Ok, so I'm a carebear.. Name some games please

MBAngel

I'm really enjoying this whole mmorpg thing.  I enjoy interacting with and meeting new people from all over the world.  I've been playing KalOnline, I've seen Knights Online, Lineage2, and SilkRoad.  I enjoy playing with my husband and friends and family. 

My biggest problem with these games is PVP(player vs. player - by choice on both sides)/PK(player-killing -by choice only on one side). I don't mind having an area to test my skills against other players, either in castle sieges, or duels, or if an equitable portion of the world (meaning all quests and monsters available in both sections of the world)  I understand that it is always nice to be able to turn and kill that jerk who's stealing your monsters(which could also be fixed in the programming), or calling you names (reportable), or doing something to spoil your fun (also reportable in most TOS'). 

What I hate is when I'm doing something...  on a quest, partying with my clan, or on a mission to do something in particular...  there's always some griefer killing everyone he can.  Usually it's some top level player, running around killing the lowest level players, and feeling so macho because he can kill those who can't defend themselves and haven't been in the game long enough to have built up the friends it would take to retaliate.  Or they're roaving bands of bullies out to make sure everyone thinks they're tuff (also in the new player areas, with no challenge to thier "awesomeness").

I've been looking over the games available and it seems to me that all of them allow this type of random bullying.  It really affects the level of fun newer players can have when they can't even get to the area where they can hunt, or stay for more than a few minutes.

Can anyone recommend a game where the pvp/pk is limited, but the rest of the game is still a good mmorpg with quests and monsters and leveling, and crafting and socialization?  I really like Kalonline and Lineage 2 for their characters, and general appearance. 

All of you who enjoy pvp/pk, more power to you, I'm glad there's so many games for you, please don't reply unless you have some serious, FRIENDLY, advice. 

Yes, I have read the posts about why some of you think it's necessary to have pk in a game.  I'd just like to know if there are any good ones without pk.  Yes, they are role playing games, a fantasy...  But in the real world, if you kill someone, it can mean death, and usually means imprisonment.  I don't see that happening in these games.  There are police in the real world; people to protect others, and I also don't see this in these games.  The top level clans all seem to be roaming bands of bullies.  I don't want to be forced to kill other players to defend myself, and I don't want to be killed because some kid has a fantasy about killing everyone he sees.  My fantasy world doesn't include that kind of antisocial behavior, but I don't want some silly sims cartoon game where the only point is socializing and shopping. 

BsfAurora

Eve is the game for you. It does have the best PvP that I know of but it is very easy to play the game and never participate in PvP or Pking. Stay in Empire space and if some one declares war on your corp, leave until the war is over.

Kormac

I don't know which game would be exactly right for you.

I think you could enjoy Adellion (I think you all could ) despite the fact that it will have PvP. Will have - is in development. You see: If you kill someone, it will mean death, and quite possibly the killer will be hunted down and arrested / killed. There are guards in the virtual world (mostly in cities). The most successful players will be those who focus on roleplaying, or at least on a craft that allows long term survival. Policies and staff presence will ensure that the gameplay remains with the ideal, and all wrongful behaviour should be reported. (Wrongful according to game policies, not ingame laws)

It won't have levelling, though, it will have advancement on individual skills. Personally I much prefer this, as it allows custom design and uniqueness.

 

Otherwise...

There's always Runescape, as long as you stick to safe zones? But there is no roleplay and the height of social existence is shouting that you sell shrimps or gold bars outside the bank. And don't follow that guy who says "Are you new? I've got something to show you." You follow him, far away. He says: "Attack that guard." That guard is perhaps level 100 or so. Don't know. What I know is: If I hadn't known what would happen, that guard would have killed me and the silly sod wouldn't even have had a skull hanging over his head to mark him as a killer.

The good thing about Runescape is that there is absolutely nothing there worth paying for, so you might just as well stick with the free version forever.

EDIT: I can barely stand this keyboard. I almost have to release one button for it to register the next...

