Two Step

What single part of the game do you feel requires the most work in terms of iteration by CCP?
One system that needs work and matters to just about everyone is the POS system. 

Do you feel that lowsec is ‘broken’? If not, explain why. If so, explain what you want to see done to fix it.
I think lowsec isn’t really doing what most folks expect of it. I wouldn’t call it broken, as for many people it is exactly what they want it to be, but I do think there is far too big a gulf between lowsec and highsec. In general, lowsec isn’t any safer than nullsec, and there isn’t much reason for highsec folks to venture into lowsec. I’m not sure what the specific fix should be, but I don’t see that as the role of the CSM, CCP should come up with specifics. 

Do you have any plans to push CCP, if elected, to iterate on lowsec in general?
Sure. CCP realizes that lowsec isn’t right, and they need to fix it. 

In your opinion, where should lowsec rank in terms of priority for iteration by CCP?
Fairly high, but I wouldn’t say it is the most important thing CCP needs to do. Several other systems are pretty involved with lowsec like FW, and fixes to those should help lowsec in general. 

Lowsec is home to around 8% of the playerbase. What, in your opinion, are the main factors that make it more attractive to its current residents than other areas of space?
FW, the lack of a sov mechanic, proximity to empire, somewhat limited supercaps.

What are your thoughts regarding Faction Warfare, particularly the idea that FW is the key to revitalizing lowsec?
I certainly think it would be very important, but lowsec should be more than just the place where FW happens.

Would you support using Faction Warfare as a test bed for future Nullsec Sovereignty Mechanics?
Sure. Having a similar mechanic in FW means people can transition more easily between nullsec and lowsec, and god knowns the last thing CCP needs is more complex systems. 

What is your thinking regarding piracy in lowsec – is it good, bad, or ugly? Would you like to preserve it in the face of upcoming tweaks and possible expansion to Faction Warfare, or would you like to see lowsec go in a different direction?
I think it needs to exist in lowsec, but I also think there needs to be a more gradual increase in risk when leaving empire. That probably means some sort of mechanic that prevents folks from camping lowsec entrances and that sort of thing.

What are your thoughts on the notion that increased protection for PVE players in lowsec will result in a better lowsec?
I think that depends on the exact mechanics. If pirates want prey, they need to have a system that makes it somewhat difficult for the pirates to hunt them down, or they won’t come back. 

What are your thoughts regarding the introduction of a PVE activity or item (minerals, manufacturing certain items, etc) that would be lowsec-exclusive?
Sure. I’m not sure I would bottleneck existing production systems, but some new system relying on a lowsec exclusive resource sounds good to me. 

What is your opinion on the Jack Dant proposal (link below) and the general belief in some sectors that improvements to lowsec should focus on entry-level, casual PVP?
I’m interested, but not sure I agree with the entry level PVP argument. I think that is a good role for FW, but not nessecarily for lowsec in general. 

If elected to CSM7 and subsequently informed by CCP that lowsec was the ‘hot topic’ for iteration in the coming year, what input and advice would you have for them?
Talk to the community. In general CCP has been somewhat better about this, but for a major lowsec overhaul they need to get community buyin. 

What lengths are you willing to go to in order to make pirates flashy red on overview by default again?
I didn’t realize something had changed here, I guess I would have to hear CCP’s explanation for why they changed it. You guys are still flashy on my overview…

Two Step is a member of CSM6. You can find out more about Two Step at his blog.

Mike Azariah
What single part of the game do you feel requires the most work in terms of iteration by CCP?
Faction warfare

Do you feel that lowsec is ‘broken’? If not, explain why. If so, explain what you want to see done to fix it.
I don’t like the term ‘broken’. I would rather say it is underutilized or not fully developed into what it could be.

I’d like to see it become a vibrant area for the solo pvp (or small gang) player to be. Somehow there needs to be ways to stop hotdrop o’clock from ruining simple small gang fun.

Do you have any plans to push CCP, if elected, to iterate on lowsec in general?
Jack Dants ideas on a shift in sec status made me think a lot about how we could change the life and decisions that lowsec dwellers make.

I keep returning to the visage of the wild frontier towns where ‘anything goes’. Boosters, gambling, make Mos Eisley look like Vatican city

In your opinion, where should lowsec rank in terms of priority for iteration by CCP?
Gah, make me go politician on you, eh?

I like the way the teams at CCP have not chosen one space but broad sweeps and ‘little things’ I don’t see that they have to prioritize so the step child gets fed and the fat and sassy hisec gets lift in a dirty diaper. I don’t want to choose . . . but if you press me . . .

Null has gotten a lot of iterations and changes, supers, sov, etc. ALL securities have received incursions but it mainly is being played in hisec. Rumors put lowsec and wh space next on the ‘changes’ list and I would be all for that.

Lowsec is home to around 8% of the playerbase. What, in your opinion, are the main factors that make it more attractive to its current residents than other areas of space?
The freedom to be in a small unit and not anchored to a space or a dictator. To be doing pvp on your own terms.

When I flew in OUCH I enjoyed the adrenaline rush of Tama and the area about it. Sure I lost ships but it was an entirely different game from being a mission runner. Later, in null I honestly did not get the same rush. It was all intel channels and standard practices.

I do wonder if some of the players in low are there to be the counter culture, they would go all hipster on us if folks started crowding in sayin ‘I was here before it was cool, I was underground/lowsec’

Some might say that 8% is prffo that lowsec is not worth the effort since so few players are there. Bull. Make it better, give the people the mechanics and the ability to carve out a living there and see that % climb.

What are your thoughts regarding Faction Warfare, particularly the idea that FW is the key to revitalizing lowsec?
I don’t know that FW is the key.  I think it is another niche in the sandbox but I also think that low has a lot of niche play that is not dependent on FW at all.

Would you support using Faction Warfare as a test bed for future Nullsec Sovereignty Mechanics?
No. Faction warfare should be its own thing, not a cheap knock off to make someone elses life better.

What is your thinking regarding piracy in lowsec – is it good, bad, or ugly? Would you like to preserve it in the face of upcoming tweaks and possible expansion to Faction Warfare, or would you like to see lowsec go in a different direction?
Good, but there must be a way to make it better.

Piracy is a part of the game and should be made better, not tossed over for some other vision of lowsec. I would fight to find ways to allow piracy to continue and maybe even expand on that lifestyle choice.

What are your thoughts on the notion that increased protection for PVE players in lowsec will result in a better lowsec? 
bullshit

What are your thoughts regarding the introduction of a PVE activity or item (minerals, manufacturing certain items, etc) that would be lowsec-exclusive?
YES!

But make something new. Do NOT steal minerals or choke-point materials from other security spaces. This is not about nerfing them to strengthen us. it is about making everything better without a balancing loss.

This attitude needs reinforcing, too often I see ideas like ‘take abc’s out of wormholes, too little risk for isk. Bull. Add something new, something people will want to go see and buy. Look how many people went in after ORE blueprints for the Noctis.

What is your opinion on the Jack Dant proposal (link below) and the general belief in some sectors that improvements to lowsec should focus on entry-level, casual PVP? 
doh, not fair.  I commented on this, above, before I read this question.  For repeating . . .yeah, I think it is a great starting point

If elected to CSM7 and subsequently informed by CCP that lowsec was the ‘hot topic’ for iteration in the coming year, what input and advice would you have for them?
Seriously?

Look, I spent a few months in lowsec with OUCH. I have flown with the Bastards and been ransomed by the Tuskers. But I do NOT consider myself a lowsec player, it is not what I am trying to be.

What I would be doing if told the above by CCP is come right back to the players and try to be what I am running to be. A Representative. This is not about electing MY ideas. It is not about ME being the voice that makes decisions. It is about having someone who is willing to ask, to represent. That is what I am trying to be. Someone you will vote for because I WILL represent YOU

I’d be contacting you and people like you who have a set interest in possible changes to lowsec. I sure as hell would try to find Jack Dant and people who have made the effort to make changes to the game in the oft ignored assembly hall and Jita park.

I would not be giving advice to CCP until I got advice from the player base that it would be most likely to affect.

What lengths are you willing to go to in order to make pirates flashy red on overview by default again?
What? When did you guys lose that?

Seriously.

OK, so it has been a few months since I spent a decent amount of time in low. But they took that away?

wtf

Mike Azariah is a two-time candidate for CSM (5 and 6). You can find out more about him at his blog.

Prometheus Exenthal
What single part of the game do you feel requires the most work in terms of iteration by CCP? 
EVE has a large number of ships, and many have been neglected/replaced by newer ships releases and/or mechanic changes. I’d like to see older ship content be assessed and modified to meet the current requirements and standards of EVE.

Do you feel that lowsec is ‘broken’? If not, explain why. If so, explain what you want to see done to fix it. 
Low-Sec is largely considered a weak spot in EVE.

The main issue to me is that the rewards for living/working in the space are far outweighed by the risks. Some may argue that due to the population density of Low-Sec that it’s actually more dangerous to work in when compared to Null-Sec.

Unfortunately there is no single magical fix for the problem. However, I feel that increasing the rewards for PVE/FW in Low-Sec would be a positive step. Perhaps going so far as to adding particular perks to Low-Sec that are unique to the space.

Do you have any plans to push CCP, if elected, to iterate on lowsec in general? 

Anyone who tells you that they can guarantee CCP will iterate on Low-Sec is a liar. CCP knows that Low-Sec needs attention, but it’s not like a module or item that can simply be tweaked and tested. Low-Sec is its own entity consisting of players dedicated to a particular lifestyle. Any changes, no matter how minor, can be perceived as damaging to someones gameplay.

As a CSM rep, I’d like to at least get CCPs clear and defined vision for Low-Sec. If the player base can agree on what they do and don’t like, then CCP can begin to iterate.

In your opinion, where should lowsec rank in terms of priority for iteration by CCP?
Certain aspects of Low-Sec need immediate attention. For example; the aggression system is one aspect that needs to be addressed, and is far more integral to Low-Sec than any other locations in Eve. It also ties into other systems like FW and NeutralRR.

Based off of population I’d argue that Low-Sec should start as a high priority but, after a major iteration, be scaled back to be less than Null, but more than High.

Lowsec is home to around 8% of the playerbase. What, in your opinion, are the main factors that make it more attractive to its current residents than other areas of space? 

In no particular order;

- No CONCORD
- Stations everywhere
- Reasonably good markets
- Reasonably easy to find fights
- To act as a PVP launchpad

To me Low-Sec is somewhere that people can have the comforts of HS, but without the tight grip of CONCORD. It’s a great place to learn pvp through things like Factional Warfare, and you are never too far away from a safe haven or market hub. Unlike 00, you don’t need massive resources to live in the space, and that’s quite appealing.

What are your thoughts regarding Faction Warfare, particularly the idea that FW is the key to revitalizing lowsec?
Factional Warfare can be a bit tricky.

If left alone for too long it stagnates quickly, but the moment a major change goes through, it becomes very active again.

