Cooperative Horde mode style PvE games are a dime a dozen right now. Almost every game out there with competitive multiplayer has some sort of PvE mode. Its been done. Yes, there is the potential for CCP to make it really unique, but going by their track record, do you think that it would really turn out to be that mind blowingly different and amazing?

I rather they put that effort into making more creative pvp game modes like gate defense or dynamic battlefield they had planned but couldnt execute due to technical problems.

I want to have a casual place I can go with my friends who don't play PvP, and just chill out and fight against some bots, both weak and strong.

I would also like matches where other players can crash my party, or where I can sick drones on them by hacking a drone hive. I think PvE is critical to making this game last in peoples minds. It also allows for story missions to start creeping in, giving us more of the MMO feel that some of us crave.

If we don't have PvE by the end of 2014 without a drastic shake up of the current PvP, things will be looking very stale indeed.

Adding to this, something that could probably be done with little effort.
Take the game as is it, make it a training game mode in the game.
One person invites in the people they want in a match and allows the gear than can be used.
Since this is a game within the game with no isk earned (maybe even no SP) ignore the SP tree, let people
run whatever as long as it is below whatever level the originator allows. Maybe throw in a fake
ISK spent limit.

One problem with it may be that no one would play the real mode.

While I understand where you're coming from you fail to realize that PVE does more than just distract you from the main game it also serves as a training ground. It's good for everyone, those who don't care won't play it but you're probably not going to quit because it's in.

But it exponentially adds to the NPE and player retention...something this game is terrible at.

And while you may think that everyone only came for PVP I think you'll be surprised how few came only for lobby based game modes. Why are they wasting Dev time on lobby modes?

My two cents is that we need themed PvE modes population extermination/suppression, kid napping, escaping CONCORD, helping and fighting against Pirate groups, etc. They could be quick simple missions that eventually evolve into multiple mission long arcs with connecting stories than randomise themselves.

A simple firing range so you can fine tune your weapons would be good.

Sounds wonderful, but I doubt we'll see much of that. It takes a lot of work to make PvE missions that aren't figured out, documented and farmed by players. Once a mission is being farmed, all of the backstory is irrelevant.

Also, PvE will almost certainly start with drones rather than human NPCs, as it is an order of magnitude easier to do an AI for a drone than a believable AI for a human. For a PvP-focussed game like Dust, CCP might never bother with human NPCs.

Its not a question of "is PvE cool" as much as "is PvE the most needed thing on the plate right now"

With a slew of questions and threads I have noticed in the past week about PvE, I feel the need to restate one of my main concerns about it's popularity.

Quite simply, many players or at least forum goers seem to think that PvE is the Messiah mode of DUST. And I totally disagree.



To me, PvE is an awesome idea and would be great to see in the future. But as I have said in the past, at what expense of development time would PvE take? And really, is playing bot matches against drones really what you came to DUST for?
For myself, I am still waiting for the fulfillment of the Future Vision of EVE, that DUST would become the first true MMOFPS tied to New Eden. PvE honestly goes the whole opposite direction of the MMO design philosophy, which DUST already lacks!

Look at it this way; we have currently two cookie cutter, total lack of imagination game modes as it is. Comparing to the only AI in the game, turret AI, I can honestly see rogue drone PvE being just another boring grind game mode.

Cooperative Horde mode style PvE games are a dime a dozen right now. Almost every game out there with competitive multiplayer has some sort of PvE mode. Its been done. Yes, there is the potential for CCP to make it really unique, but going by their track record, do you think that it would really turn out to be that mind blowingly different and amazing?

And that begs the question, if it was, wouldn't you rather the development time have been spent improving the PvP experience? That part of the game is arguably the only thing that even matters. New Eden is about choice and consequences, and PvE essentially provides a distraction or filler for the time when your not interacting with other players in this supposedly "living universe".

Agreed :) core mechanics of game and content is Needed. I honestly think CCP is overwhelmed, they don't know exactly what to focus on I think they need to hire new developers to give them a fresh look and feel that this game is needing badly. I was always told 2 eyes are better than one. For me personally 1.7 is make it or break it for me, if its good ill stay if not im retiring dust forever and move on with a new title. Been playing dust for year and half. it will suck if I have to leave. But forced to cause of false promises......

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If I had my way, PvE would be on the roadmap, but it wouldn't be worked on until several things had happened as follows.

Firstly, all core content must be delivered. All racial lines of weapons, suits, equipment, and vehicles NEED to be introduced ASAP.

Secondly, improve the current PvP game modes and add more. Bring back Skirmish 1.0. Make some actually engaging game modes that require strategy and tactics. Ambush is a boring TDM, and Skirmish is an uninspired, circular clone of any other "hold this objective" game mode in existence. Take lessons from MAG and BF series and make some multi-stage game modes.

Third, really work on the MMO part of DUST. To me, player industry and its symbiotic twin the player market are way more important than a lame bot mode. There is very little meaning in DUST besides an ISK faucet at the moment in Planetary Conquest. Economics are an excellent conflict driver and a great way to make those stories that are talked about in the news over events in EVE, happen in DUST.

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AFTER these things are done, then I would work on PvE. At this stage in DUST, there are just way more important things to be developed and put in game than a meaningless bot mode. I know the arguments are there for PVE being good for new players, but in reality, if the current game was interesting and complete enough, we wouldn't HAVE these issues with player retention and the NPE.

Idk, just my own thoughts on it. Not that I am the All-Seeing Eye, but to me I think people just get caught in the hype and lose focus of whats really the issues in this game and what needs done.