I know this debate has raged like wildfire since the game came out - but I wanted to put my spin on it.
First and foremost: playing this game to chill and being sunk, and griefed sucks. It feels awful. A lot of great work has gone in to reduce the impact and loss of this, but the actual gameplay experiences for a significant player demographic is pretty poor, and leads to players dropping the game on a regular basis.
I understand and appreciate the design intent of the game. The core philosophy of letting different players bump into each other and not knowing what will happen is neat. The actual experience of this though can be just awful.
Yes, I would love a PvE option. Would I only use it? No. I would swap between it and "classic" based on my mood. There's an excitement and suspense of the PvEvP world, but sometimes I just wanna chill with my friends.
I think there's a few factors at play which really hinder this experience, balancing and combat systems being chief among them.
I got back into this game after a year hiatus last night and it took all of 20 minutes for someone to pretend to be friendly and then blast our ship and scope headshot kill me and my friend. There was no contest or anything, we were just trying to get back into the game.
In game theory there are a few archetypes of players: referred to as the four suits: Hearts, Clubs, Diamonds and Spades. Sea of Thieves caters to each group as it can, but the fundamental experience of a Heart player sucks.
Hearts are characterised as socialites. They're in it to hang out, make friends, chill.
Clubs are characterised as killers, they love griefing, asserting dominance, and preying on hearts because they get the best reaction and least resistance to their playstyle.
I know I'm gonna get a lot of people saying "it's sea of THIEVES" and all that. But the fundamental fact, proven tirelessly by the threads, is that Heart players would love a PvE only experience. I think it should be penalised, lower risk means less rewards. Let's say half the gold per redemption.
There's a few decisions to make about loot, I'd lean towards just locking loot to crews who picked them up, unless you physically offer something to another one - for the best experience. I think you should be able to send a challenge to another boat to fight them, to practice on your terms. Let hearts help hearts move back into PvP, but if we wanna relax let us.
I think the overall game experience would be better for both server types; players would still have reason to do PvEvP, and those in there would be more likely to offer a competitive and interesting fight. But also if you get griefed you can go somewhere safe and relax, calm down. Get better. And come back on your terms ready to hunt someone else.
Please RARE, please offer this ability. Heck I think all of us who want it would even pay for the privilege. I'd be fine starting over with a separate character and account. I would really just enjoy not coming up against the worst kinds of players unless I choose to take on that risk, and enjoy the rewards when I do.
I don't think there's really valid reasons for not doing this when it's so clearly wanted. I believe it'll make a better experience for all players - PvP players won't have to worry about players running from them the whole time as much, and would be able to have more interesting and engaging fights. PvE players can enjoy what they want most: a calm treasure hunting and puzzle solving adventure where the danger is the world, and not someone who takes joy in ruining your session.