could possibly pay to upgrade them, e.g. body armour, more powerful weapons (but not too over the top, just different variations of melee, pistols and sub-machine guns), clothing etc. Maybe even the same customization as GTA IV's multiplayer characters.

 

Just a little thing I remembered from San Andreas was recruiting the maximum amount of gang members and driving them all over the state in a bus, I think they all ended up getting killed in Las Venturas though, haha. That was fun and it would be great to have something similair in the next installment.

 

Remember, GTA IV was just the beginning of what Rockstar can do with RAGE/Euphoria, now they have had more chance to play with it and experiment with other games, just think what they can do with V.

[_GTAFREAK_]

I'm not against the recruitment thing... but you guys need to admit that SA's recruitment was almost USELESS because of the almost "blind aiming" of the homies!! They can't shoot for sh*t!!

However they might become a little bit useful ONLY AFTER you sprayed the city and giving better guns (Desert Eagles and SMGs) to the gang... but, if recruitment is coming back, then R* should make the NPC's accuracy work better this time!

[gtafreak102]

This is a really good idea. But the things I did hate about SA's recruitment is that you can only do basic commands like "Jacob shoot him" "Jacob kill that gang member. I want more advanced commands like "Jacob there's a drug deal going on go steal the stash." "Jacob there's a helicopter filled with weapons and it's about to take off. Here's this parachute get the weapons. Maybe with a selling drugs feature you can get easy money while raising his toughness level.