Yes.

Yes. We joined because of our favorite youtuber and website talking about the Olvia and Season Servers. We actually didn't experience mandatory PVP for about 4 months. The introduction we had was fantastic and really enjoyable. I would love to go back to that, while having the ability to continue playing my main.

What Pearl Abyss & the community should understand is that it's not really possible to do OWPVP in BDO.  The answer is also not to enforce harsher penalties on players so it is more feasible.  Pearl Abyss is clearly aware of this issue by the changes they have implemented over the years.

But I flag and kill others, how is it not possible to PVP?  Anyone that has dealt with Karma Bombing or general PVP already knows this.  The reason why so many players immediately attempt to mob feed players is they know how pointless it is to kill a player that will return shortly after.  Thus they abuse the mechanics to try to hinder their opponents in ways that are probably not intended at all by the developers.

Some suggestions have been to put a harsher penalty on those dying.  Except that is the exact opposite of BDO's goal in actually establishing a larger customer base.  They know the more you allow abuse and bullying the LESS people there will be playing BDO.

In addition you can't just go around PKing people very easily.  If your going to go perma red you may as well just go to Arsha instead.  You can't even really PK effectively at all anywhere aside from Arsha.  Even if you can defeat your opponent it's a waste of resources and a boring fight.

The viable PVP options could easily be:

Both parties flag

War Declarations

PVP Channel

Siege

Node

RBF

Special areas (The upcoming competitive areas)

The entire world doesn't need OWPVP especially to so many that simply do not wish to play the game this way.  Respect their choice of how they want to play instead of trying to impose your idealogy upon them.  It's their game too and it's a fallacy that your own game is ruined by other people playing the way they want.

If you're going to use the name fearless you could stand up to your own internal fears that a PVE server would ruin your game experience.

There is a simple solution to this: Let the cusomters play on the server which best suits their needs.  Not the one you fear will harm your own game experience.

For those that wish to engage in Arsha rules, have at it, have fun.

For those that want a more PVE experience, have at it, have fun.

I am on the mindset that BDO was created to be a PvPvE game, and a big reason I like this game over other MMO's is because of this.  So many reasons why that I will not list them all, but the bottom line is I like BDO as it was intended to be - an open world sandbox-y pvpve mmorpg.  So I am not for a PvE-only server, as I feel it is too far off from what the game is/was intended to be.

On the issue of unfair PK while AFK horse riding, however, I can see both sides.  1) You're in a Combat Zone, so if you die while AFK, that's a risk you need to assume.  And 2) It's just plain annoying, since there is no fast travel, to get PK'd while AFK horse riding to a destination.  Hopefully the new Outlaw System they plan on releasing addresses this.  IMO - All main roads should be reduced to "Hostile Territory".  Not "Safe Zone" since obviously it's in the open world, but by making a new category aside from Combat/Safe Zones, "Hostile Territory" means you can still be PK'd, but the penalties for the PK-er are harsher.  OFC, this excludes PK's due to guild wars.

While in "Hostile Territory", a player can still be PK-d by another, but the penalties are much harsher for the one just wanting to get jollies off and PK someone AFK.  Instant Red for the PK-er in hostile territory, although, it's not really complete, since I can see people running to roads near grind zones as a type of, or form of, Karma Bombing.  Is just an idea.  Hopefully the Outlaw / Bounty System introduces new "laws" in the game world to both keep people in check AND allow for some healthy forms of Outlaws as well.

We play an MMORPG, so I believe all personality types should be welcomed - even the bloodthirsty and more "toxic" people.  Toxicity should be dealt with properly, though, and currently, there's lots of room for improvement in the department.

But I don't think a PvE-Only server would be healthy for the game.  It will only serve to split our community into camps, and in the end, we'll have two types of BDO players - those who do not shy from PvP and those who run from it / don't want it at all.  IMO, we play ONE game and we should play it together instead of splitting off into camps, who play two different forms of the same game.  IDK just seems dumb IMO.  Like, a band-aid, lazy or "easy fix" to toxicity is to add PvE Only servers, when more thorough developments are possible, improving on what's already here to make it better.  PvE-Only server feels like a direct nerf to the game (it literally removes one [huge] aspect of the game).

