Asmongold Exposes Ashes of Creation's PvP Problem: Where's the Line Between PvP and Griefing?
MMORPG fans have been eagerly awaiting the Alpha 2 phase of Ashes of Creation, a title that promises to redefine the genre. However, things took a turn for the controversial when renowned content creator Asmongold streamed his first impressions of the game. What should have been an exciting dive into the Ashes of Creation universe quickly spiraled into heated discussions around PvP mechanics, stream sniping, and the overall new player experience.
During his stream, Asmongold encountered significant frustration in the game's starting zone, where Ashes of Creation's PvP mechanics allow players to attack others freely. This led to instances of stream sniping—where players target streamers specifically to disrupt their gameplay—sparking a fierce debate: Should streamers be given special protections, or is this part of the MMO experience?
Creative Director Steven Sharif has emphasized that Ashes of Creation's non-consensual PvP system is core to the game’s vision, aiming to create a dynamic world where risk and reward coexist. However, Asmongold’s experience highlights a major flaw: the potential for griefing. Griefing, the act of repeatedly harassing or killing another player to ruin their experience, is particularly damaging in starter zones, where new players are just learning the game mechanics.
While some players relish the freedom of open-world PvP, others argue that such systems drive away newcomers, shrinking the player base and harming the long-term success of the game. Comparisons have been drawn to games like Black Desert Online (BDO), which introduced a level cap in starting areas and a karma system to discourage griefing while maintaining PvP excitement.
This incident brings up broader questions:
Should there be safeguards against griefing in starter zones?
Can open-world PvP coexist with a welcoming experience for new players?
How should developers balance the demands of hardcore PvP fans with the needs of casual or new players?
Community reactions to Asmongold’s experience have been mixed. Some believe the game’s current systems are fine, arguing that non-consensual PvP is a defining feature of Ashes of Creation. Others are concerned about the negative impact on player retention, pointing out that alienating new players could harm the game’s longevity.
As this debate unfolds, Creative Director Steven Sharif has expressed interest in refining the new player experience based on feedback. Whether this leads to changes remains to be seen.
What’s your take on this controversy? Should Ashes of Creation stick to its PvP-first vision, or should it implement systems like level caps or penalties for griefing? Let us know in the comments!
