Merge PvP and PvE

[Strategos 10]

I'd be surprised if this hasn't been suggested before but I couldn't find it. Edit: (Since posting It's been suggested a bunch of times )

EVE online obviously is the inspiration here, as it is for many aspects of Atlas. But it seems to be that Atlas is really missing the tensions and drives that make a game like EVE so great. Emergent behaviour, risk, freedom. You give the players a robust set of tools and they will create more excitement and content than a team of designers ever could.

 

Lets break it down:

1: Using the grid based server system double the size of the map - (i'm assuming here that this is possible based on my understanding of how it works) Edit: (or double the number of grids say 20x20 see post below)

2: Create a central circular region approx the size of a circle in the current map that is PvE. this is where carebears live. 

3: Create a band around this which is a hybrid. The exact methodology here could be something like PvP at sea. Safe on land. An area where traders are at risk from pirates. NPCs in this region could include navy ships that attack pirates based on their infamy.

4: Finally the band around the edges of the map. Full PvP. this is where the player wars happen. 

5: Add a contracts and trading system like EVE which enables people to create transport companies, companies that provide escort services. Etc. Ship builders and other manafacturing services would be possible.

6: Add an imfamy system. Bad guys can't even get into the PvE area eventually.

7: Distribute NPC content, resources etc in a way that encourages trading and for certain high end stuff wars for control in the PvP regions. 

 

Points 3 and 7 need considerably more detail than this to flesh out properly, but this is just a quick summary. Those of you  with EVE online experience will immediately understand the advantages of combining this. player traders getting sunk, players rushing to find and kill the pirates in their area. Companies warring for precious resources. Solo players sneaking into the PvP zone to try and get out with valuable resources at great peril. And those that want to PvE sitting in the safe zone providing lower level services, maybe ship building and animal taming. Those with a bit more chutzpah venturing into the middle zone to bring back good to sell to the central area. Bounty hunter chasing down famous pirates.

The possibilities are endless.

 

Obviously there are some serious issues that also need to be resolved for the game to work, claims, griefing etc. But I genuinely think that the game would work better for everyone with a fundamental overhaul like this.

 

 

Edited February 1, 2019 by Strategos

[Strategos 10]

On further consideration doubling the grid size might be excessive. Perhaps a 20 x 20 grid , giving 400 grid squares ( a bit less than twice a current server). would be more feasible.

The PvE zone as close to circular as the grid will allow, diameter 8 squares.  

Hybrid zone 3 squares thick around this.

PvP the remainder outside this.