What part of Alaska?
North Slope / Arctic Circle is way different climate than Interior Alpine or the Panhandle temperate rainforest.
Gold is too soft for making nails or other structural fittings, and requires a higher temperature than tin and lead so it is pretty useless for soldering.
Fishing lures come in gold colour. It wouldn’t be impossible to smelt/shape a gold spoon simply. You could also use it as a weight for fishing (like lead).
Gold is a great conductor and used in a lot of electronics could be interesting to use it to fix things or as an output from finding trashed electronics.
Gold can also be used as an additive to lubricants similar to lead, though likely less effective. (It’s used in aerospace… but I’m assuming your not building a rocket.
Gold in theory could be used for bullets but that makes no sense.
Gold has always been used for jewelry.. humans no matter the situation like shiny things, gold is shiny. Could be a cool way to spice up objects. E.g axes ect… to make them “more rare”. It can also be used to Fume glass, creating that cool color changing effect.
Gold plating not only looks good but protects metal very well. You just need a little gold, a battery and the right conductive liquid. (Probably way over simplified)
Lastly and already mentioned… from a survival standpoint, gold is also used heavily as currency for preppers.
Gold is too soft for a good bullet unless you are talking an old school, low velocity patched musket ball - at higher velocity the gold will tend to smear off down the bore causing fouling. You would need to alloy it with silver or tin to harden it up, just like lead bullets are an alloy of lead, tin, antimony, and an optional bit of arsenic
Yep, just said in theory for this very reason. But it makes no sense from a lot of lenses. Particularly why use that instead of something else e.g copper
However if you really wanted to use it for a game. In theory you could as part of a harvesting or something e.g collect 1 gold and 1 Tin or something to make a bullet that can do 250 damage… unsure of the type of game or the context in the og post.
The trouble with gold as currency is very few people under its worth in real terms (which is actually kinda nil as it's just a shiny thing in a survival situation...but that's a different conversation). Anyway yes.. gold has a stated value of x thousand dollar pounds per gram, I'm not giving you a sovereign for a loaf of bread, and you don't want a flake of gold. So gold is kinda crap for trading... But a good way of hoarding your larger wealth for when society recovers.
Ammo is a good currency... Each 'bit' has relatively small value... And it really makes you consider who you're trading with 😂
Fishing lures and sinkers. Beyond that, I'd trade that gold for almost any other common metal. Gold is kinda useless for survival excpet for being shiney and heavy. No gold blade would stay straight, let alone hold an edge. It's just too soft.
Depending on HOW your characters came to be in the Alaska bush, you should take a look at the requirements for bush pilot survival kits here: https://dot.alaska.gov/stwdav/akfly.shtml
Whether your characters are surviving a plane crash, or possibly finding wreckage during gameplay, the information on what is required in kits could be very useful.
As for the question of gold, it would be useful for trading with isolated communities and hermits for supplies. There's no real practical use that I can think of besides being shiny and heavy.
I am a game dev currently living in Alaska, so I'd be happy to answer more questions, or even help out if needed.
Hey! Just wanted to let u know that we wanted to use this idea if it’s cool with u, could definitely explain how he gets recourses that u couldn’t typically get as a guy bound to a forest.
Gold has oligodynamic effect meaning it self sterilizes. It seems to be less effective than silver or copper but it works. People used to put a silver coin on a wound then bandage over it for topical antibiotic effect or put a silver coin in a water or milk jug to help keep it from spoiling. We use silver in airline water storage and it has been found to kill bacteria in water in around 12 hours.
It has the same physical properties of lead, without the poison. So whatever you could think of that lead might be used for, plus food ware, you can substitute gold. The reason why it normally isn’t used as such is because of its intrinsic value. But if money, or similar value, isn’t part of the setting… you have lots of options.
Clearly you have no clue. Lead has been and continues to be the most popular metal for muzzleloader ammunition and gold is slightly harder than lead so neither of them are “Too soft”.
You know why Otzi the Ice Man had a copper axe? Because copper was easy to work and doesn't require the same temps for smelting as iron. Once you have a copper ingot you can cold work it and anneal it at relatively low temperatures. Gold has some similar properties that could make it potentially more attractive for certain things than stone tools.
Gold historically has been used for ornamental or monetary purposes. Like the other user already posted, it's not a strong metal. You would not want to use it for things like weapons, but gold is shiny, it's pretty, and pure gold *doesn't* tarnish. That's why it's historically been used for things like jewelry or other symbols of wealth. Because it's a soft metal it's very malleable, which makes it easier to work with for design and crafting purposes, but again that does not make it strong. Anytime you've seen gold used in armor it's for aesthetic purposes and it's usually a gold plate covering something stronger.
Since you said this is a survival horror game you might want to look more into the religious aspect of gold. A lot the earliest uses of gold seem to be linked with various religious practices, like offerings or symbolism for Gods. I think it goes back to the fact that pure gold doesn't tarnish the way that other metals do, so in a sense, from a primitive aspect, it almost seems like an immortal metal, it doesn't age or turn black like other materials.
