Player Features and Ideas Discussion

Basic premise is simple: create a rig for citadels that allows player owned structures to house different types of NPC agents in player owned structures (I will include all/most structures in the term "Citadel" unless otherwise noted, for simplicity).

Why?

Of the many players in eve, a very significant portion will run missions or use NPC agents as part of their main activity or income source. Even with changes to taxes and more efficient services in different areas of space, these key factors will continue to hold NOC stations in very high regard, meaning less potential players interacting outside of those NPC stations (in terms of player controlled mechanics). Without alternatives, they will continue to remain in the only place those services are available. By potentially adding these services to player structures, this will increase the draw and attraction to use them over NPC stations. For some, this will be the key factor in determining where to stay.

How would the rig work?

The rig would (depending on size and structure bonuses) allow a certain number of slots to place agents of varying types in. One could offer all security agents, research agents, or a mix of different types.

These agents would operate almost identically in how players interact with them. Open the menu and talk to the agent and do as you need.

The key difference would be how they are maintained or acquired.

In order to obtain certain agents from certain factions, there would be a standing requirement with the Corp/faction that owns the agent. Higher levels would require higher standings, and different corps would offer their different specialties to the prospective structure owner.

A fee would also be required to keep the agent running. This fee could be a flat fee based on type and level, or a percentage based on usage, or a combination of the two. One possible method of pricing, could use a similar formula to mission rewards pricing. While hardly noticeable in the short-term, missions do follow a curve of reward based on usage or completion (correct me if I'm wrong, either way, still a possible method).

So, to pay for fuel or to offer incentive to use a specific structure over another, a structure owner could levy a tax on the rewards, adjustable to whatever degree fits best with other pricing schemes the owner has. Provides a method to pay for the service fees and offer incentive to use their station for other services as well.

One caveat to note, is that the rig would not offer an LP store. Whether that is still restricted to NPC stations or a seperate rig entirely, would be a seperate issue.

How would agents be picked?

Assuming the standings above have been met, a structure owner would contact an agent-giving Corp (empire faction or pirate faction) and get a quote for different agents/quantities/contract durations/pricing. Once the desired option is chosen, the agent would immediately move to the structure, and begin offering services.

Depending on location of the structure, certain penalties or bonuses could be offered for different agents. Trying to hire a blood raider agent in amarr space may be heavily penalized or restricted completely. Getting a gallente agent in minmatar space may be neutral, and hiring within faction borders could offer a discount. Using the same faction agents in a single structure could offer bonuses, and offering opposing factions in structures could be an extra cost.

One other thing to consider as a mechanic, is to also choose the reward system and balance of the agent. A structure owner could choose to higher agents with higher isk to LP ratios, stronger standings boosts, or heavy LP payouts.

Some other benefits/consequences to consider:

Agents in sov null:
Would offering missions in sov null be a positive or negative aspect? Potentially it could allow players to increase the value of less-than-desirable territory, by striking a good balance of facilities available. And depending on sec status, it could make "more secure" space (-0.9 vs-0.3) cheaper to hire agents in as well. Another thing to consider is the value of isk vs LP being given out, instead of straight isk from normal anomalies (possibly greater isk sink). Would using gated missions offer a level of unnecessary safety? Possibly. The missions themselves could be retooled or completely unique to certain areas of space, and allow differing levels of risk and reward.

Agents in/near major hubs:
Would offering agents in systems that had previously been empty of such use be a consequence or a benefit? Could go either way tbh

Agents for personal/corp/alliance use:
Would allowing entities to attain their own agents for personal use be too strong a benefit? Depending on the cost and retention value, it could go either way. However, for the most part, it would simply mean less need to stay in secure space to get the same resources available. It is currently possible to simply have a highsec alt to do similar things, resulting in a relatively low inconvenience for the player. Some agents might offer services that need to be restricted based on location and other factors though.

All in all, I believe allowing players to have their hand in a major part of the game mechanic would allow more push-pull aspects to structure usage and potential benefits for those willing to shell out the cash or grind the standings. There's also role play stuff too, if you're into that.

No thanks