EDIT 2: Since the PvE conflict servers have been brought back, I’ll condense the OP, as the situation has been brought to at least some kind of a resolution.
Summary
Right now I’m super pissed off. I just spent the better part of two days finding a great place on the PvE conflict server I was playing on to build a base in, and to set myself up so that I can enjoy the PvE part of the game, build something nice, experience the Purge, and then also have some PvP fun during prime time. First I wasted some eight hours or so because my build got blocked, but then I did find a great spot and we were having so much fun with a buddy of mine.
Then, suddenly, the server switches to PvP, with x2 gather. All my crafting stations are out in the open, because there was no worries about people stealing anything - now I get to choose to either relocate everything or risk being robbed. Not only that, but I wasn’t rushing as if though I’d be on a PvP, so I was maybe 10 levels behind the highest levels, which would in turn mean my sandstone huts would get blown to bits pretty fast. In any case, TL;DR, my choice was not to play on a PvP, and now I’d be forced to, or quit.
And, being the case with these games, you lose two days and 30-40 levels from the beginning and join a different server, and you’ll find most half-decent spots will be built up already. Plus of course, I just did all that leveling. I know, I usually end up playing hundreds of hours after a fresh start, so 20+ hours wouldn’t be that huge of a thing, but I can’t help but feel frustrated about being slapped in the face and forced to reset completely. Not only that, but from what I could see, this happened with a Reddit post and tweet only some 10 minutes prior to the change. Not cool.
I know us PvE conflict players are such a minority here that we won’t raise a big enough stink for the people at Funcom to care one way or another. What I do know though is that I’m having a really really hard time feeling like I want to play this game now. Maybe I’ll get over it, seeing as though the game is still nice and all, but I’m not sure. If I had been burned out with this game after around 1000 hours of playing it, this sure did compound the situation.
I didn’t know about Funcom before Conan Exiles. I had heard stories about them not having the best track record. If the company is trying to make their image a bit better, stunts like this sure won’t make many new fans.
I hope I can return to this game at some point but right now, I feel a bit too insulted to do so. It’s a real shame too, as the game itself is great. Oh well.
EDIT: This is pretty much the same edit I made to my Reddit post, but I’ll make it here as well. I feel I need to say that despite having been pissed off, and despite still being frustrated and very disappointed about Funcom making a move like this, I’m still here. I haven’t quit playing. In fact, I rented a server of my own, so that I, and my friends, can play the game the way I want to without surprises. I haven’t given the game a bad review, nor do I think that’s the correct way to approach this situation. I still love the game, as well as the people working very hard to make it the best they can. I won’t walk back my statement though, as I feel it was, and still is called for, but as said, despite that, I for one will keep playing.
Was it a “cooler heads will prevail” -type of a situation? In the sense that despite having to swallow a turdburger I could personally find a way to keep enjoying the game? Sure. In the sense that what I felt, and still do, wasn’t real? Not at all. But, it is what it is.
Click on Andy’s post to know more:
hope this change doesn’t stick.