FW should be the first step to getting people interested in PVP. Ideally they’d be pulling people from High-Sec and sometimes 00. If CCP can develop a system that is consistently rewarding while retaining some benefit to players owning systems, then they will have a consistently active Low-Sec.

Would you support using Faction Warfare as a test bed for future Nullsec Sovereignty Mechanics? 

As long as the changes are thoroughly tested and reported on, yes.

Unlike 00 Sov, players who live in Low-Sec don’t actually have anything to lose.
It’s far easier to have a heavily active test-bed, than a few people on SISI who like a change.

I understand that many people won’t like this idea, but it’s far safer method of testing than simply changing the entire 00 Sovereignty system with something brand new. Hell, if it works, then both systems (FW & Sov) would have a sweet new way to play!

What is your thinking regarding piracy in lowsec – is it good, bad, or ugly? Would you like to preserve it in the face of upcoming tweaks and possible expansion to Faction Warfare, or would you like to see lowsec go in a different direction?
I have nothing against piracy. It’s an evil you can’t avoid in the game.

My only issues involve warfare links & instalocking camps.
However, these aren’t specific to Low-Sec Piracy.

What are your thoughts on the notion that increased protection for PVE players in lowsec will result in a better lowsec?
I disagree entirely.

Low-Sec is supposed to be a risk place, and making it easier for PVE players to work in does not make Low-Sec better. If they make it far easier to PVE in, then 00 (should they decide to go) would result in a huge slap in the face because the player was never prepared for it. It’s a better idea to have much higher reward payouts in Low-Sec, than in High-Sec.

People do missions in High-Sec because the payout is good and the risk is minimal. The risk/reward for Low-Sec really doesn’t compare to High Security.

What are your thoughts regarding the introduction of a PVE activity or item (minerals, manufacturing certain items, etc) that would be lowsec-exclusive?
I think it is a good idea, as long as the products/activities are worth using/doing.

As stated elsewhere, if the risk/reward ratio isn’t good enough, people will do without.

What is your opinion on the Jack Dant proposal (link below) and the general belief in some sectors that improvements to lowsec should focus on entry-level, casual PVP?
I can agree with him to an extent. I don’t 100% agree with his ideas, but he has the general idea. Right now there is not very much to gain from Low-Sec (as far as casual pvp goes) without being in Factional Warfare.

However, I think bringing more players into Low-Sec will have to be equally split into things like PVE & FW. Not everyone wants to go to 00 to do some nice mining or PVE, and not everyone wants to do PVP all the time. Low-Sec should be the common ground built on a better risk/reward system.

If elected to CSM7 and subsequently informed by CCP that lowsec was the ‘hot topic’ for iteration in the coming year, what input and advice would you have for them?
I would suggest they test the SHIT out of any and all space-based mechanics.

Low-Sec isn’t a ship or module, it’s its own ecosystem consisting of equal parts pvp pros, noobs, rich fags, and pve champions.

Any small change can break the system, and extensive testing and R&D absolutely need to be done. Hell, even the findings from R&D should be made public so they can publicly rationalize why they want to do the changes they propose.

What lengths are you willing to go to in order to make pirates flashy red on overview by default again?
I will bring a red sharpie, and when they are nice and drunk, draw large red X’s on Dev foreheads.

 

Prometheus Exenthal is an alternate member of CSM6. You can find out more about him at his website.

The Mittani

What single part of the game do you feel requires the most work in terms of iteration by CCP?
Nullsec – It’s been reeling since the Dominion patch back in 2009, and made worse by supercapital imbalance, technetium imbalance, a lack of reward for the amount of risks involved, and the outright pointlessness of holding sov. The capture mechanics are crap, the ‘upgrades’ to the systems via Ihubs are trivial in light of the anomaly nerfs, and the most optimal way to have a nullsec alliance these days is to be entirely sov-free, hold tech moons, and have a roving titan blob.

Do you feel that lowsec is ‘broken’? If not, explain why. If so, explain what you want to see done to fix it.
Lowsec is broken, and this can be seen from the low populations and player interest in it. One might argue that lowsec is much more broken than nullsec; I prioritize null above low partially because so few people are impacted by lowsec’s issues simply because it’s so utterly borked that barely anyone, %wise, suffers through those mechanics.

I’m not a lowsec guy, so I tend to defer to lowsec reps on the CSM as to what they’d like to do. Meissa has spoken of a need to have risk mitigated to provide a continuum of risk from high/low/null; in practice right now, lowsec is almost more dangerous than null due to the arcane mechanics and the lag-spewing crimewatch code.

I think the first step to fixing lowsec is to work on Faction Warfare.

Do you have any plans to push CCP, if elected, to iterate on lowsec in general?
This won’t win me friends among the lowsec voter pool, but I’d prefer CCP to test their ideas for capture mechanics in lowsec/FW before trying to apply a mechanic that doesn’t work to the much larger nullsec population. Testing mechanics on lowsec is ideal as the player population is low and lowsec hasn’t gotten love in years; if the mechanic works, it’s a badly needed boost, and if the mechanic fails then the negative impact across the playerbase as a whole is minimized.

In your opinion, where should lowsec rank in terms of priority for iteration by CCP?
Less than null, but more than w-space and hisec.

This is mostly a function of resources applied to the playerbase living in those zones; hisec works, w-space needs a little love but has gotten major boosts from things like corp bookmarks, but is mostly a functional ecosystem. Nullsec drives the narratives of the game and is focused on conquering territory, yet territory conquest is pointless so those narratives/grand wars are drying up to the detriment of all. Lowsec seems to lack a purpose entirely and its neglect is an embarrassment.

Lowsec is home to around 8% of the playerbase. What, in your opinion, are the main factors that make it more attractive to its current residents than other areas of space?
Being able to toodle around in tricked out faction battleships with billions of isk in implants due to not worrying about bubbles or podding, or faction warfare, or ~pirate roleplay~.

It’s getting a little less attractive with bored nullsec Titans blapping those faction bs with their guns, though.

What are your thoughts regarding Faction Warfare, particularly the idea that FW is the key to revitalizing lowsec?
Lowsec needs a point, and FW is the closest thing lowsec has to unique gameplay (besides bubble-free pvp, instalock hictors on gates, etc). FW is one of the most notorious neglected features, and it pleases me to hear that CCP is poking at it at last.

Would you support using Faction Warfare as a test bed for future Nullsec Sovereignty Mechanics?
Ayep. I already discussed this above.

What is your thinking regarding piracy in lowsec – is it good, bad, or ugly? Would you like to preserve it in the face of upcoming tweaks and possible expansion to Faction Warfare, or would you like to see lowsec go in a different direction?
Griefing, scamming, murder, piracy, pretty much anything involving a negative emotion in EVE makes me happy. I think that ‘antipirates’ are mostly pathetic whiners bleating about some kind of hypocritical e-honor.

As a practical matter I think piracy doesn’t make much isk or have much purpose, because it’s more fun to just kill people and ransoming is awkward. Ransoming and then killing, that’s a laugh.

What are your thoughts on the notion that increased protection for PVE players in lowsec will result in a better lowsec?
The last thing PVE needs is more protection. The risk-averse are just going to fire up Questor and whore L4s in hisec with a Tengu, anyway.

What are your thoughts regarding the introduction of a PVE activity or item (minerals, manufacturing certain items, etc) that would be lowsec-exclusive?
I think it’s a grand idea. Lowsec lacks uniqueness, and a lowsec-exclusive type of production would bring at least some population/iskmaking to the zone.

What is your opinion on the Jack Dant proposal (link below) and the general belief in some sectors that improvements to lowsec should focus on entry-level, casual PVP?
“What happens in lowsec stays in lowsec” is genius, really. Being locked out of hisec because you pvp too much in lowsec and need to grind sec status is dumb. I’ll pimp this idea at CCP.

If elected to CSM7 and subsequently informed by CCP that lowsec was the ‘hot topic’ for iteration in the coming year, what input and advice would you have for them?
I think FW is on deck for a host of fixes; lowsec itself, I’m not sure. I’d push for the “What Happens in Lowsec” proposal but mostly just defer to the ~lowsec primary~ CSM rep, if that ends up being Meissa again or some other dude.

The key thing is that the experience needs to be unique, not just ‘dumbed down nullsec’ or ‘slightly riskier hisec’. Lowsec needs to be a place like w-space: a different, fascinating world with intrinsic reasons to go there/play there/kill there.

What lengths are you willing to go to in order to make pirates flashy red on overview by default again?
I guess I could mention it to Punkturis, but flashy backgrounds of every kind are annoying and I disable them by default – I suspect most everyone else did too, which is probably why it was changed.

The Mittani is Chairman of CSM6. You can find out more about Mittens by reading his articles for Ten Ton Hammer.

Trebor

What single part of the game do you feel requires the most work in terms of iteration by CCP?
That is a difficult question; there are tons of things that need work, and the prioritization depends on a lot of inter-related factors, many of which are not well understood outside of CCP.

CCP has let it slip that FW and war-decs/crimewatch are getting some serious love in the next expansion; after that, I personally think POS and industrial system improvements/rewrites are a big step in the right direction, because they’re infrastructure. And lots of continual love for the UI.

Do you feel that lowsec is ‘broken’? If not, explain why. If so, explain what you want to see done to fix it.
CCP feels lowsec is underpopulated, and would like to see more activity there. My view is that it’s a hugely difficult design problem, because you need to make it more attractive to bring people from hisec — who are famously risk-averse — while at the same time not so attractive that big nullsec alliances will move in and farm it.

Lowsec needs something unique, but designed around smaller groups. The change to POCO’s was a tiny step in that direction, and I expect the FW iteration will be another.

Do you have any plans to push CCP, if elected, to iterate on lowsec in general?
I already pushed for FW iteration, both because it was overdue for love, and because it would provide a way for CCP to try some innovative new mechanics. Hopefully, the lessons learned would be useful when iterating on other game areas, especially nullsec sov.

Pointing out synergies like that — where you can demonstrate more bang-for-the-buck — is a big part of being a CSM. It provides people inside CCP who would like to work on “X” with extra arguments they can use in their resource-allocation wars.

In your opinion, where should lowsec rank in terms of priority for iteration by CCP?
My personal preference is to iterate things that have broad application across the entire game — stuff like POS mechanics, Industrial mechanics, the UI, combat mechanics, and so on.

FW is getting love now in part because it lets CCP kill two birds with one stone; try to revitalize lowsec and at the same time, lay the groundwork for a nullsec iteration. Similarly, POS/Industrial revamps would provide more opportunities for lowsec activity, and make it easier to implement lowsec-specific mini-iterations — maybe based around drug manufacturing, for example.

Lowsec is home to around 8% of the playerbase. What, in your opinion, are the main factors that make it more attractive to its current residents than other areas of space?
It has elements of risk, without the need to become a drone in someone’s empire. But again, it gets squeezed between hisec and null.

