Despite my facetious twitter post regarding the CSM’s role in Icelandic pubs this week, I was genuinely eager to take a peek at exactly what our space votes have been getting us. We’ve been treated to a comprehensive 22 page document detailing the particulars of what was discussed at the Winter Summit this week. A quick summary of some interesting points follows.

CCP Fozzie took the lead at the start of the day with some fancy spreadsheets regarding wormhole space and a spike in activity with the release of Thera. Below I have outlined the key topics and the bits I’ve decided may be interesting. Consider it a tl;dr.

AI Behaviour

CCP outlines their new model for AI behavour:

• Scope for further development of behaviours such as podding, calling in reinforcements, warping around system, etc.
• An understanding that it is for *new* NPC’s, meaning they would wait for a finished system before making changes to existing content such as mission NPCs.
• Behaviours are being slowly introduced to allow players to come to grips with the new behaviours.
• The prospect of a “new” mission system in the works creating constant, dynamic world content as opposed to static missions was introduced.

User Interface

CCP Opened the session with a brief presentation on their goals. These are not outlined in the document.

• *Old style* window transparency can be achieved by disabling blur and setting transparency to minimum.
• A list of issues including buttons that are too small and addition of contrasting themes were discussed with specific development problems relating to how a button “can’t just be changed” and its “knock-on” effects.
• The idea of placing the “broadcast” button in a module slot was suggested.
• The idea of allowing players to create a custom UI was shot down, as CCP wishes to keep a consistent aesthetic for eve.
• Extra “control schemes” are in development which will allow EVE to be controlled through voice commands or keyboard shortcuts.
• The concept of “eye” tracking was discussed with a vague suggestion it’s a technology CCP might be looking at.
  

  New Player Experience

  The old chestnut, it seems this department is always very busy! So after a brief introduction to the recent work of the Dev team the attention of the session turned to feedback and suggestions.

• A prototype for “conversation request” to be added to the popup notification system is in development.
• An “achievement” system may possibly be implemented. This may also allow corporations to create achievements for their members.
• An idea for a “rotating corporate task” list was discussed enthusiastically.
• Route sharing via the in-game map is in development.
  

  Cinematics

  This was a Q&A session directed at the team in charge of making pretty videos. Not a lot of future development was discussed due to the nature of the team and what they do, however a couple points of note:

• “This is Eve” widely praised.
• Team is currently working on the Fanfest trailer.
• The idea of following fleets around and recording fights was received well by the team.
  

  Fanfest 2015

  This is perhaps the section I was most looking forward to reading, I may or may not be at Fanfest this year (work permitting), but I always find the stories and events fascinating. It looks like this year CCP plans on sticking with the “let the players do the talking” motif. (Following the “This is Eve” idea.)

• Registration will be open from Monday this year to cut down queue lengths and times.
• Keynote times are to be earlier to accommodate roundtables and presentations. (I still think they should cut Apothne off mid-presentation.)
• More player presented content.
• This year there will be a “testimonials” booth (*cringe*).
• Party on Top of the World will not be open to non-attendees this year. (SausageParty on top of the world returns!)
• More tickets for Fanfest have been sold than last year.
  

  Customer Support

  GM’s were given a chance to introduce themselves, and from the notes it appears nobody took the initiative to scream unintelligibly at them, so it appears this year’s CSM have enjoyed a pleasant customer service experience.

• A new beta “resource center” is being used by the team to monitor workload.
• A team that monitors the people monitoring now apparently exists to make sure things get done faster and more effectively.
• Feedback is now forwarded to developers, as opposed to the players, resulting in it being forwarded to the forums.
• A video project that shows new players how to do things is in development.
• GM inconsistencies in dealing with issues was raised and ticket waiting times but no response is outlined in the document.
• The idea of more transparency on the process of banning was well received by CCP.

So there we have it folks! CCP has done a fantastic job this year of making the minutes available so quickly, and we look forward to reading what will be discussed on Day 3. If you’d like more information on what the CSM is, who the CSM are and how to get involved, follow this link.

– Phantra