Player Features and Ideas Discussion

I had this fun idea that was rolling around in my head. I read some posts in another thread mentioning a fleet commander being able to access tactical data via a holo like in the trailers, maybe even with some usefulness. Anyways, It got me thinking how this would be done. You can't pilot a command or capital ship while doing these things, it's just not feasible. So someone else is piloting your mobile command center while your in the belly issuing the orders and responding to incoming data. This would necessitate the need for allowing players to board a ship as crew. Initially, it doesn't make that much sense for capsuleers to be taking part in this role. To be honest, I wish a lot of the time we were traditional "stand up" pilots as opposed to test tube babies. But hey, it lets us get on with the whole "immortal" thing and what not. However, with the advent of mobile reverse engineered sleeper technology that allows Dust infantry to do this out of a pod, perhaps us as capsuleers can stop relying on the pod to flash out brains (while still having the connections that allows our will to pilot the ships). Anyways, I was thinking about all these possibilities, no doubt afforded by development in the direction of our avatars (sorry, I had to!)

So what would be the incentive of getting multiple players together on a single craft? I imagine there being limited slots on a craft where players could take over certain functions. Gunnery, engineering, etc. For each place filled, a specific bonus is added to that ship, such as 10% increased damage while that player controls targeting and weapon functions, or perhaps enhanced agility and speed while a player controls engineering, capable of shifting power in a triangle (defense, offense, utility?) Of course, without these other players, the ship would function just as it always has. This could be further enhanced with (VERY simple) ship interiors based on hull. This would probably detract from fleet engagements if people tried to use this method (but, they don't have to!) Anyways, it brings meaningful game play to our avatars, utilizing assets that are already there minus new interiors and whatever it takes to get more than a couple of players in an single interior. Being that these interiors could (and really should) be fairly compact for the lesser hulls at which I imagine something like this would start, I doubt it would use much more resources than our current captains quarters. In time with further development, the code is cleaned up, allowing for larger hull interiors to be created.

There's also the social aspect this would add to gameplay, being another meaningful way, with real purpose to bring players together (especially new players). On board communications could later be facilitated using EVE Voice, and even offer proximity options. These communications could be moderated via a chat channel. Anyways...

Now let me clarify that I am NOT suggesting something like this take focus of developers or detract from any other game play. This is simply an idea, a vision of the future if you will. If your here to say "I like EVE how it is, mkay" then your really not bringing anything to the table or offering anything for the advancement of EVE Online. Of course, I say this as someone who thinks it takes more than a couple of new ships, re balances, or mechanic changes to really the future of EVE Online to the people. :) I will dream. Oh yes, I will dream...

P.S. A lot of my inspiration and views of what EVE Online can become admittedly comes from lore, stories, and books. The Empyrean Age by Tony Gonzales was easily my favorite literary work for EVE Online, and Templar One by the same author really helped pave the way for the future lore of ground based immortals. In the handful of books and numerous stories, I've noticed increasing focus on the individuals not only in the capsules, but outside of them, and this translates to me as the possible future for avatar game play. Remembering the crew of the Redford, and their experiences aboard a capsuleer-steered ship really left me wanting more.

*Facepalm* I'd be lying if I said I didn't see this coming. Let me stress to you again that this is ONLY a vision. I'm by no means suggesting that CCP put this in game like this. If such a thing were implemented, I'm pretty sure that CCP would have taken the time to make this sort of game play meaningful and worthwhile. The vision is only the tip of a MUCH larger ice berg you know? All great things, no matter how large or how small, come from an idea.

Edit: Not to go too far by saying this, but it really is frustrating how there are SO MANY people like you who come across like they took 2 seconds to read and 2 minutes to post. If people took more time to read the CONTEXT in which this was written, perhaps they would not get so bent out of shape (and no, I'm not referring to only you) over visions, thoughts and ideas. An idea from a group of people is what brought us internet spaceships. But hey, I'm sure there was someone out there who said "Ok, so I can sit in front of my computer all day, playing with internet spaceships, and really getting nothing accomplished." Well... here we are, and more importantly, here YOU are!