Opting out of PvP

  • Hawkeye Pi3rce

    First off, I’d like to say that I’ve never had more fun at the launch day for Sea of Thieves. It’s already one of my favorite games to play with friends.

    Now the game does have a series of iffs that aren’t too concerning, but my biggest concern is the PvP aspect of the game.

    The naval combat in SoT is amazing, I can’t compare it to anything. But a lot of the time, I enjoy random island-hopping voyages alone or with my friends. Not really treasure hunting, just exploring the map. We always have a good time until some aggressive crew in a galleon (or two man sloop when I’m alone) and ruins everything. You can shout and holler all you want that you A) don’t have any treasure, B) don’t want to fight, or a combination of the two but you just end up waiting to respawn at a safe island (or your ship if it by some miracle hasn’t been sunk.)

    Personally, I’d like to see a way to flag yourself as no PvP or make different sessions based on your preferences, like Red Dead’s friendly servers (or slightly passive aggressive.)

    The pirate code states “the sea calls to all of us,” and “respect new pirates and their voyages.” I honestly believe this game benefits more from its exploration and adventure rather than the player versus player combat, and would like to see a way to build on that, for new players and explorers like myself.

  • Login To Reply
    76
    Posts
    25.9k
    Views
  • Edward Doe
    Marauder

    An exploration mode without PvP would make this game something to play everyday for long time instead of doing a short voyage, turning it in and leaving. I love sailing and solving riddles, and it's all so relaxing... Until you see another ship.

    A separated instance for non-pvp players really would add a lot to the game, people that don't want to PvP would enjoy it and keep playing it just as happy as people that like it do now. Seeing another ship and actually interacting with them beyond getting shot a thousand times over and over even if you're playing music to them or drinking would be awesome.

    Also, really don't understand why PvP people are so against this. It's like they want people that don't want to PvP in their servers so they have some easy targets. Just let people have fun their own way.

  • Im Axis Rahl
    Marauder
    Insider

    No PvP would mean no risk. If you don't want risk you shouldn't get rewards. Or you shouldn't be able to bring them to the normal servers.

    It is possible to have friendly interactions. I've had tons.

    Honestly, I think even you would get bored if there was no risk of running into other players.

  • RedH4wk91

    I think it’s à nice idea maybe not Friendly servers, just if we could buy flags to put on our boats to say if we are friendly or not, like a black flag with skull and bones

  • Chilly0123
    Seafarer

    I'm the exact opposite, I feel too safe when i play at the moment and wish I could run into other players more often.

  • Ctl x Alt x Del
    Master
    Insider
    Founder

    @im-axis-rahl said in Opting out of PvP:

    No PvP would mean no risk. If you don't want risk you shouldn't get rewards. Or you shouldn't be able to bring them to the normal servers.

    That's not true. Risk does not equal reward, effort does. If I work to solve a riddle or clear a fort, why don't I deserve it if I'm the only player on the server?

  • GateShark
    Captain
    Insider
    Founder

    @redh4wk91 I agree. I would like the ability to fly different flags to show others my intent before a possible encounter.

  • CheeseMogul7566
    Ship Mate

    @ctl-x-alt-x-del Because they are EASY without the threat of other players. Theres no effort or risk involved

  • SpringOtter
    Master

    @im-axis-rahl Honestly it's not up to you to tell other people when they're going to get bored. You sound like a politician telling people what they want.

  • Business Beagle

    @hawkeye-pi3rce there are several threads and tutorials on ways to avoid PvP without altering the game. I strongly suggest you look into this.

  • Stonewall386
    Marauder
    Founder

    If you look at the definitions of piracy, you'll see that it fits with the theme. I think the game might be designed with that very intention. Ships at sea who are just doing honest work have to try and avoid or outrun ships that might do them harm.

    Having separate modes for PVP would mean that PVP servers are full of nothing but ships that want to fight. Part of the game is to find merchants/traders to prey on.

    Pro-tip: If you're solo in a sloop, you can always outrun and outsail a galleon into the wind.

