The original plan was for everyone here to submit this to the LEGO Universe Message Boards. Apparently, what you can submit on a PC differs from what you can submit on an iPad, though, so... Instead, if everyone who reads this could paste the essay into a message sent to LEGO via the LU page, that'd be fantastic
. Thanks to MsRR for this idea.
PvP is a valuable asset in any successful MMORPG franchise. It is a common asset that, frankly, should not be missed. The implementation of PvP presents the potential to extend the thrill of any game's combat antics indefinitely. I know I do not stand alone when I say this: the addition of PvP in LEGO Universe is a mandatory action for the game's Development Team to take.
Bring this issue to any Brick Buddy, and I can nearly guarantee their response will sound something like this: "The goal of LEGO Universe is to work with other players to battle the Maelstrom." I have two words for everyone: FRIENDLY COMPETITION. Not only is PvP a fun way to socialize with players you choose to side with, but it provides an extremely fun way to determine the most able warriors in the game. Compared to the accomplishment of using wits, agility, and strategy to conquer a fellow player, the non-material rewards of fighting a combat-programmed computer model are few and far between (not that most players look for glory when busting out their Bat Lord suits and heading to Brig Rock to plow over some Admirals). LEGO Universe is a wonderful game. I absolutely love it, but I find myself missing the epic PvP action seen in titles I've played prior to LEGO Universe. I urge that PvP be implemented in LEGO Universe, both because it is something I, personally, would like to see in-game, and because I know it would benefit the game wholly.
LEGO Universe is an incredible product. It is its own flavor of MMO awesomeness. However, I feel this greatness is partially cancelled out, if you will, by its lack of a couple common features in the MMORPG world. One of the most prominent of these is PvP. That's just my opinion, you say? Would you still feel that way if I told you that every single one of the games on both GameOgre.com's top-ten pay-to-play MMORPG list, and top-ten free-to-play MMORPG lists boast PvP? That's right. Just check out this URL:
http://www.gameogre.com/topmmorpgs.htm. This can't be a coincidence. Those lists make it evident that PvP is a mandatory asset in any legendary online game. However, I know there is still a handful of people who are against PvP for reasons I have not addressed. Allow me to persuade you further...
When executed correctly, PvP is an asset that, while it might not be enjoyed by a small percentage of the game's players, can be only beneficial to a game. This can be achieved very easily. I will dive further into that topic on my composition on the proper execution of PvP for LEGO Universe found below. One major objection that undoubtedly still hangs over some of us is this: Won't PvP turn players against other players? Of course there will be the nut-job who throws a screaming fit when he is defeated by another player. However, this is simply unavoidable with anything in an MMORPG. With any content in an online game, someone will hate another player because of something that happened within that content. The possible negative effects of implementing PvP in LEGO Universe would be induced by ANY new content released in the game, and are therefore irrelevant.
"Okay, so you've convinced me that PvP would be a good addition to LEGO Universe. However, new worlds are fun,too! Why not just add more of those?" Yes, new worlds are fun. However, once all the missions in that world are done, you have all the gear you want from that world, and you've completed the achievements, they lose their charm. When a player no longer finds combat fun, they go in one of three directions. They can either A) begin to farm enemies for rares to sell, and make it their ultimate goal to achieve unparalleled wealth, B) become a thriving social minifigure, which isn't a bad thing, but it could get old... or C) spend their time building. This is an awesome feature of LEGO Universe, and something I really enjoy. However, I'd like some other fun stuff to do, as well, as I'm sure many others do. Ultimately, I believe LEGO Universe needs some longer-lasting content. PvP is among the most successful, nearly infinitely-lasting, features in any MMORPG.
It is for all of these reasons I concluded to compose this essay. May the powers-that-be over at LEGO HQ take this composition seriously and do as it urges.
I have taken into consideration the styles of PvP I have seen in the MMOs I've played, as well as the current needs of LEGO Universe, and created a summary of, what I believe, is the ideal PvP environment in LEGO Universe.
Right off the bat, I can deduce that the best overall style of PvP in LEGO Universe would be an open PvP area with two opposing sides. (And, by the way, when I say "area," I don't mean a small arena. I mean fairly large world.) This is because a PvP environment such as this is nearly infinitely-lasting. The down-side of this is the fact that a open PvP area is not a controlled environment and is potentially a formula for unfair match-ups. It is for this reason that I would suggest an area such as this be limited to players with Valiant Weapons. After all, it is players with these weapons that need new content the most. By limiting the PvP area thusly, one can be assured that the outcome of all confrontations in the PvP area are not determined by gear.
There will undoubtedly be those who do not wish to participate in PvP gameplay, so PvP must not give players who chose to participate in it an advantage in other parts of the game. Therefore, there must not be any rewards given in a PvP environment that can be utilized in PvE.
Although, in my opinion, not helpful, necessary, or a good idea, it might be the wish of the LEGO Universe Development Team not to allow minifigures to actually harm each other. In this case, a clever backstory would have to be formulated. Some examples of this would include, but are not limited to:
-The PvP zone is a dream.
-The minifigures participating in PvP are holographic clones of the real minifigures, controlled by the real minifigures from control consoles.
I feel this kind of backstory dampens the thrill of PvP significantly, but mildly-exciting PvP is better than no PvP.
This composition is an outline of the ideal, best-fit application of PvP in LEGO Universe. Let the Development Team take it as a lesson that PvP can work well within LEGO Universe, and hopefully use it as a starting point for the PvP area I am fighting for.
Let us now examine some thoughts on PvP that were generously shared with me by members of our very own community
Here are some reasons Jarren finds PvP enjoyable:
"1. I get to play with my friends on LU, but sometimes playing together is not enough. I want to show my skills against someone, outside of racing.
2. Stromlings have repetitive behaviors, and actions, with PvP, its a unique experience every time!
3. There is so many options for PvP, Capture the flag, multi person battle, 1 on 1, etc.
4. Perhaps you could add loot into it. Battle for a piece of gear, and whoever wins gets the loot.
Ill add more as i think of them, but those are the main points."
Here are some pros of PvP MasterEric came to me with:
"I am for it because sometimes I don't feel like cooperating with friends. Also PvP is really fun, especially when your friends are in the room battling with/against you. It would also allow people to see opponent's battle strategies and even create new strategies altogether(how to dodge assembly turrets?)!"
Here are MrNinja's thoughts on PvP areas:
"Rewards tend to be good, most of the time it matches you with people your level/rank, and it's actually competitive, unless you count camping spots and competing with others for who has to get out."
(MrNinja's concerns were covered in my outline of the ideal application of PvP in LEGO Universe.)
As you can see, the addition of PvP is publicly desired and would greatly benefit the already-great game that is LEGO Universe. I intend to fight for this addition until I am assured a PvP area will be the next major bit of content released. I offer my sincere thanks to those who took the time to read this composition, especially those who read every last word with heartfelt concentration.
