Safer Seas has not gone far enough

It's not going to lure in longtime players because it's still far too restrictive

Not really suppose to for the "Vets" or longtime players.
It strictly more for the Newbie, Family or hard at learning players who need longer time.

and it doesn't properly teach players the basic ropes of the game.

It more self learning at ones own pace.
You Learn: About the different world events, Factions, Gold Rep, Sail the ship and simply Tall Tales.
Again, it more about self exploring.

There is no pvp voyage on safer seas that teachers' players how to pvp effectively

Closest thing is skeleton Ships & Skeleton npc. There is no fine way to prepare you for Player vs player. Everyone plays different.

If you're a new player doing camps in sea of thieves, you will most definitely encounter the burning blade at some point and chances are you're not going to know how to deal with it and you will be sunk.

Rough waters, everyone was in the same boat. The best experience is being sunk and learn from failure. (Which a lot of people now days can't accept)

Why is the Fort of the Damned locked away from safer seas?

Because...it meant as a PvP self starting World event.

The same thing can be said for the Burning Blade world event and Legend of the Veil.

Same as above.

Alot of Reapers do pve voyages and stuff and sell it to reapers without any pvp contact at all

and that is a shame...

Change them for safer seas to match the loot pool that's available. This would allow new players to experience and practice for world events they will encounter

If that is the case, Have random Skeleton ships spawn up on players and attack them. Because..how they gonna experience a REAL World Event with players suddenly attacking.

This isn't me demanding anything from Rare it's me speaking the truth and what the community has been wanting for years

shrugs Sounds like both. And only a small percent of the playerbase have said this. Players want a PvE server...from a PvPvE game.

alternative is custom servers.

Which they have stated is a work in progress. Last I heard or seen any hint of was they added "wheels" to islands to control certain things. Full control over the server, BUT it would become a paid for service or something.

@burnbacon I feel like largely you just proved a lot of my points. Just because the burning blade moves on water doesn't mean it's any different than any other world event. Theirs been quite a few times where it does remain uncontested so pvp is not inherently guaranteed in the event and is not necessary for the event to work. The event should be available in safer seas for the reasons I said with the improvements that I said as well. The original sea of thieves event the skeleton fort is available in safer seas and that is a pvp world event. Ships will show up and you will engage in pvp just like the burning blade, yet one is only available in safer seas. The same thing with the fort of the damned. It's a reskinned skeleton fort where all they have to do to make it work on safer seas is change the chest of legends to something else and modify the loot pool to match safer seas. They have put themselves in this weird situation with the wording and meaning behind safer seas meanwhile for 6 years myself and a lot of people in the community have been waiting for the better replacement aka custom servers. People should be allowed to have fun with the sandbox in their spare time and I don't get why people like to defend restricting people from certain world events. It alienates new players and angers long time players like myself. I have 1400 hours in the game, and I test on insiders. I only want what is best for the game and having custom servers that function like Halo custom games would only serve to enrich the game and drive it to new heights it just won't see without them. This isn't about pve servers thats why I said turn off progression and gold. Besides why would pve servers be bad if progression and gold were turned off but again thats not what im advocating for. Clearly safer seas is not achieving the goal they have set out and members of the community have voiced their concerns and critiques of the mode. Safer seas is just fine right now but it could be replaced with a mode that does so much more. Custom servers would never replace high seas because progression and gold are turned off so it wouldn't harm the game at all. Besides like the idea of safer seas means their position on pve has pivoted a little bit. They realize that it's better to offer alternatives to players instead of forcing all of us into pvp. I also enjoy pvp as well I have quite a bit of time in hourglass but sometimes you just want to experience the sandbox without other players and experiment with the game beyond what would be allowed in custom servers. Halo has this in spades, and it has only enriched the experience.

