The "PvP Text"

[Pudge]

I am going to plead for the "pvp text" i know and love: the Yellow kind. Server-wide messages are the best kind of pvp text. Also best is when you include the zone, and the guild (whether tag was up or not).

#1 reason is it gives everyone a feeling that the server is alive. It actually strengthens the community, because everyone feels like they are a "part" of the pvp and live through it vicariously ("haha! glad he killed that fucker." "uh-oh, is that some twink slaughtering unrest?"). ppl will talk in ooc, and begin traveling to the location to join the fun, or defend someone from getting bind camped. Lonely newbs grinding solo will see the text and know that, somewhere out there, pvp does happen. Maybe they will connect with one another through realizing common enemies.

Anyone bind camping, killing alts (their own or their friend's - ppl may try and do this if exp loss is removed) or repeatedly killing newbs to try and spam Yellow will quickly be outed, shamed, and squashed by incoming gank squad. EQ is a very social game to begin with, but PvP servers are even more about the community (allies, enemies, politics). Adding YT will fuel rivalries, spark friendships, and make the server feel like less of a ghost town.


COMPROMISES:
If GMs think the "classic YT" we have come to know and love is too much, please consider these pleas and suggestions:
1) If "pvp text" only appears zone-wide, it is almost useless, as the ppl within the zone already know what's going down. PLEASE make it more than zone wide. If you really can't do global, consider sending this "PvP text" to all ADJACENT ZONES as well as the pvp zone. This will let ppl close by know what's up in their neighborhood.

2) Assuming global, if you are afraid of ppl being shamed, or things getting too personal, consider modifying the message. "A hero has been slain in Burning Woods!" or "<Force> has slain a member of <Nihilum> in Burning Woods!" etc.

3) Opt-in. Just like blues can turn in a book to go red, maybe reds can turn in a book to go global. Anyone who has turned in their book will be flagged for YT. If a flagged played kills another flagged player, YT results. Only ppl who are flagged for YT will see the message. ppl who haven't turned in their book will not see any YT at all.