in this thread, I want to start a discussion regarding “recent” in-game events by CCP and how well received these are. I’d like you to focus on what went well, what didn’t, and how they could do better.
I’d also like to compare recent events versus events further back in EVE’s past. I haven’t for example witnessed the Trig invasion, and I’d like to hear how this shapes up against things like the doctor who crossover or the siege of Zarzakh.
Do you like these events? Do you feel engaged and part of something while these are going on?
I think the old events from years back were excellent compared to the recent ones… I’m talking about old ones like the Gallente Rally Race, Guristas Egg Pod Hunt, Winter Nexus… The Faction Founding Celebration events were pretty good too…
I definitely don’t like events that, in order to advance and complete it, you have to collect items to make BPC’s to make keys / filaments to enter w-holes to collect more items to make more BPC’s to make more keys / filaments to enter more w-holes, etc, etc, while combating advanced AI NPC’s doing all sorts of Ewar that keep warping in and out of the sites..
CCP has made events way too scripted now, giving players no choice of options to complete the events… The amount of Agency points have been increased so much that it’s now a full time job to complete an event… The Agency reward prizes are lackluster and mainly consist of ship skins, skinner materials and boosters… Same goes for event loot drops as well as event log-in rewards… Very rarely ever get Faction BPC’s, modules and implants now…
Years ago I looked forward to running events… Recently now when events start, I open the Agency and after seeing the same old rewards and massive amount of points needed to complete it, I just close the Agency and don’t give it another thought, especially since CCP has scripted it making players do tasks they don’t want to do…
‘Events’ as a general design concept are good. They offer the chance to shake up routines, tell some lore background stories and introduce new content without just “patching it in”. They let players influence the future of the universe based on event design/participation and can offer group content aside from the usual grind.
However, many of the EVE events I have seen were really badly designed. Stupid, repetitive grind. meaningless rewards, little explanation of the background, frustration traps left and right…
If an event is done, some basic rules should be followed:
clear distinction of the event content on the map / in the system / UI etc., so those who want to participate can do so, those who don’t want, can avoid the content
non-repetitive content. Not an endless cycle of “find site X, kill 10 NPCs, kill boss, repeat” to grind “points”. Instead more like an Story Arc, a treasure hunt that has random aspects about where to go, where to find the next puzzle pieces and jackpot-like unique rewards that can only be claimed once per character. Some maybe even only once per (omega)account to prevent char-recycling.
Choices during the progress of the event: Which empire / faction to support? Which items to keep, which to turn in? Share your findings with your corp/friends or keep everything for yourself? And all of these choices have consequences.
shorter durations (7 days max) but more frequently, more unique in content and location.
Events can be great opportunities to bring joy and excitement to the players, but they are also a great way to mess up and get lots of negative feedback. Chose wisely and don’t be lazy. And maybe ASK the CSM before releasing an event to the live server about some general design questions…