The past has often shown that PvP in survival games does not work in most cases. Almost always, developers move away from the idea and towards PvE content. A small team wants to defy the trend – once again – and has invited MeinMMO to take a look at their new project on Steam. MeinMMO editor and survival expert Benedict Grothaus was initially skeptical, but the creators made a point.
If you look at the best survival games currently available, most of them have little to no PvP. Most focus on cooperative gameplay against threats like zombies or the environment, some on story and character development.
Surprise hits like Valheim or Enshrouded show that even small indie projects can achieve enormous success if they approach things correctly. With a well-crafted world, good storytelling, and solid gameplay, many players are already satisfied.
Recently, a new representative of the genre has emerged with Dune: Awakening, and it has been very successful. However, there is some initial criticism: the endgame requires PvP, which players really dislike.
Now, the creators of Renown presented their new game to me during a one-hour demo session, led by the developers – a game that fully focuses on PvP. The information came right at the beginning of the session, and I barely managed to suppress an annoyed groan. By the end of the presentation, I was no longer so sure if my initial reaction was justified.
Full focus on PvP – that hasn’t worked so far
When I hear survival and PvP in connection, I am skeptical. Very much so, because modern survival games are mostly about fighting against the world (to “survive”) and tied to weeks of work for a cool base. You don’t want that ruined by griefers.
For the most part, I agree with the development of the genre. My prominent example is Last Oasis, a game that advertised hardcore PvP back then: a world where the sun burns everything, and players must fight each other for water.
Just a few months after release, the game was discontinued: too many toxic players, too little success. The developers themselves recognized the mistake and are now making a new game with Bellwright focused on co-op and PvE.
Even with Dune: Awakening, where PvP plays a relatively small part and is fully optional, the developers are adjusting. Shortly after release, half of the endgame is replaced by PvE, as PvP was simply too annoying for the majority of players.
One of the largest survival games on Steam as a model
And then there is Rust. It has stubbornly maintained its position at the top of the survival games with the most players on Steam for years. Occasionally, there’s a newcomer, but in the long run, Rust always somehow stays on the throne.
Rust focuses entirely on PvP and yes, the community is massively toxic. However, this bothers very few people, as all servers reset every week. So, you lose everything after at most seven days anyway. Losing duels against a nasty player is much less severe since they won’t have it for long.
In the conversation, the creators explain that Renown wants to take the same path. The only real content of the game – besides building and co. – is PvP and sieges, but servers are reset weekly. The game wants to distinguish itself by:
- a medieval setting and more or less historically accurate armors and weapons, even from different eras
- siege mechanics like explosives and axes
- castle building, especially for groups and guilds
- “points of interest” with high-tier loot, designed as hot spots for PvP battles
Additionally, there will be a fighting system reminiscent of Chivalry or Mordhau, and is at least as chaotic. Swords, axes, maces, and shields clash against plate armors and bows. Survival elements like hunger and thirst do not exist at all.
Renown takes a risk, but the arguments are good
The more the developers show and explain, the more I realize: Renown doesn’t want to be a survival game with PvP. It is a PvP game with survival elements. The focus is clearly here. The creators explain that the competition often failed because they tried to appeal to both PvE and PvP fans. That cannot end well.
In contrast, Renown could actually hit a niche that is poorly served. Not only is Rust a good example of this, but also Chivalry or Mordhau. Both are games that fully focus on PvP, but they work and are well-received – even if Chivalry 2 is not being developed further despite its success.
Players know what to expect from these games. It will be the same with Renown. The difference from the other medieval games is solely the fixed, large map that resets every week, and a building system. Several other features are also already in planning or partially implemented, such as:
- mounts and ships
- music and board games (yes, really!)
- server events
- private/community servers and mods that allow for roleplay servers
- cosmetic character customization
- wearable banners
- an arena system as well as a hardcore mode
Whether and how much success Renown will have with this idea, I cannot say. PvP always makes me skeptical, even if it could potentially work here. The game itself is supposed to be released in 2025 on Steam, likely in early access. However, backer packages are currently sold out. If you still prefer to focus on PvE, it’s worth taking a look at Valheim: One of the best survival games on Steam is almost perfectly rated, and now aims to tackle one of its last weaknesses