Umm...you know you can channel swap, right?  You know you can come back later, right?

So because YOU don't like PvP, then that means YOU get the speacial treatment?

OK well, what if I said "I don't like PvE or whaling, but I still want 700 GS.  I only want to PvP in this game, so stop FORCING me to PvE in order to get stronger in PvP".  Would you think I'm being reasonable?

As it stands, this game's PvE AND PvP compliment each others.  PvE to get stronger in PvP.  PvP to hold your spot / gatherable resources / etc. 

It's a shared world, everyone's after the same resources (generally), so don't be surprised if you're grinding and someone wants that spot for themselves.  This, of course, does NOT excuse outright toxic behavior, which is something the devs need to figure how to deal with organically, and not changing the entire premise of the game to accomodate a group of anti-PvP players who choose to play a PvP game.  And yes, BDO is a PvP game....it is also a PvE game, also a grind-game, also a lifeskill game, a market-analysis game, etc. all at the same time -- and to me, this is what makes this game beautiful.

Following that logic Arsha should be removed from the game.  It would only "split the player base".  Seasonal Servers need to go immediately too.  They by definition "split the player base".

"We play an MMORPG, so I believe all personality types should be welcomed - even the bloodthirsty and more "toxic" people."

That is the exact opposite of what most adults do.  In fact it's some of the best advice a person can give.  Choose your friends wisely and separate yourself from others.  People are generally successful by surrounding themselves by motivated and successful people and they avoid the rest.

It's a much easier way to avoid conflict in life and to live a better life.  People live in gated communitites for a reason.  They don't want to interact with the problematic people.

Do you despise them for it?  It's actually a bit of a lie told to people in School.  School assumes you will be the employee and should learn to tolerate others because you won't have a choice.  That's not how a business is ran though.  They terminate those that don't fit in or uphold standards.  They don't just accept they have to be there.

The answer is simple.  You shouldn't be dicating the game experience for others in this manner.  No one is trying to ruin your game experience or take anything away.  They simply want to play to a standard that meets their needs.  Something THEY enjoy not you.

You don't have any right to prevent them from creating an environment THEY want be part of.

This issue has been a hot topic for quite some time. Many discussions devolving into preaching or petty name-calling and such, but at the bottom of it all -- what this request is asking for is to create a version of BDO that is very, very far from what the game was designed to be -- a PvX open world sandboxy MMORPG.

You can have your opinions on it, and so will I, but if we are to remain completely objective here, a PvE only server is not the BDO we have all grown to know. Well, least of us who've been here before Seasonal.

Seasonal and Arsha attempt to salvage some of these requests (PvE only and open world PvP with no penalty), that is one reason they're there for. They do not have an impact on the premise of the game nearly as close as a dedicated PvE server would have. Seasonal is the tutorial version of BDO, Arsha is the alternative BDO where people go to fight or fight while grinding. All these players -- seasonal or Arsha will eventually find their way back into normal BDO. Tutorial ends, season players go to normal channel. Arsha player will eventually return to normal servers when they want to grind peacefully or make reliable income. PvE-Only server will serve as a permanent home to many people, and this is the effect I am concerned about. It is not a matter of removing choice, "removing content for whales" (as I've read) or "forcing" people to PvP, it is a matter of keeping BDO's integrity as a PvPvE MMORPG with seamless transitions between PvE and PvP. A PvE only version of BDO is not the BDO I have grown to know over the years. Yes, the game will evolve, and if a PvE only server is introduced, I just hope it isn't done mearly as a means to accommodate wishes, but with careful planning and foresight by the dev team.

I have participated in discussions on this topic and it'll probably go on forever, least until the devs cave in and give a PvE only server. In any case, I feel both sides come up with viable reasonings, and is not an easy issue to tackle.

Just know that BDO is unlike WoW or other traditional MMOs like GW2 or ESO. Which is why I'm extra cautious about this issue and not just gung-ho "do it now!". I can see this potentially ruining the game and I intend to stick around until all the fog is lifted off the map, so forgive the worry of heartbreak if this game were to be absolutely ruined by the introduction of a fully fledged PvE only server.

