With the CSM elections coming up we have a number of candidates each with their own ideas and proposals for Eve. Many are concerned with the direction Eve has been going in while others simply advise for minimal tweaking. In the hopes of giving some non-nullsec bloc candidates a voice, EN24 interviewed Anveri Vestigo, member of Out of Focus corporation in Odin’s Call alliance.
Seraph:
Was there a particular issue that made you want to run for CSM?
Anveri:
The biggest issue right now, and the issue that caused me to run, is the stagnation of content right now.
And all of that can be linked back to several changes over the course of the previous three years.
Seraph:
Which changes specifically?
Anveri:
I think a lot of it can be attributed to both the rorqual changes and the implementation of citadels.
If Citadels are not addressed, I’m worried that Eve might stagnate completely.
Seraph:
What would you say the problems with Rorquals and Citadels are and what sort of solutions would you propose?
Anveri:
I’ll start by addressing citadels. Citadels have a lot of issues associated with them, such as: tether providing invulnerability, they’re incredibly cheap, any size can hold an infinite number of pilots and ships, and they have nothing limiting their use or the ability to “spam” them. It allows null-sec groups to become psuedo-unevictable through the ability to drop as many structures as one can afford–because there is nearly no downside to having a citadel be in low-power. It further reinforces capital proliferation in the current meta by allowing groups to stage cap fleets with little downsides or preplanning. Even a low power Raitaru can hold an entire 255 man capital fleet through tether. Citadels also allow for groups to project their power over entire regions, and neighboring regions. Groups like TEST have a “keepstar highway” that allows them to move supercapitals anywhere in their space with little to no risk.
The best ways to address these issues would be to increase the cost of structures, add incentives to attack hostile structures–because there is little incentive to do so now, to remove tethering and increase the disadvantages of low-power structures, and to add a cap to the amount of structures in a region/constellation/system. These solutions would be a good first step to address the issues that have arisen from the implementation of citadels.
Rorquals, while easily multiboxed, are extremely expensive investments. Coupled with how well they tank and the amount of isk they made, if players wanted to make more, safe isk, they would have to join larger groups with the supercapital umbrellas which can defend them.
This has led to the decline of smaller nullsec alliances, many of whom have folded into larger groups such as TEST, Fraternity, and Goonswarm.
The best way to address the issues here would be to add nerfs to cynos and the addressed citadel changes above. By decreasing the ability for larger groups to project their power, we would see a rise in smaller alliances and more activity in nullsec as a whole.
Cynos can be addressed in one of several ways: the Mobile Cyno Inhibitor could be made to anchor immediately after dropping, or it could deactivate active cynos (or both), or a new ship-class could be introduced to act as Mobile Cyno Inhibitor (like a HIC is a mobile warp disruptor bubble). Any of these solutions, or even a mixture of them all, would be a massive buff to small gang warfare, as well as disrupting the ability for larger groups to project their supercapital fleets anywhere in a region with little to no notice.
Seraph:
A lot of people have made many of the same points. These issues aren’t unknown. Why do you think they haven’t been addressed?
Anveri:
I think in the current CSM we see a lot of representatives from groups that benefit from the current meta and status quo. As such they have little to no incentive to act against it to create lasting change. I can only hope that we, in CSM14, can move to address the issues for the betterment of all players.
Seraph:
A lot of candidates have very grandiose ideas of what needs to be done. Unfortunately things always work a lot slower than we would all hope for. Realistically speaking even if you got elected you could only hope to accomplish some of the things you would want. If you could only pick one major change to work on what would it be and why?
Anveri:
Of course. That’s one of the downsides of the CSM–we don’t necessarily get to achieve all that we want to. However, that is something we must come to terms with. Something that I’ll be pushing for, because it affects all facets of EVE, is to focus on Citadels and bringing them into a sense of balance. I feel that if Citadels are addressed, then a lot of other problems in EVE will slowly be fixed because Citadels are at the root of many issues.
Seraph:
How do you think your experiences and accomplishments have prepared you for this job?
Anveri:
I’ve had the privilege to experience nearly everything in EVE, from FCing large fleets to participating in the Alliance Tournament. All of that has led me here. Since I started playing full time in 2011, I’ve tried to learn everything there is to learn about the game. I feel that I’ve finally been able to reach that point and I want to use my knowledge and experience in order to better the game–not only for myself, but for everyone.
Seraph:
What do you think is one of your weaknesses as a candidate and how do you plan on filling that gap of knowledge?
Anveri:
My biggest weakness would be my lack of knowledge regarding low-sec and the finer details of high-class wormholes. However, I plan to fill that knowledge by working closely with those who do and making sure I’m capable of representing all proponents of small-gang warfare.
Seraph:
Small gang warfare? I see you’re a man of culture as well. What do you say to those people who say “who cares about small gang? Its big battles and big wars that get people playing this game!”
Anveri:
While I understand some people enjoy the larger battles and wars, right now there is little incentive to actually fight. Between an insane number of citadels, a stupid amount of necessary man hours to clear a single constellation, how replaceable ships are, and the zero incentive to kill structures, we’re not seeing a lot of big fights either. In order to promote small gang and large scale warfare, we need to look at ways we can apply nerfs to citadels and power projection, to allow for groups to have reasons to fight and for smaller groups to have a chance.
I can only hope that by focusing on and encouraging small gang warfare, more and more people will be willing to take part. I know for myself, some of the most fun I’ve had in EVE has been in small gang engagements. From flying with a couple of my buddies to flying in the AT, I love it all–and I want everyone to have a chance to experience it.
Anveri Vestigo’s CSM page and contact info can be found below.
https://community.eveonline.com/community/csm/candidate?id=10335604
