Caring for the camp

[éX-Driver]

Anyone else dislike the mechanic of having to provide for the camp? I know it’s not strictly required, but the game oh so does love to shame you for not doing it. And makes it obvious that Arthur normally does his chores. This combined with the fact you’re constantly on the run and in hiding constantly discourages you from exploring in favour of focussing on main missions. You never get an opportunity to really rest and just do what you want with no responsibilities. This ultimately has the effect of you breezing through the game and missing a lot of things because the game is always breathing down your neck about “get back here and give us food/help us pack and move because the law will be here in 13 seconds”. 

 

In essence, I’m whinging about the pacing and mood set in the camp. Hopefully Online will be better in that respect, because we will be a loner survivalist bushranger doing as we please. I don’t want the game to shame me for enjoying the side content, which is exactly what happens in the story mode. 

[Rykjeklut]

I made it a point to always bring back an animal when i'm back from exploring/returning to camp. Whichever way you do it, exploring is not a problem at all in this game.

[SAS_Intruder]

I think that camp function is to show you how much they depend on Arthur and how much lazy/incompetent most of other members are. Really, I am starting to hate most of them including Dutch, Molly, Uncle and that priest addict . 

[Hmmm nice bike]

I had Dutch come up to me earlier complaining about how I haven't donated much. Unless I'm missing something, it really feels like the game is just guilt tripping you over nothing important. Money gets added overtime anyway.

 

I do some chores around the camp if I'm close and if I feel like it, but knowing that nobody is going to starve to death if you don't bring any animals, I don't care nearly as much about the camp as the game probably wants me to.

[theEwing1979]

Money and food are so easy to come by. I find offloading stuff at camp is a good way to free up space and also stop my honor rating being completely rock bottom. 

Edited November 4, 2018 by theEwing1979

[brose_sfr]

18 hours ago, SAS_Intruder said:

I think that camp function is to show you how much they depend on Arthur and how much lazy/incompetent most of other members are. Really, I am starting to hate most of them including Dutch, Molly, Uncle and that priest addict . 

agreed!

 

i don't care for Dutch at all. i'm glad i know his fate. 

 

 

[saintsrow]

Yep, seems to me it's just a minigame kind of thing that was independently designed and thrown into the game, to add little bit of mundane realism.  But it's so disconnected from any actual game progress or necessity, that it just feels like a lazy add-on that they didn't have to think hard about integrating.  

 

I don't need bear skulls or skins to pimp out my crappy on-the-run camp tent. On the other hand, maybe the whole mechanic is presaging the kind of customization options in Online.  That would be sad.  

 

 

[hotrats773]

I want to beat Uncle's scrawny ass into the dirt but then I know thats not with the story.

I always feel a tinge of resentment when I return to camp and see the dudes just napping around while the money disappears.

[Darealbandicoot]

39 minutes ago, saintsrow said:

maybe the whole mechanic is presaging the kind of customization options in Online.  That would be sad.  

 

 

You know it is. And I bet there's either a massive grind, or a paywall to skip it to customise and add rugs, music boxes, skulls, stables etc. To the butt ugly mute Online characters camp. 

[Dangerous and sad]

I love the camp. It's the part I was most hyped about in the game so I always provide money and food. Plus antagonising people is so funny that's it worth the hunting for. Watching them go about their daily chores, you antagonise them and Idk why but the way they turn around to look at you always cracks me up. Plus antagonising Poor little jack never gets old. Poor chap looks like he's about to cry everytime lol

Edited November 5, 2018 by Dangerous and sad

[CryptReaperDorian]

Arthur: Donates $20 to the collection box and a half-dozen 5+ pound fish.

 

Everybody else: Donates $0.40 or a feather.

 

"Y U NO DONATE, ARTHUR?!!" -- Dutch and Susan

 

 

 

While this game certainly has a great cast of characters, Reverend Swanson and Susan Grimshaw act pretty much as a tail for Arthur. They never stop following him around, or shut up, whenever he enters camp. Those are probably two of my least favorite characters in the gang. And people found Roman annoying. . .

