PvP in MMOs: the "Who" you are fighting isn't "New PvP Content"

MMOExposed

I been playing Guild Wars 2 since release and I can't believe that I have come across this logic from MMO PvP community.  I had to bring attention to it.

Some people think that changing the players you are fighting is "New PvP Content"... huh?

In a Call of Duty game, new content is new maps, new weapons, new game modes, etc. 

But if I am fighting against ToastyKiller333 now and next week I am fighting against IPwnU666, that's not new pvp content.  Nothing changes about that other than the strategy and skill level of the match up.

I see this especially in so called, "PvP Sandbox MMOs". Developers just present the most barebone gameplay content and say "Hey There you are. Have fun!"

Wtf. 
Just like PvE expects new Content,  PvP should also get new content.  Balance patches isn't new content. That's the same as a bug fix because unbalance isn't something that's intentional. 

Iselin

No, it isn't new content... but just who is saying that? It's such a stupid concept.

But... PvP by its nature is a non-scripted, emergent game mode that is never exactly the same as the last time you captured that fort or defended it or whatever.

Is that what you heard people say and thought you were hearing "new content"?

MMOExposed

Iselin said:

No, it isn't new content... but just who is saying that? It's such a stupid concept.

But... PvP by its nature is a non-scripted, emergent game mode that is never exactly the same as the last time you captured that fort or defended it or whatever.

Is that what you heard people say and thought you were hearing "new content"?

Yeah I have heard this plenty of times over the years. Guildwars2 WvW forum is a good example of this when it comes to their Alliance system.

Alliances just change the Who you fight. No new gameplay new new features. 

As I said on the OP, the WHO you fight only changes the strategy and skill level of the opponent you fighting. After massively changes of players you will eventually have seen it all when it comes to battle strategy.  

That's not new pvp content. 

cameltosis

I both agree and disagree with you.

New players are not new content, fighting one hunter is much like fighting another hunter.

That said, in a PvP MMO with a lot of depth and strategy, some new players do feel like new content and can really refresh the experience. I get this feeling a lot when playing WAR RoR. It's so group-focused that the experience changes a lot depending on which leaders are online.

Some are really elitist. Some don't talk enough. some are really aggressive, whilst others are hyper-focused on objectives.

The result is that the actions and leadership of 5-10 people dramatically change the enjoyment of an evening's PvPing. We may still be fighting in the same places, but we're doing it in very different ways.