Player Features and Ideas Discussion

To start with, I want to acknowledge that this is almost certainly a bad idea. I just want to put it out there for people to read, rip apart and hopefully draw some inspiration for an idea that doesn't suck like a black hole.

So. Mining is easily the most boring activity in this game. Hell, station trading probably can get more exciting. However, all these minerals need to come from somewhere. Then an idea struck me. Why not 1-for-1 repurpose the mining skills in a completely different direction.

So, idea: Instead of mining rocks in space, move the whole concept into a system that's kind of a hybrid of PI and a POS, where you set up and fuel an orbital command structure, then install a mining "program" where it will strip the specified minerals based on the installer's skills and the system stats. The stations can be attacked, stop working when reinforced and turn into an ore pinata when destroyed.

You may now begin ripping this to shreds.

I don't really like this idea. The problem with mining is that it isn't engaging, so proposing a solution that is even more automated is a bad idea in my opinion. Not to mention that I think that less direct player interaction is generally a bad thing. I would rather see mining changed to make it require attention, and hopefully be interesting, not just a big grind.

How about instead, as an asteroid is mined out, deposits of minerals or rarer substances periodically appear on the asteroid? Mining the asteroid down beyond a certain percentage would cause them to break apart and be destroyed. That way, people can still AFK mine and get ganked accordingly, or they can mine actively and get extra resources for their attentiveness. There may even be a way to make something similar to a mini-game (like how hacking was turned into a mini-game) out of it.

With the recent chenges to warp speed and interceptors getting their warp engines upgraded for ultimate greafing ability, mining also got changed from boring afk grinding to risky endeavour with constant paying attention to local. One would consider this a change.
Hardly anything making mining "more complex" needed right now (at least for low / null / wh mining). Let things settle for a bit.

Mining now: Press button, wait, stuff.

What it should be: Press button, mini game, wait , more mini game to keep you from afk'ing, bit of a bouns with yeaild, stuff.

It just seems to me that given how repetitive mining is by its very nature to just abstract the whole thing out & replace it with a management console. It would also mean that carebear miners could do other things as long as they check on their mining command centers every few days. Griefers would be happy 'cause they can destroy them and potentially turn it into a giant loot pinata.