Evgireon

If you want to play a carebear game, try Guild wars.....
I WOULDN'T NORMALLY RECOMMEND IT, but since you said carebear, here it is.
You can't PK there (that's why it's bad for me), and PVP is only possible in arena/tombs(tournament)/guild battles. So as long as you do missions/explore, no other player will be able to hurt you.

But......
The maximum amount of people you will have in missions will be you + 7 others. In the beginning it's you+3 others. That excludes pvp... i think the highest amount people at once will be 6x8=48 in tombs maps. You will only meet larger amounts of people in towns and outposts, where the chats are spammed with WTS/WTB.
DON'T BUY IT UNTIL YOU TRY IT.

EDIT: oh, and it's not a MMORPG, it's CORPG - so the authors of GW say. And if you decide to PVP, you will do it for no reward in arena, for points in guild battle and maybe some items in tombs (don't trust me on those, it was a while since i played it). For comparison, in Lineage 2 you do a siege, and if you win, you get a castle for 2 weeks, not just some points on the ladder.

shae

Well first, welcome to the forums MBAngel, nice to have you here.

And then well... I think you have quite a few choices really, I'm not really big on pvp either, although I like it now and then, so maybe I can help out. It's a little harder becuase you didn't really say what "type" of game you were looking for but let's give it a looksy.

WoW: I'll get flamed for this of course, but this might be a wonderful option for you. It's a large world, plays really well in groups (ala your husband and friends), you don't need a super computer to run it and if your into the "type" of graphics you might really love the look of everything. The pure RP servers and PvE servers have permission type pvp, so if you feel like fighting it out, type /pvp (or something like that), that flags you for battle and go looking to fight .

Saga Of Ryzom: A wonderful smaller MMO with a wonderful community, a great living world, amazing world visuals and basically a pvp system that you need to activate the same as WoW, oh and a very hearty crafting system to boot. Problem is that Ryzom has it's fair share of issues, and can get a little dry after a bit but get yourself into a guild and it be truly amazing. I highly recommend this game to anyone that hasn't at least given it a shot.

Everquest 2: Hardly any PvP (some dueling, arena type stuff), probably the most quest oriented game out there, fantastic group play (IMO, the better of what's out there right now), still lots to do if your flying solo, lots of classes and some pretty darn good graphics. Just keep in mind that you need a pretty decent system to run it and have it look good... oh and the crafting system (although to be clear some people LOVE IT) in my oppinion is a downright bore fest.

I'd say Eve also, as someone already brought up, but I honestly don't know enough about the game to say anything fair about it. Although I can say that my boyfriend plays it exclusively and he is without a doubt a huge fan, so who knows .

Anyways, hope that helps, don't hesitate to ask more questions.

Cleffy

Woot another carebear. I know exactly what you want. Most people on these forums love PvP, but I think PvP robs great elements from mmo's, and is just a lazy feature added to keep players playing.

The top pick is definetly Worlds of Warcraft. As I stated many many times. Most games content has a 1 month span time. Worlds of Warcraft has a 3 month span time. The sheer amount of quests is overwhelming compared to anything in the market today. Also after you play through the game once, you can probably play through it 1-3 more times without repeating any of the same quests. Also you can purely do quests until halfway through level 58 when the game was released. I am sure by now you can purely do quests all the way till 60. Worlds of Warcraft also has a crafting system. Although not as good as other games, the system is still there and plays a role in the game.

Guild Wars isnt really a good game for a carebear to play. The end game content purely consists of PvP. It has a nice story, but you can rush through that within a day. As far as content goes, its nill and far between. Definetly not enough of play time if you don't plan on PVPing.

Eve Online also is not carebear friendly. You must join a "corporation" asap or the game simply won't be fun. Also most of the end-game combat is corporation waring and competing for resources.

Remember a carebear is in the game for content and immersion. They aren't thier to spin around in circles in something people call pvp and hope they win. When you think carebear you should think quests; In-game features that do not involve pvp, pve centric; and chat systems/places to socialize.

