I recently decided on a hot topic for my weekly rant, which quite literally fits “like a fist to the eye”.
The WildStar servers will be merged into so-called “megservers”, and if I understand correctly, there will only be two European servers left after this step: one for PvE and one for PvP.
The positive aspects are there
I can absolutely understand Carbine’s decision. Many realms are currently relatively empty, and large raid groups form only rarely due to the high demands placed on players. There is practically no competition for “World First Kill,” even though a few dedicated guilds are certainly doing their best.
Also, the big feature of Warplots is still rarely used – acute player shortage is often a reason, since not everyone is keen on PvP and certainly not in such a large, coordinated group.
The mentioned problems can be resolved by megaservers, I see that. And yet I could cry.
… but you will get surnames! And new people!
I hear the little voices in the role-playing forum desperately trying to point out the positive aspects that such a megaserver can have for role players. It could bring new people because if everyone is on one server, the chance is high that newcomers will become enthusiastic about RP. Sure, this is a valid point. But for every new role player, there will also be ten trolls who just enjoy ruining the fun for others, and that is very easy to do in role-playing.
A second point is that surnames are supposed to be THE realized dream of every role player. Short and sweet: They are not. My Cortyn is already named Leafshade, whether that is displayed above her head or not is completely irrelevant. A nice feature that could already be had through addons if one really wanted it. I don’t want it. I don’t want all the rest either.
WildStar takes what it gave me
I am currently playing on “Toria”, the German RP-PvE realm and it is quite empty.
As a role player, a somewhat empty server is a blessing, as it has led to interesting developments. “CREDD” cost about 1-2 platinum in the first weeks, without wanting to brag: I will play WildStar completely for free this next year due to this low price. When I hear stories about how CREDD costs 50 platinum or more on other realms, I can only smile in satisfaction. That will end.
A second beautiful advantage of a half-empty RP server is that you know almost all players. I know almost all players and at least every guild on the realm is known to me. It’s hard to put into the right words, but it feels like a large circle of acquaintances united under the realm name Toria. Everyone knows everyone, both in the Exiles and in the Dominion. That will end.
It is this feeling of togetherness, the feeling of a community that has formed over the last three months that is being destroyed by packing all players together with a flood of “Olololol-epics!” people. No, I do not consider myself and all role players to be better, and I cannot speak for everyone, but I simply have different expectations of a game. And role-playing without the appropriate environment is difficult. Because RP is not just “what you make of it,” but also strongly dependent on the environment. And try playing tennis on a soccer field while two teams are kicking against each other. It doesn’t work.
My idea: A bit naive, perhaps underdeveloped
My option may be a bit too romantically idealized, but let me explain: Why not merge all servers except the RP servers? Let us live in peace with our little, perfect world! We don’t want large PvP groups or super raid competitions; we are already delighted if we can sit on a chair with a click! Yes, I can already hear your counter-arguments that there are also PvE players who are on an RP server and they too want to experience content. Let them transfer for free, as is already the case!
I really have no choice
I know it’s never as hot as it’s cooked, you shouldn’t praise the day before the evening, and don’t distribute the wild until it’s caught. But all those wise sayings don’t help me right now to cope with simply being incredibly gloomy about this decision. The last months of role-playing were so grand because there was hardly any harassment from “non-role players” because you could simply RP right in the capital without being ridiculed from the side about how silly you behave.
That will come to an end, and at the latest when xXxShàdôwhúntâxXx hops across my screen for the first time, my Cortyn will suddenly pay more attention to the housing item “Rope”. Whether she will soon be hanging from one of her beloved trees can only time tell.
After reading through this column a second time, I realize that I haven’t written so negatively and so melancholically in a long time. WildStar and the role-playing have become a matter of the heart for me – please don’t ruin it for me. Please, Carbine, please.
