The biggest problem developers have in designing a server that caters to their PvP like mindset customers is how extreme or soft they make the PvP rules. If they make the rules too soft, PvP’ers won’t even try the game, if they make it too hard, it discourages the more PvE oriented players from playing on the PvP servers. What I have never understood is why the PvE oriented players always, and I do mean always, flood the forums with protectionist ideals that sway the developers in creating safety nets that inherently limit their player base across the board, PvP servers have historically always had a larger population then any PvE server on any game that has separated the two. People don’t flock to PvP servers because they want protection; they go there for a challenge, for risk, for reward, for glory, or the unique ability to accept defeat. Whether the death is perceived unfair or fair it’s irrelevant, your success in PvP is dependent upon you.

Those ideals described are inherently American based, the environment should not be regulated so that competition is frowned upon, it should be encouraged. The best players to ever exist in gaming have never played in an environment that restricts their ability to perform, to learn, and to grow as a player in their respective game. From the beginnings of Ultima Online, from the Zeks of Everquest, Shadow Bane, and beyond Americans have always loved the thrill and adrenaline rush of a challenge. We want the ability to redline a game, to play in an environment that rewards PvP ,but also punishes defeat. Having a white light in front of you and a engulfing hell behind you, when there is nothing but light the potential risk of defeat is taken out of the equation. Everyone obviously frowns upon being near or in hell, but what few see is that dancing with death is far sweeter of an experience then dancing with easily attainable wins in PvE or completely regulated fights pre planned fights in PvP.

I am by no means discrediting “boxed” PvP, it does provide a thrill, through ranking systems that define what “success” is, but compared to world pvp, there is no greater joy. The ultimate opponent to a free world are games that “define” what success is to the player. Outdoor PvP, whether it’s for control over rare spawns, whether it is to hinder a clans ability to progress, or for the simply enjoyment of griefing another player because they have the ability to do so. I would rather level in a world of risk then a world of brainless mob smashing.

We have two servers for a reason, to draw the line between the wolves and the people who wish to be safe sheep, but wolves when they want to be. PvE’ers hate to be referred to as “sheep”, but the sheep vs wolf mentality is necessary in order to describe the situation. There are weaker wolves and there are strong sheep, at times people want to play the reverse roll pending on the situation, but none of it is possible without a more free world, everyone becomes sheep in a restrictive world.

Free worlds should not be something that is shunned and thrown away, it’s a world in which the people dictate the society. The ability to succeed through a no rule PvP server that encourages victory and frowns upon defeat is what freedom is all about. Everytime you die, whether it’s by act of god or by your own negligence should be a lesson. When people started to walk this earth they didn’t whine about the unfairness of tornadoes, bears, or what have you, they adapted or they died. In today’s society the prevalent attitude is that bears, tornadoes, should not exist because it is a hindrance to their perceived success. To me, and many others, my success is hollowed due to those conditions not even existing to begin with.

FFA PvP servers are needed because I'm not the judgemental type and if Joe or Jessica in Long Islancd want to come on Tera and kill PvE, shiny thier toon and be proud of what they have it's not my right or mission to ruin thier game. In FFA PvP there is no ethical line to cross. If you are there, you are fair game. By my own standard if I want to get away from you, I will roll on a PvE server and play there.

I support the idea of free and open PvP. In fact, it is one of the features that makes this game playable to me. There are different types of servers for a reason - PvE and PvP exist and are separate and share the same "Organized" PvP Experiences (Battlegrounds, Guild vs Guild, etc).

I cannot, for any reason, forsee nor do I want restriction on a PvP server for any reason. When you hit to roll on a PvP server, you accepted and understood that the second you log on, you are fair game. There is no remorse nor regret from anybody who will come to blow you up. The two exist, and are separate for a reason.

Free PvP also brings more gameplay, changes the social atmosphere and invites more opportunity to the game. What's more fun, organizing a group to kill a world boss every day and getting the same results for the same gear, or all of a sudden having a 15 on 20 Guild vs. Guild for the same goal, while trying to tank the monster at the same time?

You give too much credit to the PVP community, as far as I've seen 90% of people playing on PVP servers still love to cry about being killed in WPVP while leveling or questing. Most people expect a balanced PVP and PVE content in the open world, they want to be able to freely do their quests and farming without much interruptions. If you are constantly being attacked by everyone, people won't stay around playing the game for long.

I don't think you can really balance a PVE based MMO ( Which is just about every MMO ) around world PVP system. Zerg guilds will dominate the field and solo/small group players are always quick to give up and leave rather than try to group up and fight them. There is nothing entertaining about the outcome of most battles being determined by who has more people.

One thing you will never get away from is, "QQ'ers".

No matter what server you play on. Be it a PvE ot PvP. There are those people that will lose in battle, in QQ no matter what. If you beat them, they will yell, "Exploiter, cheater!", all day long.

What I have leanred over the years is this. These, "QQ'ers" exist for our entertainment. Look at it this way. You are bored after a bit of grinding or whatever you have been doing. You go into town and chill for a bit. You see this guy named, "x". He is qq'ing up a storm in general chat about someone that just beat him in a duel. This is like an added bonus to the $15 a month for membership.

It is almost like going to a comedy club. Also the good thing about this is, you can always /ignore them when they get annoying.

If you are on an open pvp server, you got no excuses. If you get killed, camped, don't QQ. Because, Nobody cares =)

Quote: Trivolver on 2012-02-04 18:13:01 UTC

I agree. This is what makes mmo's fun. Not doing the same boring crap over and over again. Sure, PvE is fun, but add pvp in there and never knowing who will come at you and when is what makes it even more fun.

The element of surprise is always a good thing. You can be out and about doing your own thing and out of nowhere comes someone to gank you! Little do they know, you got about 10 people around the corner ready to destroy him. Maybe he will think twice next time before ganking you, or maybe he will just bring more friends. That is the beauty of it, you just NEVER know.

Nobody - I 100% Agree

5 star thread; Would read again to my children.

The current system is pretty garbage. However, I still pre-ordered the game and have high-hopes for some change in the future.

Unfortunately, our pleas (most likely) will not be heard as En Masse has 0 control over the actual development of Tera. Doubt a the longevity of my sub if a true OWPVP system is not introduced.. W/e though, I already bought the game.

Quote: Sixteen on 2012-02-04 20:45:49 UTC

While the OP preaches a nice story, The quoted text is just how it is in reality.

+1 Xeika

Also, I don't get why a PK system doesn't make people happy. Do "pvpers" just want to kill random people all day? This game isn't faction based, there is no war between players. Its us vs. the lore. OWPvP like Aion wouldn't work. IF you feel like bringing the hurtin' one day, go ahead and do it, though it comes at a price of infamy.

I understand your argument was in general terms, but just making it specific since this is Tera anyway..