TLDR: Jovian space could be opened up and used to both add new content and revisit and change some of the mechanisms that govern the current EVE sandbox as we know it.
Whether or not to directly impact highsec as part of opening Jovian space is an interesting question, but I think highsec would benefit simply by having a new region available from which new ships, modules, or other resources would be introduced into the game. It may also benefit from increased resource demand if the new content added instability to the existing alliance interaction and increased conflict.
One of the reasons that Iād prefer to shake things up by adding new content rather than fundamentally overhauling all of the existing EVE rules is to try to reduce or avoid all of the bitter arguments weāve seen on this thread. A lot of people have vested interests in the existing system and existing accessible regions of New Eden. However, if nothing changes, then EVE is at risk of stagnating (and some might say itās already there).
Opening up a new region of space would not only add new content but also provide for an area of the game in which some existing mechanisms could be revisited and changed a bit. Using a new, restricted space for this would both help to overcome the objections of players who prefer the existing sandbox and introduce some new mystery and complexity to the game.
To illustrate this Iād like to further expand on my ideas for opening up Jovian space to players. For purposes of this discussion āJovian spaceā includes not just just the Jove Empire as may have been currently discussed or implied by existing EVE lore but also any new related regions that would be associated with opening up Jove space. Here are the core elements Iāve been thinking about:
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Jovian space would only be accessible from the current New Eden regions via rare, size-restricted wormholes. Only frigates and destroyers would be allowed through.
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New resources would be introduced via Jovian space that could include new ship BPCs, ship modules, new minerals or other materials required for their construction, etc. These could be transported back to existing EVE regions to impact gameplay there, but the wormhole size restrictions would create limits as well as logistical challenges in doing so. Modules and BPCs would be the easiest to transport, but the BPCs would require some materials that are only available in Jovian space.
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Jovian space would include a variety of systems and regions:
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Wormhole systems that are largely separated from existing wormhole space. They may have Sleeper sites but could also include new sites with different content and different lore.
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Pockets of stargate-connected systems of varying sizes, with or without any NPC control, and somewhat different security classifications available with nullsec rules being the default absent a sufficiently powerful NPC presence. These pockets would be systems with stargates that are either currently maintained by a controlling NPC or are systems that used to have NPC control and have since been abandoned.
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The stargate-connected pockets would only be connected via wormholes. The wormholes would work the same as existing wormholes for the most part, but they would be a mostly separate space. They would mostly connect to Jovian space rather than existing regions in New Eden. They may also have more varied ship size restrictions, mass limits, or time restrictions (possibly as short as 4-12 hours).
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Some sample pocket sizes for stargate-connected systems and some possible associated characteristics:
2-5 systems: Nullsec security with either no NPC control or perhaps only rarely.
10-20 systems: Nullsec security in most cases, with perhaps 25-50% NPC control; a few instances of largely lowsec-equivalent security.
30-50 systems: These would be uncommon and thus valuable regions to gain access to. Perhaps 50% or so would have NPC control. Security would be nullsec in majority of cases, but some more powerful NPCs may impose lowsec conditions in some or perhaps all of the pocket's systems. A small few may impose a quasi-high-sec security system in part of the pocket but with different mechanics (explained below).
80-100+ systems: These would occur only rarely and either most or all would probably have NPC control. Security would vary from nullsec to a quasi-high-sec, and probably vary throughout the pocket if not all nullsec. -
Quasi-high-sec security: Given that Jovian space would represent a new region with a different lore and history, there is no reason to think that system security would work exactly the same as existing New Eden regions. However, a small number of NPC empires may have established a security system that offers some of the stability of existing high-sec systems but with different mechanics. Iām proposing that a more relaxed version of āhigh-secā be created in these cases in which a player who violates the security rules has their ship impounded rather than being destroyed on the spot. The minimum hold period would be 24 hours but perhaps range as high as a week. To get their ship and its contents released, a fee would have to be paid, perhaps within a range of 25-50% of estimated value of the ship and its contents. If the player does not get their ship released from impound within 30 days, it is destroyed.
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Docking and storage fees: These fees donāt exist currently in EVE, but I think that Jovian space could have different rules for those systems that have NPC stations. These would have value both as ISK sinks and as an added source of uncertainty and risk. The fees would be time-based and charged daily based on whether or not the player docked a ship or stored inventory at any time during the past 24 hours. Iām not sure what a good rate would be, but the mechanics could be based on storage size. The system would impose hangar size limits, charge by hangar size, and require the player to increase the hangar size if they need to store more. If the player lacks the funds to pay the storage fees at the time they are imposed, the stored assets would go into asset safety with a minimum release fee equal to the double the normal storage fee plus 10% or higher of the stored value. Storage rates would continue to be charged while the assets are in asset safety but at double the normal rate, so the bill could become quite high if assets are left unretrieved for too long.
The above ideas are just my vision of what could or should be done with Jovian space. However, they illustrate the potential value of both opening up new territory in EVE and revisiting some game mechanics. The Jovian space Iāve proposed is a more fragmented and mysterious space overall than existing regions in New Eden. By introducing these variations and the implied uncertainty and risks associated with operating there and dealing with somewhat different game mechanics, the EVE sandbox would become a more interesting and complex place to play.
Changing and varying the sandbox would impact many aspects of gameplay including combat tactics, industry, and trade. By creating a fragmented region that is both hard to get to and harder to travel in, both opportunities and challenges would be created. Individual and small groups of players willing to dive in and explore new regions would be rewarded with the opportunities that go with that, including the experience of building infrastructure up almost from stratch. Existing large corporations and alliances would also benefit from the new opportunities via access to new ships and modules. However, the latter would not be able to easily extend their power into the new regions due to the wormhole access restrictions.
TLDR: Jovian space could be opened up and used to both add new content and revisit and change some of the mechanisms that govern the current EVE sandbox as we know it.
