The Meaning of PVE: What It Is and How To Use It

Do you know the definition of PVE? This article will provide you with all of the information you need on the abbreviation PVE, including its definition, usage, example sentences, and more!

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What does the acronym PVE stand for?

According to Techopedia, Daybreak Games, and Cyber Definitions, the term PVE stands for player vs environment. This is a genre of online games in which the player plays against the artificial intelligence of the game rather than online players. This is also sometimes written as PVM, or player vs monsters. In these games, the player will play against NPCs, or non-player characters. These villains and monsters are implemented in the storyline by the programmers as opponents for people who play in PVE mode. The player will battle the creatures as they progress through the game, with the artificial intelligence getting more and more difficult. 

While many games, including MMORPGs and other console games, allow the player to compete against the computer rather than other players in PVE mode, these games will often have a PVP option as well. PVP stands for player versus player, which is when video games have a server that allows multiple gamers to play with other people in real-time. Player vs player has its pros and cons just like the PVE game mode. Sometimes, the game can only be beaten by playing in PVE mode. This is also sometimes called storyline mode. Sometimes, new players can find PVP mode overwhelming if they are less familiar with the game. Some games have both a multiplayer option and a story mode, while others are solely single player games. 

According to The Free Dictionary, the term PVE can stand for much more than just player versus environment. This abbreviation has a plethora of other definitions. However, these are less common. If you do decide to use one of these alternate definitions, make sure that you provide the reader with proper context so that they can infer the desired meaning. This should be standard practice with any acronym that has more than one meaning.

  • Partial Volume Effect (clinical diagnostics)
  • Parliamentary Vasudan Empire (Freespace game)
  • Production Vehicle Evaluation (various organizations)
  • Preventing Violent Extremism (UK)
  • Phase-Velocity Error
  • Prosthetic Valve Endocarditis
  • Pine Valley Elementary (Colorado)
  • Packet Voice Service
  • Programma Van Eisen (Dtuch: Program of Requirements)
  • Parvovirus Enteritis
  • Productivity Value Engineer
  • Pre-requisite Validation Examination
  • Player Versus Enemy
  • Palos Verdes Estates (California)
  • Perméabilité a la Vapeur d’Eau (French: Water Vapor Permeability)
  • Pre-Vocational Education (UK)
  • Player versus Environment
  • Polyvinyl Ether (refrigeration oil)

What are examples of PVE games?

There are many different games that are set up in a PVE format, in which the player plays against the game’s artificial intelligence rather than other gamers. This is also sometimes known as PVM, or player versus monsters. There are many different PVE games that are available on the online gaming market today. High Ground Gaming lists their top ten for 2021. 

  • Minecraft – Top PVE Survival Pick, a sandbox game released in 2009 by Mojang Studios
  • Risk of Rain 2 – Top Co-Op PVE Pick, a roguelike game released in 2019 by Hopoo Games
  • Path of Exile – Top Free PVE Pick, a hack and slash game released in 2013 by Grinding Gear Games
  • Destiny 2 – Top Multiplayer PVE Pick, an MMO shooter game released in 2017 by Bungie
  • Left 4 Dead 2 – Top Zombie PVE Pick, a survival horror game released in 2018 by Valve
  • Warhammer: Vermintide 2 – An action game released in 2018 by Fatshark
  • Killing Floor 2 – A survival horror game released in 2016 by Tripwire Interactive
  • ARK: Survival Evolved – An action-adventure game released in 2015 by Studio Wildcard
  • Factorio – A construction and management simulation game released in 2016 by Wube Software
  • The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners – A first-person shooter game released in 2020 by Skydance Interactive

High Ground Gaming also lists numerous different top PVP games, which are listed below. 

  • Team Fortress 2
  • Old School Runescape
  • Mordhau
  • EVE Online
  • Hearthstone
  • Ride of Nations: Extended Edition
  • Destiny 2
  • Halo: The Master Chief Collection
  • Half Life
  • Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition
  • Quake III Arena
  • Unreal Tournament
  • Worms: Armageddon
  • Starcraft II
  • Quake Champions
  • World of Warcraft
  • Fortnite
  • DOOM
  • VALORANT
  • Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

Since these games are in the PVP, or player versus player format, this means that the player will be able to connect to an online server to battle against other real-life players of the game. In contrast, in a PVE game, the player will only be able to battle against the computer program. It will not matter who is playing on the other end or what their strategy is.

How can the acronym PVE be used in a sentence?

The acronym PVE will most often be used when people are discussing online gaming. Here, Gigi and Crystal are talking about playing games after school.

Gigi: Do you want to play something online with me?

Crystal: Actually, I’ve been really into this new PVE game. They don’t have an online multiplayer mode, but they do have a local co-op PVE mode if you want to come over and play!

Gigi: Sounds great!

Here, Crystal describes the game she wants to play as local co-op PVE. This means that she and Gigi will share a screen and console, and will work together against the computer to beat the game. 

Overall, the term PVE is a slang term used by gamers to refer to the player versus environment style of gaming. In these games, the player battles the computer rather than in PVP (player versus player) where the player plays against real people. Both of these styles of gaming have their pros and cons and require different styles of coordination.

Sources:

  1. https://acronyms.thefreedictionary.com/PVE
  2. https://www.cyberdefinitions.com/definitions/PVE.html
  3. https://help.daybreakgames.com/hc/en-us/articles/230651027-What-is-the-difference-between-PvE-and-PvP-phases
  4. https://www.techopedia.com/definition/27051/player-versus-environment-pve
  5. https://www.highgroundgaming.com/best-pve-games/
  6. https://www.highgroundgaming.com/best-pvp-games/