The upcoming western MMORPG Wild West Online fully focuses on PvP. However, player versus player combat should be as fair as possible.
PvP, especially open PvP, is always a double-edged sword. Many players enjoy the thrill of danger, being able to be attacked by other players at any time. However, this often leads to unfair situations.
Especially griefing and ganking is something that affects many online games heavily. When players make a sport out of continuously attacking weaker players to ruin their fun in the game, the operators of the title face a problem. After all, many frustrated players may then turn their backs on the MMO.
PvP is important, but should remain fair
But how can you reconcile satisfying the PvP fans without making the others frustrated? In Wild West Online, the developers want to achieve this balance. The game itself practically screams for open PvP. After all, in the Wild West, things were not taken lightly. Bandits were everywhere, and the few lawmen had a hard time maintaining law and order. This game feel is what the developers of Wild West Online aim to convey.
However, they are aware that this fosters exactly the situation that is feared: griefing and ganking. Therefore, the team is working on a reputation system. Every act in the Wild West contributes to reputation or causes a loss of it. If you lose too much, you become an outlaw and a bandit, and a bounty is placed on you. Then law-abiding players set out to hunt you down to collect this bounty. Those who are deputies can recognize who acts lawfully and who does not.
Bandits have it tough
The developers of Wild West Online hope to find an in-game regulation this way that ensures not too many players become griefers, but also instills a bit of fear of being constantly hunted. Because those who kill another player just for fun won’t gain much. The player leaves no loot, and you will be hunted yourself. If a deputy shoots you as a bandit, you will lose all your items.
Nonetheless, it should be fun to play as a bandit, as that’s the only way you can rob banks or ambush gold mines or caravans. Whether all this really works, however, will soon be seen.
More articles about Wild West Online:
Wild West Online: Internet detectives scent scandal
Wild West Online: Gameplay trailer shows mix of Skyrim and Red Dead Redemption
