About 34 minutes into the first “o7” – the EVE Online Show, there was a discussion with CCP Greyscale and CCP Nullarbor about Sov Null Sec.
http://www.twitch.tv/ccp/b/572060538
To quote CCP Greyscale – “It has got kind of stagnant out there, people have, the major coalitions have basically solved the game and figured out how to win, and now they are winning and now it is boring for everybody”
CCP are working on fitting in some changes in the short term to try and have an impact on this. The initial steps should be detailed in a DEV Blog out around the second week of October, and will be based around movement and force projection. They mentioned capital ships, jump drives and clones.
I’m guessing at jump drive cool down timers and maybe range limitations on jump clones.
CCP indicate the CSM were mostly onboard with the changes, with some suggesting the changes don’t go far enough.
The people that have won EVE subsequently put out an open letter to CCP on what they think must be included in changes to Sov Null Sec.
http://themittani.com/news/null-deal-statement-sovereign-00
It pays to be circumspect when listening to the propaganda of the Null Sec Lords. It is not difficult to see how they try to control the narrative of these discussions and debates. A classic approach is to say if you do not live and breathe Null Sec, your opinion shouldn’t be heard, and doesn’t matter.
At the forefront of the suggestions is to add NPC Null Sec space to every region. That will make it easier for people to stage offences into Sov Null Sec. It seems to have merit – until you stop and think about it. In a new world where Capital ship movements are restricted, it allows the current Null Sec Lords to leave caches of Capital fleets all over the map, safe in NPC stations. It allows them to bypass new force projection rules. It allows them to more easily harass other groups or defend themselves.
None of the suggestions will shake up the current status quo – it won’t open Null Sec up to new powers, it won’t topple the current winners of EVE.
Blastradius posted a similar warning on his blog:
http://blastradtales.wordpress.com/2014/09/29/hmm/
If you are interested in EVE, you really need to be vigilant in reading between the lines when it comes to Sov Null Sec changes.
As I have remarked before, the current Null Sec Lords have done a brilliant job. Even CCP agrees they have won EVE. A part of me feels uncomfortable about just arbitrarily handicapping them for their success, or throwing away all their achievements and starting all over again with new rules. CCP is however in effect being forced to do something. The players at the very top could have done something to shake things up – but they have become too comfortable behind the diplomatic accords that ensconce them in their thrones.
Even risk adverse solo players who hide away in Hi-Sec can have an opinion on that.
Now the trick is to be patient, and do your best to enjoy the ride.
Evehermit 