So coming to the end of my 3rd month of playing Eve.
Im the guy you CCP devs like Ghost are wondering “how do we keep them here.”
Let me say this first. Im yours - committed to destruction and profit - Eve is MY game.
But I want to address something I think is falling flat when it comes to Newbros absorbing the universe.
Aura - love her, hate her - the first question is, why do 4 distinctively different cultures/races have the exact same pleasant, lady-AI? Understanding why the Gallente and Caldari would share the AI, having connected technology streams. Also it is somewhat acceptable that Minmatar would be in possession of our lovely lady, as they were gifted technology by the Gallente.
Whether it makes sense through the lore, or not - is of ltitle importance to the idea I have.
Racial AI.
Each race has a unique AI personality that accompanies in their ship - or is small module applied to a ship, no differen then say a skin. Alternatively it can be applied like a implant - and thusly easier to hand out the “starter” AI package when you create a character. Roll an Amarr toon? Get the Amarr AI, purchase the other 3 later at the marketplace if you want. This could also give CCP another revenue stream for future customization and New Eden Store content.
The biggest point of the AI is to highlight the cultural, social, and behavioural differences between the races. Sure Gallente and Caldari can have this nice, calm AI - or perhaps one that promotes a certain kind of flying and behaviour - where as your Minmatar AI can be more destructive and rebellious - naturally pushing those players to fly another certain way.
While EVE is FULL of these rich histories, strong storylines, and dynamic cultures - that diaspora is rarely FELT - especially as a new player - the only difference you feel for your first month (unless you actually seek out the rich lore) is in the ship design - as great as that is, it does little to tell us about the cultures that built those ships.
Logistically I think the hardest would be how it is implemented in the UI and backend of the game - but considering the vast models of item use that are in the game, from PLEX activation, MET, Implants, Skill Books, SP, ISK - I dont think you are far off from an acceptable model.
I think the easiest and acceptable form would be applying them as implants, interchangable on desire - from Aura, to the 4 racial types, to maybe some future voice packs you develop in the future.
Anyways, just a thought to give the game some more nuance between the races and how players experience them.
Cheers