@wolfmanbush I've played the game for 6 years got currently 1400 hours in it so trust me I definitely stay away from fomo. Regardless of High seas I still feel like the sandbox experience I mentioned with custom servers still should be something that is offered because at the end of the day we all want to have a good time in sea of thieves. What better way to do that than create your own world event, spawn bosses, alter player health, fly around the map, spawn loot items, etc. With no progression enabled and no gold earned this modes core focus would be sandbox fun which would be a far more meaningful addition to the game than safer seas. If we're going to have separate game modes in the game, they should still be somewhat prevalent additions. Nothing will ever replace that core high seas experience and thats not the goal of this. The goal of this is whacky, unpredictable, sandbox fun with your friends without the focus on gold and rep.

@wolfmanbush I can see where you're coming from. I mean in 2020 the idea of safer seas even seemed so far out. The community however gave the appropriate feedback and Rare being the great dev team they are adjusted accordingly and gave us that mode. A year later after people had voiced concerns and feedback the mode was then changed again to be a bit more worthwhile. I feel like the sky is the limit for Sea of Thieves and I have stuck around since launch because I've always seen the potential this game has. The art style combined with that rich world had created one of the best games I had ever played along with the limitless potential you could have in any given session. That would only remain true later and the journalists and outlets that labeled sot a barren wasteland were proven wrong and it's become one of the best success stories in gaming that not enough people talk about. There is no alternative for Sea of Thieves for me. I also don't want there to be. I will play the game until they shut the servers off and even then, I hope the experience is at least preserved in a fun way for us to experience it. This season hasn't been the best but judging by what the devs have teased for season 15 I feel like we're in for one of the best seasons the game has ever seen. The fun for the game is what we make of it both in the game and out of it. We have to speak up and rally as a community to get must needed features that need to be added to the game. It might take some time but fortunately that's something we all have in spades. Enjoy the waves and I hope your next session is surprised by an appearance from the elusive shrouded ghost.

I got a hot take that'll get people looking at me cross-eyed. Safer Seas should be an exact 1 : 1 copy of High Seas. Plain and Simple. When this game first came out, it was plagued with endless cheaters that made the experience horrendous. That first year and a half was utter trash, sure it had a lot of great memories and first time experiences, but cheaters and hackers ruined it so very quickly, that I quit playing, returning only for some major updates because of interest, curiosity, and fomo. That was 2018/19.

We're in 2024, and the cheating is still going on. Sure, it appears "slightly" less than it did in the earlier years, but the game is also 6 years older, with a fraction of it's original playerbase. I want to attain pirate lord, but not at the cost of my peace or sanity. I want to experience the games world events since the last time I think I partook was the Thrones event, but I can't stand putting in time, effort, and work just to get blasted by some cheater ship hidden behind a island, with their shots or cannons that have more pin point accuracy than our U.S Artillery cannons, it's b0nkers.

Yes, it's a PvEvP game, but when you open the door to PvP, you invite people who have no shame or care to play the game fairly. I shouldn't be penalized by choosing a mode with no players when the risk vs reward gamble is skewed. So make it 1 : 1, You can leave out the reaper faction if that makes em happy, but for those that want to hunt other players can continue to play High Seas, and those that want to play the game without social interaction or the risk of encountering cheating can still be rewarded for their efforts.

Rare have defined what safer seas is by now, and want it to be where you learn the basics and get a grasp of the voyage system, tall tales, and learning the world map.

PvE combat is a stepping stone before upping the skill level to fight against other players. More importantly, failure is the greatest teacher; players have to learn to sink and be killed to get better. If they give up immediately, then they’ll never know their potential.

@dyzfunktunal said in Safer Seas has not gone far enough:

I got a hot take that'll get people looking at me cross-eyed. Safer Seas should be an exact 1 : 1 copy of High Seas. Plain and Simple.

So you think that if a game offers multiple difficulty layers, they should give the same exact reward with 0 incentive or reason to take more risks?

those that want to play the game without social interaction or the risk of encountering cheating can still be rewarded for their efforts.

