There is clearly a huge demand for a PVE only option. The current option employed by many thousands of players is to join one of the Mobius private groups. Because of the popularity of PVE play style, Mobius groups frequently have to be reorganised because they exceed the 20,000 player limit. There are multiple Mobius groups now to accommodate the demand, 3 on PC/MAC, and groups on XBOX and PS4.
I think it is high time FD implemented a PVE option as part of the main game so we can all play IN OPEN without fear of being ‘griefed’. People who enjoy PVP should be allowed to carry on of course, it is a perfectly fine style of play.
I have come up with a proposal below that I think would allow this, and would be lore consistent.
TL;DR
Player can claim protected 'diplomatic status' by accepting a special diplomatic courier mission, status remains until cancelled by player, can only be reactivated by accepting another diplomatic mission
'diplomatic status' prevents weapons operating when another player is targeted
Scanner outline will be a shield shape when 'diplomatic status' active
Firing on un-targeted 'diplomatic status' ship (assault level) locks out weapons requiring hyper-jump to another system to reactivate (in addition to standard penalties). Ramming should be treated in a similar way
Murder of player with 'diplomatic status' will be logged for investigation by FD
Attempt to interdict player with 'diplomatic status' will result in a failed interdiction
All restrictions apply equally to the player with 'diplomatic status', e.g. cannot fire on other players etc.
'diplomatic status' is temporarily suspended in a combat zone
Interdiction and weapon lock effects will apply to other wing members of the offending player
Player can cancel their own diplomatic status anywhere, but can only invoke it when docked
Here is a lore back-story I made so the changes would not feel like a clumsy hack…
I think it is high time FD implemented a PVE option as part of the main game so we can all play IN OPEN without fear of being ‘griefed’. People who enjoy PVP should be allowed to carry on of course, it is a perfectly fine style of play.
I have come up with a proposal below that I think would allow this, and would be lore consistent.
TL;DR
Player can claim protected 'diplomatic status' by accepting a special diplomatic courier mission, status remains until cancelled by player, can only be reactivated by accepting another diplomatic mission
'diplomatic status' prevents weapons operating when another player is targeted
Scanner outline will be a shield shape when 'diplomatic status' active
Firing on un-targeted 'diplomatic status' ship (assault level) locks out weapons requiring hyper-jump to another system to reactivate (in addition to standard penalties). Ramming should be treated in a similar way
Murder of player with 'diplomatic status' will be logged for investigation by FD
Attempt to interdict player with 'diplomatic status' will result in a failed interdiction
All restrictions apply equally to the player with 'diplomatic status', e.g. cannot fire on other players etc.
'diplomatic status' is temporarily suspended in a combat zone
Interdiction and weapon lock effects will apply to other wing members of the offending player
Player can cancel their own diplomatic status anywhere, but can only invoke it when docked
Here is a lore back-story I made so the changes would not feel like a clumsy hack…
The Treaty of Procyon
In the year 3302, representatives of the Federation, Empire, Alliance, the Independent Pilot’s Federation, and most of the significant Independent Systems attended a diplomatic convention hosted by Sirius Corporation at Davy Base in Procyon, a location chosen for its neutrality and central position relative to the Major Powers.
The purpose of the conference was to agree significant diplomatic conventions that would be observed by the attendees. The minority of independents who were not represented at the convention were left in no doubt that any agreements reached at the convention would also be binding on them, or there would be dire consequences.
The first day of the convention saw impasse with none of the major players able to reach agreement on free admission and protected passage of diplomatic emissaries from opposing powers to and through their sovereign territories on a protected and unrestricted basis. On the second day of the convention there was reluctant, but unanimous, agreement that members of the Independent Pilot’s Federation would be engaged to act as diplomatic couriers carrying encrypted messages and sealed diplomatic containers.
The Pilots Federation, pragmatic first and last were quick to negotiate a very beneficial fee structure for their members who choose to carry out diplomatic courier missions.
After a troubled few months of operation, it became apparent that unscrupulous members of the Pilots Federation were accepting bribes to attack and plunder fellow PF members to disrupt diplomatic activities. There were also reports of pilots directly pirating other PF members to steal and sell secrets to the highest bidder.
Initially the Pilot’s Federation made representations to the signatories of the Treaty of Procyon in an attempt to control the bribery and unscrupulous purchase of stolen secrets. These representations were met with with almost universal denial of any such practices, along with several pointed comments about the lucrative fees that were being paid for safe passage of messages and containers that were falling into enemy hands with worrying frequency. Faced with the prospect of complete loss of credibility, and increasing lawlessness amongst their own ranks, the Pilots Federation were quick to act and imposed the following immediate and binding requirements on all PF members, and external agencies issuing contracts for diplomatic missions to PF members.
1 All sensors and weapons subsystems fitted to PF members ships will be modified as follows:
1a Other PF members will be identified and displayed on screen as hollow outlines as opposed to solid blocks for non-PF pilots
1b PF members who accept a diplomatic courier mission will be issued with a ‘Diplomatic Status’ activation code that will enable protective measures in their on-board systems. These measures will remain activated until such time as the pilot chooses to disable them. Once disabled, the Pilot will remain unprotected until a new diplomatic mission is undertaken. Diplomatic status may also be automatically revoked if the Pilot perpetrates a hostile act on another PF member.
