Player Features and Ideas Discussion

Comet Mining

This topic has been done but since there seems no movement on the idea I thought I would offer my thoughts. The link above is not to the first post in the forums on the topic but one of the better ones - if you hsould feel like reading some of the other comments that preceeded this post.

Comet mining is an idea that could give mining something a little more exciting and dare I say it, risky (read not large null sec alliance fake danger). It's a chance to bring something universally dangerous to all sectors of space. In addition, it would be welcomed as an opportunity to add more specialized skills, equipment, and ships.

It's a little known fact that, at least, the US government actually has an outlined plan for mining comets. They cite the real life product list as:
frozen volatiles Methane, ethane, hydrocarbons, water & ammonia ice, and the gravel/muck of comets - a ceramic slurry, organics, dirt/minerals, hydrogen, carbon, and nitrogen.
EVE is science fiction and this list could be expanded to give players an incentive to actually do the mining.

What should be the EVE process to mine comets?

Well, it should be multi-faceted. First, new scanning skills should be introduced to allow for locating comets in a system. Comets are likely common in real life but they don't need to be extremely common in game.

Next, after you've found a comet, you need to approach the spinning, gas jetted rock. Doing this should be a challenge. Many comets orbit at speeds that far exceed the top speeds of most of our ships. So you'll need specialized microwarp drive skills that will allow some kind of sling-shotting around a large system orbital body and converging with an oncoming comet. At that point you'll need to anchor or use a tractor beam to fix your ship to the comet (yet more special skills, anchoring and others). There should be some kind of mini game or task that you perform, that gets easier based on skills, to achieve your tether to the comet.

Once you are tethered to the comet mining will be short. Long enough to fill your cargo hold maybe... but the longer you mine the more damage your ship takes. Of course, better tanks last longer (more skills and sacrifice for fittings)... but even with a well tanked the ship, you will eventually be damaged as you will be continuously pelted by very high velocity comet and asteroid debris while being swung around like a rag doll. This should be a bumpy ride. There will be increasing chance that you'll be shaken from the comet (adjusted with skill).

Before you start mining you might have to scan the comet again with a product scanner to determine what you'll be mining. (yet another new skill) There should be a lot of variety in comets (at least for interest sake). Besides just different types of gas, Ice, and mineral there should be something valuable to make the short trip worth the effort. What to do... well, we have a whole host of now unused alloy types. I'm not thinking of reintroducing them for refinement; instead let’s have the alloy be relevant to the game either as is or in a refined alloy form. Introduce a new need for it that makes its value better. since it will be rarer the value might take care of itself.

Anyway, there should be a host of new types of harvesters for these comets (new skills)... as the mining will be extreme and the product will vary dramatically. A player should have to debate which modules to fit, either risking being irrelevant by putting all harvester eggs in one basket for better yield or lowering yield and being ready for anything by mounting a variety of mining modules. The ride ends either when the hold fills or when the ship is forced from the comet. I believe riding the comet to a forceful end should have consequences - more damage taken during uncoupling.

Notice, I feel this should be a solo mining experience. Multiple ships trying to stay safely attached to the same comet would difficult and even more dangerous.

Anyway, if you have something to add I would be happy to hear it . thanks,

You might be right about the sling shot taking too much time and being an odd mechanic. The point of that was I don't like the idea of having it be an automated routine.

I totally disagree with you over the high sec verses null sec piece and I'll tell you why. This will be a skill intensive process that noobs could not accomplish, a process I don't want to see be any less dangerous in high sec than in null sec. The risk should be there as part of what makes it a good idea., the challenge. If you remove the value of the effort.. it's stupid as you'll have no reward for risk. Then too, I would argue that mining in high sec is clearly more dangerous that mining in some null sec belts.

You can leave ABC's where they are. .. if you want there to be ABC in the comets in null sec fine... but there needs to be something valuable for this to be worth the effort .. in every zone.