  • Edward Doe
    Marauder

    @im-axis-rahl said in Opting out of PvP:

    No PvP would mean no risk. If you don't want risk you shouldn't get rewards. Or you shouldn't be able to bring them to the normal servers.

    It is possible to have friendly interactions. I've had tons.

    Honestly, I think even you would get bored if there was no risk of running into other players.

    Honestly, they could make it so that the rewards from PvP servers and the ones from PvE are separated, I couldn't care less... It's not like I would want to use the PvP servers at all anyway.

    Also, you would be running into other players, just you'd know they wouldn't shoot you on sight because they wouldn't be interested on it (as they would go to the pvp server instead) and it would be useless.

  • Business Beagle

    @ctl-x-alt-x-del said in Opting out of PvP:

    @im-axis-

    That's not true. Risk does not equal reward, effort does. If I work to solve a riddle or clear a fort, why don't I deserve it if I'm the only player on the server?

    Because the risk coupled with the effort is the core concept of the game. You want out of PvP that bad without having to think. Go play a sailing simulator.

    Also what effort? PVE in this game is very close to mindless. But it’s the PVE and PvP together that make this game what it is. And your choice to participate how you want.

    If you want a game that holds your hand and coddles you through your progression. This isn’t it.

  • Business Beagle

    @edward-doe that isn’t the issue. The issue is a segregation of community in a game that prides itself on being a cooperative adventure. You might as well redesign the entire game.

    No one wants another arena based naval combat game. With optional PVE. -_-

  • Business Beagle

    @stonewall386 said in Opting out of PvP:

    If you look at the definitions of piracy, you'll see that it fits with the theme. I think the game might be designed with that very intention. Ships at sea who are just doing honest work have to try and avoid or outrun ships that might do them harm.

    Having separate modes for PVP would mean that PVP servers are full of nothing but ships that want to fight. Part of the game is to find merchants/traders to prey on.

    Pro-tip: If you're solo in a sloop, you can always outrun and outsail a galleon into the wind.

    At least someone gets it.

  • Sigtric
    Master
    Founder

    I'm beginning to think there SHOULD be another server type, where all mechanics are turned off and all you can do is emote in an outpost, so nothing can hurt you.

  • boaton

    @hawkeye-pi3rce no, being a pirate legend shouldn’t be given out like participation trophies🤔

  • Ctl x Alt x Del
    Master
    Insider
    Founder

    @toastywrath
    I'm not trying to diss PvP. I agree with you on on just about everything you said.
    This game is not a sailing simulator, the PvE is very repetitive, and absolutely (to me at least) does a game need a challenge.

    I'm just trying to make a point that some people may find the voyages and exploration challenging and rewarding enough on its own, and to say other players make the game more rewarding is not the case for those some people.

    SoT is a community with varying opinions, not some blob of gamers that finds the the same things the same amount of challenge as the rest of the blob.

  • Sigtric
    Master
    Founder

    @ctl-x-alt-x-del said in Opting out of PvP:

    @toastywrath
    I'm not trying to diss PvP. I agree with you on on just about everything you said.
    This game is not a sailing simulator, the PvE is very repetitive, and absolutely (to me at least) does a game need a challenge.

    I'm just trying to make a point that some people may find the voyages and exploration challenging and rewarding enough on its own, and to say other players make the game more rewarding is not the case for those some people.

    SoT is a community with varying opinions, not some blob of gamers that finds the the same things the same amount of challenge as the rest of the blob.

    I just want to point out the bit I bolded. Absolutely true, and as such this is not the game for those people.

  • stem589

    @stonewall386 said in Opting out of PvP:

    If you look at the definitions of piracy, you'll see that it fits with the theme. I think the game might be designed with that very intention. Ships at sea who are just doing honest work have to try and avoid or outrun ships that might do them harm.

    Having separate modes for PVP would mean that PVP servers are full of nothing but ships that want to fight. Part of the game is to find merchants/traders to prey on.

    Pro-tip: If you're solo in a sloop, you can always outrun and outsail a galleon into the wind.

