With few easy to implement tweaks, online mode could become the dream survival, role-playing game that is much closer to the Story mode that everyone loved. Long post, but please hear me out.

[baelthor_septus]

Howdy partners, 

 

I've started a topic on Reddit a while ago that received a lot of support (6,5k upvotes and a few awards  Link to Reddit post ). As promised in that topic I'm doing everything to help shape RDO by spreading the word and asking fellow minded people to submit feedback to the official Rockstar page. I was lurking around these forums for quite a while but never registered so this is was the best time to do it. Please take a moment to read this wall of text and if you like it, join the cause 

 

So while playing the story mode, before online came out, I kept on thinking about what will online be like. With all the amazing animations and mechanics that were already in the game, I thought the online mode could be the perfect survival sandbox, where we could role play in this astonishing world that Rockstar has created. I mean, it's already all there in story mode, right? Why wouldn't they re-use it for online? The gang from story mode is how I've imagined myself and my mates in online. We were talking about how we would take turns scouting the area around the camp, my wife would be the camp cook (duh!) and call us when the stew is ready, we'd take turns doing the chores, we'd hunt some game and use pelts for upgrading the camp and crafting some cool trapper gear. My friend that loves fishing would sell the fish in town. By the end of the day, we would all add a few bucks to the camp ledger and spend the night by the fireplace. Occasionally we'd go out to look for other player camps and make friends or rob people with the risk of being wanted in the entire state and live on the run.

 

Now that the online came out and we know what it is, my dream about making Online like the Story mode sounds crazy, but the funny thing is, it's all possible and it's not that hard to pull off. It could start with a few small changes and gradually turn into the best survival/role-play/sandbox game out there. Something truly special.

 

With that said, Rockstar would have to create a different kind of mode for us (something like hardcore mode in the previous game, so the ones who don't like this idea can still play the game in its current state). Here are some changes and features that are a must for such mode and aren't too hard to implement:

 

 

Location indicators

 

No player location on the map:

You can only see locations of your posse members on the map. Any other player is hidden. If you hear a gunshot, a minimap should show you general direction from where the gun was fired for a short moment.

 

How will players find each other?

The same way as in real life, they bump into each other. This will make every encounter special. It will enforce curiosity and encourage other interactions than just murdering on sight (but you can also do that too if you want). It will basically create the random encounters that made Story mode so great but with real players. In story mode, you probably bumped into a hunter sneaking up on a grizzly bear, or a guy surrounded by wolves fighting for his life, a photographer trying to make the shot of a lifetime, a lady in distress that lost her horse, a bunch of guys punching each other in the bar, or a cannibal in the dark night ready to skin you alive. In online this all could be players playing their roles. Removing map blips would automatically create such stories. Seeing player location on the map removes any surprises and takes away everything that makes meeting another person special. Also, spotting smoke from the campfire far away would actually mean something.

 

 

Wanted system

 

Murdering another player:

In online, you can kill a person in front of the sheriff, and he won't even care. Kick a cow and the wild west SWAT team will be after you in a matter of seconds. Murdering another player needs to be a crime but only when there was a witness.

 

Bounty:

Players can get a bounty for committing crimes. The bounty needs to be paid at the post office just like in story mode. This will prevent griefers from mindlessly murdering everyone for the laughs(don't worry griefers, wild west wouldn't be wild without you, so there's something in it for you too in the end, just keep on reading). Again, there needs to be a witness, or the crime didn't happen, so be careful when you're traveling alone.

 

A wanted player:

When a player is wanted and was spotted anywhere by another player or an NPC, his last known location shows up for everyone on the map for 10 minutes. This last known location is just an AREA where the player was last seen. Think of it as bounty missions from story mode, or looking for a treasure in the yellow zone in online mode. Last known location resets when the wanted player is spotted again. Other players can hunt down wanted player for some XP. It works both ways. The wanted player/gang can use this mechanic to lure bounty hunters straight into an ambush and get some XP for killing the good guys. This will make the outlaws feel like real outlaws and bounty hunters will have to stay on their toes. When the wanted player dies, the bounty gets deducted from his cash automatically and he's no longer wanted (similar to single player mode)

 

The camp

 

Easy to implement must haves:

We can all agree that camp is completely useless right now. It should be your home, the heart of the game, just like in story mode. For this to happen, few features need to be added:

 

• camp stew and recipes

• camp ledger (why the gang leader pays for everything?)

