Player versus player

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Player versus Player ( PvP ) to German: "player versus player", referred to in multiplayer - computer games , especially massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPG), a mode that two battle or more players or groups of players against each other possible. The term is practically only used for games that are primarily designed for cooperative play with each other and offer different variants, i.e. mostly role-playing games . In first-person shooters, on the other hand, it is common for players to compete against each other in a multiplayer game - and not fight with each other against so-called bots .

PvP is a test of strength between players or groups of players. This takes place in different ways depending on the game, and success or failure should theoretically only depend on the skills of the player and the skills and equipment of the player character ( avatar ). In practice, however, secondary circumstances are also relevant, such as better hardware (graphics card, processor, programmable keyboard, etc.) or a faster connection to the Internet.

Critics of PvP sometimes accuse the players of not pursuing any role-playing or even sporting motives, but switching off other players at random or trying to keep certain areas and quests free from other players ( Griefer ). This is sometimes done in a morally questionable manner, for example by selecting clearly inferior opponents or opponents who are currently in an unfavorable situation (is under attack from computer opponents, is busy at a crafting station or is currently absent), and some players even break the rules of the game the use of changes to the game (cheats).

A variant of PvP is Kill On Sight (KOS), in which a certain player is attacked as soon as he enters the field of vision. It is widespread to bet other players on KOS if the latter have been noticed by particularly unfair behavior. Sometimes people are put on KOS for other reasons, for example if they did not tolerate unfair behavior from other players.

In some MMORPGs , such as Dark Age of Camelot , Guild Wars or Lineage II , PvP is an integral part of the game. In Lineage II, for example, a fortress can be attacked at certain times (castle siege) in order to conquer it. The defenders originally consisted of NPCs , later of successful conquerors. In any case, other players can help the defenders. In Lineage 2 there is also free PvP and so-called Clan Wars, in which certain groups of players declare war on each other without fighting for a certain resource (i.e. the castle).

Other games such as the Blizzard Entertainment classic Diablo II were actually not even designed for PvP by the manufacturer, but have been massively used by players for almost a decade. Similar PvP phenomena were observed in other games, where players arranged to meet themselves in leagues and tournaments. Developers are now going over to the fact that every new MMORPG has a PvP mode.

A more extensive variant of PvP is the so-called RvR, the realm versus realm battles. In these battles, the factions in large-scale battles against each other, in which several hundred players per party are involved. In this way, entire virtual wars can be fought. Wars between guilds are also possible, but they are a little smaller.

See also

Web links

Wiktionary: PvP  - explanations of meanings, word origins, synonyms, translations

Individual evidence

  1. Peter Winkler: Computer Lexikon 2010: The whole digital world to look up , p. 535, Verlag Markt und Technik 2009, ISBN 978-3-8272-4519-9
  2. http://diablogamer.com/2008/08/24/interview-mit-jay-wilson/