Again, BDO is vasty different from the traditional "Western" mmos that people are free to choose from if a PvEvP mmo is NOT what they're looking for. BDO serves a niche, and in it's niche, it does very well -- just look at the revenue this game has pulled. It's worked thus far, so something truly compelling would need to take place for them to change their winning formula.

In any case, if it is introduced, I'll probably just play as I usually do. So it's whatever -- unless it actually kills the game, which, I'm worried it will. I remain unconvinced that a PvE only server would have a minimal impact on the game, the population or the community as a whole, like those that want one claim. I see tons of people grinding over each other, PvE-griefing with just as much selfish ambitions as currently -- with no way to resolve conflict. I see geared players going into low level grind spots and purposefully grind mobs a lower geared player is trying to farm. I see low geared players going into grind zones way above their GS and messing with rotations of players who are appropriately geared. The list goes on.

@BDO Devs - DO NOT RUIN THE GAME, MAKE IT BETTER! Thanks.

It is important for Pearl Abyss and the community to see the fallacies and bias in your response.

"You can have your opinions on it, and so will I, but if we are to remain completely objective here, a PvE only server is not the BDO we have all grown to know."

Your claim is that PVP is what we have all grown to know.

So lets take an objective look to verify if this is true.

* AFK bartering

* Level 49 Alts, gathering, fishing

* Players avoiding the game and only coming around to play Olvia

* Passive players that avoid nearly every PVP encounter

* People that just quit the game

* People that deal with it, but would rather not have to

* People that only play Seasonal or just started

* Very problematic class balance

* Issues with gear score

* Game breaking issues like SMH for months distorting the entire economy and power

The objective truth is there have been a lot of players that have tried to avoid PVP and voted against it.  Historically the numbers have always proved more consumers want PVE than PVP.  Virtually every single BDO poll suggested a massive amount if not the majority want PVE.

So you really haven't proven a point that we just "know BDO to be a PVP game".

"Seasonal and Arsha attempt to salvage some of these requests"

Is this statement true?  I highly doubt it.  The Seasonal Server appears to be copying simple successful mechanics from other games like Diablo and Path of Exile.  It's main purpose is to draw in new players and revitalize content.

The PVE aspect was implemented for a very specific reason.  It was to make the game more friendly and playable for new players.  That doesn't make a lot sense IF the PVP is such a good thing for the game.  It would ONLY make sense if the PVP was a negative and unwanted aspect for customers.

Your faulty dream of a PVP world is falling apart in front of everyone.

In addition to the removal of PVP from the new servers.

* It's not allowed on Olvia

* It's not allowed on Bosses

* The PVP penalty was removed (so more people would play the game)

* The amount of trade items was reduced

* The amount of Karma was increased

Pearl Abyss does NOT agree with your premise and they NEVER have.

Even in the begginning they always had caviats about how they would have to carefully monitor it and not cause to much harm.  Well the updates are clear.  Forced PVP has been nerfed over and over.

Objective Fact

Nearly every single PVP game has signficantly nerfed the PVP aspects of their game.  Even games 100% focused on PVP crumble.  Albion Online was supposed to be a hardcore PVP game.  It didn't work.  They have been nerfing PVP repeatedly to try to keep the game viable.

It all comes down to your own fears of thinking PVE will destroy the game, but there are REAL simple answers to everything you claim is a problem.

A PVE server will be a toxic mess of players stacked on each other?

Don't we already all know the answer to this?  The new Hadum zones and future updates to the game could improve this situation drastically by allowing MORE customers to play simultaneously. A win/win for everyone.

Objective Fact

PVP doesn't fix anything.  If 200 people want to play in an area, but there is only room for 40, PVP won't solve it.  You might end up with the strongest 40 grinding.  However, what about the other 160 people.  You never seem to care about them.  I have hard news for you.  They won't be going to grind some insufficient zone instead, they will QUIT THE GAME FIRST.

they have that option. the moment you accept to go level 50 you allow PVP to be part of your bdo journey.
You cant do all the content in bdo with 0 pvp. thats not what bdo is designed for. seasonal are temporary servers. eventually you will go to the real servers and you WILL get forced PVP.


BDO is a territorial game. if you cant protect your grind session, you cant have it.. its the rule of the jungle. survival of the fittest.  People need to learn to accept this.