You told us whether you prefer PvE or PvP in MMORPGs – The result is more than clear

We asked you about your content preferences in MMOs and MMORPGs. Here’s what you told us about PvP and PvE.

In almost every major MMORPG today, both PvE and PvP content can be found. The two modes offer fans very different types of content and therefore often appeal to different target audiences.

We wanted to know from you in a survey whether you are more of a PvP or PvE fan, and you responded en masse.

This is how you voted: A total of 3,215 readers participated in the survey. Each could only cast one vote, and the vote could not be undone.

Here is the distribution of votes:

• Predominantly PvE and occasionally PvP – 44.23% (1,422 votes)
• Only PvE – 38.53% (1,239 votes)
• Predominantly PvP and occasionally PvE – 7.52% (242 votes)
• Both equally often – 6.34% (204 votes)
• Only PvP – 3.36% (108 votes)

The survey shows that over 80% of you either do not play PvP at all or only occasionally check it out. The balanced faction of readers who play both modes equally amounts to just over 6% of all respondents.

However, the numbers are rather slim for fans of pure PvP, at only 10.88% in total. Only 3.36% of respondents play exclusively PvP, and 7.52% predominantly play PvP, while they occasionally throw some PvE into the mix.

Is PvP simply not good in many MMORPGs?

You told us: In the comments under the survey, you shared with us why you tend to prefer one mode over the other.

Some of these reasons were very simple. PvE fans stated that PvP simply does not suit them and is not really their thing. PvP is too hectic and stressful for them, so this part of the respondents. When gaming, PvE fans prefer to relax.

I’m a pure PvE player and really don’t want to be forced into PvP like in Destiny 2. It’s just not my world.

MeinMMO reader Manu

Preferably in MMORPGs almost only PvE games, very rarely PvP. It’s too hectic for me, and for example in WoW, I’m not so good at PvP. 

MeinMMO reader Victor Frankenstein

However, there were more issues with PvP than just dislike. On one hand, you had a lot of positive things to say about PvP in the comments.

• It is more dynamic, exciting content that is good for thrills.
• It is a type of content that “self-generates” and is less dependent on content supplements from the devs.
• The large open-world conflicts between factions are a highlight.
• PvP is considered important for the economy of an MMO.

However, the actual implementation of PvP in many MMOs is rather poor. According to your comments, PvP is often treated poorly, and the mode suffers from bots, cheaters, and griefers.

Hmm… My ranking is probably something like this:

• 1. Fair PvP (Arena, Battlegrounds, RTS, generally games with a good MMR system)
• 2. PvE with story (preferably coop)
• 3. PvE with (some) grind

….

• 534. Unfair PvP (Low-level ganking, ganker groups that kill resource gatherers, and so on) […]

MeinMMO reader T.M.P

[…] For me personally, PvE like PvP belongs in a really good MMORPG, but PvP quickly ends up on the back burner or is only used for cheap content to create content where there is none. Implemented poorly to distract from the fact that there is little content, and thus becomes hated by many after the first touch because they only get to know ganking.[…]

MeinMMO reader Steed

It was also commented that the poorly implemented PvP is responsible for the general dislike of the mode. New players are deterred by their bad experience in the form of ganking and want nothing to do with PvP afterwards.

You would like a fair and balanced PvP where skill decides over victory. But that is a challenging task in MMOs and MMORPGs with various specs, gear builds, and level progressions.

But do you have any suggestions on how to fix the problem? Do you know really good examples of PvP in MMORPGs? Tell us about them in the comments.

3 MMORPGs for PvE fans, where PvP plays hardly any role