Never said that PVP isn't part of the game. Some claim it's the only part... I think this is an MMORPG with many parts. But I think Chazz is looking for a sincere path to increase activity. HCS is in a tough spot... how do they increase pvp activity without the outcry? Study the successes and failures. Determine the root causes of the failures and try to figure out how to mitigate it. Your statement is interesting... "It's a way for some players to make a living" yet it's "dying." So what's your idea to make it vibrant without ruining the game for others?
Bounty hunting is failing because most don't post bounties... why? I do my part but most don't even when I offer to pay them to bounty the player.
Stealing gold is fun and can still be done. No one asked to remove this function so not sure why this is even brought up. Protection was changed so gold can be stolen regardless of protection.
I disagree with you about PVP is fun. I find it fun only when both parties are online "dancing". Hitting an offline target is shooting fish in a barrel especially in "normal" pvp. Calling that fun is disingenuous... It's easier to hit an offline target that is not prepared for an incoming attack (which most players aren't sitting in stam gear or with no buffs) then hitting monsters.
I think some find it fun because it gets other players mad... kinda sad that enjoyment is at the expense of other players. The real ones are the ones that want a true challenge.
I'll walk through your points, as I agree with many of the things that you've said. First, PVP in a way is dying, but I know plenty of lower level players who still use it to fuel their FS life (it's not the only thing, but one of many). I will definitely agree that HCS should study the successes and failures of the past (seasons, smasher medal for all hits, PVP ladder and the many iterations that mostly are failtures, etc.). I've tried to suggest items in the past that might increase activity, but not turn to either extreme (non-PVP vs full-PVP).
I agree that most people don't place bounties. Some people understand that PVP is part of the game (many of the players that I talk to that get hit whether I'm stealing gold or completing dailies). Others have hit back, and then there are others who feel that it's not worth their cost to post. Each player has had a different experience while playing, so there are plenty of reasons, but it might be worth it for HCS to look into ways to increase the BB activity. They could bring back the auto-post bounty system once again with some modifications. They could make it easier/cheaper for players to be posted while finding a way to increase the reward given (so it doesn't have to 100% come out of the posting players pocket). I'm not sure I'd be in favor of bringing back the uncapped bounty loss, or the minimum stam usage per hit rule.
Gold-stealing was just brought up as part of PVP. It's one of the reasons that players partake in PVP. I'd personally like to see thievery / master thief rates increase slightly, but that being said, I'm perfectly content leaving it the way it is.
And I agree with what you said about when you find PVP fun, and I would completely agree. PVP isn't about the hitting an offline/unbuffed player. However, that is still part of the game. While no one can be buffed all the time, or compete against someone using composing potions and fully covered, it's still a risk within the game, and I respect that. I don't think that risk should be taken out, unless that's truly how HCS wants the game to move forward.
