Well, I suppose we have what we’ve been asking for… 
Understandable from a maintenance / technical perspective, as it allows focus on other parts of the game, however when it comes to what was once an aspirational vision, with a willingness to push boundaries in terms of the scope of game play in New Eden, this feels like a step backwards.
I suppose this is how it felt to those who lamented the loss of DUST514.
I’ll admit that having just read the devblog, my sodium levels are a little elevated, but my concern is that this kind of pause will make regaining any momentum in the future all the more difficult.
Perhaps that’s unfair though. DUST514 fed into Project Legion and now Project Nova, so perhaps some potential remains.
I’m sure the topic of avatar gameplay in EVE Online won’t go away just yet. After all, I agree with the comments others are making regarding the low usage rate in the devblog being more of a reflection of the features (or rather the lack thereof) available, as opposed to a rejection of the concept on principle.