Games still in development that are carebear friendly are:

Age of Conan
Ragnarok Online 2
Hero's Journey
Parfait Station
SEED
Vanguard: Saga of Heroes

Edit- Ohh ya Everquest 2. I usually rip on this game, but its pretty much carebear friendly. I would try the trial first, cause it is a pain in the ass to even register and account. In alot of players cases you simply cannot play the game cause they won't let you register, or your graphics card is incompatible.

Scottc

Try asheron's call on a white dot server, you'll enjoy it quite a bit.

ChrisMattern

Final Fantasy XI has no PvP whatsoever outside of the scheduled Ballista matches. City of Heroes also keeps PvP to very limited areas, and PvP is pretty much always consensual in World of Warcraft on PvE servers (although I have heard of some people trying griefing in WoW PvE environments by continually killing the NPCs you need to interact with).

Chris Mattern

Yeebo

Your options are less limited than you may think. Most games have the option of PvP or PvE depending on what zones you chhose to play in and/ or what server you pick.

WoW: unless you choose a PvP server, PvP is entirely consensual (you don't have to participate unless you want too)

EQ II: almost no PvP to speak of

AO: certain zones are PvP flagged, you are safe anywhere else

DAoC: unless you pick a PvP server you only have to participate in PvP if you want too. In addition, there is a special "carebear" server that has no PvP at all. Note, however, that the game is centered around PvP so if you choose to ignore it entirely (at least on a normal server) you will miss out on the end game.

EQ: PvP is consensual

CoH/ CoV: there are a few PvP zones, the rest of the game is entirely PvE.

FF XI: no PvP at all (as far as I know)

See a trend?

If you are new to MMORPGs I would highly reccomend WoW or CoH as an intro to the genre. Both are very easy to get going in. Once you get your feet wet, you may want to move on to something with more depth ...or you may be perfectly happy with where you are

MikeMJM

You might want to try an instance based game.  You can still meet up with players in cities, but when it comes down to actually playing the game, you play with who you want to. No KSers, looters, pkers, etc.  You PvP when you want and when you are ready.

www.guildwars.com

http://www.mmorpg.com/gamelist.cfm/setView/overview/gameID/215

 

Anofalye

City of Villains or City of Heroes: Only 3 zones are PvP enable and you can avoid them entirely.  IoP are bads, but they are less bad than other MMOs in my opinion and...maybe they will come back on those poor design choices.

 

WoW: If you like an overgrown tutorial for sometimes.

 

DDO:  No PvP at all...but coming in late february only.

Cillasi

Your very, very best alternative, and still enjoy a very playable game, is DAOC, BUT only if you play on the GAHERIS server, which is the cooperative server.  There is no pvp outside of consensual duals.

You can also have characters in all 3 realms and travel freely between the realms.  You don't have to give anything up or avoid any areas of the game.  You even get realm points by fighting NPCs in the frontiers, which on regular servers can only be obtained via RvR (pvp).

 

 

MBAngel

OMG, you guys are so wonderful!!  How nice to have all these responses and not one flame!

I have written down all these names and will be doing my homework.  Thank you all for your wonderful responses.  Time for me to find the one that fits my fantasy!  Thank you for the warm welcome.

Vampir

guild wars PvP is entirely optional....

but that being said its a skin deep game at best....

Signe

If you don't PvP, I'm not sure GW is even worth the price of the box, with it's weak-ish story line, almost completely instanced with invisible barriers, very limited exploration. PvP seems the point of that game to me.

moonfog

Personaly I think Everquest 2 is the thing. Its PvE so no worries about getting ganked. Altho there are the "jerks" that will come in and kill the mob you needed for a quest right infrount of you.

If you like PvP then it too will be availabul in EQ2 in Feb.

