This PvP game would be great if it weren’t for all the PvP!
We’ve all seen the threads -guys asking for PvP free zones or PvE only servers. Not to mention the uncountable infinity of douche bags asking for ganking to “be properly balanced.” They assert that non-consensual PvP is driving newbros away in droves, and that Eve is on the cusp of greatness… CCP only need to change one little thing… they just need change the fundamental nature of the game. That’s all.
pfft. Dipshits.
Eve is not a PvP game
What’s truly baffling, however, is that some will even go so far as to assert that Eve is not a PvP game. I mean, the name Eve literally means Everyone Versus Everyone. But even if you don’t know the history of its name, a cursory examination of its mechanics reveal that it was designed from the ground up to have a PvP focus. Hell, even the3 initial areas have mechanics in place to make it easier or harder to engage in -non-consensual PvP. I mean, where do you think the names High, Low, and Null Security space come from? How dangerous the rats are?
So, every time someone comes around here trying to claim Eve isn’t a PvP game, I assume one of three things is happening:
- They are intentionally arguing in bad faith
- They are practicing self-deception
- They are a troll
But why though?
Of course, this begs the question, why would people argue in bad faith about this? In fact, why are there so many people trying to remove the PvP from a PvP-focused game? Well, for a while, I assumed this was the fault of the marketing department trying to cast a wide net. I’d see ads, like this quadrant trailer, that made no mention of the PvP-focused nature of Eve, and figured this was by design. After all, it has been alleged by many a youtube commentator that demand for PvP focused MMO’s is greatly exceeded by demand for a PvE focus. So, I figured that the marketing department was intentionally trying to target PvE focused players -which does make sense. At least some of them will stay, and CCP can squeeze a buck or two even out of the players that ultimately end up bouncing.
But, now I’m starting to wonder if that’s the whole story. I recently watched a video about the history of MMO’s, which discussed how the MMO genre has been in a bad state for a while now (i.e. few releases, failed kickstarters, and the MMO’s that have actually been releasing have sucked and/or been riddled with P2W). So, now I’m starting to wonder if so many people keep trying to remove the PvP from Eve online simply because they are desperate for a good MMO that caters to their play style, and want to see if they can’t get CCP to oblige. After all, there is a precedent for this happening.
A Cautionary Tale
For those that don’t know, New World was supposed to be more like Eve Online (always on PvP with a full loot death mechanic), but changed direction late in development due to feedback from carebears (check out this video for more info). Unfortunately, however, the game was not built from the ground up with a PvE focus in mind; which meant that it ended up being terrible at being a PvE MMO. Of course, the game certainly had other issues with balance and bugs, but I think it does provide a cautionary tale concerning what would happen if the “Permanent Green Safety Brigade” got their way in Eve online. Making the transition from a PvP focused to PvE focused MMO would be a monumental challenge for any game studio, let alone one that specializes in PvP games. So, if the PGSB got their way, it is exceedingly unlikely that they would actually get the game they wanted. More than likely, we’d just see a repeat of New World -namely, they’d ruin the game for everyone, and then bounce when things don’t pan out like they had hoped.
I Sympathize with you, but please stop trying to ruin Eve
Look, I sympathize with the guys that want a good, PvE focused MMO that is free of monetization BS. Believe me, I get it. After all, I’m personally disappointed by what has happened to the RPG/ARPG genre. However… however… that does not mean that I appreciate people coming in here and trying to change the fundamental nature of Eve. Even if you did actually get the MMO you wanted, it would come at the expense of those who already love it for what it is -and that’s a best case scenario that exceedingly unlikely. What is far more likely to happen is a repeat of New World, where the game is ruined for everyone.
I know Eve might not be what you were looking for, but it is still an amazing game. So, maybe try enjoying it for what it is. And, if that’s just not possible, consider moving on instead of trying to convince the devs to gamble everything on the slim chance that they might make a game that you actually want to play.
P.S. Can I have your stuff?