Although I am not a low-sec player, I have spent a fair amount of time there (originally, doing logistics for my nullsec corp; now I’m with Dirt Nap Squad and they stage out of low-sec). So I know that while it can get your pulse racing, low-sec isn’t all that dangerous unless you do something stupid — and I think that kind of balance is attractive and needs to be maintained.

Low-sec has fewer “oh shit, I’m dead, nothing I can do” scenarios than null, which is good. But there are a few edge situations that need review — “blap” Titans being one of them, and not just because one of them raped my mates a few weeks back. :)

What are your thoughts regarding Faction Warfare, particularly the idea that FW is the key to revitalizing lowsec?
I am not a FW player, so I view my role as making damn sure the devs are aware of what FW players are thinking. We’ve linked several important threads in our internal forums, and I’ve been discussing lowsec/FW issues with interested players.

I also never miss a chance to encourage the devs to go straight to the players with their questions.

Would you support using Faction Warfare as a test bed for future Nullsec Sovereignty Mechanics?
Yes, but not in the way that hard-line nullsec folks do. Rather than being the guinea-pig for ideas about nullsec sov, I think CCP should apply some fresh thinking to the whole idea of what it means to occupy and “hold” space.

If that turns out to be a huge hit and can be used to help nullsec, then that’s icing on the cake. But a FW iteration should be about FW first.

What is your thinking regarding piracy in lowsec – is it good, bad, or ugly? Would you like to preserve it in the face of upcoming tweaks and possible expansion to Faction Warfare, or would you like to see lowsec go in a different direction?
I’m totally OK with piracy, I’d love to see it become a more viable playstyle. The problem with piracy is that in order to support pirates, you have to be able to attract fat merchants for them to plunder, who need to make enough profits to cover the occasional “shrinkage” due to piracy.

But as I mentioned above, if you make it too profitable, the big alliances will move in and farm it. So it’s a difficult issue.

What are your thoughts on the notion that increased protection for PVE players in lowsec will result in a better lowsec?
I don’t think they need more protection so much as they need something that gets them over the risk-aversion hump.

I was having an extended conversation recently with hisec PI folks who felt the recent POCO changes would put them out of business; they were very reticent to even consider trying lowsec PI, even though it should be reasonably safe and quite profitable.

That’s the real issue: finding a way to get people over the huge wall between .5 and .4!

What are your thoughts regarding the introduction of a PVE activity or item (minerals, manufacturing certain items, etc) that would be lowsec-exclusive?
I think it would be an interesting thing to try, subject to my previous concerns about big alliance farming.

What is your opinion on the Jack Dant proposal (link below) and the general belief in some sectors that improvements to lowsec should focus on entry-level, casual PVP?
I think it’s got some very nice features, and we’ve pointed the devs to it using our internal CSM forum. It also ties in nicely with the rewrite of the Crimewatch system.

If elected to CSM7 and subsequently informed by CCP that lowsec was the ‘hot topic’ for iteration in the coming year, what input and advice would you have for them?
Lowsec, or at least FW, *is* the hot topic for the Summer Expansion! CCP Soundwave let this slip recently, and I’ve blogged about it here: http://treborofthecsm.blogspot.com/2012/02/coming-this-summer-to-screen-near-you.html

As for what I’ll tell them, it’s what I’ve already told them — and what I’m saying in these answers. And I’ll also urge them — as I have consistently done — to engage directly with the community at the earliest possible opportunity. Encouragingly, this has been happening more and more recently.

What lengths are you willing to go to in order to make pirates flashy red on overview by default again?
Hahaha!

I’ve been pushing for a comprehensive rewrite of the overview for some time now, and there were significant discussions about it during the winter summit.

:blatant pander: If re-elected, I pledge to use one of my precious CCP blackmail photos (mostly devs drinking non-alcoholic beer!) to make this happen!

Honest! :)

Trebor is a two time member of CSM (5 and 6). You can find out more about Trebor at his blog.

Kelduum Revaan

What single part of the game do you feel requires the most work in terms of iteration by CCP?
This is a hard question, as there’s so much to choose from.

Personally, as the CEO of a large corp, I would like to see the corp interface updated and reworked – its not really changed since EVE Launched, and certainly needs a lot of work.

Assuming it was well developed, this would allow many smaller corps to trust their members a little more and work together and deal with the paranoia – at present its mostly undocumented and very vague as to what effect many options have, for example, ‘Find Member in Role’ – so this would allow small corporations to grow with less risk.

This would also include a fix/rewrite of the current POS-related things as the two are intrinsically linked, which I would hope would make POSs more useable by regular corp members.

Do you feel that lowsec is ‘broken’? If not, explain why. If so, explain what you want to see done to fix it.
Losec isn’t as much broken as it is neglected.

Presently, the majority of players in hisec don’t have many compelling reasons to go there (barring piracy/anti-piracy), so view it as dangerous and something they should avoid, which then spirals.

What needs to happen is that CCP must provide more worthwhile content there (the recent PI changes were a good start) as well as tweak the risk/reward ratio more to the reward side, so even though its still dangerous, its worth the risk.

Do you have any plans to push CCP, if elected, to iterate on lowsec in general?
In short: Yes, but alongside other space.

As mentioned, CCP need to iterate pretty much everything, but any new/updated content in hisec or nullsec which can fit in losec should be extended there with relevant rewards.

In your opinion, where should lowsec rank in terms of priority for iteration by CCP?
Between the different classes of space, losec clearly needs the most work right now, however this does seem to be in progress with the new rewritten aggression mechanics coming in the summer, and work on FW being recently revealed.

The main thing will be to keep CCP working on these things as EVE continues to evolve.

Lowsec is home to around 8% of the playerbase. What, in your opinion, are the main factors that make it more attractive to its current residents than other areas of space?
Clearly not having CONCORD is important, but the abundance of stations and moons, as well as nearby markets and in many cases potential targets travelling though makes it a good location for PvP.

Add to this no requirements to take or defend space, and it makes it the ideal ‘no hassle’ PvP base.

What are your thoughts regarding Faction Warfare, particularly the idea that FW is the key to revitalizing lowsec?
I wouldn’t say that FW alone is the key, but (in its current incarnation) its certainly an important element and a good way to introduce more ‘traffic’ and should, if balanced properly, be a good introduction to moderate scale PvP for many players.

Would you support using Faction Warfare as a test bed for future Nullsec Sovereignty Mechanics?
Not at all.

The faction warfare player base is substantially different, organizationally, politically and in terms of resources, than nullsec – these are important things which wouldn’t factor in to any testing.

CCP shouldn’t be ‘testing’ anything they are not confident on, as the potentially negative results could be devastating.

What is your thinking regarding piracy in lowsec – is it good, bad, or ugly? Would you like to preserve it in the face of upcoming tweaks and possible expansion to Faction Warfare, or would you like to see lowsec go in a different direction?
Piracy in losec is good, and as it stands barring the previously mentioned issues with risk/reward, I wouldn’t remove any of its core mechanics at all, simply expand it and fix its problems (bounties, kill rights, targets).

What are your thoughts on the notion that increased protection for PVE players in lowsec will result in a better lowsec?
I would entirely disagree with this.

Increased *reward* for PVE players in losec would result in more players in losec, would would mean a better losec.

‘If you build it, they will come.’

What are your thoughts regarding the introduction of a PVE activity or item (minerals, manufacturing certain items, etc) that would be lowsec-exclusive?
This wouldn’t make much sense unless the item was significantly important and valuable, but the problem would be introducing something like that without unbalancing things elsewhere.

What is your opinion on the Jack Dant proposal (link below) and the general belief in some sectors that improvements to lowsec should focus on entry-level, casual PVP?
Its certainly an interesting proposal, and lowering the barrier may get more people interested, but to a certain extent this is a function which is fulfilled by Faction warfare.

I would probably also suggest that to improve casual PVP, something like reducing or eliminating capsule/clone costs would go a fair way to getting the older players involved – they will still likely use implants, so pod losses wouldn’t be ‘free’, but the current costs of a capsule for an older player tend to be far more than the value of typical entry-level PVP frigate.

If elected to CSM7 and subsequently informed by CCP that lowsec was the ‘hot topic’ for iteration in the coming year, what input and advice would you have for them?
Well, we now know that it is the hot topic for the next expansion, but assuming they were to continue, I would likely contact the various EVE University alumni who live and work in losec, as well as the general EVE population, and see what specific problems or suggestions they have – Jack Dant’s proposal being a good example, but as with any hot topics, the EVE community would need to be involved.

What lengths are you willing to go to in order to make pirates flashy red on overview by default again?
The standard EVE University overview already does this, with all valid targets (criminals, flagged, wartargets) flashing.

I plan to print out the UniWiki article on setting up the overview, wrap it in a brick*, and go hit certain CCP staff with it at FanFest until they admit the default overview needs to be fixed.

* brick optional.

Kelduum Revaan is a new entry on the CSM scene and CEO of Eve University. It must be noted that he did not provide any links or even his RL name, a requirement of this survey. However, Marc didn’t realize the Kelduum shit the bed on that part of the survey until he was done transcribing all this crap onto this page, so we’ll just say nasty things about Kelduum on Monday.

Seleene

What single part of the game do you feel requires the most work in terms of iteration by CCP?
I want to see the null-sec sov system finished. I spent the better part of my last year at CCP working to have Dominion start to break the mold and open the doors by providing more conflict divers and eliminating much of the grind-y bullshit. Obviously ~management~ deemed us game designers crazy and systematically road-blocked and nuked Dominion down to exactly what it was not intended to be, and there it has sat for two long years.

The term ‘bitter vet’ is tossed around a lot, but imagine it from the side of someone that actually worked on it and then saw months of effort wrecked in a matter of weeks due to mismanagement, misunderstanding and just plain short-sightedness. This was the same idiocy that gave us invulnerable starbases in Sov 4 and AoE Doomsday Titan weapons.

It is a cause of near daily frustration and I never waste an opportunity to preach about it to the other CSM members or the player base at large. It’s a big part of what drove me to run for CSM 6 and has me running for CSM 7. FINALLY CCP is working toward un-fucking all of this and I want to make damn sure I’m in a position to help keep them focused.

 

Do you feel that lowsec is ‘broken’? If not, explain why. If so, explain what you want to see done to fix it.
Lowsec is only ‘broken’ in that it has a lot of untapped potential. I think that a big part of the problem is how little interaction is possible with the NPC factions in EVE and that leads directly to boredom and stagnation. If it were possible to become directly involved with a lowsec faction’s politics or desires (this obviously ties into FW a bit), I think it would open a lot of doors. I dislike how completely DEVOID of actual game play the NPC elements of EVE are. I know some people prefer them to remain in the background and just ignore all the capsuleers buzzing about their space, but I think that’s silly.

I would like to see improved interaction with all NPC entities. If such a feature can be pushed for as part of a null-sec or lowsec overhaul, that’s the angle we should be pushing for. I don’t like how things are now where you have no options for real interaction at all. I haven’t liked them since 2005 when, during a Mordu’s Legion event, some dipshit Mordus Admiral smacktalked me in local. I still want to burn his station to the ground and take his stuff.