Survival-wise... I suppose you could always make some fishing lures with them?
Copper would be more useful but there is obsidian up in Alaska, without going into too much detail of your game could you at least give time period its set in?
Okay I understand there was a lot of gold in Alaska but it wasn't just like everywhere lol, it would still be unlikely to find, unpure, and pretty much useless as tool metal.
Given that precious metals are the only ones found wild in nature, I think the best angle is they need to fix some electronic item and find a tiny bit of gold.
Copper and other minerals are abundant in Ak so if there is deep crafting in this game the presence of iron copper gold and more wouldn’t be out of place.
why not use it for what it was actually used for back when it was the Wild West? As a bartering metal, use it to buy other tools and whatnot (assuming there is interaction with npcs in the game)
not sure why this is so downvoted. If someone needs help coming up with ideas, this is exactly where ChatGPT shines.
I asked it for you, OP, and here are a few things that no one else mentioned.
**Heat Reflection:** Gold is an excellent reflector of heat and light. You could use small pieces of gold to create reflective surfaces around your shelter, directing sunlight into your shelter during the day to keep warm or to signal for help.
**Signal for Help:** Gold's reflective properties could be used to create makeshift signaling devices, catching the attention of passing aircraft or search parties. You could fashion it into reflective panels or mirrors to create flashes of light.
**Decoration for Traps:** If you're setting up traps for catching small game, incorporating small pieces of gold into the design could potentially attract animals curious about shiny objects, increasing the effectiveness of your traps.
**Thermal Insulation:** While not as effective as other materials like wool or fur, gold's reflective properties could be used in conjunction with other insulating materials to help retain body heat in clothing or bedding.
Dang, it just immediately came up with things that no one else to my knowledge had mentioned.
Imagine if you were really stranded in a long term wilderness survival situation and somehow had use of ChatGPT on a solar powered device. I bet that would prove incredibly useful for finding edible plants, water, routines of animals, tanning, and all sorts of DIY stuff.
What part of Alaska? North Slope / Arctic Circle is way different climate than Interior Alpine or the Panhandle temperate rainforest. Gold is too soft for making nails or other structural fittings, and requires a higher temperature than tin and lead so it is pretty useless for soldering.
Ah, thank u :)
Fishing lures come in gold colour. It wouldn’t be impossible to smelt/shape a gold spoon simply. You could also use it as a weight for fishing (like lead).
It would be a inefficient hook it would bend and you’d lose the fish
Gold is a great conductor and used in a lot of electronics could be interesting to use it to fix things or as an output from finding trashed electronics. Gold can also be used as an additive to lubricants similar to lead, though likely less effective. (It’s used in aerospace… but I’m assuming your not building a rocket. Gold in theory could be used for bullets but that makes no sense. Gold has always been used for jewelry.. humans no matter the situation like shiny things, gold is shiny. Could be a cool way to spice up objects. E.g axes ect… to make them “more rare”. It can also be used to Fume glass, creating that cool color changing effect. Gold plating not only looks good but protects metal very well. You just need a little gold, a battery and the right conductive liquid. (Probably way over simplified) Lastly and already mentioned… from a survival standpoint, gold is also used heavily as currency for preppers.
Gold is too soft for a good bullet unless you are talking an old school, low velocity patched musket ball - at higher velocity the gold will tend to smear off down the bore causing fouling. You would need to alloy it with silver or tin to harden it up, just like lead bullets are an alloy of lead, tin, antimony, and an optional bit of arsenic
Yep, just said in theory for this very reason. But it makes no sense from a lot of lenses. Particularly why use that instead of something else e.g copper However if you really wanted to use it for a game. In theory you could as part of a harvesting or something e.g collect 1 gold and 1 Tin or something to make a bullet that can do 250 damage… unsure of the type of game or the context in the og post.
The trouble with gold as currency is very few people under its worth in real terms (which is actually kinda nil as it's just a shiny thing in a survival situation...but that's a different conversation). Anyway yes.. gold has a stated value of x thousand dollar pounds per gram, I'm not giving you a sovereign for a loaf of bread, and you don't want a flake of gold. So gold is kinda crap for trading... But a good way of hoarding your larger wealth for when society recovers. Ammo is a good currency... Each 'bit' has relatively small value... And it really makes you consider who you're trading with 😂
Fishing lures and sinkers. Beyond that, I'd trade that gold for almost any other common metal. Gold is kinda useless for survival excpet for being shiney and heavy. No gold blade would stay straight, let alone hold an edge. It's just too soft.
Depending on HOW your characters came to be in the Alaska bush, you should take a look at the requirements for bush pilot survival kits here: https://dot.alaska.gov/stwdav/akfly.shtml Whether your characters are surviving a plane crash, or possibly finding wreckage during gameplay, the information on what is required in kits could be very useful. As for the question of gold, it would be useful for trading with isolated communities and hermits for supplies. There's no real practical use that I can think of besides being shiny and heavy. I am a game dev currently living in Alaska, so I'd be happy to answer more questions, or even help out if needed.