    I'm fine the way the game is, but honestly, people with this mindset for PvE aren't going to stick around long the way it is and you're going to end up with servers full PvP players anyways.

    Turning half the games population into sheep for wolves is a terrible model and was never going to last.

  • Arch Fable

    You either met a griefer or a pure PvP player. Which one was it?

  • FlowerOfCarnage

    But but but if PvE players can opt out of PvE, who will the PvP players victimize? They will have to fight people who want to fight and that's no fun!

  • GiggleSnarf
    Master
    Founder

    @hawkeye-pi3rce the PvP here is an integral part of the experience. It is a big part of what makes it a pirate game. Pirates weren't nice.

    Instead of asking for no more PvP, you should ask someone to teach you the ins and outs of fighting. My friends and I have been playing since early on in the alphas and we are very experienced. Even though we aren't always in the mood to fight, when a team of people challenges us we don't have to worry.

    If you need a hand learning to outplay most pirates on the seas, you can add me. My gamertag Is Gigglesnarf.
    That offer goes to anyone else who may be reading this and is need of some pointers.

    Most of us pirates are happier teaching you how to do things so you can enjoy the game, than letting you get tired of it and stop playing.

  • Sigtric
    Master
    Founder

    @im-axis-rahl said in Opting out of PvP:

    No PvP would mean no risk. If you don't want risk you shouldn't get rewards. Or you shouldn't be able to bring them to the normal servers.

    It is possible to have friendly interactions. I've had tons.

    Honestly, I think even you would get bored if there was no risk of running into other players.

    Last night when I was done playing I docked my Sloop, sat on top of the tarp covering the map table and was taking a couple screen shots when I saw another sloop come haulin butt into the same outpost and anchor turn to trade in loot. I sat there in plain view watching as they turned in, and waiting to see what they would do. They didn't seem very concerned with my being there.

    A couple moments later one of them runs down the dock I was at blunderbuss out and I just watch. He jumps on my sloop and jumps up on the tarp with me, and puts it away.

    I greeted him and he and I (and a third person who was on his boat) had a little chat about the game before I signed out.

    Nothing crazy, nothing special about the conversation, just a regular small talk thing that might happen in a PUG in another game, but what it interesting and a fun experience was the unknown. Is he going to attempt to gank me? Sink my ship with me on it thinking I am AFK?

    I'd have had no reason to wait around because of my curiosity, or to even chat with him had it been a safe encounter forced by server settings.

    The stuff that adds real depth, interesting moments, nervousness and anxiousness to this game - the stuff that makes this game fun, are the players and the unknown that comes with them.

    This may not be the right thing for everyone, and that is fine, but that is the way this game was designed to be. Deviating from that may make some people happy but it takes away from the people who bought this game for what it was designed to be.

  • Arch Fable

    @flowerofcarnage said in Opting out of PvP:

    But but but if PvE players can opt out of PvE, who will the PvP players victimize? They will have to fight people who want to fight and that's no fun!

    It's fun alright. Becomes boring very quickly though. That's the issue. Same thing with the other way around. Fun, but doesn't last long.

    Have to say it. DigDug and Titanic Simulators just won't make the game get far enough alone. Together they do, but griefing has to be mitigated to the level of a pure PvP player and there has to be more to voyages than just the fetch 'n retrieve missions.

  • CheeseMogul7566
    Ship Mate

    @stem589 said in Opting out of PvP:

    @stonewall386 said in Opting out of PvP:

    If you look at the definitions of piracy, you'll see that it fits with the theme. I think the game might be designed with that very intention. Ships at sea who are just doing honest work have to try and avoid or outrun ships that might do them harm.

    Having separate modes for PVP would mean that PVP servers are full of nothing but ships that want to fight. Part of the game is to find merchants/traders to prey on.

    Pro-tip: If you're solo in a sloop, you can always outrun and outsail a galleon into the wind.

    I'm fine the way the game is, but honestly, people with this mindset for PvE aren't going to stick around long the way it is and you're going to end up with servers full PvP players anyways.