Do you have any plans to push CCP, if elected, to iterate on lowsec in general?
Absolutely. I think this is a no-brainer and a win-win opportunity to develop game mechanics that could be of benefit to all styles of players.

In your opinion, where should lowsec rank in terms of priority for iteration by CCP?
Lowsec should be right under null-sec, but only because null-sec is considered by many to be ‘broken’ whereas lowsec is just undeveloped.  I believe, however, than any major iteration of either system will affect the other in some way so it’s doubtful that we will see JUST a null-sec iteration that has no effect on lowsec and vice versa.

Lowsec is home to around 8% of the playerbase. What, in your opinion, are the main factors that make it more attractive to its current residents than other areas of space?
No dictor bubbles, less of a chance to get blapped by 800 Maelstroms or 100 supercaps, etc…  You don’t have to deal with full scale sov mechanics and ‘piracy’ is actually something you can still do semi-successfully.  Lowsec also allows you to play out the ‘lone wolf in a sandbox’ metaphor if you so desire, whereas null-sec pretty much requires that you be blue with SOMEONE.

What are your thoughts regarding Faction Warfare, particularly the idea that FW is the key to revitalizing lowsec?
Any proper iteration on FW is going to require a fundamental re-work of how players interact with NPC factions. This is one of the reasons I am banging on this particular drum so hard – it’s not all about NPC stations in 0.0, it’s also something that could heavily affect and improve how FW works. I want to see FW become a fully supported and much more dynamic feature.

Would you support using Faction Warfare as a test bed for future Nullsec Sovereignty Mechanics?
I think that FW and null-sec sov could, and probably should, have some commonalities with regard to capture mechanics but I don’t really see any ‘testing’ going on in a practical way.  The ‘test bed’ metaphor is being overused IMO and has turned into one of those ZOMG SCARY WORD type of things. It implies that CCP is going to use FW as some sort of lab rat and I don’t see it happening like that. The systems will likely evolve in parallel anyway simply to make the most efficient use of CCP’s resources.

What is your thinking regarding piracy in lowsec – is it good, bad, or ugly? Would you like to preserve it in the face of upcoming tweaks and possible expansion to Faction Warfare, or would you like to see lowsec go in a different direction?
I’d love to see piracy expanded and supported fully.  It should become something more than just the random killing of people that jump through gates or ‘ransom & release’. I would like to see corps like VETO able to fulfill their wildest dreams. Empires and NPC factions at war (declared or otherwise) should be handing out the equivalent of ‘Letters of Marque’ and rewarding pilots for their service. There are dozens of ways like this that you could promote exciting game play if the incentives existed.

What are your thoughts on the notion that increased protection for PVE players in lowsec will result in a better lowsec?
Mother of God, no!  When you make that jump and you get the little pop up that says, “Hey, it’s dangerous here!” then you’ve been properly ‘protected’. Everything beyond that is at your own risk.

What are your thoughts regarding the introduction of a PVE activity or item (minerals, manufacturing certain items, etc) that would be lowsec-exclusive?
Fine by me. Finite puddles of moon goo, ultra dense minerals to mine, random sightings of the Dread Pirate Robert!! The reward should match the risk.

What is your opinion on the Jack Dant proposal (link below) and the general belief in some sectors that improvements to lowsec should focus on entry-level, casual PVP?
I love the basic concepts. I’ve been in contact with Jack and already forwarded this to the CCP dudes whose current work this might be relevant and pointed them at Jack’s thread. I also linked it up on the CSM forums and pointed the others at it as well. Thus far it’s gotten a pretty positive response. This is one of those ~ideas~ that makes a fire that’s already burning even hotter. I can’t really say much more than it’s been properly passed on and will not be stillborn on the forums. Hopefully some good will come of it.

If elected to CSM7 and subsequently informed by CCP that lowsec was the ‘hot topic’ for iteration in the coming year, what input and advice would you have for them?
Lowsec should be dangerous, but it should be fun. It should offer opportunities for new players to get their feet wet or null sec veterans to take a break from blob wars. There should be opportunities available that if you never want to go back to high-sec or move to null-sec, you don’t have to feel like you are compromising your game play in any way.  Most of all it should be UNIQUE and not just a stepping stone to another type of game play.

What lengths are you willing to go to in order to make pirates flashy red on overview by default again?
I will talk to my best bro CCP Punktaris and type in ALL CAPS to try to get this done. I am pretty sure that she will agree all evil people have a right to flash red!!

Seleene is a member of CSM6 and is a former employee of CCP. You can find out more about Seleene at his blog.You can also address him directly on the Eve-O forums, on his Q&A thread.

Hans Jagerblitzen

What single part of the game do you feel requires the most work in terms of iteration by CCP?
This is going to be my most controversial answer, since I consider myself a representative of empire space. The single part of the game that needs the most iteration is the 0.0 sovereignty system. Before anyone panics – let me explain.

I believe the single greatest threat to the enjoyment of game play native to highsec/lowsec space is the presence of a bored alliance taking a vacation from 0.0 space. Pandemic Legion completely muffled Faction Warfare activity for weeks when started dropping Supercarriers all over Amamake. The Mittani admits in his “Victory in Branch” speech that the pattern of high sec GSF “incursions” are nothing more of a filler activity to pass the time between major objectives in 0.0.

The sooner we fix 0.0, the sooner we solve the core issue fueling all of the “griefing” elsewhere, and remove the need for intense debate about beefing up CONCORD, war dec overhauls, and the like. When a core system is functioning, the pilots that enjoy it stick to it, rather than feeling the need to bother someone else.

Do you feel that lowsec is ‘broken’? If not, explain why. If so, explain what you want to see done to fix it.
Lowsec is not broken, it has simply been neglected for years. I truly believe that “fixing” low sec space is probably the easiest task CCP has ahead of them compared to tackling the infinitely more nuanced issues plaguing high sec and null sec space. I think low sec pilots have one of the simplest, purest gameplay cultures – we just want log on and blow someone up within the hour, and not have to sit around like we’re in the woods hunting deer.

Low sec is Fight Club, and the way you fix low sec is let us take our gloves off, and to stop giving us so many damn time out penalties. Shorten Global Criminal Countdown timers. Reduce the numbers of situations that initiate GCC in the first place. Taper off the presence of sentry gun fire as you get closer to 0.0. I wont deny that low sec needs a few more “carrots” in the form of increased reward to offset the risk. , but really very few of us are here for the money. We’re here for the blood.

Do you have any plans to push CCP, if elected, to iterate on lowsec in general?
Absolutely. It pains me to see so many easy ways to improve our quality of life get ignored expansion after expansion, and what seems like guesswork occurring during the development process instead. Crucible has been very refreshing however, as the new Tier 3 BC’s, small ship balancing, hybrids, POCO’s, all start to mix things up a little within sub-capital warfare.

The problem though is that you can’t just throw toys at low sec without giving us the freedom to use them. Fix GCC, allow more engagements with less security interference, increase the amount of ways a living can be earned with low sec resources, and you will keep thousands of paying customers happy year after year.

In your opinion, where should lowsec rank in terms of priority for iteration by CCP?
Because I believe that low sec fixes are much simpler in nature than null sec or high sec issues, I see no reason they can’t be investigated at the same time.

The reality is CCP is a business, with limited resources, and efficient allocation of those resources is key to making the entirety of their customers happy. I am frustrated to hear of things like “massive overhauls” on Faction Warfare when I know from firsthand experience they just aren’t necessary, because that is development time and resources that could be going to a more critical game system. If CCP listened to its players, it could save themselves a lot of wasted time and money, and stay on track to continue developing the arguably more critical features such as 0.0 sovereignty, Dead Horse POS, and Griefwatch.

Lowsec is home to around 8% of the playerbase. What, in your opinion, are the main factors that make it more attractive to its current residents than other areas of space?
Low sec allows pilots to engage in fluid transitions between PvE and PvP, in a manner that is not possible in high sec because of CONCORD, and not possible in 0.0 because of the powerful mechanics like disruption bubbles and Supercapital fleets.

In low sec, we can chase more valuable loot than in high sec, if we have learned to protect ourselves. Contrary to popular belief, I don’t consider low sec PvE all that risky. Simple tactical awareness techniques mitigate 99% of the risks involved, so pirates usually earn their coin because a pilot has made a mistake, not taken a risk. I think this is the critical thing for younger pilots to learn about low sec, if they have fears of giving it a try.

Beyond treasure hunting, the single most attractive feature in low sec is the sub-capital warfare and abundance of small gang PvP. That abundance has dwindled steadily over the years, but all the right design concepts are in place. It’s just a few details that need to be worked out.

What are your thoughts regarding Faction Warfare, particularly the idea that FW is the key to revitalizing lowsec?
I don’t think FW is more important than, say, piracy in terms of being the “key” to low sec. I have a huge respect for the various pirate corps and alliances that live in our backyard, they are an integral part of the PvP culture we all enjoy. It wouldn’t be the same without them, and they wouldn’t have as much fun without us.

That being said, I’m truly afraid that if Faction Warfare continues to be “overhauled” blindly in the wrong direction this summer there will be noticeable subscriber ramifications. Certainly not on par with Incarna, but enough that it would cause pirates to have fewer targets and become disenchanted with their own homelands, and has a failcascade potential I don’t think CCP is respecting heavily enough. CCP has had plenty to say about their intent to overhaul the feature, but doesn’t seem very interested in allowing actual militia pilots to be part of the decisions that affect their future.

Failure to deliver the promised Faction Warfare overhaul properly will most certainly backfire and set a horrible precedent regarding the usefulness of the player/CSM/CCP relationship, and publicly ruin all of the trust that the CSM6 has been working to restore. Faction Warfare has never been a more important topic of discussion.

Would you support using Faction Warfare as a test bed for future Nullsec Sovereignty Mechanics?
Absolutely not. The idea is ridiculous, and downright offensive. Anyone saying otherwise does not truly understand Faction Warfare players or Faction Warfare culture.

The joy of Faction Warfare is directly linked to its encouragement of ship size diversity, consisting of a system of plexes that allow PvP pilots a choice in the ships they want to fly and be able to find fights in easily. This core mechanic still retains all of the merit of its original design – there just needs to be more incentive to use it.

0.0 Sovereignty mechanics are a completely different ballgame. Null sec should be about territorial domination, and absolute control, resource management, and the warfare is on a scale that just doesn’t allow for the same type of small-gang PvP to thrive.

Culturally, Faction Warfare pilots and 0.0 pilots are also very different, so the same motivational factors do not apply. The Mittani speaks of hatred fueling 0.0 warfare – the same does not hold true for Faction Warfare. Many militia pilots have no qualms about defecting to the enemy, when an imbalance of target availability slows down the frequency of engagements.

