I understand that this vision requires some work from PA, shifting things around and always try expanding the world for a true PVX experience. But don't worry, in the picture and of course, PVX is still there... but bigger! Instead of having multiple servers, why can't we have a single BIG map (like really BIG!) with a few server clusters working together to support different regions, populations, and server loads? (think about WWII where soldiers took over parts of the map?) Also, PVE / Life Skillers can still support the ongoing war by sending items and other stuff through a system like the market. Now, instead of mindlessly throwing the items into the market. Both factions will have their own market. Players who don't want to PVX can still support the frontline in other ways. Be it, you can also do Sea Battle!

Second, the Karma system should be dumped and get out. PA needs to see that players want WAR! Then why not??? WAR, anyone???

P.S. I like to highlight a small thing: can we at least have a small fraction of room for horse trainers? See where I said "Horse Training Only"
Other places will be neutral for main mission, quests and life skills. But.... uhm... still have a jail system... no karma lost... just trying to keep the neutral areas in order... that is all...

Now about Faction VS Faction... anything goes, there will be consequences in WAR. But, that is another area that I need help expanding? PVP and Node War nerds. Please chip in if you can?

Link: MAP Concept

this is probably the first post of you that i see and dont fully disagree with, however, i think it is very very unrealistic since changes like this are SO DRASTIC that it would be an entirely new game. The amount of work required to turn BDO into something like this is so much and lets not even begin to talk about the cost. No way Pearl Abyss would ever so drastically re-structure a 8 year old game that is on the slow decline.

Because the techology to support that kind of large scale server build without load screens simply doesnt exist yet, or is feasible to run. BDOs engine already is at its limit with the map size we have, and the amount of people on the servers (especially during very busy times, eg Siege Wars, GM Events, Terrmian)

Where is the difference to now? Other than artificially splitting supply and rare ressources, which would limit everyone instead of being beneficial, Lifeskillers already support ongoing fights by supplying materials. And for rare materials like truffles and other consumables like that, the PvP scene is already making their own supply, since usually the profit for these recipes just isnt there, which makes lifeskillers not supply it. Sure, you can say there is a "sense of belonging" to a certain faction, but Imo its far too late in BDOs lifecycle to add factions now, when we are used to making our own alliances and politics by now (which is also much more interesting, as that allows for more flexibility. Given how BDO players are, you know that all the "big" guilds would join one faction, and dominate the game entirely. We dont need that).

We don't though. I barely know anyone who wants PvP always and anywhere. What we want is accountability / consequences for actions, and Risk vs Reward. 

Someone who PKs a defenseless lifeskiller becuse they wanted to taste blood, and nothing else, should be punished.

Someone who invades a spot just to kill someone without the intention of contesting the spot, should also be punished.

Someone who invades a spot just to annoy someone who already grinds there by taking mobs or similar, should also be punished.

Karma itself is a good option to have. But we need consequences also for those who abuse the loopholes, e.g. via intentional Karmabombing by harassing another player on a spot and taking off gear to take away the other persons options for retaliation.

Conflict can be sought out even when not raising weapons. The current Karma system fails to prevent that. Not having a Karma system at all however is also not beneficial, as then there are less options for people with lower gear or pacifistic intentions to exist unbothered.

So like... cities? Which are safe zones? Sure, the exp gained there is less than on open roads, and there is a higher chance of stopping due to obstacles. But in return you are safe from player / mob interference and attacks, and are much more likely to actually complete a full night AFK without issues than outside. Again, this is Risk vs Return. If you make a choice towards more safety, then you sacrifice higher earnings for it.

I like BDO for its open world. Its fluid combat. And my choice to do what I want where I want when I want. I do not want to be limited to only a certain area of the big map. I like being able to go everywhere. A faction system would limit that. There are no "dedicated quest zones". Quests take you everywhere. If you have faction based marketplace and supplies, then lifeskill areas also cannot be neutral.

We dont need Faction vs Faction, Guild wars already exist and there are no consequences for these fights either, and its much more flexible to set up as well, and more natural to grow. 

Personally, I dont see any benefit to a faction system in BDO. It only takes away from the open world and freedom that we have, and which i see as a big draw to the game overall.

Well... PA needs to do something like this to compete with another game that is currently a WIP in the market. I can't say it here. But, it's going to kill BDO.

Pretty much. Exactly. 100%. No doubts.

Dont bet on it killing bdo , im assuming its throne an liberty. 

Many mmos have been "BDO killers" none of them have successfully done so. Most likely wont happen

"Because the techology to support that kind of large scale server build without load screens simply doesnt exist yet, or is feasible to run. BDOs engine already is at its limit with the map size we have, and the amount of people on the servers (especially during very busy times, eg Siege Wars, GM Events, Terrmian)"

I see... the engine is already at its limit.... which is sad.... would love to see a vision with large-scale war. A PVX would love to have war like this.
WAR - massive wars! But again, server limitation...

"We don't though. I barely know anyone who wants PvP always and anywhere. What we want is accountability / consequences for actions, and Risk vs Reward. 

Someone who PKs a defenseless lifeskiller becuse they wanted to taste blood, and nothing else, should be punished.

Someone who invades a spot just to kill someone without the intention of contesting the spot, should also be punished.

Someone who invades a spot just to annoy someone who already grinds there by taking mobs or similar, should also be punished.

Karma itself is a good option to have. But we need consequences also for those who abuse the loopholes, e.g. via intentional Karmabombing by harassing another player on a spot and taking off gear to take away the other persons options for retaliation.

Conflict can be sought out even when not raising weapons. The current Karma system fails to prevent that. Not having a Karma system at all however is also not beneficial, as then there are less options for people with lower gear or pacifistic intentions to exist unbothered."

Then the Karma system needs to be improved. However, it still needs to be scrap for something better?

ez fix, make pve server and reward pvp players for doing pvp content like rbf.

so we get rid of you leeching the energy quest and you get rid of us.

for griefing around you got some dedicated servers like arsha.

If the server is at its limit and to solve life skills problematic issues, the only option left I can think of (for now) is trying to implement this: 'gears should always be visible' (by IWalkAlone )  or ' icons' indicating that the player has Life Skills gears equipped. This will not affect PVX in any way. However, PKer and Red Players will not stop killing life skills. So, the suggestion? Should red players be able to pay a fine (Silver) while jailed to get their gears back instead of karma lost?

I am just thinking here...

Edit: I am still thinking hard here. It will take time for me to input more suggestions. Still not giving up!

Actually... can PA developers add some codes to stop players from taking off their clothes/gear while fighting or in combat? You can only swap gears if you are in a safe place without contact?? This may stop karma-bombing. Also, for life skills players, can a quick coin flip (which is suggested waaaay before by someone) be a good solution to DFS system for Life Skills VS Life Skills? Yar just takes too long, we like to keep hunting, chopping wood and etc.

For horse training, can PA get rid of the death count for horses? That may encourage player base to take risk and just go out of city? Too many horses in town is a problem for players with mid-low specs computer and laptop.

P.S. I am thinking. It's not done yet. xD