That's why I don't understand why they're structuring Marathon's story around forcing players into the PVP content.
Of all the tasks I've done only a few could be considered pvp, those specifically for Arachne who has almost no bearing on the current plot. All of the story is tied to rare drops and completing tasks. In theory, you should be able to get the entire story with out ever killing a single player or contested AI.
The reality is that the narrative funnels people into contested areas, which ends up creating PvP without explicably requiring it. There is nothing stopping multiple player teams from working together or making a truce, but so far there is no game play incentive to do so, trusting people is incredibly risky when there is a fast TTK. Even opening up that kind of possible exchange is a sign of weakness that should be exploited. I would hope that the new map introduces a change in this, but thats not going to happen based on the trailer alone.
When I'm completing task I'm going in fully suited up with the sweat lords. A lot of tasks really just end up looking like a check list of visiting the hottest POIs , waste time fumbling around looking for the objective, and then finally activating a sound trap. Your risking your teams time, kits, and money doing this stuff. More often than not teams are all doing different tasks of different difficulty. There is never enough time to do every one's task. Youre constantly taking turns asking people to risk their rewards on personal favors. It's a feels bad moment when you get your shit rocked for the 3rd time in a row and your once again asking everyone to suit up for a 4th or even 5th attempt.
This is why I am so behind in the current plot, I hate asking people to do shit.
The high you get for having successfully done all of it, while having killed other teams, and having extrated with valuable loot is an incredibly feeling.
It comes at the cost of an audience though, most people desperately need a safe space/power fantasy where they are some king shit super soldier saving the universe for the millionth time.
I have a thought that casuals dont have the time and skills needed to appreciate the story, but sweat lords don't have the curiosity or imagination needed either. I'm betting less than 5% of the player base is truly going to get the full Cryo Archives experience and the people who will get it wont appreciate it for what it is. I am the only lore fag, i havent met anyone else so far. There is nothing to share insight with or debate meaning with.
The plot is produced in such a way that players would all have their own insights into things and theories to explain whats happening, but it's just not playing out that way on my end.
Not surprised the ARG thing was fudged to coincide with release dates. Arrow Head does the same smoke and mirrors with the Galactic War in HD 2
It was a literal waste of time for all the people who put their time into figuring it out. Sad.