It is the pure ability to fight that motivates Faction Warfare pilots, all of these proposals about injecting “drama” and “depth” into the system as a means of improvement are functionally dead on arrival. They will not work.

What is your thinking regarding piracy in lowsec – is it good, bad, or ugly? Would you like to preserve it in the face of upcoming tweaks and possible expansion to Faction Warfare, or would you like to see lowsec go in a different direction?
I  <3  Piracy.   Pirates make up as many of the fun targets to fight as do the enemy militias, and I believe that the organized low sec pirate groups are home to some of the best PvP pilots in EvE.   I know this because I’ve died to a whole lot of them, and sometimes managed to kill a few myself.   The more ways we allow pirates to do pirate-y things, the more fun we all have.  We’re all here to murder each other, plain and simple.   Player piracy is as much a part of the fabric of low sec game play as Faction Warfare will ever be, and it must be preserved if we’re going to bother maintaining a low sec region at all.

What are your thoughts on the notion that increased protection for PVE players in lowsec will result in a better lowsec?
Ridiculous.  Everyone gives up the right to complain about ship loss when you enter low sec.   I challenge high sec players to learn the safety tools WE use out here.  If you’re a high sec player and you want to know how to stay alive in lowsec, EvE mail me in-game.  No joke.   I can tell you how to avoid 99% of confrontations depending on what you’d like to do, whether its hauling, mining,or missioning.    I’d much rather just teach a new player how to fly safe, than ruin all the fun for everyone else by coddling someone who doesn’t want to challenge themselves refuses to learn something new.

What are your thoughts regarding the introduction of a PVE activity or item (minerals, manufacturing certain items, etc) that would be lowsec-exclusive?
Conceptually, awesome. Low sec clearly needs more rewards to encourage resident activity, so resources unique to low sec would certainly serve that purpose.

Functionally, however, I would much prefer CCP just work on the core problems, and tweak the existing mechanics, than try to start from scratch and work on new shineys. Like I said before, throwing new toys at us is NOT the way to improve low sec. Adjusting existing risk/reward balance and encouraging more PvP should be much greater priorities.

What is your opinion on the Jack Dant proposal (link below) and the general belief in some sectors that improvements to lowsec should focus on entry-level, casual PVP?
Jack Dant’s proposal is part of my campaign platform. It’s brilliant, it has widespread appeal amongst low sec residesnts, and is easy to implement. CCP just needs to do it, and do it soon.

The other candidates in this race that are hesitating on the Jack Dant proposal aren’t really listening to low sec players. The more ways we have to fight, and the more often we can fight, the more fun we all have. Low sec problems are not rocket surgery.

If elected to CSM7 and subsequently informed by CCP that lowsec was the ‘hot topic’ for iteration in the coming year, what input and advice would you have for them?
I don’t know what else to say here, most of what I would propose has been covered in earlier answers.

What lengths are you willing to go to in order to make pirates flashy red on overview by default again?
I wasn’t really aware this was a major crisis.  One of the first things we teach new PvP-ers in the corp is how to set up and customize their overview to fit certain scenarios, so pretty much none of us rely on the default settings.   I’m always in favor of personal responsibility over hand holding, so I’d say this isn’t really super high on my priority list.

Hans Jagerblitzen is a rookie candidate for CSM. You can find out more about Hans at his blog.

John Revenent

What single part of the game do you feel requires the most work in terms of iteration by CCP?
Low-Security Space. It’s no secret that content needs to be added.

Do you feel that lowsec is ‘broken’? If not, explain why. If so, explain what you want to see done to fix it.
While I do not feel that lowsec is ‘broken’ I do believe that it has been neglected for a long time. Some of the changes I would like to push for would be lowsec viability for income, as it is right now lowsec can be more dangerous than nullsec at times without the benefit of sustainable income for the individual.

I would like to see more content added for DED Complex’s, more common gravimetric/radar sites, or even simple things matter like NPC interaction such as NPC hauler convoys on stations (Much like what you find in highsec on occasion). In addition NPC Agents in space that represent both empire based corporations and pirate factions would be a large step in making low-sec both profitable and fun for everyone. I would also suggest the removal of restrictions on moon mining/drug production in 0.4 security systems. If this is changed it will allow the smaller alliances, or corporations gain access to moons they may have not had access to before which will help populate low security space which is good for pirates, industrialists, and anti-pirates.

Do you have any plans to push CCP, if elected, to iterate on lowsec in general?
Yes of course. My main concerns are based in low security space both with the space itself and with factional warfare as well. I want to help create a more viable lowsec by pushing for fixes to the risk vs. reward framework it currently has. This will add new options on both economic and combat standpoints.

In your opinion, where should lowsec rank in terms of priority for iteration by CCP?
I won’t lie, lowsec has its place. Nullsec is a higher priority for CCP and rightly so, but that does not mean they should neglect other aspects of their game.

Lowsec is home to around 8% of the playerbase. What, in your opinion, are the main factors that make it more attractive to its current residents than other areas of space?
The main attraction would be the PvP content. Lowsec is a host to small gang and solo engagements, while adding the odd chance of a large scale engagement. It is also good ground to build pilot meta-skills while having easy access to highsec markets, and to relax without having to worry about long campaigns far from stations.

What are your thoughts regarding Faction Warfare, particularly the idea that FW is the key to revitalizing lowsec?
I agree that factional warfare needs to be looked at and fixed. It may not be the key to revitalizing lowsec, but it does certainly help by giving an income base in lowsec, and offers a different dynamic to pvp as well as being a way for newer players to learn about PVP. Along with low security space, FW is on the top of my list as an issue that CCP needs to look at closely before making changes.

Would you support using Faction Warfare as a test bed for future Nullsec Sovereignty Mechanics?
No, this is something I do not support. Nullsec sovereignty ‘test bed’ will no doubt include more mechanics for structure grinding. Most people do not join Factional Warfare to shoot at structures after waiting out long timers. They already have enough timers to worry about while capturing FW complexs. CCP should be looking at ways to add to the content without changing things too drastically. As an example make victory points useful for something such as tougher plexes which will require more teamwork and lead to bigger and better fights for both sides.

What is your thinking regarding piracy in lowsec – is it good, bad, or ugly? Would you like to preserve it in the face of upcoming tweaks and possible expansion to Faction Warfare, or would you like to see lowsec go in a different direction?
Piracy in low security space is very much needed. It is also generally what defines lowsec. I feel it is something to be expanded upon. If CCP made the effort, it could be a very enjoyable path for more players to choose.

What are your thoughts on the notion that increased protection for PVE players in lowsec will result in a better lowsec?
Lowsec is meant to be dangerous, so I would not support any increase of protection of PvE players. However, that is not saying I wouldn’t support changes to increase the reward factor for PvE players who take high risks by going into lowsec.

What are your thoughts regarding the introduction of a PVE activity or item (minerals, manufacturing certain items, etc) that would be lowsec-exclusive?
I think it is a good idea… within reason. I think adding more lowsec exclusive content such as exploration content that is close to if not on par with the nullsec standard (though much rarer to find) is something that is needed. This would help with the risk/reward problem lowsec has been facing for years. Exclusive item manufacturing or minerals would not be a good idea. Low-sec only content creates an imbalance for people who live in nullsec. What is in low-sec should be available for people in nullsec, because their space is supposed to be better.

What is your opinion on the Jack Dant proposal (link below) and the general belief in some sectors that improvements to lowsec should focus on entry-level, casual PVP?
“I will say that his final statement is something I will be pushing to change. Killrights are an old mechanic that again need to be looked at. Primarily, the idea of one person gaining killrights for losing his ship to a fleet of people, then gains the ability to shoot at these people for a extended period of time. I believe the timer should be shortened for people assisting in the kill, but kept the same for the pilot to inflict the final blow.

To answer the question though, yes lowsec should be focused on entry-level pvp… but not at the expense of making the game any easier.

If elected to CSM7 and subsequently informed by CCP that lowsec was the ‘hot topic’ for iteration in the coming year, what input and advice would you have for them?
Changes need to me made, these changes need to ensure lowsec keeps the key points of a dangerous/exhilarating atmosphere but making sure the risk matches the reward.

What lengths are you willing to go to in order to make pirates flashy red on overview by default again?
I still call players with a low security rating flashy reds. Having them return to being that way by default would relieve confusion some new players seem to have about who they can and cannot shoot, as well as who is most likely a threat.

Many times, its the small things people want, these things need to be addressed by the CSM and CCP.

John Revenent is a rookie candidate for CSM. 

Iam Widdershins

What single part of the game do you feel requires the most work in terms of iteration by CCP?
Entry-level PVP.

Currently, the way wars and fights work in hisec feel ever more dangerous and even exploit-y. Hisec PVP is almost completely avoided by the average player. Lowsec on the other hand has a high barrier for entry and strong deterrents that keep new players from trying it out, and it requires a LARGER commitment to move into lowsec for PVP than it takes to move into nullsec for ANY reason. I believe this could use some fixin’.

Do you feel that lowsec is ‘broken’? If not, explain why. If so, explain what you want to see done to fix it.
No, I just think that lowsec is the domain of hardened pirates and this is a strong deterrent to new players entering the arena. Moving into lowsec is often a one-way trip, and ever going back to hisec usually requires that you visit 0.0 for a while to fix your security status first. While the way lowsec works is not ‘broken’ per se, it could use iteration and improvement in its general mechanics to encourage a few more people to live there and bring life back into the region.

Do you have any plans to push CCP, if elected, to iterate on lowsec in general?
I believe that lowsec and hisec are both in need of some iteration, together as a package. I know there are a lot of groups who would love to be able to have more lowsec involvement without endangering their ability to travel (at least mostly) freely in hisec.

If there are more serious concerns that other CSMs or knowledgeable persons raise about their own experiences in lowsec, I am more than open to suggestions.

In your opinion, where should lowsec rank in terms of priority for iteration by CCP?
Despite the massive success of Crucible’s release, CCP has a lot of major problems on their plate. Supercapitals are proliferating faster than rabbits in nullsec, hisec wars are getting buggier and buggier, and there are still numerous issues with the UI that should be addressed as soon as possible. Many areas of lowsec are still alive and well; it is not so much urgent as it is simply waiting for some love so it can finally become something beautiful. I believe it is definitely in the top 5 areas that need immediate attention, but it isn’t quite so direly broken as a lot of other areas.

So, I would rank it at about a 7/10. Definitely something that I’d like to see iterated and improved in the next year or so, but not as dire as some of the crises that face entrants into the nullsec arena (60 titans built in a month :[ )

Lowsec is home to around 8% of the playerbase. What, in your opinion, are the main factors that make it more attractive to its current residents than other areas of space?
Lowsec is inherently attractive to older players. It’s fun, challenging, and you can shoot whoever you want. It’s not a huge drawback to be unable to go into hisec as you probably have some decent alts, and you can get some sweet fights with larger fleets, POS’s, and capitals.

For younger players however, hisec is a crucial respite from engaging in PVP, and heading out to lowsec where the skies are rife with high-grade pirate implants and expensive booster pills is a risky proposition, fraught with probable loss.

