Let me be clear on what we are talking about here is the denial of an opt out option for people that enjoy playing with a controller just by the fact that they run the game on a different machine, that runs different software. We are talking about removing the xbox only tag from the controller servers. Please try to keep replies to factual information. That we have hackers, cheaters and toxic people in the community does not warrant a players preference or real life restrictons to limit the options the game should offer in the social interactive world known as the Sea of Thieves, Adventure mode. Bear in mind, some people cannot have or afford a machine dedicated to gaming, but do need a PC or Laptop for other aspects of life like school, college or work and have to use that for gaming.
Rare has decided that in the controller versus mouse and keyboard in regards to balanced combat warrants the opt out option. This is what they stated when they first introduced it into the Arena mode and is the reason they are adding it to Adventure no doubt. Arena is a competitive mode and has to work towards being able to host tournaments. It is all about winning, so trying to even out every small aspect where possible is logical; keep it as purely possible based around player skill as possible. A xbox tag here is maybe to be explained in this type of competitive setting, they want to create a potential for an e-sport and maybe because of the tag larger on xbox than PC, in which more variety will always be a reality.
Now the major question is why must this competitive attitude carry over to the Adventure mode. The seas that is meant to unite the community and have us interact, the social world! Where the signatures song of Legends is about we shall sail together! Now we have the opt out in this social interactive world, where meeting and playing with other people is central - it is not a competitive scene, even though some might approach it that way.
My suggestion is to change the opt-out option to just be controller in the future. Have Rare stand by their No Compromise Crossplay design and have them place it on the roadmap. The development is going to take time, just acknowledge that a persons preference to play with a controller even on a PC does not warrant the design choice difference in treatment between the two platforms, especially when it is in regards to one of the major game-play centric experiences combat.
My preference would have been not to have the opt-out at all, but to have Rare balance it out enough between input devices and I do hope they keep working towards that goal. If it really has to be in the game at this point in time, I do not think it is unreasonable to ask to not be classified by the machine we run the game on and then just denied the choice for a more balanced gameplay, the same choice that is being given to other people based on a different machine they bought. The question was always going to be: Why isn't this on PC or Xbox? according to their own interviews. What changed or why isn't it an issue between controller and mouse and keyboard on a PC if it is on a xbox? Some clarity at a minimum would be nice at this point in the community, there is a whole PC vs Xbox discussion going on, while lets be obvious about it: we are people not xbox or PC and yet people are flat out refusing to play with them based on a machine. At which point will Rare try to address the elephant in the room, their no compromise crossplay is no more. Is it still the goal to have a single community without VIP sections for Xbox or PC?
I know this is going to be brought up so, lets address it now hardware differences were always going to be a reality, that is just how the world works. Games have minimum requirements and that is what can play the game. It is the level of entry: Welcome you can join us!
Xboxes are stable, reliant and a good price to quality. This one is nearing its end, the next one is coming out because of it. That is how fast technology moves. The average PC player might be above xbox now in performance by a slight margin, there are people below and above both. Once the Scarlett hits the market, all of a sudden the average PC player isn't on par anymore with the latest xbox. Over time, because PC's are modular and you upgrade them bit by bit, based on what you can afford. The average PC will meet the xbox and surpass it by a little. Guess what the next version of the xbox comes out! Repeat. This has been going on for as long as consoles have been around, that has always been the case. If you want more in-game graphical options, performance aspects that you believe you are missing on xbox, please make a suggestion about what you want and you will have my support. The goal is still to balance the two sides and provide the best experience to everyone, not just some.
Adventure mode should be about anyone that hits the bar of entry is welcome to be the pirate they want to be. No restrictions, all pirates are equal!
