Originally by: Brujo Loco

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After seeing all these threads on how to fix low sec, I have been seeing a common number of things people agree on. Mostly that Risk vs. Reward in Low Sec is worthless/nil and whatever variables out of that corollary might sprout. So, I have been thinking lately on this theory I dubbed "The Archipelago Theory". In RL an Archipelago is chain or cluster of islands. They are relatively close to each other and were, in ancient times, according to the needs of expansion and trade of the empires that dwelt upon them at the time, localized market hubs and centers of culture expansion. The Ancient Mediterranean and Asian Powers come to mind readily , there were also Indian/Caribbean counterparts during our history. What I have been trying to collide and conclude into a readily accesible feature for eve is this:

Envision EVE as a boundless sea, the empires as a single mega continent with rivulets, deltas and swamps. All of 0.0 will be "lawless" seas, Low sec as the space between the shores of the single mega continent and hi sec as the main body of the mega continent. Now, with sovereignity and the usual "safety" of 0.0 as long as you dont fall in NBSI mode, you can see 0.0 as the new borders of Pirate Nations gone civilized/Mercantile Trading Companies Hq's. Whatever is left in the middle is the stagnant, dangerous, lonely waters of the shores between 0.0 and Empire. What I propose is a radicalization of the Concept of the Mega Continent that exists as it is now. This fix, won't affect PVE'ers nor PVP'ers negatively (OMG IM gonna quit factor). What I envision is a sharding of the Mega continent (considered as such as you can safely use roadways that connect them all through hi sec) into smaller Islands, creating an Archipelago composed of the different Empires working as Island Nations. They would be surrounded by low sec areas, but at the core they would all be high sec. What I propose is a blurring of the homogenous feel of Empire as a single continent. If factional warfare would bring this blurring, then this idea is moot, if not, it would be at least something people might consider.

What this would create is this: Racial Empire areas will be more prevalent. Market hubs might be descentralized, mission runners/miners will still have their favorite spot to grind missions/mine available, but to travel to another Racial Empire will require the player to brave out the sea shores (wich will be rife with pirates/Empire patrols/Bounty Hunters/Mercenaries/Convoys etc.) Establishing protected trade routes can and will become a priority of the Capsuleer Community. Since all Empires will still be hi sec, trade within them will keep on flourishing and revitalize some systems, descentralizing others. No need to move agents, minerals, etc. Just create a gap, isolate the Empires (they are already on this path, so it even works within the storyline). As this state of affairs continues, a new face will theoretically crop up on the EVE Universe. We need to make use of the Sea surrounding us, calling us. The unity of the Pan Continent is fictional and hurting us conglomerating everybody in the center of the EVE Map.

This has been proven to work somehow with CVA space, as I have seen it firsthand down there. Alliances might eventually control, protect and eventually tax these routes. (just an idea).

This idea can work too as creating pockets of Hi Sec systems within Low sec with Agents for mission runners/minerals/exploration. Not everybody wants/has the time to join a specific alliance to play in low sec, this MUST be understood, hence why NPC controlled Hi sec Pockets in Low sec can work as a starter for repopulation by Industrialists, PVE'rs and Miners. (The lifeblood of EVE)

Just some thoughts, as usual , please discuss, thanx for reading

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Originally by: Royaldo

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complete win by Cornucopian!

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