» Mon Jun 24, 2013 12:15 am This is just an idea that came up while a friend and I were discussing ESO the other night. By all means feel free to provide feedback. TL;DR Summary at bottom.
A lot of players would like to see some form of PvP outside Cyrodiil. World PvP can be fun for those who wish to take part in it, but it's unenjoyable to those who don't. I believe I read that there might not be a bounty system in ESO upon its release (like Morrowind/Skyrim, etc.)...but I think that adding it could create a new form of PvP never done before in MMOs.
Picture this....Player 1 has committed an Elder scrolls crime by deciding to forcibly move into a shop owner's home, killing him/her, looting their most expensive possesions and worst of all eating all their sweet rolls. Naturally, the guards respond but the player eludes them and flees town to the open world. The game then creates a bounty on Player 1 based off the level of the crime just like previous ES games, however it also takes into account player level and ups the price so that a high level player is worth much more than a lower level player. Player 1 is also now flagged for "Justice PvP."
Player 2 walks into the town that is grieving the loss of their shop owner (who yes, may respawn in a matter of minutes, we can't be too realistic unfortunately in an MMO). Player 2 talks to a guard and asks if there are any active bounties. The guard allows him to browse a list of players of different levels and crimes and chooses Player 1. The Guard then gives Player 2 a new "jailing" spell/enchantment/buff that only has an added effect against players with an active bounty on their list.
Player 2 then goes off and quests and the Megaserver attempts to phase the two players together should they get close. Player 2 is notified that his bounty target is close by and engages them in an intense PvP battle. Player 2 (and perhaps any party members) overwhelms Player 1 and rather than "killing" the player they are able to "Jail" him/her due to the guards' buff/spell.
Jailing would simply warp Player 1 to the town of their crime, make them lose the money equal to their bounty (and Player 2 consequently is rewarded the same amount), and take a "recently jailed" debuff that could be some sort of sickness/stat reduction, etc. Player 1's bounty is then cleared and is no longer flagged for "Justice PvP".
TL'DR Summary:
Implementing a bounty system that promotes PvP within ones own faction could be a very fun way to create random world PvP encounters that don't promote griefing, as once the thief is brought to justice their record is cleared. It also could create a competitive scene where "Thief" or "Crimminal" players see who can accumulate the largest bounty and for the longest time before other players eventually find them (i.e. the bigger the bounty, the more "good" players will probably select it to cash in and hope to find you while playing). "Crimminal" players could also get some sort of buff such as increased money drops or something else that would make being one attractive to some. It would almost be like another "Emperor" like status but within each faction's Zone.
Likewise, when players choose to quest in another faction's zones at higher levels, they could still get bounties and hunt players of the opposing factions.
Thoughts?
