Through observing what works best, we’ve learned that some Opportunities are more effective than others at helping players find their bearing in the vast world of EVE and will be building heavily on that knowledge as time goes on
I stated my thoughts on “Opportunities” somewhere in the NPE thread(s) I believe, but I want to reiterate. I don’t know if you guys were doing A/B testing with this feature, as I didn’t see it with all the characters I created on TQ and Sisi for the NPE, but when I tried it, it felt like I was suggested activities I absolutely did not need… and with no rewards attached for the time spent for that mindless activity.
Like: go mine X amount of ore Y. Not that I need a reward for that, but I don’t need a suggestion either. If I need ore or if I want to mine, I’ll go mine.
Or, reprocess X amount of mineral Y. Hmm, why would I do that if I don’t need it for something. Especially if I have low reprocess skills. I’d be better off selling the ore and buy the minerals. If I complete this so called opportunity, I’ll have to spend time mining and/or will cost me isk to buy the ore, and It’ll cost me isk to reprocess, I’ll waste minerals because of low skills, and I’ll be left with minerals I don’t need atm. And no rewards for this mindless opportunity.
Go do 1 or 2 security missions. Ok, fine, if this type of activity is my thing, sure. Getting isk, LP and standings. Yet, more like a “suggestion” than an “opportunity”.
So, to make sense of “Opportunities”, why not ask the player “what do you want to do?”. Offer a set of answer. Upon selection, propose a series of steps to accomplish the goal. For example, instead of offering to mindlessly reprocess some ore in the actual Opportunities, that system would suggest it as a possibility IF the player answer an option related to “manufacture an object” or about “mining”. If manufacture is selected, it would first suggest to acquire the blueprint of the object they would like to build and how/where they can acquire it. Step two could be something about researching for better ME/TE (Omega only I believe) if it is a BPO. Step tree would finally suggest to gatter the minerals, either from reprocessed ore they would mine or buy, or minerals they buy from the market. Etc. Educational and with a purpose.
Or, simpler, direct the player to one of the many existing tutorials around the topic selected by the player. You kinda already have that in the Help section of the Agency, but this would emphasize it to players who interacts with Opportunities.