I hear the same reply constantly about the reasoning as to why Safer Seas will not be unrestricted and that reason is due to balancing; so I offer an alternative that will keep PVP players happy an offer an alternative to the accessibility for PVE players.
Make progression in Safer Seas and High Seas completely separate, or introduce Safer Seas+ which does this.
PVPVE players can play on High Seas where they can fight other players, and get higher rewards, including things like specific PVP events, while Safer Seas+ players have unrestricted gameplay, players fighting against skeleton crews but the progression is completely separate and locked to Safer Seas+. If I login to High Seas and have 100,000 gold, then log out and go into Safer Seas+ I wont have that same balance due to the completely separated progression and earnings. Same for If I buy a ship. If I buy a ship in High Seas, I will not own that ship in Safer Seas+.
What Safer Seas+ could offer is;
Captaincy with progression
Ability to sell to the Sovereigns
Sailing as emissaries
Pseudo PVP experiences. Fighting navy vessels crewed by AI for example.
and more.
All of these things, would not translate onto the "High Seas" servers and a player would have to level them completely separate.
Many games have already implemented systems like this.
Safer Seas could still exist for those willing to get lesser rewards but still have SOME progression into the PVPVE game mode exactly as it is currently, however Safer Seas+ would allow a completely separate experience with completely separate levelling.
I would even be willing to pay to experience this game mode, as would many players I am sure. This does not effect the PVP side of the game due to progression or balancing issues, and it makes the game more accessible to players who do not want to commit PVP.
