IDEAS FOR RYZOM

The idea is to promote more factional PVP. This can be done in 2 ways, as far as I know: Preventing killing homins of your own faction (very restrictive), or creating incentives through fame to make PVP possible between your faction, but leaving the decision to the homin.

For orientation, for example, the approach of avoiding friendly fire would be a win. That would make the cosmetic old markings for faction and citizenship. Then at least you know who you're dealing with.

Then of course it is important, as I think, that there must also be consequences for PVP. There is no death penalty for killed homins. That is fine. But the loss of fame in small steps or the increase of fame would be a wonderful menchanic and is legitimate to give homins an orientation to a faction, but not to force them strictly into a caste system. Since you have chosen a faction *voluntarily*, you can count on the consequences, just as in the countries of Umbra you accept the risk of being killed by higher levels. This should be extended to all PVP areas except duels and training in the Arena.

Okay, maybe a rework of the pvp point scoring could be more punitive against mortal enemies teaming up, currently opposing fames on the same team cancel each other out, but unfortunately that was not what this post was about- although in spirit it wants more clear cut faction divisions, that could be done by modifying the already existing rewards.

I did provide the reason why I don't think its necessary, and I suggested an alternative that PvP point calculation could be changed to give less or no points if mortal enemies ally.

Let me explain you by what factors any PvP-community is driven (Ryzom being no exception).

1) Achievement - and by this term I mean not silly titles or checkmarks in Achievement list, I mean the feeling that you have reached something, that you and your team / guild / alliance have changed the world around.

2) Rewards - be it loot from enemies or their property, or PvP points, badges, whatever. The stuff you get if you win.

3) PvP mechanics and PvP itself as a process - interesting mechanics with a lot of variety and theorycrafting, engaging activity in which one have to think and act fast, have to know the game, with lots of things to choose from, fitting different playstyles - that's what keep players interested and makes them logging in game.


Now, in Ryzom, there is:

- no achievements to speak of. Win 100 fights or lose 100 fights, your faction neither gain nor lose anything. Your actions in PvP don't matter, end of story.

- no rewards to speak of. Rewards obtained with PvP points are scarce and aren't that good, the only thing that is useful is the skirt and crystals for Maras.

- mechanics and PvP process are so-so. There is strong emphasis on quality of gear and random numbers. The variety is low.

Consider all of this and you won't be surprised why PvP community in Ryzom is a small bunch and why PvP players don't stick around for long, when there are so many other games that have to offer much more to them.