Player versus Player
Ongoing coverage on Player versus Player.
Latest coverage
Dominus Automa - We want you to crash our servers. PvP Stress Test signups
Independent developer Metashift Labs has opened sign-ups for the PvP Stress Test of its upcoming MMORPG, Dominus Automa. The game features automated gameplay where characters act on player-defined strategies even when offline. Sign-ups are being handled through the game's Discord server, with a Steam page already available.
So You're Retiring From PvP. Here's What to Play Instead (2026)
This article discusses the phenomenon of adult gamers retiring from Player vs Player (PvP) gaming due to life commitments and the widening skill gap. It aims to help readers understand the reasons behind this trend, alleviate guilt, and make informed decisions about alternative games to play.
MMORPG Drakantos’ CBT2 begins this weekend with a new movement system and a first stab at PvP
Wingeon Game Studios' pixelart MMORPG Drakantos will begin its second closed beta on May 22nd, introducing its first Player versus Player modes across 13 maps and 3 different modes. This test also features significant gameplay improvements, including a transition to fully free movement, revamped mouse controls, and a shift to full action combat. Access is automatic for previous testers, with new players able to request access via Steam.
Choosing the Best World of Warcraft Boosting Service
This guide breaks down the world of World of Warcraft boosting services, explaining why they have become essential for players seeking to progress through endgame content like raids and Mythic+ dungeons. It details various boost types including self-play, pilot, and remote play, and compares top providers like Overgear, Blazingboost, and Epiccarry based on reliability, speed, security, and pricing.
Bungie attempts to broaden extraction shooter Marathon’s appeal with PvE modes
Bungie is introducing Player vs Environment (PvE) modes to its extraction shooter Marathon to broaden its appeal, acknowledging the game's steep learning curve and high-intensity gameplay loop. Future seasons will experiment with PvE-focused modes, including one where crews complete objectives together across matches, aiming to provide a more relaxed experience alongside the existing PvP content.
Throne and Liberty adds ‘cumulative growth content,’ new PvP seasons, and quality-of-life updates
Throne and Liberty has received a new patch introducing 'cumulative growth content' through the Stellar Journey system, which permanently boosts character stats. The update also includes quality-of-life improvements to the user interface, new seasons for PvP modes like arena and battlegrounds, and adjustments to open-world PvP engagement rules. Additionally, skill chains have been extended for some epic equipment, and numerous bug fixes have been implemented.
Lord of the Rings Online makes huge changes to the upcoming Angmarim Sorceress PvP class
The Lord of the Rings Online is implementing significant changes to its upcoming Angmarim Sorceress Player versus Player class, which will be exclusive to the PvP zone for players aligned with Sauron. Lead designer Orion detailed adjustments made over the past year, emphasizing the class's role as a flexible support character with four distinct stances. The Angmarim Sorceress is expected to return to the test server soon, and the game's 19th-anniversary festival has been extended.
DC Universe Online teases its Supergirl arc, begins level scaling beta test, and kicks off Legends PvP week
DC Universe Online is launching a new narrative arc focused on Supergirl, titled Children of Krypton, with the first installment due May 22nd. The game is also initiating a beta test for its level scaling system, aiming for consistent player stat values across content, and is hosting a Legends PvP event featuring iconic DC characters.
Sea of Thieves’ Last Ship Standing PvP mode headlines the sandbox’s lineup of May events
Sea of Thieves is launching its Last Ship Standing PvP mode on Thursday, May 14th, as the capstone for Season 19 Act 3. This mode pits six sloops against each other in the Sea of the Damned, with rewards for participation and bonus rewards for the winning team. The rest of May will also feature Twitch Drops and discounts on in-game cosmetics.
RIFT is kicking off a Bloodstorm PvP tournament with an 11,500-credit prize pool
Gamigo is launching a limited-time Player versus Player event for RIFT called Bloodstorm, starting tomorrow and concluding on May 19th. Players earn points by getting kills in PvP activities, with the top 10 winners receiving titles and credits, including an 11,500-credit prize pool.