Corporations and communist groups with strong logistic chains and lots of alts are able to get about just fine in lowsec, but for the average small group of new PVPers the only way to get into small gang PVP over the long term is through wardecs, which have their own plethora of issues.

What are your thoughts regarding Faction Warfare, particularly the idea that FW is the key to revitalizing lowsec?
Faction warfare is neat, and it provides some really cool fights and PVP atmosphere with some very good ship-restricted plexes for PVP. It’s definitely cool and I would love to see some iteration and expansion on the idea. I'm pretty sure CCP has a lot of big plans for FW coming up so I know that it should be getting some love soon, but I don’t believe that it is the single thing that will light up all of lowsec with life. If it were, what happens to all the dead end lowsecs? What about the vast majority of lowsec that is NOT a part of FW? I think that saying FW is the key to everything lowsec is an exaggeration.

Would you support using Faction Warfare as a test bed for future Nullsec Sovereignty Mechanics?
No. Lowsec is its own animal and should not be treated as a “baby brother” to nullsec. Doing so seems like forcing yourself to stick to the idea that there will never be very many people living in lowsec. If it is to grow there needs to be a driving force and an attraction to the lifestyle, enough to bring new pilots into the fray. Iterating on nullsec mechanics on a smaller scale would end up just being more of the same; I am against homogeneity in PVP, and I think that you should always get a very different feel from PVP in different security levels.

What is your thinking regarding piracy in lowsec – is it good, bad, or ugly? Would you like to preserve it in the face of upcoming tweaks and possible expansion to Faction Warfare, or would you like to see lowsec go in a different direction?
Piracy in lowsec is one of the only things capable of bringing life back to the area. If there is no piracy in lowsec, what is it for? If you wanted to get rid of piracy, you may as well just make into another kind of hisec. Piracy deserves to exist alongside as a complement to FW and a competition for space, as well as it should stand alone as the simple way of life in areas outside the FW zone. If Jack Dant’s proposal were enacted, it should bring back life into the world of lowsec piracy; if anything, I would be worried that too many people would get involved.

What are your thoughts on the notion that increased protection for PVE players in lowsec will result in a better lowsec?
I think that notion would be the result of a poor understanding of what the game is all about. It is already safe enough doing PVE in lowsec; making it safer would be a bad plan and could only serve to frustrate and reduce opportunities for PVP while making the PVE itself feel less like theft and more like a grind.

What are your thoughts regarding the introduction of a PVE activity or item (minerals, manufacturing certain items, etc) that would be lowsec-exclusive?
This is a good plan. People need more reason to go to lowsec; as long as this resource isn’t TOO valuable, this should ideally foster more hustle and activity in our empty lowsec systems without turning it into an affair of huge fleets of the kind we get in nullsec.

What is your opinion on the Jack Dant proposal (link below) and the general belief in some sectors that improvements to lowsec should focus on entry-level, casual PVP?
I think this is a fantastic idea that he has outlined. I fully support it. One of the biggest restrictions to PVP in lowsec is the massive pain for people who still want to be able to enter high security space; if you need to be able to travel anywhere in hisec, you should avoid lowsec PVP entirely. Grinding up your security status from -10 is a HUGE pain, and I know a lot of people quit the game for a short time or even a long time because they tried lowsec PVP, decided to go back, and just never finished fixing their security status.

If I were to change anything about this proposal, it would be: Instead of making ANYONE with a negative security status shootable, make that boundary -1.0 (the same security status required to have a bounty added to your head). I like bounties and I think that they should apply EVERYWHERE -- but that it should not require a pod kill, but simply a ship kill in any security level.

Ships in lowsec should be flashy below -1.0, pods anywhere in EVE should be flashy only below -5.0, the same as they are today.

With all that in mind, caution needs to be taken and the issue needs to be analyzed at great length; as a thought experiment it seems completely functional, but it is a big change and therefore risky. Fixing bounty hunting by allowing bounties to apply to ship kills, enabling the transfer of killrights, and at least an attempt to restrict the circumstances under which a bounty can be paid to discourage self-collection would be important in providing at least SOME drawbacks to PVP in lowsec.

If elected to CSM7 and subsequently informed by CCP that lowsec was the ‘hot topic’ for iteration in the coming year, what input and advice would you have for them?
Make it easier for people to get into and out of piracy if they so choose. It shouldn’t be immediate and free, but it should probably be a lot easier than it is right now. Currently the biggest challenge facing anti-pirates is that they are frequently forced to go GCC themselves to mete out justice, eventually becoming indistinguishable from those they are fighting against. This should change.

What lengths are you willing to go to in order to make pirates flashy red on overview by default again?
I was honestly not aware that this is a problem. Changing overview settings is easy, and it’s a crucial skill to learn before you start PVPing. If nobody will teach you how to set this up, then maybe there needs to be a tutorial.

I just opened up a client with no settings on to take a look; by default appearance, outlaws are solid red with a solid red skull. The only states that cause this not to show are wars (which are flashy) and fleet. That doesn’t seem too bad to me. If you want to change it, you are a right click > Toggle Blink away from the way you want it anyway.

If you “want what was taken from you” so bad, I’m sure you could go to that simple effort.

Iam Widdershins is a rookie CSM candidate. You can find out more about him and his views at his campaign thread on the Eve-o forums as well as his blog.

Alekseyev Karrde

What single part of the game do you feel requires the most work in terms of iteration by CCP?
Choose just one? Awwww....

I think there's little disagreement that lowsec has been the most neglected aspect of EVE Online for quite some time. As half-delivered as the sov system in Dominion was, Empyrean Age + FW was just as bad if not worse in terms of failing to meet game design goals and player expectations. I started EVE in lowsec and got turned on to PVP through anti-piracy in Gallente lowsec. However because of buffs to highsec and 0.0 and the underwhelming implementation of FW, anti-pirate and non-pirate players are rarer than ever since there's not much motivation to BE there. In turn this makes it harder for pirates to find the targets + small fights they enjoy outside of systems like Tama and Ammamake.

So I dont get blasted for pandering, I will say that while lowsec is in most need of iteration, I actually would prioritize 0.0 iteration first. While it might be debatable that EVE truly has an endgame, there's no denying 0.0 is one of the flagship features of the game which produces epic stories, drama, and battles of all sizes from 1-3 a side skirmishes to server straining fleet fights. An iterated 0.0 will retain veterans and attract new players to the dynamics that make EVE work like little else; growing game is good for all of us. Besides, if properly iterated 0.0 should have some ripple effect benefits for lowsec and empire in addition to player growth.

 

Do you feel that lowsec is ‘broken’? If not, explain why. If so, explain what you want to see done to fix it.
Lowsec is not broken in the sense that I could point to one obvious aspect of it that is flawed and needs a fix. Faction Warfare is not where it needs to be, but FW was supposed to be a boost/fix to a lowsec problem that was already there before it.

And that is that lowsec is broken because it's *boring*. Not everywhere, of course. Ammamake is great for on-demand PVP, Rancer is always a guessing game as to whether you'll make it through, a few other systems have developed a reputation as scrappy places like Old Man Star. But outside those few established systems and pipes to 0.0, lowsec is largely a ghost town. Why is this?

It's because, as-implimented, there's not much special about lowsec that would attract people other than those who just love the pirate life and FW fleets that come in and come back out. If you need to make ISK safely, highsec lvl 4's and Incursions trump anything you can do in lowsec. If you dont care about risk, 0.0 + WH ISK making beats it too. If you want to mine you can do it more safely in empire or more safely in a grav belt in sov space. Reactions? Wormholes allow for better defense of your investment. If you're into non-pirate PVP, go to 0.0 where there are more targets and no need to worry about your sec. Both empire and sov 0.0 have more developed markets.

This has gone on for so long because CCP does not have a vision for lowsec; a guiding Big Idea about what makes it a unique part of the game so they can develop features and iteration that helps achieve that goal. CCP has begun and possibly finished that process for 0.0, I think a similar soul searching and community feedback process should take place for lowsec after the sov revamp. In such a process I would push the idea that lowsec is the seedy underbelly of EVE and should be celebrated as such, pirates already love lowsec but pirates need someone to pirate so promote ways/reasons for others to live there, rekindle the excitement of the pirate/antipirate dynamic by supporting/rewarding non-pirate players who try to bring those hardened PVPers to justice.

 

Do you have any plans to push CCP, if elected, to iterate on lowsec in general?
CSM6 did a lot of pushing on CCP to get them to pull away from Incarna and Jesus features to focus on proper iteration of features already released. The war/agression system as well as 0.0 (both sov and NPC) that act as EVE's largest conflict driver seem to have settled at the top of the new list. Factional Warfare seems to be on there as well probably because of how glaringly abandoned it was.

I think this list of priorities is appropriate and I would not push to change them. My focus, if elected, would be to ensure that the iterations and development on these features/ideas are well thought out, achieve the design goals, acknowledge player expectations, and take into consideration small groups as well as large, attackers as well as defenders, industrialists as well as PVPers.

In your opinion, where should lowsec rank in terms of priority for iteration by CCP?
Less than null
More than wormholes
Much more than highsec (unless the iterations in question are tweaks to the Incursion feature to prevent farming)

Lowsec is home to around 8% of the playerbase. What, in your opinion, are the main factors that make it more attractive to its current residents than other areas of space?
Some lowsec residents just like being able to PVP without worrying about doomsdays, bubbles, sov bills, and station timers.

Some players have fallen in love with Faction Warfare and have stayed with it in hopes it will eventually get better.

And the rest.. well, where else can you get -10.0 without losing your ship? ^^

What are your thoughts regarding Faction Warfare, particularly the idea that FW is the key to revitalizing lowsec?
In brief eh?

I think anything that increases the non-pirate/criminal population of lowsec while also promoting PVP is a good thing. I am not convinced that a fixed FW will be the silver bullet to revitalize lowsec but I can see no way it hurts lowsec, especially if the new FW system promotes a continued presence in FW areas beyond large organized fleets.

More will probably be needed to get lowsec where I, and i'd venture most players that care about it, think it should be but I think fixing FW is a good idea and will be a positive development.

Would you support using Faction Warfare as a test bed for future Nullsec Sovereignty Mechanics?
I see FW and 0.0 sov as two distinctly separate parts of gameplay. FW should not simply be 0.0-lite, with the same mechanics and incentives but reduced risk/rewards. That approach does not really take advantage of the potential of FW to deliver a unique gameplay experience that is more than just a feeder system for null sec power blocs.

However CCP and the CSM would be stupid not to apply lessons learned if there are some. If a mechanic in FW works well, perhaps it will spark an idea about how to better the sov mechanics or avoid reliance on grinding structure HP. I am open to this kind of learning; a good idea is a good idea no matter where it comes from or how it starts. I just think the end-product should be a distinct gameplay experience, and designing FW as a test bed at the outset will probably not achieve that goal.

