Gang zones - your ideas!

[Russell]

Hi all,

As Bakura and I have finalized the algorithm we'll be using for creating gang zones (check out the tentative map!), I'd love to start talking a bit about what we can do with such zones.

Let me first state what they are, and how they work:

• The zones will be automatically generated based on gangs who have created their houses in the same area.
  
• Gangs with enough VIPs will therefore be able to have multiple zones! (Since each player can have up to three houses.)
  
• The size of the zones will be decided based on the number of owned houses, their prices, how recently their owners have been in-game, and a few other variables.
  
• Zones may not overlap.
  

In the first release, they'll largely exist for decorative purposes. However, they will also prevent players from purchasing new houses in the area. Existing players can stay.

Then... what's next? Some ideas from my side:

• Gang members will automatically get some health or armour back when killing a player in their area (defensive)
  
• Gang managers will be able to purchase watch towers, explosive barrels, walls and so on to further defend the area. The prices of these will be significant.
  

Any idea that you come up with should be possible to automate -- we'd like to minimize the work for administrators in this area.

Thanks,
Russell