    Turning half the games population into sheep for wolves is a terrible model and was never going to last.

    People who think they are "sheep" arent the type of people this game aims for.
    This isnt a sailing sim, or a treasure hunting game, its a PIRATE game, where you, or anyone else can try to loot other people.

  • stem589

    @nightraven12345 said in Opting out of PvP:

    @stem589 said in Opting out of PvP:

    @stonewall386 said in Opting out of PvP:

    If you look at the definitions of piracy, you'll see that it fits with the theme. I think the game might be designed with that very intention. Ships at sea who are just doing honest work have to try and avoid or outrun ships that might do them harm.

    Having separate modes for PVP would mean that PVP servers are full of nothing but ships that want to fight. Part of the game is to find merchants/traders to prey on.

    Pro-tip: If you're solo in a sloop, you can always outrun and outsail a galleon into the wind.

    I'm fine the way the game is, but honestly, people with this mindset for PvE aren't going to stick around long the way it is and you're going to end up with servers full PvP players anyways.

    Turning half the games population into sheep for wolves is a terrible model and was never going to last.

    People who think they are "sheep" arent the type of people this game aims for.
    This isnt a sailing sim, or a treasure hunting game, its a PIRATE game, where you, or anyone else can try to loot other people.

    ... and you're 100% right. So Rare loses some PvE players that maybe shouldn't have tried.

    Point is, we're still left playing with the same group of people.

    If there was a PvE server, those players would still be playing/paying and it wouldn't change the PvP player base one bit.

  • CheeseMogul7566
    Ship Mate

    @stem589 Thats the problem, people try to catagorise this like other games. People need to understand, there is no PVP or PVE playerbase. Just... pirates. i would venture that 90% of the people in game do the PvE. Almost everyone does. Most people don't fight at every chance. I mean hell, i LOVE the pvp in this game, ship combat is amazing. But i run more often than not, because i got loot on my ship. probably more than them! ... im a hoarder....
    No one would want to be put in a server where everyones just wants to sink people and thats it, just because they dont mind fighting that guy they know who has loot. thats not the game, thats not what the devs want people to get from the game.

  • Bosun Bars

    @stem589 said in Opting out of PvP:

    @nightraven12345 said in Opting out of PvP:

    @stem589 said in Opting out of PvP:

    @stonewall386 said in Opting out of PvP:

    If you look at the definitions of piracy, you'll see that it fits with the theme. I think the game might be designed with that very intention. Ships at sea who are just doing honest work have to try and avoid or outrun ships that might do them harm.

    Having separate modes for PVP would mean that PVP servers are full of nothing but ships that want to fight. Part of the game is to find merchants/traders to prey on.

    Pro-tip: If you're solo in a sloop, you can always outrun and outsail a galleon into the wind.

    I'm fine the way the game is, but honestly, people with this mindset for PvE aren't going to stick around long the way it is and you're going to end up with servers full PvP players anyways.

    Turning half the games population into sheep for wolves is a terrible model and was never going to last.

    People who think they are "sheep" arent the type of people this game aims for.
    This isnt a sailing sim, or a treasure hunting game, its a PIRATE game, where you, or anyone else can try to loot other people.

    ... and you're 100% right. So Rare loses some PvE players that maybe shouldn't have tried.

    Point is, we're still left playing with the same group of people.

    If there was a PvE server, those players would still be playing/paying and it wouldn't change the PvP player base one bit.

    True.

    However without PvE servers:

    • Most people will get better at the game / avoiding other ships (its not that hard in a sloop)
    • PvP / Piracy will cease to exist in a pirate game, since all merchants will go to a PvE server. which in turn leads to a larger amount of the playerbase leaving the game.

    So yes, Rare will lose an incredible small minority that shouldn't have bought the game in the first place.

  • SpringOtter
    Master

    @bosun-bars HAHA! Just because you said the word minority doesn't just magically make it a true statement. Show me the meticulous records you've kept to be able state that as fact. PvP frustration is one of the most talked about things on this forum.