• leatherworking station to turn animal parts into camp upgrades. Exactly the options that Mr. Pearson provides in Story mode.

• camp chores like cutting wood etc. All animations and mechanics are already in the single player. Something you don't have to do but if you do it, staying in the camp gives your gang XP buff or so.

 

Other ideas for the camp that aren't a must (probably a bit harder to implement):

• camp can get attacked by NPC's. If your gang has a good reputation, bandits attack you. If your gang has a bad reputation, the law attacks you.

• Camp can get robbed by other players. DON'T PANIC! Nothing major, just a few bucks from the ledger and 3-4 random items with a long cooldown so it can't be repeated in the same session. It's more of a symbolic thing, not a big loss, so outlaws can feel like they're robbing someone (you know, role-play) and good guys would have a reason to keep guard and have scouts.

• camp games. ok this is a must eventually

• camp guards. This isn't as easy to implement as other features, but it would be cool if we could hire mercenaries to protect our camp from other players and NPC attacks. This would greatly help solo players and give them the ability to create their own gang..solo..just like it works in SP. Performing camp chores would give the guards a boost in stats. Of course, let's be realistic here. Guards would just stay at the camp, sit, drink, sleep and guard. You would not be able to take them on a mission or whatever. Anything else would take too much development time.

 

So many of the features that I've listed are fairly easy to implement as they already exist in SP or can possibly be just a matter of a single settings change (like map blips). I could write a whole day about all the cool ways that Rockstar could expand the "survival" or "hardcore" mode but just the bare minimum that I've mentioned would be enough to keep me and like-minded people playing for months. If you got this far in my wall of text and liked the post, please upvote it and paste the link to the  reddit post https://www.reddit.com/r/reddeadredemption/comments/a8cxsi/probably_unpopular_opinion_with_few_easy_to/  the beta feedback page and submit it https://www.rockstargames.com/reddeadredemption2/online/feedback

 

Thank you! 

 

Please excuse me on the awful formating of this post. I had no idea it will display that way and now I can't find the EDIT option

[Callahan44]

For bounties i already sent them really similar feedback. Only difference: instead of xp you should get the bounty,the other player has to pay you. He can also pay his bounty at post like you said and only pay 50%. Or he runs away for long enough and pays nothing. 

But yours would also be nice,but money sounds better then xp. 

[t-p-d-a]

No player location on the map  THIS!!! AGREE 100 %

[Ghoffman9]

Not just a long post, but long title too. Longest one I ever seen since I first signed up in 2013.

Edited January 4, 2019 by Ghoffman9

[TheShift]

+1 on title 

[baelthor_septus]

4 minutes ago, Ghoffman9 said:

Not just a long post, but long title too. Longest one I ever seen since I first signed up in 2013.

So it's harder to miss :D

[Chrismads]

Loved everything you suggested. Especially the wanted system

[baelthor_septus]

2 hours ago, Chrismads said:

Loved everything you suggested. Especially the wanted system

Please take a moment to submit the feedback to rockstar. All the links are in the original post. Join the fight thank you!!!

[Boozey St John]

27 minutes ago, baelthor_septus said:

Please take a moment to submit the feedback to rockstar. All the links are in the original post. Join the fight thank you!!!

Will do, Brother!

[TheRandomFactor]

I love all of this.  Fingers crossed some of this gets implemented eventually

[evd]

visible player location spoils all the fun!

