I’ve been thinking a lot about why new players quit EVE, and I believe I’ve found a simple two-part solution that would both help retention and increase CCP’s revenue in the long run.
-1. Free Weekly 75,000SP Skill Injectors for Alphas
New players often feel they can’t catch up with veterans. By giving Alpha accounts one free Skill Injector per week, CCP would ensure these players feel real progress. Once they’re invested in their characters, they’re far more likely to convert to Omega and spend money. This is a long-term win for everyone.
-2. Hireable CONCORD Escorts Anywhere in Space
Exploration and travel are often frustrating for new or casual players who get killed outside of Highsec. My idea is simple: allow players to pay ISK (or PLEX for extra monetization!) to summon a small CONCORD escort fleet that follows them around for a set period of time, even in Lowsec, Nullsec, or Wormholes. This way, casual players who just want to mine or explore can do so without being harassed. PvPers can still fight each other if they want — but those who prefer PvE can finally play in peace.
This would create a healthier game by accommodating all playstyles, not just the loud minority who enjoy their veteran perks. More safety = more players = more money for CCP = a better game for everyone.
daily injectors are inexpensive 60-70 mil in Jita as of right now.
if players can actually log in every single day for the 30 days they are in new player spaces, that will help them better, than logging in for a few days and before they know it, they can get shot for being older than 30 days outside of their safe space.
That’s a big ‘if’. Not everyone has the luxury to be online everyday. Lots of people work overtime and when they get home to their wife and kids they don’t necessarily want to ignore their family and play games. I’m home 3 or 4 days a week. The rest of the week I’m working and sleeping at my boyfriend’s because my workplace is too far for me to be home everyday. And that’s just one exemple.
I was under the impression that there were no ‘safe spaces’ in EVE and if you’re talking about the rookie systems, tutorial agents send new players 3 to 4 jumps away. Hardly safe places when gankers lurk everywhere. And now that I mention gankers I have to elaborate by saying I’m not against ganking.
That is nice and all.. But no. It is not always about skill points and catching up. While the reasons are many.. From to complex to yes, the I can not catch up to a vet that has been playing for the last decade plus. to the reason are many. Free skill points whether weekly or monthly is not going to mean much.
As for the escort duty. This is EVE. Blowing up ships is a feature of the game. Whether you are 30+ days in the game or been here from the when CCP open the game. Every player is both a target and targeting other players.
The space cops are not there to protect anyone. Just to blow the suicide ganker out of the sky after the fact. That is about all the concession for protecting a new player is going to get. That and of your toon is under the thirty day mark. You theoretically are not going to be ganked.
New player retention is a concern and CCP along with the CSM are trying to address it, but so far have not been able to come up with any ideas that seem to be viable.
rookie system is much much broader than you think..
Starter Systems
Amarr
Chaven
Sehmy
Emrayur
Caldari
Kisogo
Todaki
Amsen
Gallente
Duripant
Bourynes
Cistuvaert
Minmatar
Ammold
Ryddinjorn
Hulm
Career Agent systems
Amarr
Deepari
Pasha
Conoban
Caldari
Uitra
Jouvulen
Akiainavas
Gallente
Couster
Clellinon
Trossere
Minmatar
Hadaugago
Malukker
Embod
Sisters of EVE Epic Arc
Given the variety of systems this arc can take place in, players are asked to refrain from any form of griefing to rookie players (30 days old or less) in mission sites and systems associated with the arc. Such griefing involves but is not limited to; destroying, stealing or ransoming mission critical items.
This Epic Arc mainly leads rookies to the following systems:
As he pointed out that players are asked.. Not stopped. Asked. So whether a player refrains or not is a question of a player deciding to do as asked. Though CCP generally frown on any player that does go after a new player. The one case that I am aware of. Was going into a starter system and griefing. As the EULA defines it. Note those words. From rumor I had got was that this same player was warned and told not to do that multiple times before CCP Banned him/her. At the same time Eve is a no holds bar free for all. There is really no getting around that fact.
Once out of the starter system. You really are swimming in shark infested waters. The starter systems hold very little by design and even less to keep even the most timid player from wanting to stay.
To play EVE one must in my opinion be able to be a self starter and be able to handle losing ships. As the game is really a free for all in almost every aspect of the game.
TBH it is that balls to the wall free for all that attracted me and part of the reason why I went Omega early.
Thanks for the info @Aallin_Gicquet I do realise that EVE is cutthroat and complicated. That’s also what attracted me to it.
But I’m staying on Alpha for now under the advice of my dad because he says I’m nowhere near knowledgeable enough to be using T2 modules/ammo and T2/T3 ships and so he doesn’t see the point of me paying Omega prices for ships/ammo/modules that I will not use for at least a year. I agreed with him - as I always do - and use the Alpha state to get to know the game mechanics better and the choice of playstyle I would like.
Stay alpha for as long as you can. When you top out the 20 mill SP by then you will know whether the game is for you or not. I just, after a year and half of playing, broke the 50 mill skill points just recently.
I do not know if you are in a corp yet or not, I would suggest a teachie learnie corp. I belong to Eve University the oldest teachie learnie corp in the game as a matter of fact. There are others. If that is the way you want to go.
Do your research and see where you feel is the right fit for you. Maybe it is a pirate corp, industrial corp, or even joining a exploration corp. There a few of those as well. Again do your research. If someone is trying to recruit you. And won’t take no for an answer. Block them. You will thank me later.
Thank you for the advice. I do like the game but that doesn’t mean it is for me, as you say. I have plenty of time to decide though, even though I can’t play every day.
I am not in a corporation but am planning to find one. I agree that I should find a teaching corp, like a rookies’ corp so I can learn from experienced players while still on Alpha. I will do my research but will apply to EVE University and see where it goes.
I am not sure which niche I want to invest time in, I like a variety of things so maybe I should try them all and see which I like best.
How about I thank now?
Your replies are very thoughtful. Thank you so much!
Seriously, thats all you need to do in this game. It freakin’ sucks as a solo game, because it simply isn’t designed to be one.
Align yourself with vets, learn from them, ask them questions, participate in their ops which will make you LOTs of money. Find out if that corp/group is willing to actively support you, teach you, offer you content and knowledge. If not, look for another group. You aren’t married. Sometimes you will find the right bunch even after 3, 4, 5 tries.
And once you found a good group (and there are truckloads of them around there), support them back. Participate, be active, learn. Take over jobs within your alliance, plan your own operations, help other newbros. And at some distant point once you have gathered enough money, connections, resources and knowledge: found your own corp, make it better. Offer a great home for others.
This game is NOT about flying a spaceship. This game is about human interaction, joint efforts, success and progress that you can make as a group of like-minded people working together. Once that simple truth is in your head, EVE jumps up to a whole new dimension of game.
Thank you @Syzygium Everything you wrote makes sense to me. I’m sociable enough to get along with others and humble enough to be taught new things and learn from others.
I think that starting my own corporation would be the summum of my EVE career but that’s quite a ways away. For now I’m just learning and making connections.