And they are still being rewarded, now more than ever with the 1:1 gold ratio.
Those who choose to take more risks and to encounter other players are being rewarded more, simple as that. People has got to stop envying other people's reward if they refuse to take the same risk and face the same challenges. Plain and simple, if you will.

@tesiccl

I mean they have and then they have been kind of wishy washy with their wording with it. If it was just meant to be a learning tool, then why go back on the gold situation and now make that 100%. I feel like that's a clear sign of them pivoting from the position they once had on safer seas. Besides that, was only one part of my argument but I think your response is fair. It's just imo it's not really a great learning tool and a proper onboarding experience. If you're going to have game modes on your menu screen, I feel like those additions need to be substantial. Which is why I feel like revamped custom servers with no gold and progression would be much better for the community overall. It would allow content creators to make content they could only dream of in high seas. It would allow us to spawn items, loot, world events, npc's, alter health and player parameters, etc. Functioning like custom games in halo where the purpose is relaxing and having fun with all of the voyages and events that sea of thieves has to offer. Even making new experiences that wouldn't be possible on high seas because of balancing, server issues, etc. It would basically solve a lot of issues all at once if done properly. Not to mention what it could do for Rare if it's placed in the emporium as part of some subscription or just available in there in general.

@bloodybil said in Safer Seas has not gone far enough:

So you think that if a game offers multiple difficulty layers, they should give the same exact reward with 0 incentive or reason to take more risks?

Maybe my point wasn't clear, or maybe you are only looking at a part of my point, and choosing to ignore the rest. The cheaters have their fingers on the scales, it's not a "risk" at that point, it's a blatant hindrance. The risk vs reward balance is skewed because of cheaters. So unless a 'scorched earth' policy is going to be enforced actively and aggressively against them, your statement of "you need to take risks to get somewhere" becomes invalid.

And they are still being rewarded, now more than ever with the 1:1 gold ratio.
Those who choose to take more risks and to encounter other players are being rewarded more, simple as that. People has got to stop envying other people's reward if they refuse to take the same risk and face the same challenges. Plain and simple, if you will.

Gold gets you nowhere when you can't progress to the high enough levels to spend it. Gold gets you nowhere when you can't take your own captaincy ship into SS. So no, it is not being rewarded with a 1:1, it's being a rewarded 1:1/2. Again with the "take risk, be rewarded more", the risk should only be, other players, not other "cheating" players. That's my argumentative point, cheatings still prevalent, and it skews the reward column. Encountering cheating should never be just a "risk" you take when playing a game.

There's no "envy" here, you got your lord because you suffered cheaters and hackers, but why should everyone else be forced to suffer the same interactions of terrible players just to have the same title? People have got to stop thinking that simply because they suffered during a portion of the game when cheaters or content were crummy, that everyone who follows must endure the same crummy experience.

@dyzfunktunal said in Safer Seas has not gone far enough:

@bloodybil said in Safer Seas has not gone far enough:

So you think that if a game offers multiple difficulty layers, they should give the same exact reward with 0 incentive or reason to take more risks?

Maybe my point wasn't clear, or maybe you are only looking at a part of my point, and choosing to ignore the rest. The cheaters have their fingers on the scales, it's not a "risk" at that point, it's a blatant hindrance. The risk vs reward balance is skewed because of cheaters. So unless a 'scorched earth' policy is going to be enforced actively and aggressively against them, your statement of "you need to take risks to get somewhere" becomes invalid.

Risk is risk. Taking a chance to encounter other players, cheaters or not makes the game harder and reward more.

And they are still being rewarded, now more than ever with the 1:1 gold ratio.
Those who choose to take more risks and to encounter other players are being rewarded more, simple as that. People has got to stop envying other people's reward if they refuse to take the same risk and face the same challenges. Plain and simple, if you will.