Edited January 7, 2019 by evd

[BonnieMarston]

I'm all in man, also Undead nighmare 2 with horde mode 

[baelthor_septus]

10 hours ago, BonnieMarston said:

I'm all in man, also Undead nighmare 2 with horde mode 

 

12 hours ago, TheRandomFactor said:

I love all of this.  Fingers crossed some of this gets implemented eventually

Awesome! Don't forget to submit the feedback using the links in the original post. Thanks, partners! As long as we do our part there's hope.

[Fugitive21]

On 1/4/2019 at 1:57 PM, t-p-d-a said:

No player location on the map  THIS!!! AGREE 100 %

So this is a double edge sword.

 

If no player location on map then the people will cry they cant tell when a town is a shoot out fest. I can see it now people will complain that they didnt see so n so town was packed with griefers or players doing PVP.

 

This is something I hope they don't put in.  

Edited January 7, 2019 by Fugitive21

[ALifeOfMisery]

1 hour ago, Fugitive21 said:

So this is a double edge sword.

 

If no player location on map then the people will cry they cant tell when a town is a shoot out fest. I can see it now people will complain that they didnt see so n so town was packed with griefers or players doing PVP.

 

This is something I hope they don't put in.  

It would need balancing out. Blips appearing on the radar when activating dead eye, shooting and sprinting maybe?

 

I'd be a fan of blips off, but only if implemented properly. 

[CrimsonFolo]

For the blips thing, maybe have a area (simliar to how you have the yellow mission starting location blips on the map) which flash on the minimap so it shows general location when the amount of shots fired exceed a certain number perhaps. So it doesn't give a exact location but you are able to track down people in a way and when you are in the area, you can just rely on hearing the gunshots instead. They can increase the amount of shots fired to trigger the blip flashing on the minimap when the player isn't in a town or disable it in gang hideouts and there you go.

[evd]

3 hours ago, Fugitive21 said:

So this is a double edge sword.

 

If no player location on map then the people will cry they cant tell when a town is a shoot out fest. I can see it now people will complain that they didnt see so n so town was packed with griefers or players doing PVP.

 

This is something I hope they don't put in.  

aaaaand? getting killed by mistake, then getting respawned on the outskirts of the city and run away is worse then getting killed constantly?

 

you sound like one of those who cant stand pvp-less gameplay and possibility not to grief.

[Fugitive21]

1 hour ago, evd said:

aaaaand? getting killed by mistake, then getting respawned on the outskirts of the city and run away is worse then getting killed constantly?

 

you sound like one of those who cant stand pvp-less gameplay and possibility not to grief.

Pffft

 

I chased a grief posse for an hour as they stole the train from me.I fought and killed them for that train. They kill me and I killed them. It got to the point they claimed I was griefing them.

 

 

My point was if nobody shows on the map how you going to tell where people are or even where activity is at.

 

Can we say only towns and active ranches shows pink dots...Maybe...why Just show everybody on the map. If you cant stand getting killed just remember its only a game. GTA V everybody shows up and can be tracked. I would see no difference here with this game. 

 

If this game was PVP-less I can tell you it probably wont last. PVP players probably out number non-pvp players. Its the wild wild west it would be boring with out PVP. 

[BulletFly]

@Fugitive21

Well you could enjoy your "blips n' chainkills lobbies", while we enjoy being immered in a more realistic wild west...

 

This is a must have for many players.

[Fugitive21]

15 hours ago, BulletFly said:

@Fugitive21

Well you could enjoy your "blips n' chainkills lobbies", while we enjoy being immered in a more realistic wild west...

 

This is a must have for many players.

One sec putting flame suit on just incase.

 

History buff here and had to research this for another game project. The wild wild west wasn't a great place. People killed for land, food and just for the joy of it. Didn't care about the law or the Marshals coming after them. The RDR game I have to say comes so close how the west was in that time frame that what make it so great. Lived in the woods you had a high chance of being robbed, held hostage for food and shelter till the law passed, or even killed.

 

Now with that said you hunting in a PVP less lobby in all honesty what is the point? Your hunting to survive and better your self. Don't get me wrong yeah griefing is out of hand but the game is teaching you to survive and live off the land. All this while looking over your shoulder for anything. Be prepared to fight for what you have and to keep it. 