1c When a PF member has Diplomatic Status, they will be identified by a shield shaped outline on other pilots’ sensor displays instead of the standard rectangle outline. Deployed weapons will still be indicated by an angular top outline to the rectangle or shield. A warning will be displayed if a PF member targets another PF member
1d It will still be possible to target and scan a pilot with diplomatic status. Weapons fire will be disabled when the target has diplomatic status. The same restrictions will apply to the pilot enjoying diplomatic status
2 It is recognised that unscrupulous pilots could still fire upon protected pilots without targeting them directly, so the following modifications to ship’s system have been implemented
2a Assault on a pilot with diplomatic status will result in the following (in addition to existing assault fines) - Weapons Systems will deactivate and will not reactivate until the offending pilot has hyper-jumped to another system
2b If a pilot with diplomatic status has their ship destroyed by indirect fire, a Murder charge will apply to the offending pilot, a message detailing the crime will also be transmitted to the Pilots Federation Diplomatic Incident Investigation Force. This could result in expulsion from the Pilots Federation.
2c If a pilot attempts to interdict a pilot with diplomatic status the attempt will fail immediately and the offending pilot will drop out of hyperspace
2d Where a pilot commits an offence while part of a Wing, any other Wing members present in the immediate vicinity will also be subject to the additional measures as per 2a and 2c above
If a pilot with diplomatic status voluntarily enters a Combat Zone, all protective measures will temporarily deactivate until the pilot leaves the Combat Zone, at this point the protective measures will reactivate.
In the year 3302, representatives of the Federation, Empire, Alliance, the Independent Pilot’s Federation, and most of the significant Independent Systems attended a diplomatic convention hosted by Sirius Corporation at Davy Base in Procyon, a location chosen for its neutrality and central position relative to the Major Powers.
The purpose of the conference was to agree significant diplomatic conventions that would be observed by the attendees. The minority of independents who were not represented at the convention were left in no doubt that any agreements reached at the convention would also be binding on them, or there would be dire consequences.
The first day of the convention saw impasse with none of the major players able to reach agreement on free admission and protected passage of diplomatic emissaries from opposing powers to and through their sovereign territories on a protected and unrestricted basis. On the second day of the convention there was reluctant, but unanimous, agreement that members of the Independent Pilot’s Federation would be engaged to act as diplomatic couriers carrying encrypted messages and sealed diplomatic containers.
The Pilots Federation, pragmatic first and last were quick to negotiate a very beneficial fee structure for their members who choose to carry out diplomatic courier missions.
After a troubled few months of operation, it became apparent that unscrupulous members of the Pilots Federation were accepting bribes to attack and plunder fellow PF members to disrupt diplomatic activities. There were also reports of pilots directly pirating other PF members to steal and sell secrets to the highest bidder.
Initially the Pilot’s Federation made representations to the signatories of the Treaty of Procyon in an attempt to control the bribery and unscrupulous purchase of stolen secrets. These representations were met with with almost universal denial of any such practices, along with several pointed comments about the lucrative fees that were being paid for safe passage of messages and containers that were falling into enemy hands with worrying frequency. Faced with the prospect of complete loss of credibility, and increasing lawlessness amongst their own ranks, the Pilots Federation were quick to act and imposed the following immediate and binding requirements on all PF members, and external agencies issuing contracts for diplomatic missions to PF members.
1 All sensors and weapons subsystems fitted to PF members ships will be modified as follows:
1a Other PF members will be identified and displayed on screen as hollow outlines as opposed to solid blocks for non-PF pilots
1b PF members who accept a diplomatic courier mission will be issued with a ‘Diplomatic Status’ activation code that will enable protective measures in their on-board systems. These measures will remain activated until such time as the pilot chooses to disable them. Once disabled, the Pilot will remain unprotected until a new diplomatic mission is undertaken. Diplomatic status may also be automatically revoked if the Pilot perpetrates a hostile act on another PF member.
1c When a PF member has Diplomatic Status, they will be identified by a shield shaped outline on other pilots’ sensor displays instead of the standard rectangle outline. Deployed weapons will still be indicated by an angular top outline to the rectangle or shield. A warning will be displayed if a PF member targets another PF member
1d It will still be possible to target and scan a pilot with diplomatic status. Weapons fire will be disabled when the target has diplomatic status. The same restrictions will apply to the pilot enjoying diplomatic status
2 It is recognised that unscrupulous pilots could still fire upon protected pilots without targeting them directly, so the following modifications to ship’s system have been implemented
2a Assault on a pilot with diplomatic status will result in the following (in addition to existing assault fines) - Weapons Systems will deactivate and will not reactivate until the offending pilot has hyper-jumped to another system
2b If a pilot with diplomatic status has their ship destroyed by indirect fire, a Murder charge will apply to the offending pilot, a message detailing the crime will also be transmitted to the Pilots Federation Diplomatic Incident Investigation Force. This could result in expulsion from the Pilots Federation.
2c If a pilot attempts to interdict a pilot with diplomatic status the attempt will fail immediately and the offending pilot will drop out of hyperspace
2d Where a pilot commits an offence while part of a Wing, any other Wing members present in the immediate vicinity will also be subject to the additional measures as per 2a and 2c above
If a pilot with diplomatic status voluntarily enters a Combat Zone, all protective measures will temporarily deactivate until the pilot leaves the Combat Zone, at this point the protective measures will reactivate.
We're doing our best! 
