EDIT - it looks like, as of the Hungering Deep update, we’re going to be able to swap out flags by going up to the crow’s nest. Finally, the universal signal of surrender will be available to us. Interested to see how people use it in-game.
What made pirates the scourge of the sea was not that they killed people, but that they were thieves. The threat of death was real, but only if you didn’t surrender. In fact, for pirates, killing was bad for business. If a pirate became known for killing, crews would fight to death, feeling they had nothing to lose - which made the theft more difficult. Pirates preferred using fear as a means of getting crews to surrender.
It would be great if there were some way of achieving this in-game. It would increase social interaction beyond the basic PvP engagement - see ship, sink ship. It would be great if crews could choose to surrender and if there were some sort of reputation penalty for killing a crew that has surrendered. Also, I feel that it shouldn't be something that a crew should do lightly (and, hopefully, it can be implemented with that in mind).
Interestingly enough, this might also give the brig some usefulness to the brig. Mutinies could occur if someone wants or doesn’t want to surrender.
I’m not sure of the best way how to implement this mechanic. Is it a white flag that can be run up the mast? Is it a white flag that a person carries (current view distance could make this problematic)? What does surrender mean in terms of how the ship or crew operates for those who surrendered? How to prevent this from being used for griefing?
Lots of stuff to consider, but I feel it’s worth considering.
EDIT: Even if this were simply an easier way to signal surrender, that would be helpful. In thinking about it more, the more freedom to interact, the better; so, a penalty or some complex mechanic around the idea of surrender may be overkill.