 

From a game aspect/business as I stated no PVP in the game it will die. I'm in this type of business and other game directors have stated the same. They just have to come up with a system to punish the on purpose griefers. This is why GTA v has done so well I can login and kill anybody that is in my lobby/server. Don't be so shocked if they do put in a passive mode but you wont be able to hunt or kill things while in it. Passive mode has to have a drawback to it.     

Edited January 8, 2019 by Fugitive21

[*Lola]

Invite only, and or friendly and free aim lobbies will be here soon.

Edited January 8, 2019 by *Lola

[BulletFly]

I'm not against pvp, i'm against players showing constantly on the minimap.

Back then, there was no way to track people like that...and even today, some people like me don't have a phone connected to Internet so not everyone can locate me at anytime.

 

With no blips in freeroam, it would more impressive and a little more realistic, so when you get killed by a player he wouldn't instantly know where you spawed. He'll have to find you with his on eyes, more skill in my opinion.

R* should change the "too close spawing system" as well.

 

Anyway, all we need is different sessions types to content everyone.

 

PS: I hate passive modes and never used them.

Edited January 8, 2019 by BulletFly

[Boozey St John]

8 minutes ago, BulletFly said:

I'm not against pvp, i'm against players showing constantly on the minimap.

Back then, there was no way to track people like that...and even today, some people like me don't have a phone connected to Internet so not everyone can locate me at anytime.

 

With no blips in freeroam, it would more impressive and a little more realistic, so when you get killed by a player he wouldn't instantly know where you spawed. He'll have to find you with his on eyes, more skill in my opinion.

R* should change the "too close spawing system" as well.

 

Anyway, all we need is different sessions types to content everyone.

 

 

Different session types are a great idea!

 

- Life Out West Mode

(Essentially what OP described)

 

-Wild, Wild West Mode

(Essentially what is quoted above)

 

-Standard Freeroam

(What we have now)

 

 

Edited January 8, 2019 by Boozey St James

[Fugitive21]

I would just say any lobby or server that hides the player or has no PVP should have a penalty to the player.

 

Reduced payout for skins, fish, and meat selling to butcher.

 

More random enemy NPC spawnings (lemoyne raiders or the canabal hillbillies) on roads.

 

NPC marshals or Saint Denis police deal More damage. Significant more damage.

[Gritty Garvey]

Wow.  So RPers want a lobby. And in response PVPers want them to be penalized for it.   Seems petty. 

 

Play it how you want.  Rockstar should give us the option to, and others that play differently shouldn't be offended if the choice is given.

 

  At the very least mfs should be allowed to have invite only lobbies without seeing a reduction in payout.  It seems like anything that does not force people into a reality where they can potentially be killed by you or other people while trying to make money is seen as a threat to game integrity or something.  

 

If you're satisfied with the game in the state it is.  Its fine. Being easily entertained by the given formula is no crime at all, neither is preferring more variety and control in your entertainment experience.  In defense of the former point, look at the unrecognizable hulking green monster that GTA online has become. I can understand apprehension at change.    

 

But I say, Custom lobbies with the ideas that OP is talking about need to be a thing. And those that choose this method of gameplay should not be penalized, but provided an equitable source of income relative to the game economy as well as to the effort given compared to that of other players who may choose differently.  Maybe a reduction in gold, if microtransaction bottom line is the issue.  Not penalization, but equity.  Only idea I heard that remoted such equity is Stronger NPC's,  maybe more focus or a "1 death and done" deal on jobs.  We already lose Carcasses and pelts on death so I feel that would work. 

 

Pvp mostly works as is.  What DOES NOT WORK is the Omnipresence in 1899.  It breaks the entire immersion of game. Base it off proximity and wanted level. But not simply "I SEE ALL AND KNOW ALL AND AM CAPABLE OF KILLING ALL."      

 

Edited January 8, 2019 by MagnumOpuz

[Fugitive21]

I am not looking at it as a PVP player. I am looking at it from a game developer/director standpoint.