Anyways there is a free trail I suggest you test out and see. It will show you how the game in general works and plays.
http://www.trialoftheisle.com/

 

Senden

Want a carebear game... tetris is your best friend, on a serious note, as someone else said, get Guild Wars, it's carebear friendly and you can only pvp in arenas.

deggilator

You should try Everquest 2, you'll prolly like it. There is a minimum of consentual PvP (duels, combat arena) and it's the best quest-driven MMORPG out there. Its PvE content is far superior than what I've seen in other MMORPGs.

Another solution is World of Warcraft on a PvE server, where you can still PvP in battle grounds.

Lasastard

DAoC

Gameloading

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Originally posted by BsfAurora
Eve is the game for you. It does have the best PvP that I know of but it is very easy to play the game and never participate in PvP or Pking. Stay in Empire space and if some one declares war on your corp, leave until the war is over.

---

is this a JOKE!?!? EVE is all about pk griefing!

to the op: I would recommend World of Warcraft on PvE servers, Final Fantasy XI is also pretty good but doesn't have much pvp, but you never have to worry about griefing.

jackoba

I would really recommend you play the saga of ryzom

there is PvP in the game and certain situations call for PvP but in 99% of the game you have a PvP flag that you can turn off and happily walk about without getting ganked.

as far as my 1.5years experience goes I've been "ganked" a whole once and even then the same player ressed me and we had a laugh about it. There are areas in the game where PvP is always turned on and there is a possibility of griefing, fortunately most people you meet will team with you rather than kill you there, simply coz the mobs are worse than the PvP'ers

the ryzom community are like no other that I've seen, Give it a try and you'll find a hundred people online willing to help you after you get off the damned starter isle

pyrofreak

Final Fantasy XI.

It's a grind, but if you played Lineage 2, that shouldnt be a problem. The game has a really good story, and most servers are pretty populated.

The economy is pretty screwed up on most servers though.

n2sooners

If you like to PvP, but only want to do so on your own terms, I would recomend DAoC. It has a solid PvE game, crafting (very boring crafting, but it is important), and large scale PvP that you only have to participate in when you want. And, as someone said earlier, they even have a PvE only server where all the realms work togeher.

The best looking PvE game in developement I believe is Vanguard.

Scottc

Perhaps I should explain Asheron's Call a bit more on a server that wouldn't be darktide. You are free to explore, level, collect items etc, all that good stuff, but in a completely original world. The quests are meaningful, they aren't just chores in order to get to the next level, the devs seem to have spent time on them. Sometimes the live team holds events where they play characters that go along with the stories and they'll fight and stuff, its very cool, one time martine raided and we had to kill him, he was strong. Anyway, as for PvP on a white dot server, you can do two things, theres some command that turns you into a pink dot so you can fight anyone in the area until you log off and on again or die. If you die, you don't drop loot or gain vitae, your buffs all wear off though. Or you can find a Bael'Zharon alter and go Red Dot, where you can be attacked anywhere, and if you die, you drop loot, but I think white dot servers have an honor system where nobody loots. Anyway, if you die you go white dot for about 5 minutes, you do gain vitae as well. Check the game out, you shouldn't be dissapointed.

Wolfpack75

LOL....This is a great question as i have been wondering about the same thing. I am not a true carebear as i will participate in some PVP, I just don't want it to be the focus of the game. Or for that matter so distracting that I can't get a quest done because someone killed me. Okay, maybe I am deluding myself by trying to assert that I am not a carebear.

Mainly I find PVP to be great if it is fully integrated into the game. It would be nice to have quests where you are asked to avenge an NPC's death by fighting another player. You fight and lose and the quest isn't repeatable (and perhaps the NPC refuses to deal with you any more). Just a thought, anyway thanks to everyone for the list. I will have to try out a few of these games (at least those that have free trials).

=Dan

Classicstar

First this there is nothing wrong with been carebear and that comes from someone like me who is for harsh pvp system in mmorpgs but mmorpgs dont excist without carebear players its just that i dont wanne play carebear games hehe.

But there are plenty games out there who are pve only oriented even wow is if you go pve or rp servers.

WOW

AC

EQ2

FFXI

Good luck with finding one hope you have fun time:)

and many more out there.