 

As much as I love the games developed by R*, I was never quite a fan of micro-managing/babysitting a "family" or otherwise being scolded for not constantly doing so. The rest of the gang should be a force multiplier, providing just about as much as Arthur is willing to provide through sheer motivation.

[Satanta]

Wife and I have a roomate who reminds me of Unlce, except for the drinking part as I keep my booze locked up after he sucked down three partial bottles of Vodka and a full bottle of something else in one night then tried to hide the bottles in the bottom of the trash because, you know, I wouldn't notice the bottles missing off the countertop where I keep them.   If he wasn't an old POS with health issues I'd pitch him to the wolves.

 

As far as the camp?   Too much like real life in my world-everyone sits around whining and then bitches when I do the work in a way they do not think it should be done.

 

Hell, I'd ride off and let them starve to death, return in a few months, load up anything worth keeping in a wagon, toss their skeletones in anotherwagon with their garbage and let it on fire and ride off.

 

I'm down by Flat iron Lake, Chpt 2.  Was gone a couple of in-game days hunting bear then Alligaters and some deer for the camp, come riding in and Dutch is like "FOOD OR MONEY ARTHUR!", like sh*t, so solly miss molly.  Went to check the records-I had left a little over $100 in there before riding off.   Same amount was there two days later and obviously no one else went hunting cause the cook was bitching as to how they were gonna STARVE to death!

 

If I could say it I would tell them-there is a frelling lake RIGHT THERE!  Go frelling FISH.  Put out some Trotlines and limblines you lazyassed f88ks!

[L1337]

I agree with this, I wish I could just do everything in chapter 2 since thats when it feels most natural for the gang to be at ease and not having to run to a new camp in an hour. Sadly there are gameplay mechanics and activities that arent properly introduced untill chapter 4. This would be easily solvable by not stretching out their «tutorials» of these activites and such over so many chapters.

[éX-Driver]

1 hour ago, Darealbandicoot said:

You know it is. And I bet there's either a massive grind, or a paywall to skip it to customise and add rugs, music boxes, skulls, stables etc. To the butt ugly mute Online characters camp. 

At least we will be able to make PvE cash by trapping and selling animal parts. That’s what I’ll be doing online; just being a survivalist trapper. Going into town only to sell what I’ve gathered. f*ck forced PvP. 

[Lonely-Martin]

I quite like it.

 

I enjoy the varied dialogue and many ways we can play this.

 

Helpful and busy, lazy and away from the group. All sorts of fun in it for me. Praised, dug out. All good fun.

 

But I do appreciate it's not for all.

[The Wandering Hunter]

so apparently there’s a food shortage atm

 

um there are 5 chickens running around and several large bags of grain.

 

and what happened to the guy who taught me how to hunt? he should go huntignif his hand has healed

Edited November 5, 2018 by The Wandering Hunter

[Gray-Hand]

I like the camp maintenance.

It reinforces important aspects of Arthur’s character - that he feels responsible for and is protective of the other gang members, and that he is important to their welfare.

i can see how others would not be that into it though.

[White Shark]

I enjoy doing the camp tasks. Plus I enjoy fishing so always bring back plenty of fish for the stew, so I never get moaned at. The donation tin does annoy me though from a fairness point of view.

 

After bank robbery:

Arthur: donated $700

Bill: donated 45 cents.

 

Yeah, good job Bill...

[tonko]

Uncle is so annoying and lazy. I antagonize him with every chance i get.

[RayD70]

I've donated literally a couple thousand to the camp in goods/food, items and money. I've improved the camp in almost every way. Everyone should be fat I've provided so much food. They've been swimming in high quality meat, and the goodies are always stocked up.