What is your thinking regarding piracy in lowsec – is it good, bad, or ugly? Would you like to preserve it in the face of upcoming tweaks and possible expansion to Faction Warfare, or would you like to see lowsec go in a different direction?
I think piracy is a good thing. It's an interesting side of EVE and the players in that profession are passionate about it in a way that's good for the game. I would like to give pirates more targets, more immersion, and more fights. The first part is increasing the non-pirate population in lowsec by giving them reasons to be there out in space doing stuff. The second and third I hope to see done by supporting non-pirates actively try to hunt and confront pirates. I got started in EVE PVP via anti piracy and it used to be a widespread and fun dynamic in EVE that has since mostly died off. I'd for game mechanics to support a players who try to police and protect other players from the hardened -10 PVPers, who in turn get the excitement of the chase + dodging the law (not to mention more fights!)

As i said above, i dont think an FW fix alone will be enough to achieve this but I'm keeping an open mind and dont see a way it could really hurt.

What are your thoughts on the notion that increased protection for PVE players in lowsec will result in a better lowsec?
I think this statement is largely true but this protection should come from other players not NPC sources. EVE should have functioning player-centric mechanics like proper bounty hunting or anti-pirates/player police.

EVE does NOT need CONCORD Jr. in lowsec.

What are your thoughts regarding the introduction of a PVE activity or item (minerals, manufacturing certain items, etc) that would be lowsec-exclusive?
I'm for it.

What is your opinion on the Jack Dant proposal (link below) and the general belief in some sectors that improvements to lowsec should focus on entry-level, casual PVP?
I think capping sec hits at -2.0 tramples a little bit on NPC and shallow-sov 0.0

Making any negative sec player a valid target in lowsec is an interesting idea.

I'd support a simplification to the sec/travel restriction system in general.

I'm very much in favor of iteration/revamp of the bounty and kill rights systems.

If elected to CSM7 and subsequently informed by CCP that lowsec was the ‘hot topic’ for iteration in the coming year, what input and advice would you have for them?
-Give non-pirates reasons to live in lowsec (increases population/target pool)

-Allow these non-pirates to feel more secure through player centric mechanics such as anti-piracy/bounty hunting (increases pop/targets and fights)

-In-game support for ransoms/ransom tracking (continues trend of providing support for existing player activity out of the game)

-PVE content/income catering to outlaw players (pirates should be able to become rich pirates without using an NPC alt or POS management)

-Give FW consequences and FW players/corps incentives to live in lowsec full time (unique gameplay experience, more pop/targets, more fights)

-Simplify sec status and travel restriction mechanics (make taking sec hits new player friendly as much as possible)

What lengths are you willing to go to in order to make pirates flashy red on overview by default again?
I didn't realize the default was changed, that's monstrous!

Outlaw=flashy in my mind and if it's important to the outlaw community that it stays that way, the CSM should push this as probably the lowest hanging fruit imaginable.

Alekseyev Karrde was a member of CSM4. You can find out more about Aleks  on his forum thread and his blog.

Mintrolio

What single part of the game do you feel requires the most work in terms of iteration by CCP?
PERSONAL IST SEC / DEC \\ BOUTNY SYSTIMS. ALLES IST IN NEED OF MANY ITERASION AND HAF NO LOV FUR MANY TIME. SECOND IST FACSIONS WARSFARE.

Do you feel that lowsec is ‘broken’? If not, explain why. If so, explain what you want to see done to fix it.
CONFRIMIGN YES IS NEEDIGN MANY DUCKSTAPE OR LOVIGN ITERASIONS TO MAKE FEEL BETTRE.

Do you have any plans to push CCP, if elected, to iterate on lowsec in general?
ALSO HELLS YES! I PUSHIGN CCCP HARD IN FACES ON THESE POINT.

In your opinion, where should lowsec rank in terms of priority for iteration by CCP?
CONFRIMIGN RIGHT NOW SHOULD BE BEIGN JOINS FIRST PLACES MIT HIGHSECKS AND 0.0 SECKS.

Lowsec is home to around 8% of the playerbase. What, in your opinion, are the main factors that make it more attractive to its current residents than other areas of space?
ALSO I AM BELEAF THEY HAFIGN BEST VEIWS OF NEW NEBULARS AND IST MAKIGN LOW SECKS HAF HIGHER PRICE COMPARE TO OTHRE NIEGHBOURS HOOD. ALSO MISSION AND PIERATS. ALSO 8% OF EVE IST MINE FREND COUNT IN FACESBOOK.

What are your thoughts regarding Faction Warfare, particularly the idea that FW is the key to revitalizing lowsec?
CONFRIMIGN HOLY CARP ! THESE IS JOINT BEST AREA FUR ITERASIONS IN LOW SECKS, BUT ALSO IST TO NEED MANY CHANGE TO OTHRE AREAEFFECTIGN LOW SECKS. IF YOU CHANGIGN WAY TO DOIGN LOW SECKS THING, THEN YOU MUST MAKIGN SURE IS BETTRE LOW SECKS FUR EVERYONES.

Would you support using Faction Warfare as a test bed for future Nullsec Sovereignty Mechanics?
ALSO CONFRIMIGN NO. TESTIGN SECKS ON BED FOR OTHRE SECKS IST NOT GOOD THING. MAY RESULTSIGN IN BAD SECKS FUR EVERYONES.

What is your thinking regarding piracy in lowsec – is it good, bad, or ugly? Would you like to preserve it in the face of upcoming tweaks and possible expansion to Faction Warfare, or would you like to see lowsec go in a different direction?
CONFRIMIGN PIERATS ALWAYS MUST BE NOT JUS ENYJOY LOWSECKS BUT ALSO OTHRE SECKS.  PIERATCY NEED TO BE LINK TO CONSIDREASIONS FOR SEC \ DEC / BOUNTY SYSTIMS.

What are your thoughts on the notion that increased protection for PVE players in lowsec will result in a better lowsec?
ALSO HELLS NO.  EVE IST ALLES ABOT HAFING TAKE RESPONSABLITY FUR YOU DESCISIONS.  ALSO NO MATTERS WHAT SECKS YOU HAFIGN, SAFTEY IST NOT CCCP RESPONSABILITY IST YOUS !

What are your thoughts regarding the introduction of a PVE activity or item (minerals, manufacturing certain items, etc) that would be lowsec-exclusive?
CONFRIMIGN NOT SOMETHIGNS I HAF TO BE EVER CONSIDRE.  IN THEORY I HAFIGN NO PRONBLEMS, BUT I NEEDIGN TO CONSIDRE LONGRE TO FORMUALTE A PROPER OPNIONS.

What is your opinion on the Jack Dant proposal (link below) and the general belief in some sectors that improvements to lowsec should focus on entry-level, casual PVP?
ALSO I AM THINGKIGN IT SOUND GOOD BASE FUR FURTHRE ITERASIONS.  I BELEAF THIS SORTS OF THINK IS WHAT WE ON CSM NEED TO BRING TO TABLES AS PARTY OF MOR BIGG PROPOSE TO CHANGIGN ENTIR SYSTIMS OF SEC / DEC \ BOUNTY SYSTIMS.  I LIKIGN THESE MAN IDEA AND WHAT HE AM THINKIGN OF IN SECKS.

If elected to CSM7 and subsequently informed by CCP that lowsec was the ‘hot topic’ for iteration in the coming year, what input and advice would you have for them?
CONFRIMIGN HMM.  I WOULD ADVISE TO LISTNE TO MANY KNOWLEDE PEEPOL AND TO RUN IDES PAST CSM.  I BELEAF MANY CSM HAFIGN ALT TUNES AND HAFIGN PLAY AROUND WITH DIFFRENT TYPE OF SECKS AND HAFIGN GOOD IDE TOO.  MITANI I KNOW RECENT DO EXPERIMENT MIT SECKS AND KILL MANY MINER DURING LOW SECKS.  MITANI  MAY HAFIGN NEW IDE FUR A FUTURE SECKS CHANGES.

What lengths are you willing to go to in order to make pirates flashy red on overview by default again?
ALSO LOCAL FLASY AND CHANGES TO LOCAL NOT JUSTIGN OVREVIEW IN REALSTIME STAUTS LIKE THESE MAY BEIGN GOOD IDE.  MAYBE I INTRODUCES MINE GOAT AS BACK-UP ?

Mintrolio is a GUD POSTRE on the Eve-O forums. 

Issler Dainze

What single part of the game do you feel requires the most work in terms of iteration by CCP?
Mining - long overdue for some new high end experiences.  Not just isk per hour but fun per hour.

Do you feel that lowsec is ‘broken’? If not, explain why. If so, explain what you want to see done to fix it.
Yes, I have lived most of my Eve life in low sec.  When I started the risk/reward in low sec was much closer to where it needs to be.  Now the risk/reward is very broken.  The game has evolved but all that has happened is low sec was slowly nerfed in terms of ore and PvE rewards while ships evolved to the point you can perma-camp the gates which was never intended.

Do you have any plans to push CCP, if elected, to iterate on lowsec in general?
In the past CSMs and if elected again I will strongly encourage CCP to revamp lowsec. I think this is more important than any changes in nulsec.

For example, new mining experiences could be introduced there to encourage mining there again. Or drugs and smuggling, which I think is long overdue. I actually created Issler to be a smuggler, only to find CCP never got around to finishing the smuggling elements of the game they once planned.

In your opinion, where should lowsec rank in terms of priority for iteration by CCP?
Second more important thing for CCP to address (behind mining).

Lowsec is home to around 8% of the playerbase. What, in your opinion, are the main factors that make it more attractive to its current residents than other areas of space?
Promise of spontaneous small gang PvP.  Moon mining.  Big alliance logistics for jump freighter supply lines to high sec.  Crazy old school players that refuse to leave (me!).

What are your thoughts regarding Faction Warfare, particularly the idea that FW is the key to revitalizing lowsec?
I think FW could be a great way to make low sec more relevant.  Win/Win!  Low sec could get better as would FW!

Would you support using Faction Warfare as a test bed for future Nullsec Sovereignty Mechanics?
Yes.

What is your thinking regarding piracy in lowsec – is it good, bad, or ugly? Would you like to preserve it in the face of upcoming tweaks and possible expansion to Faction Warfare, or would you like to see lowsec go in a different direction?
I want the ability to perma-camp a gate to be removed, combat needs to be in the belts and space, not ganking at gates like it mostly is today.  Same for stations, end docking and undocking games.

What are your thoughts on the notion that increased protection for PVE players in lowsec will result in a better lowsec?
There is a huge change from .5 to .4 and then its the same till you get to null and that is broken.  So I think for there should be a continuous increase of risk and rewards and now there isn't.  So I support something that would make PvE players in low sec have that gradual reduction in security.  I also think low sec could be the place we have what would amount to a player owned and run local law enforcement agency.

