Arc Raiders had a free playtest this weekend, and some players are arguing that the game needs a PvE-only mode. In the game players are tasked with scavenging resources from an open map infested with enemy robots alongside other players, with players not in your group effectively being another type of enemy. This, of course, has some players saying that fighting enemy robots is enough, that they don’t need the extra stress of having to fight off other players too. The pro-PvP players are, of course, saying that this is what the game is, and if you don’t like it you should go play something else.
It’s not like that’s never been done before. Sea of Thieves is another PvPvE game, and not too long ago it too got a PvE-only mode.
What do you say about this? Should a game that wants to be both PvE and PvP also offer exclusive modes?
I agree with the other comments. “Should” kind of frames this as a necessity. It’s not - no one gets to dictate what’s in the game except for the developers. But I will have a hard time without a clean PvE mode, especially if the game wants to be both PvE and PvP.
Why? Because in PvE you are dependent on the community of the game. And sometimes it’s great, but sometimes it can really suck the fun out of a game. Having the option to chill and not interact with anyone can be great of you don’t wanna gamble on the community, especially when you wanna play to decompress after a work day.