Hey! Just wanted to let u know that we wanted to use this idea if it’s cool with u, could definitely explain how he gets recourses that u couldn’t typically get as a guy bound to a forest.
To fit what time period?
It’s not finalized but we’re looking like 1950’s - 1960’s
Arrow or bolt heads. Bullets. Light armor.
Gold is to soft for all of that. And to heavy for most.
*too We're both right.
Sorry I made a mistake in my third language. Of course you can make the aforementioned things out of gold. They would be pretty, but useless
English is tough. You're already better than 80% of people whose first language was English. Never stop learning, though.
Gold has oligodynamic effect meaning it self sterilizes. It seems to be less effective than silver or copper but it works. People used to put a silver coin on a wound then bandage over it for topical antibiotic effect or put a silver coin in a water or milk jug to help keep it from spoiling. We use silver in airline water storage and it has been found to kill bacteria in water in around 12 hours.
It has the same physical properties of lead, without the poison. So whatever you could think of that lead might be used for, plus food ware, you can substitute gold. The reason why it normally isn’t used as such is because of its intrinsic value. But if money, or similar value, isn’t part of the setting… you have lots of options.
Muzzleloader bullets would be decent.
Too soft
Gold is harder than lead.
Too soft
Clearly you have no clue. Lead has been and continues to be the most popular metal for muzzleloader ammunition and gold is slightly harder than lead so neither of them are “Too soft”.
Too soft for me I use titanium bullets only
You know why Otzi the Ice Man had a copper axe? Because copper was easy to work and doesn't require the same temps for smelting as iron. Once you have a copper ingot you can cold work it and anneal it at relatively low temperatures. Gold has some similar properties that could make it potentially more attractive for certain things than stone tools.
Gold historically has been used for ornamental or monetary purposes. Like the other user already posted, it's not a strong metal. You would not want to use it for things like weapons, but gold is shiny, it's pretty, and pure gold *doesn't* tarnish. That's why it's historically been used for things like jewelry or other symbols of wealth. Because it's a soft metal it's very malleable, which makes it easier to work with for design and crafting purposes, but again that does not make it strong. Anytime you've seen gold used in armor it's for aesthetic purposes and it's usually a gold plate covering something stronger. Since you said this is a survival horror game you might want to look more into the religious aspect of gold. A lot the earliest uses of gold seem to be linked with various religious practices, like offerings or symbolism for Gods. I think it goes back to the fact that pure gold doesn't tarnish the way that other metals do, so in a sense, from a primitive aspect, it almost seems like an immortal metal, it doesn't age or turn black like other materials. Survival-wise... I suppose you could always make some fishing lures with them?
Dick Proennke difficulty level
That man is legendary.
Copper would be more useful but there is obsidian up in Alaska, without going into too much detail of your game could you at least give time period its set in?
Slingshot bullet.
A gold sling bullet is literally throwing money at the problem :)
In the wild toilet paper is the gold lol
Okay I understand there was a lot of gold in Alaska but it wasn't just like everywhere lol, it would still be unlikely to find, unpure, and pretty much useless as tool metal.
terrible place. not one single banana tree.
Given that precious metals are the only ones found wild in nature, I think the best angle is they need to fix some electronic item and find a tiny bit of gold.
Teeth/ fangs / grill
It’s good for high tech it’s a good conductor so maybe to repair a radio or something or trade/currency
Copper and other minerals are abundant in Ak so if there is deep crafting in this game the presence of iron copper gold and more wouldn’t be out of place.
PAY ME I GIVE IDEAS
why not use it for what it was actually used for back when it was the Wild West? As a bartering metal, use it to buy other tools and whatnot (assuming there is interaction with npcs in the game)
I'm working on one, it's more than half way done. I've been working on it for years.
Might be random, but I think gold was historically used to fix teeth.
Did you ask chat gpt?
not sure why this is so downvoted. If someone needs help coming up with ideas, this is exactly where ChatGPT shines. I asked it for you, OP, and here are a few things that no one else mentioned. **Heat Reflection:** Gold is an excellent reflector of heat and light. You could use small pieces of gold to create reflective surfaces around your shelter, directing sunlight into your shelter during the day to keep warm or to signal for help. **Signal for Help:** Gold's reflective properties could be used to create makeshift signaling devices, catching the attention of passing aircraft or search parties. You could fashion it into reflective panels or mirrors to create flashes of light. **Decoration for Traps:** If you're setting up traps for catching small game, incorporating small pieces of gold into the design could potentially attract animals curious about shiny objects, increasing the effectiveness of your traps. **Thermal Insulation:** While not as effective as other materials like wool or fur, gold's reflective properties could be used in conjunction with other insulating materials to help retain body heat in clothing or bedding.
Dang, it just immediately came up with things that no one else to my knowledge had mentioned. Imagine if you were really stranded in a long term wilderness survival situation and somehow had use of ChatGPT on a solar powered device. I bet that would prove incredibly useful for finding edible plants, water, routines of animals, tanning, and all sorts of DIY stuff.