PvP

[sesquepadalia]

So, the question of PvP in Anticthon has been raised. I'm torn on the subject, and want to write a game that enough people will enjoy, so thought I might throw this open to the floor.

Points against PvP

•  If your plot's good enough you shouldn't need it. 
•  It often creates OC resentment and feuding between players. - Counterpoint: It's just a game,

Comments

[knightclubber]

I have mixed feelings about violent pvp (contrary to my reputation amongst people who know me only from Maelstrom, a pvp system). In my local system I really dislike it, as it just gets too personal and breeds bad feeling. Not amongst everyone, but among enough people that it isn't healthy.

Also, you touched upon a nerve of bad memory in your OP, with the 'pranks' between characters in tabletop. I have poor memories of what was in hindsight just bullying when I was a young tabeltop gamer, where pvp can just be a way of players establishing dominance. PvP as a macho pissing contest is the worst kind IMO (and characterised what I disliked about some of the pvp in the last year of 'strom).

Having said that, I am all for conflict between consenting players (which is why I liked the Huntress game- you are targetting people who have themselves killed others, so I have no sympathy if they get upset when it happens to them. Most of those players thankfully have the good grace to take it well though).

Equally, I tend to think that pvp may be a consequence of people caring a whole lot about the game- they are willing to take extreme measures to achieve character goals. Thus making it possible, but with consequences and some difficulty, is my ideal state.

[sesquepadalia]

Thankfully the pranks I mentioned were never spiteful. Just along the lines of "I put itching powder in your character's sock drawer!" "lol! Well then I'll put gravy granules in your shower head!" - It was daft and annoying, but harmless. And took up ENTIRE sessions at a time, which was a whole heap of no-fun for the person playing the aloof Ice-queen pilot taking the moral high ground...

I do not want to make the kind of game where people feel left out, and players have nothing better to do than annoy each other for shits and giggles.