Warning massive rant.

First off, aside from some buggy gameplay mechanics of Dust514 an being a console title. The one and only thing that made me avoid it all together, was a simple fact. It was a console designed shooter and the scale of gameplay was far too focused on arena style with limited player capacity. Been there played it death competitively for years, there are many older titles (already established ones) that do that small scale squad v squad scale very well.

What isn't available to players is large scale conflict with multi-tiered conquest control/objective required teamwork oriented sci-fi FPS titles bordering on MMO scale. Arma does well in it's modern conflict scale as does the BF series. Planetside 2 was a promising hope (especially if it had the conquer an command depth element of the original, which it doesn't) . SOE massively dropped the ball on that title since it's launch 3 years ago.

I would love to see Project Nova delve into that scale, maybe not that massive but something beyond the current arena box shooters running around (COD/BF/Halo etc)

I am semi-glad to hear that they're focusing the core mechanics to enable a tight responsive gameplay for a visceral shooter mechanic/feel. It definitely needs to have a tempo that is comparable to BF4, an far away from the speed of TTK found in other games such as COD, UT2K, Doom etc..

I was really looking forward to project Legions massive list of tantalizing depth. Understandable though that not all of that could be delivered quickly in one seamless weave with the EvE Uni.

So Arena style shooter small scale depth 5v5 up to 12v12. Competitive tier as well operational theatre elements. Gives the hardcore jarheads something to step off about an be proud of.. 5 year running champion of the Amarr tactical DM trophy.. etc.



Points of Note

Customization - A must for any game tethered to an MMO both cosmetically an mechanic wise(just like in EvE).

I hope the team working on Nova, are looking at many different FPS titles not necessarily to emulate them as more to elements that offer players a depth of customization to both their gameplay an styles of combat as well, depth of visual. Blacklight Retribution is a great title for modular weapon customization, every step offering pro's and con's, yet allowing players to both visually design their preferred weapon choices as well their handling. While the bodyarmor system has customization, it's not as deep as the gun smithing.

Multiplayer While I understand the game will be starting out more focal in scale, most likely some sort of arena style system, example 5v5 or 8v8. It's a great way to get the core mechanics established, yet I hope it's not the standard. Variety of scale and operation should be a large part of how this title should interact with the EvE uni. Mercenary tactical operations being contracted should be size based on the depth of the contract. Example, knocking out a relay system on an orbital outpost or critical system on board a capital ship/Titan, ideally small scale firefights akin to a boarding action. From 5v5 up to 16v16 in scale. Some larger tactical operation like boarding a Citadel, or assault on planetary assets should incorporate a larger MP operation (my ideal vision would be 32v32, 64v64 and 128v128 or bigger). I'm fairly sure the larger the scale.. the larger the exodus of players from the "dying" planetside 2 would be to come to EvE and thrive.

Crafting Perhaps not at the start, yet with a vision to emulate/interact with the EvE universe. Should have their own industry, R + D with manufacturing and economic aspects. Market economies and crafting give players more immersion an sense of inclusion in most any MMO, especially if it's a deep design. Only makes sense, especially if the title is going to interact with the EvE uni (if it's not.. then what's the point?) which brings me to another point.

PVE Just like EvE, players have the freedom to chose to involve in the PvP aspect.. or steer strictly to PvE never truly avoiding PvP, but simply skirting around it. Having a PvE element caters the game design to include all players, allowing them to pick an choose where and what they desire to invest in the game title(s). Would be neat if the PvE element was something similar in lines to how The Division handles PvE, having a hybrid system of PvE instance that can also draw in PvPers to ambush or work against. Much like the current EvE system players can PVE to their hearts content.. but never truly safe n secure as a malicious player can aggressively hunt for them an possibly drop in.

Make PvE operations against rogue AI machines, pirate operations, smugglers, criminal elements and rival faction military personnel/operations. A great way to find specific modules, components or materials for the crafting system, or simply as gear to augment their soldier, clan or merc unit members.