 

I get to a certain mission that, well, let's just say Arthur is unable to provide for a few weeks. I'm trying to avoid spoilers. The SECOND Dutch sees me, he's on my ass about not contributing in a while. Seriously, dude? I've put in 1000x more than the entire camp combined and YOU KNOW WHY I haven't been contributing recently.  Holy hell!

 

That does it.  Stringy meat and gamey bird meat is all they're getting for a while.

[The Wandering Hunter]

the real question is why the preacher exists. he has done nothing useful and annoys everyone.

 

just leave him next time we move.

[¡MAYDAY!]

On 11/3/2018 at 8:12 PM, éX-Driver said:

You never get an opportunity to really rest and just do what you want with no responsibilities.

Couldn't disagree more. I've been free roaming around hunting for the past week and my camp is perfectly happy. I stop in every other day or so and give them meat and donate some money and any trinkets or whatever i happened to find. Then I go back out for however long I want. Never had any complaints from the gang. It's really not difficult to keep the camp happy.

[feckyerlife]

On 11/3/2018 at 9:12 PM, éX-Driver said:

Anyone else dislike the mechanic of having to provide for the camp? I know it’s not strictly required, but the game oh so does love to shame you for not doing it. And makes it obvious that Arthur normally does his chores. This combined with the fact you’re constantly on the run and in hiding constantly discourages you from exploring in favour of focussing on main missions. You never get an opportunity to really rest and just do what you want with no responsibilities. This ultimately has the effect of you breezing through the game and missing a lot of things because the game is always breathing down your neck about “get back here and give us food/help us pack and move because the law will be here in 13 seconds”. 

 

In essence, I’m whinging about the pacing and mood set in the camp. Hopefully Online will be better in that respect, because we will be a loner survivalist bushranger doing as we please. I don’t want the game to shame me for enjoying the side content, which is exactly what happens in the story mode. 

well if you weren't cheap and contributed to the camp, they wouldn't bitch about the chores

13 hours ago, CryptReaperDorian said:

Arthur: Donates $20 to the collection box and a half-dozen 5+ pound fish.

 

Everybody else: Donates $0.40 or a feather.

 

"Y U NO DONATE, ARTHUR?!!" -- Dutch and Susan

 

 

 

While this game certainly has a great cast of characters, Reverend Swanson and Susan Grimshaw act pretty much as a tail for Arthur. They never stop following him around, or shut up, whenever he enters camp. Those are probably two of my least favorite characters in the gang. And people found Roman annoying. . .

 

As much as I love the games developed by R*, I was never quite a fan of micro-managing/babysitting a "family" or otherwise being scolded for not constantly doing so. The rest of the gang should be a force multiplier, providing just about as much as Arthur is willing to provide through sheer motivation.

Build up the camp more and then they  will contribute more, not much more but its noticable. instead of 60cents, it will be like 5 dollars. Last night i left camp and there was $87 in camp money, when i came back to sleep and turn off the game there was $137, none of that was by me. 

Edited November 5, 2018 by feckyerlife

[Nutduster]

I haven't even left chapter 2 yet so maybe I don't know in the long term, but so far I actually love the camp.  They struck a perfect balance of it being something you can fiddle with and lavish a lot of attention on if you want, or mostly ignore it and it doesn't actually impact your game very substantially.  It doesn't seem required but if you like doing it, it's rewardingly deep (sort of like how I imagined the businesses in GTA Online would be, but aren't).  Before the game was out I thought I'd be in the wilderness alone most of the time as I was in RDR; instead I find myself returning to camp often, sleeping many nights there and contributing whenever I can.  I'll probably be a bit less attentive once I've upgraded everything and gotten all the crafting I can from Pearson, but even then I think I'll still be hunting for them and making sure supplies are full up.

 

I find the camp to be a representative example of them figuring out some things they have previously not done very well.  Arthur's weight and hair is similar - the kind of upkeep I found kind of annoying in San Andreas has been done just right here, where you can interact with it occasionally (or just let it immerse you in the game), but mostly it stays out of your way.

