I’ve been reading through a bunch of threads over the past couple of days trying to get a good understanding of the arguments for and against pve only servers or some variation of that. It’s actually pretty disheartening to see the way that people on both sides are treating each other, so I thought instead of just flinging out another opinion or demand I would share my experience With SoT and how I think developers could make the game better for me personally.
I’m a PTSD soldier, no longer in the military. I have come to terms with this and have adapted my life to accommodate. I try to avoid conflict when I can, as everyone should irl, but do occasionally enjoy pvp games when the mood strikes me. This is rare as I mostly enjoy completing quests in game and attaining achievements, but my friends like to “go full pirate” every once in a while and I help out on occasion.
Why do I say this?
Because I understand the allure of the pvp element, but it’s not my preferred play style. I’d rather go dig up some chests and turn them in for a reward or go punch some skellies and plop their mangled skulls on a table for some gold. But this is really hard to do with the pvp element that is always constant, and it’s this element that makes me not want to keep playing this game. It is frustrating to spend so much time trying to turn stuff in for progress in the factions and make little to no significant headway. I have a wife and baby and they get the majority of my time during the day so when I play I would like to have it be an efficient use of my time to work toward the achievements. To me the risk is not worth the reward and I just don’t play as much which is a downer because I pre paid for the game (got my day 1 eyepatch) and really like the pve elements in the game.
Why don’t I just go play something else?
Well I did pay for the game to start, and because when my friend and I first logged in we fell in love with this game. He is on Xbox and I’m a pc player which is fantastic because there aren’t many games that are cross platform that we were interested in playing. When I saw the water for the first time I just stared at it in awe until my buddy was like “ok dude, it looks good, let’s check out other stuff.” We both thought the sunrises and sunsets were the most beautiful things we’d ever seen in a game. Sailing was so much fun especially when my wife actually started to feel sea sick when watching us play. Reading the maps from goldhoarders to dig up chests was a puzzle to find the spot to dig and the satisfaction of that “clink” when we hit it was exhilarating. I took a long time to create my character and love my avatar. The musical instruments are fantastic, the emotes are silly, the artwork and design is whimsical and I just in general love all of it.
But, all of that isn’t enough to keep me playing consistently when the pvp element is still constantly present. The stress of looking over my shoulder is too much for me and I don’t like to engage in battle when I’m just trying to progress my rep. Last time I logged on (a few days ago) I was trying out the fishing and enjoying it. I decided to do a goldhoarders quest I had handy in a solo sloop. As soon as I got finished with digging up my two seafarers and a captains chest I saw sails and went the other way. Before I could turn in my pittance I was pursued by a galleon (I out meneuvered it) and a brigantine (got sunk by it). Because I was sunk and looted I made no progress towards my goal and the experience was not enjoyable for me. It actually messes with me pretty bad when someone is aggressive towards me without provocation and can take me a couple of days to get over. Wish it wasn’t that way but that’s just how it is for me.
So that is my experience and feedback and here are some suggestions that I think would help me enjoy the game more.
A pve only option. Something where I can just turn in a chest without having to worry and stress about being attacked, delayed, or sunk and have to start over. A non pvp option or an alliance only server would be awesome. The most fun I’ve had in SoT was when Skeleton Thrones first came out and we must have had the entire server in an alliance working together for these things. It was a blast! We all sailed together, picked up items along the way, sat in the thrones and turned stuff in for a profit and rep. Everybody won! Have it be an option though, and not a blanket thing because like I said before, sometimes it’s fun to “go full pirate” but that’s not my preferred play style.
If the community doesn’t want to share then would someone make a game just like this one for us pve peoples? You could call it the “Pansy Pirate Party” and I wouldn’t care if I could just play in peace.