The Good Side of the CSM Minutes

Wait... isn't that... Nah, couldn't be

Really the only thing most wormholers took out of that CSM minutes document was how ignorant the current CSM leaders are, with the exception of a few intelligent people. For most of us, we can stop right there. For the most part it seems we aren't going to get any help, and the best content CCP has created to date is going to get nerfed at the hands of our Null-sec friendly CSM. Sad really. So despite the terrible news on the CSM minutes, is there anything good in that document? As a matter of fact, there is. And a few good hearty chuckles to go along.

Join me, won't you?

POS Management

During the minutes they talked a lot about POS changes. This is of importance to us wormholers as POS management is truly the only terrible aspect of wormhole space. If CCP were to somehow... I dunno... fix it... we would all be happier in our respective space. However, CCP repeated stated that there was a “logjam in implementation - the fact remains that changing things related POSes is a technically difficult and resource intensive task, no matter the size of the task.”

Here, allow me to translate CCP Soundwave's double talk:

“We can't just fix POS mechanics because it requires new art and stuff. And since all our artists are off designing $70 monocles and designer jeans no sane person on earth would ever buy, we just don't have the resources. After all, monocles and designer jeans are serious business and very intensive tasks. Plus, we don't make any money from 'flying in space' changes, designer space barbie is where the money is!”

This topic came up several times where CSM tried to beat the dead horse of terrible POS mechanics and what CCP was doing to fix it. CCP consistently stated that the art team was “busy” and could you please call back later? Eventually, CCP assured the CSM, it will get better when they “fix” the UI with what amounts to a UI undercoat that will make it easy for them to make changes. But remember this meeting took place way back in May, and CCP has since released this “UI undercoat” in a patch. I still see no changes to POS management. I guess I'm waiting on the art team to pick up. I need a fucking billboard on my POS station or some shit.

Of particular good news, the CSM did say something intelligent: “CSM asked for personal hangars, especially for wormhole residents, CSM asked CCP to allow passwording of individual POS modules.”

That would be wonderful. I guess you CSM people aren't all brain dead.

Removal of Local from K-space?

I found this particularly amusing:

"Conversation then took a bit of a tangent, and Arnar mentioned that local as we know it is going to change in a Winter expansion. The CSM was taken aback by this and let fly a torrent of questions about this new "no local". Local, as it was explained had to change because of the changes to EVE's infrastructure needed for future Incarna development. However, it would be replaced by a new, yet-to-be-designed intelligence gathering tool. Local would not simply just "turn off" and turn into delayed mode, such as in wormhole space. It is worth a repeat - local will NOT be simply turned off and/or turned into delayed mode. Arnar and Torfi both emphasized the importance of not feeling alone in space; they reasoned that the game has fifty thousand players and that it shouldn't feel as though you're alone. The CSM will be kept in the loop regarding this design when more is known."

I can sum this entire paragraph up in one internet acronym: LOL

I could just see Null Sec CSM guy's face as his asshole puckered up to the size of a pinhole when they first said local was changing. “WHAT???? YOU CAN'T JUST TURN OFF LOCAL IT'S TOO SCARY!!!! For me... I... I... I... mean the players. Yeah. The players. Is what I meant. Anyway you can't do it.”

Apparently after they were all reassured that nothing was going to happen the Null-friendly CSM's needed to bold and underline it and mention it twice so the rest of New Eden didn't freak out. Fucking hilarious. If you don't understand why that is funny, you clearly don't live in a wormhole.

I did love the mention of an “intelligence gathering tool”. I wonder what that is, and would it work in WH space? Something other then the already on-board d-scan? Cause we wormholers are already pro at the d-scan game. I'm assuming its some other type of scanner, perhaps a module that would fit into the mid-slots. I actually think it's a good change. Force people to fucking do something rather then let local do the scouting for them. Further, think of how many AFK cloakers lives would be ruined by not being able to make people feel unsafe anymore? I'm sure they will cry as they are doing whatever it is they are doing not playing the game.

Seriously, the game would be better for it. Maybe not initially as there would be an “adjustment period” but eventually. That and I would love to see K-space freak out. Well worth the price of admission.

T3 and Ship Balancing

“The subject of T3 ships and the lack of iteration/balancing on them was raised. Currently there are basically 2 common fits for each T3. This evolved into a discussion of ship balancing, and CCP Zulu agreed that dedicating a game-designer to ship-tweaking was a good idea. The CSM wholeheartedly approved of this, and urged that ship-balancing be regular, public, and incremental - every patch should have some balance tweaks in it.”

Amen.

But uh, if it's not too much to ask... um... could we have the T3 swapping subs and building of T3's in our POS so we don't have to go out to K-space stations to assemble/swap subs? Pretty please? You've been promising this for like a year now. Don't you think it's time?

If you need ideas on how to balance T3 so that more fits are viable, CCP you can come talk to me anytime you want. I have all kinds of ideas. Stuff that would blow your designer jean wearin', monocle sportin' minds. Seriously. Email me. We'll do lunch.

Apparently CCP has gotten data on what the rest of us have known for some time now. Electronic Attack Ships and Black Ops ships are the bottom two of ship hulls used in this game.

Shocker!

I guess CCP is going to do something to try and make those more viable. Hey maybe warping while cloaked might help Black Ops a little. That and a giant dose of less suck. And Electronic Attack Frigates would be more useful if a stiff wind wouldn't blow them away. There is a reason people use cruiser hulls and Scorps for ECM. They get primaried. Often.

And how about the other ships? Isn't it time we actually look ourselves in the mirror and admit that the Gallente need help? It could be their reliance on the two worst weapon systems in the game, blasters and drones. Blasters are terrible, and drone are like children – terribly destructive and never listen to what you say.

I think it's long overdue for CCP to balance ships. Maybe now I'll actually see something other then a Drake. That would be nice. Here's hoping CCP comes through on this one, but somehow I think $70 monocles to fund-a-vampire are taking precedent over what this game is actually about. Flying in space. In spaceships.