Player Features and Ideas Discussion

Ok... So we want new players to get into PvP in the game. In the past, you had many that would sit in lowsec systems and nail ships - then some would ransom pods.

Why kill the ship and ransom the pod? To get the killmail showing the value - the pods didn't effect the values but now they do and can easily exceed the value of a new player ship - a Vexor is cheap to fit yet expensive to a new player -- a couple +3 implants can easily exceed the value of that cheap cruiser, including fittings, so new players are liable to be pod-killed far more than ever before by those looking to fluff their KB stats.

What I propose is a workaround/protection for new players.

Add a very early new tutorial to the new player experience -- send them off to get a Jump Clone and to use it: A specialty agent; 1 time use to get 1 Jump Clone - and use it.

The idea is as follows:

1) Give them the skillbook Informorph Psychology at the start of this mission.
2) Add a tutorial that takes them to a station where they can install a Jump Clone.
2a) Walk them through setting up a Jump Clone.
2b) Have them fly back to the agent and use the Jump Clone.

Prepare them for this up front and remove any "but I didn't know", while providing the protection to the newest players to EVE.

New player - you know, the ones going "WSAD for moving my ship?!?" - not your seasoned player's alt, which is a vastly larger part of this community these days with 2-20 accounts running.

The ones that know NOTHING about this game except what the tutorials show them - coupled with their desire to get into this game quickly.

Yes these are rare as hell these days but they do crop up from time to time.

First - it is obvious by your "Jump Clone" sentiments that you are an experienced player posting on an alt.

New people to EVE don't understand Jump Clones well and they also tend to appreciate how the protection helps them to "fly what they can afford to lose". Your multiple account alts avoid limitations that a single account faces - actual new players to this game start with 1 account.

"New player experience" - As in someone new to the game. This is not important for your alt with multiple accounts funding it nor your fair depth of understanding on what they are and how to use them.

Yes the uni is full of 2nd-8th generation alts (like yours) but we do get actual new, starting players every now and again. The ones the uni was designed for - people who don't know how this game works and are actually learning it. Not chars just using the skillbook reimbursement program to offset their plex costs for additional accounts.

This game already has enough reasons to avoid PvP, coupled with fewer and fewer actual new players joining the game vs your alt style of play. Putting in more reasons to gut new player, without something to help them, isn't good for attracting and keeping new members to the community.

- A Vexor costs about 9 mill to fit it out fully - it's insurable so a major portion of that can come back. A new player can be easily flying this ship within 2 weeks.
- Two (just 2) +3 implants will run 8 mill each - 16 mill total. Uninsurable - complete loss.

KB wise: Popping that newbie's ship is nothing compared to nailing their pod - even if they only have 2 implants as described above. Previously pods had almost no KB value so many would let a new player's pod go - after nailing the ship for the killmail. Now newbie pods are worth more than the ship so those pods will be far higher priority targets - these are also the easiest pods to catch and kill.

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You may like the idea of nothing but alts to a few thousand players in the game but many others would like to find ways to make this game more accessible and attractive to new players. Putting "get implants to train faster" coupled with even more focus on killing pods for bigger killboard totals - with new players being the easiest targets? ...

I think something should be done to help offset this for new players - again, not your alt play style, though there is no way to prevent alt accounts doing it so they'll gain from this too.

Give them a tutorial on how to protect their ass-ets and a Jump Clone for use from the start.

Costs?
- The book is 300k isk - very cheap.
- A jump clone costs 100k isk - very cheap.
- Access to a Jump Clone provider...

Trickier and taking fair knowledge of the game, player services, etc... - "jump clone services" via player corporations - when folks are warned about scams all the time? Paranoia is a good thing in EVE but now try and learn about Jump Clones - while looking into PvP more, running tutorials/SOE Arc and the like? ... New PLAYERS (not necessarily chars) have a lot to learn.

So put in a tutorial to train them about Jump Clones and give them a JC as part of it. Total "funds given up" = 400k "sink" for a tutorial mission - 400k less from new accounts, probably while on trial.

Value add: New players learn what these are and how to use them. This helps to avoid potential costly losses when they are podded, which helps ease getting into PvP more and may help slightly with retention when they do lose their pods.