CSM Campaigns

CSM9 Candidate Interview: Psianh Auvyander
http://www.capstable.net/2014/03/18/csm9psianhauvyander/

1. The game isn't "inundated" with needless complexity, but there are certainly some areas that have arbitrary layers that don't add anything to the game. Industry is at the top of that list for me. I don't even do industry and I'm horrified by it. But as far as general game design goes, we're in a pretty good spot. It's easy enough to tell a player that's new to any particular facet of the game what to do at a very basic level, but mastering any one area takes time and practice.

2. Personally, I don't feel that making nullsec more like faction warfare is an approach we should be taking in the first place, at least as far as the mechanics go. What nullsec needs is more fighting at a smaller scale, on average. To do this, we need to be able to let smaller groups survive, and thrive, in this space. Things like increasing the wealth of an area based on activity so that an organization that used to need 50 systems to survive now only needs, say, 15. The build up, not out idea, essentially. If I had to pick one thing to move forward with first, it'd probably be a version of this.

3. A healthy mercenary marketplace is one where a client can effectively find a mercenary that fits their needs and mercenaries can effectively showcase their talents and specialties to prospective clients. Ideally, I'd want an interface sort of similar to the corporation search tool in game. You're looking for mercenaries who can provide high security POCO bashing? Here's a list of mercenaries who have listed that in their talents along with the amount of times they've been hired to do it, what they've been rated by former employers, and the contract kill reports of any relevant previous contracts.

Or maybe you want a list of mercenaries who can provide high security POCO bashing but listed by cheapest quote to most expensive? Here you go. Or by highest rated. Or by most contracts provided. Here you are.

Having something like this in place would allow people to find the mercenaries they need a lot easier, thereby increasing the amount of usage.

4. I've spoken with quite a few current and former CSM members, Ali included. Of course I've been told that I can't expect to walk in and drop my demands on the table - which I was never planning to, of course. Perhaps most importantly, I've been taught that compiling good data to show CCP for or against an argument is a great way to make a point rather than simply debating opinions.

5. I don't know, but, as always, I blame Greb.

Thanks, I really do appreciate your thoughts and support!

Money is a power in and of itself! Don't be afraid to use it to hire mercs, my friends!

I really appreciate those kind words of support, Proc. Best of luck to you in your campaign as well. I think we have some very good candidates this year!

My status as a candidate should be approved shortly.

Dolan reached out to me to let me know something happened with my online form, but I have sent the PDF copy he supplied me with to ensure that everything is taken care of.

I have been confirmed and am on the official list.

Thanks, Mangala. Your support is very much appreciated!

I've written a quick blog post about those that I'll be voting for as well, for those interested.