05-29-2009, 09:20 AM
The main problem with EVE, as I understand it, is the tendency for players to avoid wars because they don't want to risk losing what they have. When they do want to fight, it's usually a for-fun attack on the other side of the universe, well away from their home sector, so that they don't risk starting a real war with their immediate neighbors.
Also, my time in EVE convinced me that a majority of their players are PvE bluebies. For every pirate, there's 50 dudes somewhere mining rocks or hunting NPCs, either in missions or in their guild's home sectors.
EVE has a lot of other issues as well ("price of admission" is too high, for one) but I don't think the sandbox is doing it any favors. Without some motivating factor, the galaxy can get very dull. I think I want a game where I can log into a fight every day if I want, and not just on days when the guild leadership has decided to launch an attack against the enemies in the Gamma Quadrant, 50 jumps away.
I think you need NPC pressure to keep things stirred up and interesting.
Also, my time in EVE convinced me that a majority of their players are PvE bluebies. For every pirate, there's 50 dudes somewhere mining rocks or hunting NPCs, either in missions or in their guild's home sectors.
EVE has a lot of other issues as well ("price of admission" is too high, for one) but I don't think the sandbox is doing it any favors. Without some motivating factor, the galaxy can get very dull. I think I want a game where I can log into a fight every day if I want, and not just on days when the guild leadership has decided to launch an attack against the enemies in the Gamma Quadrant, 50 jumps away.
I think you need NPC pressure to keep things stirred up and interesting.