This month's Blog Banter comes from Drackarn of Sand, Cider and Spaceships. He has foolishly chosen to poke the hornet's nest that is the non-consensual PvP debate. Whilst you read his question, I'll be finding a safe place to hide.
"A quick view of the Eve Online forums can always find someone complaining about being suicide ganked, whining about some scam they fell for or other such tears. With the Goons' Ice Interdiction claiming a vast amount of mining ships, there were calls for an "opt out of PvP" option.
Should this happen? Should people be able to opt-out of PvP in Eve Online. Should CONCORD prevent crime rather than just handing out justice after the event? Or do the hi-sec population already have too much protection from the scum and villainy that inhabits the game?"
That up there ^, that's our topic today. The question posed to everyone. Without further delay I shall attack this topic with a vicious ferocity never before seen from even the likes of Internet Tough Guy.
To put it simply, No. Eve online has been founded on the idea that there is always a risk. Putting aside market prices and the adverse effects that this kind of thing would have on them, its just generally a bad idea. While I agree that there ought to be some sort of fine, or punishment for those who suicide gank, something more than just the loss of their ship, the idea of removing the possibility completely is revolting.
Recently, the inability to collect your ship's insurance if you were killed by Concord was a great step in the right direction, but I don't think we're there yet. Gankers, can-flippers, and suicide gankers are honestly the scum of the galaxy. I do not appreciate their existence, nor their tactics. However, I think its a necessary part of the game. The reason why these people exists I'd imagine is for two primary reasons:
1. Its worth it. Something that they do, makes it ultimately worth it to suicide gank. Weather its the difference in cost between your ships (their 6mil cruiser or 400k destroyer, versus your 250mil hulk,) or if its simply to cost you money, or even if they have buddies to loot and salvage you, somehow, its worth it.
2. Its fun. They find it fun. No shame in that. Heck, I find it fun to engage in actual PvP, so I can imagine how people would find it fun to ruin someone else's day. Its cruel, unusual, and quite honestly disgusting, but these are the people who play Eve.
There is a saying among some capsuleers: "In other games they are called griefers, gankers, and jerks. In Eve Online, we call them Subscribers."
Essentially, what I'm saying about this, is that if you cant stand the heat, get out of the fire. Eve is the closest thing we have to a true space-tech future simulator we have. In many aspects it captures the ability in people to do exactly what they want. Sure it doesn't have everything. You cant truly invent new technology, you cant swap out the engine on your ship for a slightly bigger one, and you can't work out a deal with Concord to start constructing your own station in secure space, however you can cheat people, scam them, rip them off, kill them, steal their ship, hold them for ransom, mine minerals, "invent," its a true economy.
I suppose I've swapped topics around a lot, and been a bit tangential, just typing what ever comes to mind, so I'll get back to what I think should be fixed.
Low-Sec is fine. Concord's presence there is minimal, so obviously they can't come to your rescue all the time. In high-security Concord needs to step it up a notch. Can flipping should be punishable by Concord, not relying on Miners who likely don't own a PvP ship, let alone have the skills to outclass the usual Can Flipper bait and switch. What I mean by this is that there needs to be some sort of penalty or fine for trying to leave a system soon after a can-flip, or trying to dock up. You shouldn't be able to hide in safety after doing something illegal, especially not in the police station. Can flipping needs to proc a "Can-Theft" timer. During this timer the miner should have the ability to essentially flip back with no repercussions from either concord, or the flipper and his guild. An alliance needs to have the same rights against someone as a corporation, meaning that if a corporation gets permission from concord to kill someone, so does that corporation's alliance. In fact, I think that if someone can-flips someone, the can flipper should have aggression from everyone in system. In reality, if you tackle a purse thief for stealing from some old lady who you didn't know, the police aren't going to come in and beat you up. Most likely, you'll get a pat on the back, and a thank you. Quite honestly, if just the good samaratin rule was put in place, followed by the inability of a flipper to use gates and stations for fifteen minutes after a theft, it'd be more than enough to discourage flippers.
As far as Suicide Gankers go, Concord should just directly fine them. A bit of loss of security status, and a ship specifically made to be cheap and expendable is not enough of a punishment for those who would harass miners. In reality if you destroy someone's car, the police aren't going to destroy your car. There would be serious penalties, including jail time, and a lawsuit for the price to fix or replace the car (we're talking purposeful destruction, not a car accident.) You're not going to be allowed to have a buddy go through the wrecked car, and you're not going to be allowed to salvage it afterwards. Its not worth it in reality, and by no means should it be worth it in the game.
I'm not saying that Eve's laws should be completely based off of reality, because they shouldn't, but punishment appropriate for the crime is at least in due order. If I smash up your Lamborghini, the police smashing up my 1980's Astro Van is not in proportion, nor is it appropriate punishment.
