Character development, more RPG elements but if you die, you not only lose your loot, but your character ability development. Still keep your shelter and stored items

[VancouverCanada 0]

I think it would be cool, if the longer you stay alive, the more your character has developed in strength and ability, like an PRG game. This puts more pressure on not dying, which increases the survive tension of the game. 

 

So, you lose the loot you had on you, and you have to start a new character from scratch.

 

Now the difference between a ability/strength-maxed-out-character and a new "weak" character should not be great, it should be a very subtle thing. A tiny bit quicker, a tiny bit more stamina, a little bit better aim, a little bit quicker at unlocking the safe, etc.

 

You choose what it is you upgrade on your character stats and you can only upgrade so much... You can't max out everything. So you can decide to balance your upgrades to have an overall talented jack of all master of none character, or you can put all your points towards sniper scope stability/aiming but lack in everything else.  

 

 

Maybe also, there can be a "leadership" ability, in which the game gives you additional characters you keep at your shelter you can change between, or even let a friend play as. Maybe up to 3. You can develop these characters differently so that they compliment each others abilities - some of which could help you, like a character who specializes in medicine and healing, helps you recoup quicker after coming back to shelter.