Project ETHOS Faces Layoffs as 31st Union Head Says “Changes Need To Be Made”
31st Union, the developer of Project ETHOS, has conducted layoffs, with studio head Ben Brinkman citing the need for the team to work more quickly and nimbly. Publisher 2K confirmed the news, which follows a period of silence since the game's reveal in October 2024. The studio described Project ETHOS as a skill-based PVP roguelike experience.
Project Ethos, The New 2K Shooter, Undergoes Changes As Dev Lays Off Staff
2K's 31st Union studio is undergoing significant changes for its third-person shooter Project Ethos, shifting its direction to a skill-based PvP roguelike and laying off staff. Studio head Ben Brinkman confirmed the renewed direction, aiming to make the game more nimble and aligned with development goals. This pivot follows a previous report in February 2025 suggesting the game needed to change or face cancellation.
The latest Rust update is an absolute nightmare for roof campers, but I welcome it with open arms
The latest Rust update, 'Upgrade Hard, Raid Harder,' introduces a mortar tool designed to counter players who camp on their base roofs. This update also includes a rework for the Tin Can alarm and workbench, a nerf to Deep Sea loot, and new boat equipment available from the Boat Vendor. The update is scheduled to go live on Thursday, May 7.
Bodycam Onrecord – Beta Sign Up | Alpha Beta Gamer
Bodycam Onrecord is a new tactical shooter that emphasizes hyper-realistic immersion through a bodycam perspective. The game will feature classic PVP modes like Team Deathmatch and Search & Destroy, as well as co-op campaigns and horror modes. Players can sign up for the beta playtest on the Alpha Beta Gamer website.
MMORPG Drakantos opens signups for its late May test of PvP modes, action combat, and free movement
Upcoming MMORPG Drakantos, developed by Wingeon Game Studios, will hold a closed beta test for its PvP modes on May 22-24. This test will focus on the game's new action combat system and free movement mechanics, which have been fundamentally reworked since the last beta. Players can sign up via Steam, and past testers will receive invitations for friends.
Umamusume Champions Meetings Changes Coming in May
Cygames will implement changes to the Champions Meeting PVP events in the global version of Umamusume: Pretty Derby starting May 31, 2026, with the Gemini Cup being the first to feature adjustments to character Career Ranks, increased rewards, and title updates. Gacha banners will update on April 30, 2026, introducing the three-star Umamusume Trainee Ines Fujin and new Support Cards. The Taurus Cup next month will see the Open League accepting characters with Career Rank A+ or lower, alongside reward increases and easier title acquisition.
Black Desert Unveils Expansive PvP Updates with Arena of Solare Season 9
Pearl Abyss has announced significant updates for Black Desert Online and Black Desert Console, focusing on competitive Player versus Player (PvP) gameplay with the launch of Arena of Solare Season 9. This season introduces a revamped ranking system, expanded battlefields, and new rewards, alongside plans for North America versus Europe PvP events at the Heidel Ball 2026. The Master Class 2026 tournament for Black Desert Console has also concluded.
Warhammer's Twisted Metal-Style Speed Freeks Roars onto PS5 Next Month
Warhammer 40,000: Speed Freeks, a chaotic car combat game similar to Twisted Metal, will launch on PlayStation 5 on May 21st. The game has been available on PC since May 2025 after a period in early access, receiving positive user ratings. It currently features a player-versus-player focus with a robust map editor for creating and sharing arenas.
I've given up taking a second weapon into Marathon matches, and you should too
This article argues against carrying a secondary weapon in Bungie's extraction shooter Marathon, citing the game's extremely fast time-to-kill and emphasis on stealth. The author suggests that the secondary weapon slot is better used for looting additional items or simply left empty, as the brutal pace of engagements rarely allows for weapon swapping. The piece also touches on the game's unforgiving nature and the importance of environmental awareness for survival.
Weapons will break faster in Arc Raiders as the devs push PvP in a huge update that aims to fix the 'chronic state…
Arc Raiders has received a significant update called Riven Tides, which drastically alters weapon durability mechanics to encourage more player versus player combat and reduce weapon hoarding. Weapon durability will now decrease faster per shot, with higher-tier weapons having more longevity. Upgrading weapons will also partially repair their durability, and durability loss upon being knocked out has been reduced.
