Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Divergence Announces new PVP-Optional Server Stretch Goal!

We've had so many articles come out wherein hundreds, if not thousands, of people make mention in some form that they "would contribute if it weren't for the open-pvp", that we've completely re-evaluated the situation and came up with a potential solution that could benefit everybody!
The game, as it sits right now, has no PVP. Remember, that's the point of this IndieGoGo; To add top-shelf combat to our top-shelf crafting and other awesome features.
We've decided to officially announce our first stretch-goal as an additional "PVP-Optional" server. The new server will have some PVP, but it'll be consentual unlike our primary server. Players on the new server can either spend their days harvesting, crafting, dancing, playing as non-combatants, or flag themselves for PVP with a "TEF" and engage in an afternoon of RvR fun.

What's a TEF?
A "TEF" or "Temporary Enemy Flag" occurs either intentionally, by flagging yourself via chat command, or by performing certain actions. A few of those are:
  • Healing or buffing factionally-combative players in a state of PVP.
  • Killing or harming faction NPCs, such as town guards of an opposing faction.
  • Being forcefully ejected from a player city or establishment where you are unwelcome.
Essentially, if you're playing just to craft, harvest, dance, or even if you're healing or aiding other players (so long as they are not recently engaged in PVP), you can no longer be harmed, debuffed, or otherwise negatively affected by other players.

Won't this require your current game code to be changed, and how soon would this be available?
Running a secondary "PVP-Optional" server will not require significant changes to combat, since that's already the focus of our IndieGoGo, there is none! It will simply require more resources to be directed at developing the aforementioned "TEF" system. This is something we're more than prepared to do for the players, so long as we don't have to detract money from the overall development of the game to do it. Therefore, what we decided to do was add a brand new stretch goal to invite the players to make it possible for us to develop this "optional PVP".
What we hope this'll do, is give all those people who write us and say "I'd contribute but... Open PVP" a way of putting their money where their mouth is. while simultaneously funding both the game itself, and the style of gameplay they prefer. We could bring it online even before our Steam release for testing.

Will there be any other differences between the Primary server and the secondary "PVP-Optional" server?
There will be a few minor differences between the two geared mainly to gently nudge people towards our primary server, such as story events, and GMs playing notable NPCs and faction leaders on the primary server, but as far as game mechanics and features are concerned, they both get the same content. Additionally, we're experimenting with the idea of allowing characters to transfer between servers if they meet certain stipulations and even keep their character names, so long as it can be done in a manner that neither rewards nor penalizes the practice.

What if people contribute specifically to make the PVP-Optional server happen, but then it doesn't meet that stretch goal?
In that case, depending on how close it comes to the goal, we'll either elect to do the PVP-Optional server regardless of that fact, or we'll offer refunds to those people. Basically in either scenario, you can't lose :)
Thanks again for all your support guys, and let’s make this damn game happen!
-Ethan Casner

3 comments:

Unknown said...

wheres the ability to get into full alpha once we backed? i backed the high package and got no email showing any steps to play

Anonymous said...

It's the same steps for everyone; Download the game at the link on the campaign page and register ingame :)
www.divergence-online.com/download

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

Post a Comment