Yeah. I agree it may sound like a far out idea. And it might be something just for Events. But it has the potential - in some form or another - to shake things up in a positive way.
For instance:
People make comments that rats are just a nuisance because u can AFK them with your drones.
This would make those comments go away.
People AFK or Bot in belts while mining and something needs to be done. Most players agree that this is not a real way to play.
This would provide a method for ‘players’ to help stop those situations. Bots are basically AFK machines vs AI Rats , These are not AI Rats anymore.
Everyone claims mining is boring.
Yeah… Not any more.
Many miners do not know of, understand or have a desire to learn PvP.
This Could bring Pvp to mining in a way that is instructive And allows them some Pvp that is not OP against them yet is still Pvp.
While having a Combat Group to provide CAP coverage to a mining fleet seems like an obvious idea, This rarely happens. usually because it is boring for the combat pilot and expensive to the miners who have to pay him.
This feature would not ‘require’ miners hire CAP, but would provide an additional incentive in the miner’s decision to get one or not. It also provides some real excitement for the combat pilot.
- Again I agree this Feature is not ‘required’ to fix a big problem in the game. However it has the possibility to make a huge number of little ones in meaningful ways.
But keep in mind - the biggest Change it provides is a GAME MODE that allows people who like QUICK things to do, something they don’t have to spend hours preparing for. It also gives people who have lots of time on their hands waiting for those moments of terror some quick things to do.
Imagine mining in a belt with friends and a protective CAP - while you are controlling a ship attacking other miners across the cluster, lol. OR that never to be cursed enough guy next to you - who is always mining the same rocks you do.
I am not describing a fully fleshed out Feature… Rather it is a ‘concept’ … Basically — **Player Controlled NPCs… ** how it is implemented? is Yet To Be Determined.