  • Zalm

    Ive seen many arguments for both sides, and gotta admit, most of the pvp arguments are wesk as best. Its basically the same old, 'if you dont like it, then leave' mentality that ends up killing most games. Either that or the 'git gud' dark souls mentality that just makes the game have a toxic reputation as well.

    Yes there are the few that argue that increases challenge, which is a yes and no argument. Yes it does, until you play people who win and then grief you by not leaving you alone and killing you more for no reason. Remove challenge at that point, add trolling. Problem is, that no answer happens about 70% of the time. Also, more challenge in this aspect doesnt even add more reward. Where is the risk vs reward in pvp? Last i checked, there usually isnt any reward.

    Seperating servers into pvpve and pve would not kill the game as those who are less than try hard players would still be able to enjoy the game, and the rabid pvper would still be able to fight with all their heart. They just wouldnt have anyone to troll and grief anymore. What do actual pvpers care for anyway? They still get to fight, loot and treasure hunt.

    And dont give me the bs about 'real pirates' as most were privateers who stole and attacked for their country, not themselves. Pirates world wide were killed on soght if possible, privateers were only jailed unless killed in combat. Real pirates didnt fire themselves from cannons. Real pirates would sell their treasure to some scrub with a key. Real pirates dont cone back ftom the dead. This isnt a real pirate simulation. Its a piratey styled game.

  • Bosun Bars

    @blackelite-id16 said in Opting out of PvP:

    @bosun-bars HAHA! Just because you said the word minority doesn't just magically make it a true statement. Show me the meticulous records you've kept to be able state that as fact. PvP frustration is one of the most talked about things on this forum.

    Do you really think these forums or reddit are an accurate representation of the average player?

    If so then i should probably just not respond any further.

  • stem589

    @bosun-bars said in Opting out of PvP:

    @stem589 said in Opting out of PvP:

    @nightraven12345 said in Opting out of PvP:

    @stem589 said in Opting out of PvP:

    @stonewall386 said in Opting out of PvP:

    If you look at the definitions of piracy, you'll see that it fits with the theme. I think the game might be designed with that very intention. Ships at sea who are just doing honest work have to try and avoid or outrun ships that might do them harm.

    Having separate modes for PVP would mean that PVP servers are full of nothing but ships that want to fight. Part of the game is to find merchants/traders to prey on.

    Pro-tip: If you're solo in a sloop, you can always outrun and outsail a galleon into the wind.

    I'm fine the way the game is, but honestly, people with this mindset for PvE aren't going to stick around long the way it is and you're going to end up with servers full PvP players anyways.

    Turning half the games population into sheep for wolves is a terrible model and was never going to last.

    People who think they are "sheep" arent the type of people this game aims for.
    This isnt a sailing sim, or a treasure hunting game, its a PIRATE game, where you, or anyone else can try to loot other people.

    ... and you're 100% right. So Rare loses some PvE players that maybe shouldn't have tried.

    Point is, we're still left playing with the same group of people.

    If there was a PvE server, those players would still be playing/paying and it wouldn't change the PvP player base one bit.

    True.

    However without PvE servers:

    • Most people will get better at the game / avoiding other ships (its not that hard in a sloop)
    • PvP / Piracy will cease to exist in a pirate game, since all merchants will go to a PvE server. which in turn leads to a larger amount of the playerbase leaving the game.

    So yes, Rare will lose an incredible small minority that shouldn't have bought the game in the first place.

    I think you give the PvE crowd too much credit. Some will stick it out, but most will just rage quite.

    I have no numbers to support my assessment, just experience seeing this play out in other MMOs.

    You're assessment that the 'minority' will leave is also without any backing.

    With so many games on the market, most PvE players aren't going to learn to be PvP players.

    Hypothetically, would you play this game if it was PvE only? What if I told you you could learn to love PvE? Would you become a PvE player?

  • SpringOtter
    Master

    @whlte-rlder yea because Elite Dangerous has horrible reviews and is hated by everyone just like you said, oh wait........

Login To Reply
76
Posts
25.9k
Views
1 out of 76