I often hate on PVE server topics but lately I've been brainstorming ways to potentially make it work. One idea I keep going back to is a single ship server "Party Boat" with a 10-15 player crew. The Ship would sail an automated pre programmed rout around the Sea of Thieves and crews can form "micro crew" parties to play and organize with friends. This Man' O War party boat would bring a new faction (The Regional Federation [subject to change]); and a new tool (flare gun) into the game. This game mode's purpose is to pit a war between the separate regions of SoT players around the world. (North America vs Europe vs South America vs Africa vs Asia). {These regions can be simplified into 2 or 3 groups depending on player population}
As the Man O' War sails around the Sea of Thieves, the crew can disband using canons to hop onto the islands it passes. You will be expected to maintain the vessel and get it prepared for combat. The crew will set out to discover cargo stashes and use a flare gun to signal the stash for collection. (collection is not actually performed). Cargo stashes are well defended by enemy skeleton crews and if you die, you spawn back on the Man O' War losing your shot at securing the stash. Securing the stash will secure points for your region. As well as securing the cargo stash crews will have to collect food, canon balls, and planks to deposit back on the ship. After a 15-20 minute period the Man O' War will begin a hunt. A hunt will be a battle of the Man O' War ship against a Meg, Ghost Fleet, or Kraken. Winning the Hunt will gain more points for your region, so you will want to make sure you have enough supplies to keep the ship afloat! The winning region at the end of a 45 day period is awarded with a high quality voyage for adventure mode.
Well, this is as much of this game mode I've thought about. I hope I was able to communicate my vision clearly. I think this mode would fulfill the PvE cravings while maintaining competitiveness and not making adventure or arena mode desolate.
