No pvp or only limited pvp.
I'm going to go right out and say it. I HATE PVP. If I want to pvp I'll go play a fps not a rpg. It makes a mess out of things and makes it much harder for the developers. The moment pvp is decided on it has to be catered to. That means balancing skills and equipment not only to game mobs but other players as well. It means having to decide what players gain and or lose due to pvp and it means way more complaints from sore losers or legit losers from lag or hacks and cheaters. Then you get people complaining about unfair skills or op skills that would otherwise be ok for normal game play so those skills get nerfed. If pvp is a go then pvp should NOT be forced onto players and certainly not if it means losing your shit that you have worked hard to get. Nothing says "I think i'm going to quit playing" like having your hard earned stuff to some douchebag marauder. pvp is fine to have but only if players are given a choice. That being said the 2 best ways are to have a pvp only server for those who like pvp and the ever so popular and effective arena/coliseum.
Option 1. pvp only server. Other than having to run it as a separate server and deal with all the crap that needs to be figured out for the pvp system this is the easiest option. Log on go kill or be killed get your shit stole have fun.
Option 2. Arena/Coliseum. Much harder to implement and even more has to be decided but can be beneficial to both pvp and non pvp players. A option added to player options can be used to turn it on or off. When turned on the arena/coliseum can see you as a participant. To look for fighters simply turn your pvp on and go to the arena and select to fight an opponent. I should mention that IF you choose to pvp. When chosen by the arena/coliseum you will be summoned without warning. You might have some time to quickly prepare but if you didn't want to fight you shouldn't have had pvp on. Once summoned your locked in unless you log off of course forfeiting the match. ( What about lag... sucks to be you. Lag happens if you don't trust the servers or your own connection... don't pvp. ) How the arena determines opponents is up to debate. I'll list some possibilities.
1. Total random. Just what it says... the arena ( I'm just going to call it that from now on ) randomly picks your opponent from the list of active pvp players and the fight commences and loser goes home wishing there was no pvp. see prizes section for more.
Option 2. Random based on level. Arena automatically chooses an opponent that is within your level range of no more than 5 levels below or higher than you.
Option 3. Chosen by you based on level. The arena gives you a list of all pvp players that are no lower than 5 levels of you ranging up to max. Hey if your level 1 and your and idiot and think you can beat that level 200 guy fly at it. I am sure he/she won't mind stepping on a bug for a free prize. See prize section for more.
Option 4. ( Very simple and unfair ) Full freedom to chose your opponent. The arena just gives you a list of all available pvp players to chose from. Fight commences and loser goes home wishing there was no pvp. see prizes section for more.
Option 5. Rank or class system. Have the options childs play, easy, medium, hard, good fucking luck, are you insane, and freaking impossible. Opponent is chosen by level based on the difficulty you chose. Childs play would be opponents like 20 or more levels below you if available, easy would be like 10 - 15 below, medium 5 below to 5 above, hard 10 to 15 above, good fucking luck 20 - 30, are you insane 40 - highest available, and freaking impossible... mods, staff members, developers, and sim9 goes here.
OK I think that is enough from me. Now prizes. I think for obvious reasons the prizes should be based on how strong your opponent is. However IF you are the one looking to battle you may have the option to add as many items or as much gold as you have as an additional prize. If you are not the one looking and you think you can beat anyone and wish to award those who manage to beat you. you can go to the arena and select whatever you want to be given as a prize.
Oh and one other thing. Friends only pvp. Arena lists only your friends that are available. Your friend list should also have the option to send a pvp invite to selected friend.
I think that's about all I am going to say about pvp. I am still 100% against pvp in rpgs but i'll accept it if done right.
Well, really depends on what the penalty for death is — if it’s just a respawn, it’s not a big deal. If you lose some stuff, then yeah, I can see it being nice to have non-pvp servers also
-
Patrick commented
Just want to say that I love that there is open world pvp!