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Player Features and Ideas Discussion

 
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Outsourcing some of Eve's development
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Vyktor Abyss
Abyss Research
#1 - 2012-01-08 17:57:56 UTC
... to improve and expand the Intellectual Property of CCP at a rate greater than their current development limitations allow.

We all know Eve needs LOTS of areas developing further that for years CCP have struggled to balance their time/effort onstrictions.

What if CCP instead allowed other software companies to expand and develop areas of Eve (such as WIS, PI and other *mini* spin-off games) such that the core of CCPs development team are free to work on fixing broken mechanic etc and expanding the core content.

Potentially CCP could either allow other companies to licence their IP in exchange for monetizing their *bolt on to eve* subgames/applications kind of like people developing apps for Facebook do.

I can imagine a PKR poker room filled with Eve players popping up pretty quickly. Cheers.
Jafit McJafitson
Viziam
Amarr Empire
#2 - 2012-01-08 19:00:29 UTC
The thing about PKR is that it's not isk they're playing for.

More community modding would be nice, such as having a more flexible XML based interface. WoW's interface is far more flexible and modable than Eves, and that makes me sad.
Nestara Aldent
Citimatics
#3 - 2012-01-08 19:16:26 UTC
Maybe, but that will allow, in your example, PKR to earn through the game, which is property of CCP. Without appropriate legal framework that would allow CCP to take the share of the revenue of third party developers, that's not gonna happen. Also, in the case of PKR, allowing virtual gambling in Eve through PKR actually would allow much more to PKR than earning through the game, it would allow the control over game environment.

And don't start about WoW moddable interface, in the case of Auctioneer and DBM mods only thing it allows is cheating.
Yes, if the average WoW raid is harder without DBM, then using DBM is cheating, and we all know it is.

So, no, I don't support your idea.
Mars Theran
Foreign Interloper
#4 - 2012-01-08 19:41:59 UTC
I can't say I do either. Outsourcing to 3rd parties means more cost to EVE development than currently; or alternatively, ~same costs, and royalties/partnership with 3rd party developers. Neither of which is good for EVE.

It's cheaper and more cost effective for CCP to maintain it's own in house development; while being much more practical from a content rights and security perspective. We're not talking about a situation where large fleets of vehicles and equipment have to be maintained here; but rather office space, workstations, network backbones, and payroll for developers. CCP already has that.

Generally speaking it's a bad idea, and unless you want CCP to be forced into a position where it becomes yet another subsidiary of EA; I'd just leave it at that, and maybe spend less time worrying about CCPs development costs and current Corporate accounting concerns, and more playing the game or coming up with good ideas for new features.

As players, the best thing we can do, is enjoy what CCP has provided us in the form of entertainment and game content; while paying our monthly subs and avoiding ****-talking them, and damaging their corporate image here and elsewhere.

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Morgan North
Dark-Rising
Wrecking Machine.
#5 - 2012-01-08 20:03:45 UTC
I'd support this move if it was related to modelling "new" items (as in for instance turret models for stuff that doesn't exist), texturing and in general, doing the things that can be done but take a long time. Like they did with the backgrounds (it was apparently outsourced, and it was a good job at that).

If this meant a way to have a fully visible high-slot rack and at least the medium-rack player affecting modules I'd be all for t. And afterburners, and microwarp drives. I'm sure it can all be done given time and resources.
Simi Kusoni
HelloKittyFanclub
#6 - 2012-01-08 21:29:52 UTC
Jafit McJafitson wrote:
The thing about PKR is that it's not isk they're playing for.

More community modding would be nice, such as having a more flexible XML based interface. WoW's interface is far more flexible and modable than Eves, and that makes me sad.

Yeah but most wow player's screens look like an absolute mess as a result, and the worst thing is you need those mods in order to play. Because the WoW dev team leave it all up to modders to add vital things they missed there's no coordination, no real style or finish to the interface.

Basically, modding makes stuff messy, and in most situations (as someone above said) can eventually become tantamount to cheating. (E.g. Properly setting up an Arena mod so you can see your opponents timers etc.)

[center]"I don't troll, I just give overly blunt responses that annoy people who are wrong but don't want to admit it. It's not my fault that people have sensitive feelings"  -MXZF[/center]
Nova Fox
Novafox Shipyards
#7 - 2012-01-09 00:28:00 UTC
They've been outsourcing.

Points at the new nebulas.

Dust 514's CPM 1 Iron Wolf Saber Eve mail me about Dust 514 issues.
LeHarfang
Federal Navy Academy
Gallente Federation
#8 - 2012-01-09 00:52:30 UTC  |  Edited by: LeHarfang
For the nebulaes, CCP only paid to use the third party rendering software and machines. The intellectual property was still owned by them and thus, they dont have to give anyone any part of their profit.
Astrid Stjerna
Sebiestor Tribe
#9 - 2012-01-09 22:50:11 UTC
Vyktor Abyss wrote:
... to improve and expand the Intellectual Property of CCP at a rate greater than their current development limitations allow.

We all know Eve needs LOTS of areas developing further that for years CCP have struggled to balance their time/effort onstrictions.

What if CCP instead allowed other software companies to expand and develop areas of Eve (such as WIS, PI and other *mini* spin-off games) such that the core of CCPs development team are free to work on fixing broken mechanic etc and expanding the core content.

Potentially CCP could either allow other companies to licence their IP in exchange for monetizing their *bolt on to eve* subgames/applications kind of like people developing apps for Facebook do.

I can imagine a PKR poker room filled with Eve players popping up pretty quickly. Cheers.


Outsourcing is dangerous. You have less control over the quality of your product and less situational awareness in the workplace, plus it's another item on the expense sheet (outsourcing = you pay them to work for you).

Speaking as a former employee of an outsourced call-center, I'd much rather CCP handle their work in-house to ensure that they keep their vision alive.

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