What I'm proposing seems like it would address several issues, while adding more interaction and general content to the game. Sorry if this is a long post, and a little rambling.
I see the game containing three teams/factions, since it already has them sort of in place;
The Ancient Isles, The Shores of Plenty, and The Wilds. They all contain nearly the same amount of islands (22-22-21), Outposts (2 each), Forts/Strongholds (3 each).
When you join a server, you'll be automatically sorted into a team to best balance them out. You start normally, at an island or outpost within your designated waters. Your ship is outfitted with your teams flag/colors. You cannot harm or be harmed by your team.
Missions will vary. Merchant missions will only be within your designated seas, one outpost to the other. Gold hoarders could vary, keeping you within your seas or having you venture out. Order of Souls would send you towards an opponents islands or perhaps fringe islands to collect skulls (from the opposite teams, of course). I'd propose a new quest line to bring in a part of a sunk ship, or a trinket from an opposing pirate, encouraging and adding value to PVP. Gold and experience from all quests is shared amongst the entire team, so there is no reason to try and steal kills/items from teammates. It is banked until you stop at an outpost and "claim you share" of the loot. Gold and experience may need to be reduced slightly to compensate for this. This will encourage teamwork between players.
There would be three active skull forts. One within your seas, that you cannot attack, but only help defend and two that you can attack and loot.
Island defenses will only attack opposing players.
So here's a game scenario:
You join are begin in Dagger Tooth Outpost. Your ship is flying a Red flag with The Wild logo on it. Your group decides take on an OoS quest. You receive it and it points you toward Wanderer's Refuge. You collect supplies and set sail. You hit neutral seas, then cross into the water's of The Shores of Plenty. You notice a galleon North of you, but continue on your way. Cannon's fire at you from Cannon Cove and Wanderer's Refuge as you approach. You dock, complete your mission and collect you skulls.
You notice a sloop to your East, heading in a North Easterly direction. You set sail and begin to run them down. The sloop is from The Ancient Isles, and has a Green flag. You begin to attack, and eventually kill and sink them. A Galleon and another sloop from The Ancient Isles is approaching from the South. You collect your bounty and begin to head back toward The Wilds. Other ships from the Wilds swoop in and assist in the battle. They manage to sink the Sloop and chase off the Galleon. You pull up to the outpost and cash in your bounties.
A few of your teammates are done for the day, so they go to collect their share of the loot. You can see your team turned in 3 skulls, 8 chests, 3 animals (of varying quality). And then cash out. As your doing so in the Tavern, a ship pulls up that helped you in battle. You share a drink and sign out.
I feel this addresses issues of PVE only, PVP encouragement, Skull fort server hopping, and a general sense of teamwork. Let me know what you think!
