Perhaps some of these limitations are to keep the game playable. If one race were really anathema to another in WoW, for example, shouldn't the opposing one be treated exactly like a monster? That is, not only would they not be able to communicate, nor party, but that the prohibition on non-consensual player-vs-player combat be lifted, experience points be granted for slayage, etc. Which would, I think lead very quickly to real race wars, players invading starter areas for opposing races, leading to poor game experiences for n00bs.
On PvP servers, this is exactly how it is. If you're on one side, any time you see a member of the opposing faction, you can take hostile action. There are locations where this is discouraged (by the presence of guards who -can- kick everyone's ass), but it's always out there as a possibility.
On the PvE (player vs. environment) ones, you still can't communicate with "the other side" but the dynamic isn't "kill on sight" unless the other guy is already open to such hostilities (which happens by choice - either attacking something which will cause you to be flagged, or by typing /pvp to toggle this setting on or off).
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ninetydegrees
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
(no subject)
On the PvE (player vs. environment) ones, you still can't communicate with "the other side" but the dynamic isn't "kill on sight" unless the other guy is already open to such hostilities (which happens by choice - either attacking something which will cause you to be flagged, or by typing /pvp to toggle this setting on or off).