I have a vision for how this gameplay could work, and Iâd like to expand on the mechanics behind it. Currently, in EVE Online, we can enhance our capabilities with implants, boosters, pills, and other consumables. Now, imagine taking that a step further with a new class of multiplayer ships.
Letâs say you have two identical ships. One is piloted and operated by a single player who is fully boosted with implants and enhancements. The other is also piloted by one player but has additional players onboard, each manning individual turrets. The key difference is that this multi-crew ship gains additional bonuses because real players are actively controlling the turrets instead of relying solely on the pilotâs skills.
Each turret operator would have their own targeting and firing control, similar to the gunner perspective in games like Valkyrie. This means:
Each weapon systemâwhether itâs turrets, missile launchers, ECM modules, or tractor beamsâcould have a dedicated operator.
There would be significant bonuses for turrets manned by actual players, improving factors like tracking speed, accuracy, and damage output.
Specialized roles could emerge, such as a turret operator skilled at shooting down drones with high tracking speed or a dedicated ECM specialist disrupting enemy ships.
Even defensive roles could exist, like a player managing shields and capacitors, providing major bonuses to ship durability and energy management.
This concept wouldnât just apply to combat. It could also revolutionize mining. Instead of flying multiple individual mining ships, players could board a single large mining vessel with a crew. For example, instead of flying an Orca and five separate mining ships, a player could have one Orca and two large mining ships with three pilots aboardâone piloting and two others operating mining beams or two the pilot can switch to a turret at the risk of not seeing trouble. Each mining beam, when operated by an individual player, would receive massive bonuses to efficiency, allowing for faster ore extraction. This setup would make mining more rewarding and encourage cooperation. Even solo players with multiple alts would benefit, as theyâd extract more ore than if they were using separate ships. The ability to easily split ore among the crew would further incentivize players to team up.
Importantly, this would be an optional gameplay style. Players who prefer the traditional solo-pilot experience could continue playing exactly as they do now. But for those who enjoy teamwork and a more immersive experience, this would add a new dynamic to the game.
Another feature that could enhance this concept is a social space inside the ship itself. While traveling to a destination or docked, players could gather in a virtual area within the ship to chat, strategize, or even watch videos together. This would add a fresh perspective to the game, creating a true multiplayer experience beyond just fleets in space.
To take this even further, I would love to see the return of proximity voice chat, especially for players inside the shipâs play area. This would allow only those onboard to communicate with each other in real-time, making teamwork and coordination even more immersive. Whether discussing strategy or just hanging out during travel, it would add another layer of realism and social interaction.
CCP has already experimented with in-station environments in the past. While it wasnât fully developed at the time, the groundwork is there. Instead of focusing solely on space stations, this could be reworked into an onboard ship environment, where players interact while waiting for action. Then, once combat starts, players take their rolesâmanning turrets, launching missiles, or managing ship systems.
EVE already has many of the mechanics from past updates and game designs that could support this idea. It wouldnât replace the current gameplay but would offer a new, exciting option for those who want a more cooperative, immersive experience.