What if Prospektor Schipplock were to run for CSM? Why should anyone vote for him, and who is he in the first place? For the past four years I have been the leader of the EDENCOM Defensive Initiative, a role-playing alliance on the side of EDENCOM. Historically, this came into being after the Triglavian Invasion, when the EDENCOM Defensive Initiative was first founded as a loose coalition without an alliance, which I then took over. Some may speculate whether I truly wrote a letter to CCP in 2007 filled with improvement suggestions, many of which later found their way into the game, but that is not up for debate here.
My goal is the improvement of Highsec. Although Highsec is often ridiculed, it is the starting point for most EVE players. It is the home of the four empires, and it is here that we must begin. Let us start with missions. They have been static for decades, whether run solo or with a fleet. Here, both graphical and gameplay improvements are needed. This should include mission-giving systems similar to the NPE and branching decisions that have later consequences. I do not mean simply standing gains or losses, but new flags that unlock different missions while retiring old ones, avoiding endless repetition like rescuing the Damsel for the hundred-thousandth time. Graphically and mechanically, missions need a complete overhaul. A battle rating system could scale NPC spawns and call in reinforcements dynamically rather than following static scripts. Entering with a fleet should trigger more waves and varied NPC behavior than flying alone, and this should be properly conceptualized and implemented.
On Planetary Interaction and market behavior, many miners currently complain that ice belts take too long to respawn. What does this have to do with PI? One could increase planetary powergrid by constructing reactors fueled with refined ice products, which would create more traffic to customs offices and open additional ways to maximize PI. Beyond powergrid, IT infrastructure could be introduced to reduce CPU usage of buildings within a radius. Barracks could also be added, providing marines to establish planetary defenses for role-play purposes, raising the prices of under-valued goods, and explaining NPC troop presence in Vanguard. This could be expanded further, similar to Dust 514, where planetary battles reflect actual planetary topology. PI should be integrated into Vanguard. These changes would also raise the demand for ice products, providing justification for adjusting respawn mechanics.
Asteroid belts also need work. The standard belts are consumed too quickly and lack depth. Hidden belts, once part of the game, should return and be scannable and exploitable, alongside improved regular ore belts that are larger, richer, and visually worthy. Now one might ask, what happens if Highsec becomes too lucrative for mining? Here is the twist: NPC miners currently roaming Highsec are ineffective decorations. They should be reworked to actually mine in these new belts, creating genuine resource competition between players and NPCs, resolved either by firepower or mining lasers. Furthermore, I propose allowing Rorquals into 0.5 and 0.6 systems under strict limitations. Due to belt size, we need more boosts, such as Rorqual boosts, but without excavator drones to prevent overpowering. The Rorqual would function solely as a boosting ship, with the ability to activate the industrial invulnerability core, thereby reducing ganker potential. While gankers may feel disadvantaged, ships in Highsec remain vulnerable once the invulnerability ends, so timing remains critical, and Rorquals would only be allowed in 0.5–0.6 systems, never higher.
On Pochven and EDENCOM systems, I believe both factions should offer rewards tied to standings. For example, at +5.0 standings, players should be able to purchase Werpost or Gunstar BPCs from loyalty stores, which require fuel and ammunition and can be anchored near structures or celestials, up to a maximum of three including an automated response fleet. At +9 standings, players should be able to anchor structures in Pochven, while in EDENCOM systems Skyhooks should become available, offering new autonomy and gameplay rewards for both factions. These Werposts and Gunstars should follow Highsec rules—no wardec targets, no aggression except against suspects, criminals, and hostile NPC factions—and operate via access lists. The additional materials and fuel requirements would create an ISK sink and add valuable role-play flavor. This does not imply true sovereignty for EDENCOM or Triglavian systems, but rather a form of pseudo-sovereignty that could be implemented.
Regarding bounty mechanics, I believe that unopposed criminal acts should allow victims to place bounties. This should work similarly to the Hypernet: rights to hunt a target would be auctioned for ISK, creating both an ISK sink and a safeguard against abuse. A ranking system of the top bounty hunters would add prestige, and bounty difficulty should be tiered across five levels, unlocked progressively, forming a standing system for a new “Bounty Hunter Guild” profession. To clarify, ISK would be bid for the right to attack a target, but as with the Hypernet, the bounty payout must always be lower than the node value, ensuring balance and ISK removal.
Alliance hangars are also a necessity, with access lists, a long-standing gap in the game. Freelance jobs require an overhaul too: “Kill an NPC” contracts should specify which faction and ship size, such as Angel frigates, cruisers, battlecruisers, or battleships, or Triglavian targets in the case of EDENCOM contracts. This would invigorate role-play factions as corporations issue targeted bounties. Finally, standings should have meaningful consequences. At present, apart from being webbed or disrupted in enemy systems, standings lack real weight. Consequences must be designed, though I prefer to discuss specifics with fellow CSM members to shape them collaboratively.
That is all for now. And no, I will not be running this year. There will be a video explaining why I am not standing as a candidate. But this is what my concept would look like.
Sincerely, Prospektor.