 

If they give NON-PVP player lobby whats the trade off? Nothing...No risk VS reward. What is really a risk in a open cant touch but will allow you to make a ton of money lobby? Please don't say animals.

 

Any game made has to have some form of risk VS reward. When I am in a lobby early morning when nobody is on I can make close to $1-2k in a few hours hunting. When the PVP players or wannabe PVP players come on its a higher risk vs reward. Now I make less. If I make a lot it is because I survived so the risk VS reward did its job. 

 

To stabilize the economy a NON-PVP lobby would have to pay out less. Cant have a flood of cash in the player base. It leads to player wanting more due to influx of free cash they have. Players who don't have that amount cash now complain they cant buy so an so. Just like how people are asking for NON-PVP servers.

 

Its game development 101 on a MMO type game.

 

One or two things will happen. If no penalty is non-PVP lobby you will get the dreaded money sinks to drain cash out of the economy or items prices will be increased. More likely a money sink will be put in on items you need and use every game play.

Edited January 8, 2019 by Fugitive21

[Gallows]

Great ideas, but for now I just want to have freeaim lobbies. Can’t be arsed to play any more. It’s just so dull and pointless with that lock on. Great ideas none the less.

[Boozey St John]

2 hours ago, Fugitive21 said:

I am not looking at it as a PVP player. I am looking at it from a game developer/director standpoint.

 

If they give NON-PVP player lobby whats the trade off? Nothing...No risk VS reward. What is really a risk in a open cant touch but will allow you to make a ton of money lobby? Please don't say animals.

 

Any game made has to have some form of risk VS reward. When I am in a lobby early morning when nobody is on I can make close to $1-2k in a few hours hunting. When the PVP players or wannabe PVP players come on its a higher risk vs reward. Now I make less. If I make a lot it is because I survived so the risk VS reward did its job. 

 

To stabilize the economy a NON-PVP lobby would have to pay out less. Cant have a flood of cash in the player base. It leads to player wanting more due to influx of free cash they have. Players who don't have that amount cash now complain they cant buy so an so. Just like how people are asking for NON-PVP servers.

 

Its game development 101 on a MMO type game.

 

One or two things will happen. If no penalty is non-PVP lobby you will get the dreaded money sinks to drain cash out of the economy or items prices will be increased. More likely a money sink will be put in on items you need and use every game play.

I'm not trying to argue with you by any means, just like you're not with me. Forgive my ignorance of the industry, it's something I'm currently studying for my bachelor's.

Definitely admire your background/knowledge, btw! 

 

But back on topic:

 

I think a lot of us were expecting story mode just online with our characters and different timeline/story lines. Be that as it may; the idea of having a lobby strictly for RPing sounds like a great idea, and of course, just like you mentioned before, the economy would definitely be fecked to infinity and beyond, but that could add to the RP experience. 

 

And if you don't want to RP, you can just join a regular PVP lobby. 

[Fugitive21]

22 minutes ago, Boozey St James said:

I'm not trying to argue with you by any means, just like you're not with me. Forgive my ignorance of the industry, it's something I'm currently studying for my bachelor's.

Definitely admire your background/knowledge, btw! 

 

But back on topic:

 

I think a lot of us were expecting story mode just online with our characters and different timeline/story lines. Be that as it may; the idea of having a lobby strictly for RPing sounds like a great idea, and of course, just like you mentioned before, the economy would definitely be fecked to infinity and beyond, but that could add to the RP experience. 

 

And if you don't want to RP, you can just join a regular PVP lobby. 

Cool beans....

 

I can see a RP- PVPless if they were kept separated from the others (everquest did this) but since we can match up in showdown and races it might be hard. If you started on a NON pvp server you could never join a PVP server later on. Only solution to that is multiple characters.

Edited January 8, 2019 by Fugitive21

[Boozey St John]

8 minutes ago, Fugitive21 said:

Cool beans....

 

Well f*ck you and the horse you rode in on too, you highfalutin prick.