EVE Online Bounty
Prelude
There are many bounty suggestions, and I have tried posting an idea in one of them. But since the concept is so complex (and fair warning - they are all long reads, including this one!), it may be appropriate to start separate threads for each one. I think I’ve refined the idea enough to post my own thread on the topic, but even if this idea sinks down into the forum depths never to be seen again, I feel it’s worthwhile for the community to keep trying.
It seems like many people want a working bounty system that is fun for both hunters and criminals. And, in theory, it would make high sec in EVE a very vibrant and interesting place. A place where there is rule of law, but at the same time a kind of Wild West vibe.
I will edit the post with any better modifications offered. I know this is a controversial topic, please keep any discussion civil and constructive.
Current Bounty System
The current system seems to suffer from a major flaw that bounties can come from any source, such as a legitimate bounty against a crime committed, but also from trolls and criminals against a law abiding citizen. Then trying to “deputize” law abiding hunters to possibly go after law abiding citizens is one thing that holds back the game mechanic, not to mention the current kill right system which is easily abused, and also just doesn’t make sense. The bounty system must be split into at least two mechanisms, one for the “good guys” and one for the “bad guys”, to have any chance at becoming a working sensible system.
The “Good Guy” Bounty System
Awaiting a better name, we can maybe refer to the “Good Guy” System as the CONCORD Bounty for now, as it is likely CONCORD that is giving permission for aggression in these possible high sec engagements. I will summarize the bounty mechanic and then try to explain each item afterwards.
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Bounty can only be placed on a perpetrator while they still have a suspect/criminal timer active, and may only be placed by the victim.
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If this new bounty system is tight enough to prevent most abuse, then bounty payout can maybe be increased to 50% of ship+fit
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Bounty kill rights are only granted on a criminal for (x) isk worth of bounty collection in a day, after which they cannot be legally aggressed again for 24 hours
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Hunter can activate kill right on criminal when in same system, and after (y) seconds, can legally agress the criminal for (z) minutes, after which there may be a cool down of 15(?) minutes
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Bounties can only be collected in high sec (and maybe low sec)
Details for items above:
(1) The CONCORD bounty should only be used for legal retribution. The idea being that even if the criminal act was a gank, and CONCORD already extracted vengeance by relieving the criminal of their ship, the victim may still feel like they are not “even”, especially if the victim was in an Indy with 100mil isk worth of cargo, and the criminal was in a 2mil isk Catalyst. The bounty system should provide a way for the victim to feel like they can get “even”, and the victim should also be assured that the system works, or the whole thing comes crashing down. Making the system only accept bounties while a suspect/criminal timer is active assures that it is strictly for retribution against criminal acts, and prevents abuse by criminals or trolls against law abiders. But if the victim neglects to place their bounty within the time frame given, then they forfeit their chance at retribution through the bounty system. Also, AFAIK, the current bounty system does not have a cap on how much bounty can be placed, so not sure if that should be true as well for new system.
(2) The current payout IIRC is 20% of ship+fit. Can it be increased if it is more difficult to game the system?
(3) Criminals shouldn’t be able to be harassed 24hr/day, there’s criminal activity that’s gotta get done, or there would be no criminals to chase. There should be a mechanic that if they haven’t been able to keep one step ahead of the law, then once “enough” justice has been served on them in one day, they should then be able to continue on with their enterprise, with no further kill rights till the next day. However, some input on exactly how much “enough” is to determine what (x) isk amount in bounty collected would be appreciated here. Perhaps 2mil isk bounty collection as a starting point, ensuring that at least 4mil isk in assets was forfeited. Or it could be tied to % of total bounties or security status somehow.
(4) People with bounties on them are very unlikely online 23/7. There should be a game mechanic that allows for if someone is out hunting and they happen to spot a bounty in system, they should have a means to take action, as the chance may not come again given players’ schedules.
(5) Not sure how important this mechanic would be, maybe more for RP element. The criminal maybe should have a way to escape bounty collection, as in crossing “the border”. Once across, a kill right and bounty payout could possibly deactivate. Whether “the border” should end at high sec or low sec can be up for debate.
The “Bad Guy” Bounty System
The “Bad Guy” system, again for a lack of a better name, is basically a “hit” list that anyone can make against their enemies. It works somewhat similar to the current bounty system. The new suggested mechanics of which may have some abusable elements which I may not have foreseen, but hopefully they can be worked through. Some interesting elements may be:
- A “hit” may only be placed from low sec (maybe null?)
- The “hit” may work like contracts. It should have the target’s name, payout, and maybe even some conditionals, like the system the hit needs to take place in, minimum value of ship, pod kill, etc…
- The hunter trying to collect can only accept “hit” contracts in low sec (null?) and must meet all the conditions to be able to collect.
- Once all conditions have been met, the full bounty will be paid out automatically in one week. However, as an interesting mechanic, the person who is paying out for the “hit” can cancel the payout any time before the payment is finalized. This allows them to verify if the “hit” was legit, and not some scam. But could also promote “no honor among thieves” stories. Not sure, but another possible side effect may be a new “broker” profession.
- Perhaps another interesting mechanic may be that the target will not know the value of the “hit”, only a black mark will appear next to portrait. They won’t be able to find out the value unless they go to low sec. Not really a necessary mechanic, maybe for drama mostly.
- High sec “hits” still fall under applicable rules, e.g. gank attempts will still be CONCORDEKKENNED.