What are your thoughts regarding the introduction of a PVE activity or item (minerals, manufacturing certain items, etc) that would be lowsec-exclusive?
I am strongly in favor of that.  For example I have proposed 'comets" in low sec that would mined and produce high end moon minerals.

What is your opinion on the Jack Dant proposal (link below) and the general belief in some sectors that improvements to lowsec should focus on entry-level, casual PVP?
I'm not sure I could support the "what happens in low sec stays in low sec" security model as stated.  But I think applied in a graduated way where the security drop from PvP is lower progressively to very small in .1 might make some sense.

If elected to CSM7 and subsequently informed by CCP that lowsec was the ‘hot topic’ for iteration in the coming year, what input and advice would you have for them?
Add content unique to low sec.  Add drug manufacturing and smuggling to low sec.  Make the "risk" really track the system security so that there is some sort of security for PvE appropriate the the.x rating of the system.  Consider something like a "mini-outpost" that alliances can construct in low sec as an alternative to nulsec.  Dramatically reduce capital ship used in low sec.  Remove the perma-campable gate.

What lengths are you willing to go to in order to make pirates flashy red on overview by default again?
I would definitely nag CCP as often as possible!!

Issler Dainze is a former member of CSMs 2 and 3. You can find out more about Issler at her blog, coming soon. 

Dovinian

What single part of the game do you feel requires the most work in terms of iteration by CCP?
I really want to continue building on the success of CSM6 and the Crucible expansion. The players deserve more attention to flying in space and spaceships in general. Many aspects of EVE have been broken for years and just are bear to work with. POS Mechanics are abysmal, corp and alliance management make me want to punch things. Since we use these things everyday, we deserve to have them improved and made not-bad.

Do you feel that lowsec is ‘broken’? If not, explain why. If so, explain what you want to see done to fix it.
I'm going to give a generic answer here, kind of. I don't know if it's broken or "working as intended" but no one really lives there.

Only 8% of the EVE Population lives in lowsec, that's nothing.

More incentive to live there is absolutely necessary. Station and gate guns are worthless, if you get away from them it's basically just nullsec without the bubbles. You can run Level 4 missions in empire and make more isk/hr than level 5 missions in lowsec. Rats and anomalies aren't worth anything, really, Incursions are better isk even.

I can't think of much of a reason to live there. Even though I live in sovereignty based Null, I'd much rather live in NPC Null than lowsec.

Do you have any plans to push CCP, if elected, to iterate on lowsec in general?
While I think lowsec needs some attention, I plan to focus more on issues that will help players who live in every region. My interest is also more focused in null since that's my home but I don't plan to actively exclude or shit on anyone in particular.

In your opinion, where should lowsec rank in terms of priority for iteration by CCP?
I think it's very hard to focus on one area at once. This can often lead to further imbalance. All three security types need to be looked at as a whole and balanced properly, it's the only way to be sure it's being handled correctly.

Lowsec is home to around 8% of the playerbase. What, in your opinion, are the main factors that make it more attractive to its current residents than other areas of space?
To be honest? I'm not sure. It's more dangerous than highsec for sure, but I wouldn't want to live there. Perhaps people are looking for a way to get their feet wet before heading to null?

What are your thoughts regarding Faction Warfare, particularly the idea that FW is the key to revitalizing lowsec?
I'll admit that I don't know much about Faction Warfare as a whole. I used to run some FW missions for income but it didn't get much past that.

I know a lot of people in lowsec are excited about revitalizing lowsec and Faction Warfare together. Using LP as a reward creates a "grind" type situation which is less than ideal.

I would like to see Faction Warfare become a dominating feature of lowsec if at all possible, but I would like to talk to people who knows more so I can have an educated opinion and work together to figure what would go well and make the current and future residents of lowsec happy and content.

Faction Warfare has really only had one or two expansions working on developing and improving it. This just simply won't do.

Would you support using Faction Warfare as a test bed for future Nullsec Sovereignty Mechanics?
Absolutely, I think this would be a great way to test future Sovereignty ideas and mechanics.

What is your thinking regarding piracy in lowsec – is it good, bad, or ugly? Would you like to preserve it in the face of upcoming tweaks and possible expansion to Faction Warfare, or would you like to see lowsec go in a different direction?
Piracy is something I've never really understood, as my EVE Career has been nearly exclusively in null.

I'd like to focus more on fixing/improving Faction Warfare and then consider looking at piracy. With some things if you start getting too broad in what you want to fix you can lose focus and then nothing really productive gets done.

What are your thoughts on the notion that increased protection for PVE players in lowsec will result in a better lowsec?
I disagree. Lowsec is supposed to be more dangerous.

What are your thoughts regarding the introduction of a PVE activity or item (minerals, manufacturing certain items, etc) that would be lowsec-exclusive?
I think making minerals or manufacturing exclusive to one region is not a great way of handling things, but I'm open to discussing it further and if the ideas are good and impress me I'd consider presenting them to CCP.

There's high end moons null and lowsec, and I think it should stay that way.

What is your opinion on the Jack Dant proposal (link below) and the general belief in some sectors that improvements to lowsec should focus on entry-level, casual PVP?
When you get into complicated mechanics it can get very confusing from a player's point of view.

As long as they're well documented and made clear and fairly easy to understand I wouldn't be opposed to those ideas.

If elected to CSM7 and subsequently informed by CCP that lowsec was the ‘hot topic’ for iteration in the coming year, what input and advice would you have for them?
I would do some research to find some influential players in lowsec and want to talk with them to see some more of their specific ideas and wishes so I could work on being prepared and doing my best to make well informed suggestions.

What lengths are you willing to go to in order to make pirates flashy red on overview by default again?
My liquor budget when going to Iceland will be fairly substantial, perhaps I can coax a developer into having a look at it again.

Dovinian is a rookie candidate for CSM with the backing of Test Alliance Please Ignore. You can find out more about him on his CSM thread.

Leboe

What single part of the game do you feel requires the most work in terms of iteration by CCP?
CCP has already talked about redoing player owned 0.0 in the next expansion, and I think that's the right thing to do. Dominion had all these great plans for new features and a sov back and forth between alliances. Sadly when less than half of these features made it into the game it left the actual system broken and annoying for everyone.

The band-aids put on to make dominion workable have made the entire system worse, so I don't think just "finishing" Dominion is an option any more. They need to scrap the idea of big EHP structures and do something that resembles fun, while still encouraging the 2000 man fleet fights that people can do with time dilation.

Do you feel that lowsec is ‘broken’? If not, explain why. If so, explain what you want to see done to fix it.
To say its broken is a stretch, because it doesn't seem to have an intended purpose that its failing at. Once could argue that because it doesn't have one, that in itself is broken. There needs to be more things to draw in as many players as it should.

It needs more things to do in it, and more player influence. Even faction warfare, which is one of the bigger drivers of people to lowsec, has no effect on the space people take.

The pirate/antipirate gameplay needs to be expanded on greatly, and now after incursions and faction warfare, CCP have these unique mechanic systems that they can apply to other places.

Do you have any plans to push CCP, if elected, to iterate on lowsec in general?
Now that the development cycle is less pants-on-head than previous years, we can finally push for things that might not effect as many people compared to other changing areas of the game.

At the very least, we should have a roadmap for what they'd like to do to lowsec, similar to the "Nullsec Development: Design Goals" and "Nullsec Development: Rules and Guidelines" Devblogs from August.

In your opinion, where should lowsec rank in terms of priority for iteration by CCP?
The iteration roadmap right now should be Nullsec, lowsec, w-space, and then reassess how things are going. I think the "little things" teams can have huge positive effects on lowsec.

Lowsec is home to around 8% of the playerbase. What, in your opinion, are the main factors that make it more attractive to its current residents than other areas of space?
PvP without bubbles or tackle frigates on gates leads to an interesting, specific type of combat. The ease of logistics certainly helps. The main attraction to a lot of people I think is that you can label yourself as a bastard, the entire idea of being a "pirate" appeals to a lot of people.

What are your thoughts regarding Faction Warfare, particularly the idea that FW is the key to revitalizing lowsec?
I think that FacWar is instrumental in populating lowsec, but its can't be the only thing that takes place there. Its been proven as a great place for people to get their feet wet in PVP, and thats invaluable to Eve.

Would you support using Faction Warfare as a test bed for future Nullsec Sovereignty Mechanics?
CCP needs to be more liberal with changes. If they try out a few tweaks to one area of a game and see if it works, that's great. But the two areas are very different, if they were planning on redoing the Nullsec system, why not start messing with the Nullsec system right away?

What is your thinking regarding piracy in lowsec – is it good, bad, or ugly? Would you like to preserve it in the face of upcoming tweaks and possible expansion to Faction Warfare, or would you like to see lowsec go in a different direction?
To me, piracy will always be the traditional function of lowsec. These days FW seems to hog the spotlight because compared to piracy, it has a framework and mechanics associated with it. The current piracy system is barebones and old. I'd love to see both systems (piracy and FW) improved alongside eachother so that theres 2 different and independent systems going on in lowsec.

What are your thoughts on the notion that increased protection for PVE players in lowsec will result in a better lowsec?
The jump from lowsec to highsec in security terms is pretty black and white. In lowsec anyone is a target and in highsec you are infinitely safer from players. We will never be able to adjust that difference without hurting those that are there to PVP, not PVE so I don't think its worth the effort.

What are your thoughts regarding the introduction of a PVE activity or item (minerals, manufacturing certain items, etc) that would be lowsec-exclusive?
This would be great, as long as they encourage small gang PVP in an auxiliary manner. Right now we have things like POS reactors that are barred from highsec, and while that's a relatively unique mechanic (it is not restricted from null however) its still tied to high EHP structures like control towers. Any new, unique draws (like manufacturing) shouldn't just be done the same way as highsec. These things also shouldn't be arbitrary restrictions on what you can and can't build, and where.

What is your opinion on the Jack Dant proposal (link below) and the general belief in some sectors that improvements to lowsec should focus on entry-level, casual PVP?
I think his ideas are totally on the right track, those that now live in lowsec are there for PVP. The GCC timer also needs to be reduced, as a 10 second gank locks you into getting shot by sentries for way too long.

If elected to CSM7 and subsequently informed by CCP that lowsec was the ‘hot topic’ for iteration in the coming year, what input and advice would you have for them?
I'd tell them that they should focus on what people currently like about lowsec (piracy and FW, discussed above) not just changing it to appeal to more people. Improve the existing dynamic that already appeals to people. New PVE features definitely won't cut it, trying to lure people who like PVE out of highsec is a wasted effort. I personally want to see the pirate/anti-pirate gameplay greatly expanded on.

What lengths are you willing to go to in order to make pirates flashy red on overview by default again?
Its a simple change, I'm surprised it wasn't changed during the "little things" spree in the last few months. Its something symbolic that CCP probably doesn't understand, in the same way ship spinning was.

I don't believe that there's a good reason things are the way there are, but if there is, its a total failure of communication.

Leboe is a rookie candidate (to my knowledge) for CSM. You can find out more about Leboe at his blog.