[Dangerous and sad]

22 minutes ago, Nutduster said:

I haven't even left chapter 2 yet so maybe I don't know in the long term, but so far I actually love the camp.  They struck a perfect balance of it being something you can fiddle with and lavish a lot of attention on if you want, or mostly ignore it and it doesn't actually impact your game very substantially.  It doesn't seem required but if you like doing it, it's rewardingly deep (sort of like how I imagined the businesses in GTA Online would be, but aren't).  Before the game was out I thought I'd be in the wilderness alone most of the time as I was in RDR; instead I find myself returning to camp often, sleeping many nights there and contributing whenever I can.  I'll probably be a bit less attentive once I've upgraded everything and gotten all the crafting I can from Pearson, but even then I think I'll still be hunting for them and making sure supplies are full up.

 

I find the camp to be a representative example of them figuring out some things they have previously not done very well.  Arthur's weight and hair is similar - the kind of upkeep I found kind of annoying in San Andreas has been done just right here, where you can interact with it occasionally (or just let it immerse you in the game), but mostly it stays out of your way.

Night time at the camp can be amazing sometimes. Seeing people gather around the fire to hear escuella play the guitar at times is just so heart-warming to see

[Tonesta]

I see the camp as being there for those who love an immersive, role-play experience.

You want to make the gang your family - donate most of your rewards to them, keep them in food, medicine and ammo, and generally look after their needs, then you can.

I've been really enjoying that part so far (done one mission in Chapter 3)......never go out for more than a few days at a time, and the Donation Box/Pierson is always the first thing I get to when I come back. My Honor bar is nearly full white!

 

But if you can't be bothered with it, and want to play the game as a lonesome ranger - then you can do that as well, and the game doesn't penalise you at all. You'll just get a couple of comments from Dutch and Susan - and if you don't care about immersing yourself in looking after the camp, why would you care about that?

 

That being said, it is hilarious coming back to the Ledger and seeing Arthur Platinum Band, $12; Arthur $250; Arthur $250; Bill Bat Wing $0.25. Nice one Bill, way to keep yourself busy!

[Revrico]

I maxed it out in chapter 2 trying to finish all the missable achievements and quests. Kinda pointless really, I find more than enough ammo looting, and rarely need any tonics that it wasn't worth doing. The fast travel map is nice for getting started on trips though. 

 

Swanson kept me out of camp a lot though, just like real life, always getting hounded by annoying drunks.

[BatLB]

20 hours ago, brose_sfr said:

agreed!

 

i don't care for Dutch at all. i'm glad i know his fate. 

 

 

why does everyone feel like they have to spoiler sh*t? You could plain say he dies when you post stuff like that. Please keep the spoilers to yourself, not everyone is unoccupied and has all the time in the world to rush through RDR2. Some people just dont want. Its amazing if you don't go from "caring for camp" to "I don't like Character YX".

[Mister Pink]

The camp is genius because it's a one-stop shop. Upgrading your camp is cheaper in the long run than purchasing ammo and health from the stores. It's in Arthur's benefit and you as a player to upgrade the camp. I always go away for days but it's no harm donating all the unneeded stuff to the camp that you bring back. At first, I was a little cagey but then I started donating most of my money to the camp. It's worth it in the end. I've only finished began chapter 3 and there's only 1 thing I don't have for the camp (the boat). 

[Tonesta]

11 minutes ago, BatLB said:

why does everyone feel like they have to spoiler sh*t? You could plain say he dies when you post stuff like that. Please keep the spoilers to yourself, not everyone is unoccupied and has all the time in the world to rush through RDR2. Some people just dont want. Its amazing if you don't go from "caring for camp" to "I don't like Character YX".

Errrr.....I'm pretty sure that the poster isn't spoiling RDR2 at all - only RDR1.

Because anyone who has played the first game knows the fate of at least seven of the gang before the second game starts! And I think spoilers for an eight year old game are fair enough......

Edited November 5, 2018 by Tonesta