Here are some ideas I have based on the feedback of other players. Just take the headliners of each paragraph as the TLDR cause idk how to explain any of this any simpler.
Pirate-Guilds : You can select to join one of three (two or even four w/e) Guilds which are game-wide teams/communities of like-minded players. Guilds will function somewhat like the current Pirate companies, but Guilds will host community-wide milestone events and that direct players to complete voyages and cash in loot in a competitive manner. The following will be specified goals and purposes of the Pirate-Guilds.
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Incentive:
Like the companies, Guilds will keep note of your reputation. But instead of rewarding you for completing specific voyages you will gain rep based on how well your Guild does in events and for completing personal milestones (aka commendations). Each Guild can/should have a FULL set of unique gear (clothes, equipment and even ships) that reward players for their dedication to their favorite Guild(s). -
PvP and alliances:
Once a crew has assembled, their ships smaller flags will fly the colors of the Guild that the majority of the crew are a part of (each player still contributes to their own guild reguardless). This will encrouage ships repping the same Guild to join forces more quickly against other ships at Forts and other multi-ship battles. While players are free to attack ‘ally’ crews it could indirectly punish players who don’t try to seek-out and focus on inhibiting crews supporting opposing Guilds, by wasting time infighting during events. -
Guild Events:
On a regular (let’s just say weekly for example) basis the game will track the progress (aka voyages finished, loot cashed-in, Forts completed etc) of all players. By the end of the event the Guild with the most collective progress will grant their members a large sum of Guild-reputation, while the runner up rewards their players with half the Guild-rep leaving the last place guild with either half of that or no rep. Additional and more specific-events can be made to focus on new/current content that is added to the game. -
Guild-land-grab:
I suggest the Guilds hold a larger presence in game to make players feel their activity affects the world than the NPCs and Companies currently do. Guilds can also track where players pick-up voyages and turn in loot during events. Guilds can claim the support of outposts where their players bring the most traffic during events. So once the event is over each outpost will fly the colors and decor of the Guild that brought them the most loot and picked up the most completed voyages during the previous event until the next event is completed. Also to further reward the players that contribute more, the Guilds can reward rep for turning in loot at currently claimed outposts. -
Leaderboards:
The taverns could/should have a sorta message-board with Guild-leaderboards showing the current (let’s say per-event) top contributing players and even actively changing wanted posters that show players within your current session and what they are immediately ‘wanted’ for (aka most ships sank, most loot chased in etc). This way players can see where they stack up against the community and their own guild-mates, and even encourage friendly in-fighting against top-tier guild-mates. Also Guilds should reward even more rep if you make it to the top players that appear on the leaderboards. -
Guild/community themes:
Now you could just rework the Pirate companies to fill the role of these Guilds, but I think you could make the world of SoT feel more lively and real with a greater variety of organizations within the game world. I of course have some suggestions for Guilds and their themes.
A. The Mercenary Guild: For Skeleton slayers and ruthless Pirate-killers. The NPC reps are all manner of frightening thugs, this guild rewards it’s fierce members with olden Viking style clothes and ships.
B. The Smugglers Guild: For merry Pirates who love to party and team up with others, as well as enjoy ferrying good for cowardly merchants and shady folk. This guild pays homage to it’s sea-savy founders by rewarding it’s members with luxurious Indian styled clothes and gear.
C. The Corsairs Guild: For those who prefer using finess over brute force when stealing treasure, and generally enjoy exploring for precious booty. This guilds origin derives from more exotic parts of the world and reward Guild-members traditional Asian-inspired pirate gear and ships.
D. (Bonus guild just cuz) The Privateers Guild: For the stoic voyagers whom enjoy keeping to themselves, but are happy to see any other Pirate meet their demise. This guild rewards their efficient mariners with Roman-Navy styled clothes and ships.