Gold gets you nowhere when you can't progress to the high enough levels to spend it. Gold gets you nowhere when you can't take your own captaincy ship into SS. So no, it is not being rewarded with a 1:1, it's being a rewarded 1:1/2. Again with the "take risk, be rewarded more", the risk should only be, other players, not other "cheating" players. That's my argumentative point, cheatings still prevalent, and it skews the reward column. Encountering cheating should never be just a "risk" you take when playing a game.

False, there is plenty of cosmetics of all kind you can get access in the game via achievements and commendation that you can buy at any rep level, captaincy doesn't prevent you from playing the game none. Not an excuse.

There isn't a cheater under every rock of every island, and your phobia doesn't change that.

There's no "envy" here, you got your lord because you suffered cheaters and hackers, but why should everyone else be forced to suffer the same interactions of terrible players just to have the same title? People have got to stop thinking that simply because they suffered during a portion of the game when cheaters or content were crummy, that everyone who follows must endure the same crummy experience.

There is absolutely envy, people don't want to add extra challenge but feel they deserve the extra reward. Earn your rewards the same way everybody else, simple as that. And that's coming from someone who plays both seas and can understand and accept the pros and cons of each.

@jpskywalker9332 they clearly defined things in their latest changes video about how they perceive Safer Seas. They may change some other things in the future but I think it’s obvious they want player interaction and that being via high seas so shenanigans and mischief can get caused, and everyone has a fun time doing so.

I think I might know the solution to this one.

Safe Seas -> High Seas

Time to make the move!

First of all, there are cheaters in EVERY game. Sea of Thieves is no different. With that said, it's been a while since my friends and I have encountered one (knock on wood), but we will eventually, and we'll handle it like we have always done before: record and report.

When I was new to the game, if you had me try and find an Athena chest on Thieves Haven, Old Faithful, or out in the roar, I'd be 100% lost. I used to sink to skeleton sloops when I was new to the game, so handling the last fight of LotV would've been impossible for me. Also, it used to take me 10min or so to just to find the island I was looking for, comparing each one to the one I needed to sail to. Sometimes while I was looking for this island, I'd end up getting sunk. Safer Seas would've been a blessing for me when I was new so I could learn the basic fundamentals of the game before engaging with other players. LotV and FotD wouldn't be helpful teachers for me, as I wouldn't know where to sail to, get confused by some of the quests, and I'd learn that you don't need to be vigilant doing FotD. I wasn't prepared for a lot of things in the game, and got sunk everyday. And you know what? That's okay, because I was new at the time, didn't have Safer Seas to help me learn this stuff before making the jump. Sure I felt defeated and deflated, it happens in every game when you're new, yet you don't see me screaming at WoW to change their game so I can mythic raid solo and get the best gear/weapons/mounts in the game.

"Imagine the excitement the community would have with each new update allowing for even more craziness to happen inside of these party like wild west custom servers." ....so, what would be the point of Adventure mode then? Content creators would also get inundated with accusations of "paid actors" and the like, something I don't think they want.

Not sure what "freedom" you're willing to pay $20/month for to be honest. If I was on one of these private servers, it would make the game pointless. There'd be no thrill or excitement doing FotD since no one can come along to challenge you. There's also been times when I've met friends on the same server I'm on, and TDMing against them won't make me better at pvp overall. It'll only make me better against them/their style. Having a mix of random player's styles on Adventure, is how you get better at pvp.

Having custom servers will make the game pointless, wouldn't help players get better at organic pvp (only against their friends), and would take the thrill out of a lot of events.

@dyzfunktunal This mindset is why the game will never get better. This game is good only because its PVPVE. Having the option to take that completely away kills the entire point of the game and what makes seas of thieves unique.

You have players that quest and players that hunt other ships. That's what makes the game good.

[mod edit]

Also I wonder if it is actually "cheaters" or if you're just not practicing PVP as much as you should. Ive been on this game for 5 years. Never once ran into a cheater.