GTA6/Online gameplay PVE+P

[ZakeBudek]

What will we get next? GTA 6... a new GTA Online? An expansion of GTA Online? Time will tell what it is called, but has the die been cast?

The last three major DLCs rely heavily, if not solely, on competition against both the environment (Player v Environment) and players (Player v Player) at the same time (PvE+P). This is being both welcomed and bemoaned by players as one might expect. Will this gameplay persist in GTA6/Online?

 

The PvE+P style of gameplay has existed and evolved over years and even decades. In GTA Online alone, there was always a mix of police, gangs and other game AI working against the player, but began with no true purpose in public session PvP. Everything occurred separately, modes were segregated. PvP missions were added, "adversary" modes of various format. PvE gameplay was traditional "mission lobby" style with acceptable (although often rebalanced) rewards.

 

This happens over here, that there, a very scripted start, middle and end. Nothing was really lost by the player should they fail. Heists and Lowriders were the ultimate scripted PvE experience, with barely satisfying rewards for completion, and fraught with loading, matchmaking, and storyline issues. Lester and Lamar ushered in the death the traditional PvE.

 

The first notable change to public sessions were Freemode Events, adding PvP competition absent of the requirements of loading, waiting, or even participating if one chose so to ignore them. And players were able to customize it, hiding map markers, events and so on that they did not find of interest or need. The "free roam deathmatch" now contained races, challenges, rewards... purposeful competition.

 

Then in the shadow of Heists and Lowriders, something happened "off the radar" with Executives and Other Criminals. Sounded like any given content update, but players could now form "VIP organizations," essentially inviting players to be on their team for a series of missions. What seemed like a minor shift in gameplay actually removed the biggest obstacle of gameplay: no mission lobbies!

 

Matchmaking occurs at will and at random. Players now complete missions (PvE) without ever leaving their session - and confront other players who are incentivized to interfere (PvP). Missions are free roam.

 

VIP then received an upgrade: CEO organizations via Finance & Felony. Now players are putting their rewards on the line, fighting players and game AI for the same objective. PvE and PvP all happening at once. And no lobbies are loaded, no matchmaking waited for... and every player has their own agenda. Bosses, employees, rogues... trolls. Players are creating their own storylines.

 

This of course comes with growing pains. Players who are comfortable with traditional mission lobbies desire to shun the PvP element. Other players calculate the inequities of risk and reward. Existing AI behavior and free roam player capabilities are questioned, scrutinized and denounced, over and over again. The balance hasn't been achieved. The environment wasn't setup for it. The technology doesn't seem up to the challenge. But it's coming.

 

No mission lobbies. A custom environment. Unscripted beginnings and ends for your character. Risks and rewards based on your choices. Loss. Achievement. Actual "immersive gameplay." PvE+P. That will be GTA6/Online.

[GTAFanClub]

I just hope that all of the people that worked on GTA V Online stays away from GTA VI Online.

[Coleco]

More Adversary Modes.

 

 

 

In all seriousness, I hope it's a bit more organic and freeroam-based rather than segregating game modes in isolated lobbies. My F&F experience has been much more fluid and interesting (as well as stable) when playing with crew members than Heists ever were.

[IamCourtney]

Awesome post, I've often thought about this myself. For years I wondered why Rockstar insisted on segregation of gameplay when Free Mode held so much potential. I feel as if GTAO is only now truly hitting its stride. Who knows how many updates are left, but I hope they continue this trend and whatever GTAO's successor ends up being will be built from the ground up with a balanced PvP+E free mode front and center.

[Mr_Zombly]

I love the whole aspect of missions in fr, it's so much more smooth and it makes for some really intense and fun pvp moments, if they worked on balancing free roam and removing cheaters, it would really make this game great.

[Kid-A]

Who cares? As long as I can mess around with friends, I'm fine.

[Viciadogames]

Well, hopefully R* doesn't alienate their PVE players by making everything PVP.

[ZakeBudek]

Well, hopefully R* doesn't alienate their PVE players by making everything PVP.

That will be part of the balance. If we get more missions, or existing missions if added to free roam, would players interfere? Should players interfere? Closed lobbies would still be possible... a more seamless public experience... a more seamless private experience. Different content available in each.

Edited June 16, 2016 by ZakeBudek

[hispls]

I'd have never played online if it weren't for heists (and I still enjoy them immensely).

 

Your idea would work if R* could reign in cheaters and mods and have different session options for whatever style gameplay players are interested in participating.

 

I'd say the more options for session variables offered, the better it would be for players to find like minded players to enjoy whatever it is they like.

You could have all out Call of Duty sessions (enabling or disabling certain military hardware or weapon types), race or car meet theme sessions, co-op mission sessions, whatever people want. similar to how we have free aim sessions now. They select from a dozen or so variables and are matched with others who have made the same selection.

[IamCourtney]

I agree that CEO work should be possible in closed sessions, its no different from the solo Contact Missions grinds that have been possible since day 1. The bonus to payouts one gains by playing in more populated lobbies are a fair reward for the increased risk, I feel.

 

Personally, I'll be sticking to busy lobbies no matter what, I love the liviliness and danger, keeping tabs on the map and killfeed, using years worth of knowledge and tricks to survive... I can't get enough!

[Modojo]

They should improve pvp gameplay by changing into a more competitive-play style.

[REDDICE]

Rockstar saw everyone killed each other in free roam for no reason and pretty much earned nothing from it - so I'm guessing now they're giving you a reason

 

I personally don't mind it

[rlk232]

I have no interest in VI and/or VI Online, largely because they're skewing it more and more heavily toward Pvp, despite what the player base says. I'm going to buy whatever franchise the Benz oversees (so long as it has some of the traditional GTA elements, driving/shooting), seriously. The Housers are the modern day equivalent of Beavis and Butthead as video game producers. I'll pass, thanks.

Edited June 16, 2016 by rlk232

[hyperar]

Looking at how the latests DLCs have been about spending money in a shameless attempt to sell shark cards, i'm not really looking forward for it. I always thought that if i ever say this, i wasn't really going to meant it, but with this DLC something changed, i really don't look forward to play anymore, i just do it because i only have only two other games, FIFA 14 (which came with my PS4) and Watch Dogs, i guess that i'll start playing something elses soon.