Please find in the link provided a word document discussing some potential gameplay changes for the enrichment of smuggling, cargo concealment and some specific low sec space gameplay.

It's just criminal - Smuggling 0.1b - MS Word format 2003

Link to a free piece of software: MS Word Viewer that allows you to read word documention should you not have compatible software to read or convert the document.

Or you could just copy and paste the salient points from the document into a post instead of making us download a potentially virus-infested file from a generic file hosting service...

For which any effective virus protection software would check in the download process.

Document is a few pages with a table at one point. At this stage I'll choose to keep things as is since according to the download stats a number of people have already used the process without complaint.

I agree that smuggling / black-markets are a wasted opportunity in EVE atm, so read the PDF and here's my thoughts

I like the skill based approach, it seems right that cloaking should be a pre-requisite and I like the idea that it's not 100% certain to work.

The secret compartment module is a good idea as well, although I think it should work a little differently. Consider that the more secret compartments you have on a ship, the more likely they are to be discovered by customs... so it seems backwards that having more of them would increase the chance of concealing your contraband. I suggest you have two modules, a low-slot and a mid-slot

Secret Compartment I

Low Slot module that adds x m3 of shielded storage space, either in seperate cargo hold or in your main. For each extra secret compartment after the first you receive a penalty to your concealment percentage (like a "reverse" stacking penalty), meaning that you can either transport small amounts at less risk or larger amounts at higher risk

Cargohold White Noise Emitters

A mid slot module that emits a signal similar to a cargohold full of consumer electronics. Used in conjunction with a secret compartment to conceal the 'blank' space in the cargohold that would otherwise show up on cargohold scanners. Adds x to the value of the concealment skill

Finally, I don't much like the idea of a ship that gets a bonus to concealment, as it really breaks with the immersion in the game. I mean, if a company started making trucks with hidden compartments to avoid customs, I think there'd be a pretty good chance all such trucks would get pulled in for a check. The whole idea behind smuggling is that it can't look like what it is, so IMO it should happen on all the regular ships in EVE, not some designated 'smuggler' ship.

Just my two cents,

/Yargle

Some good points.

Can you expand on the seperate cargo space model for the secret compartments. Would you see it as like having an expandable bay area that needs these modules to become active. And as such would be a new mechanic applicable to all ships that would only become applicable when these modules are applied? Would you see each module granting a fixed m3 rather than %? Care to suggest some maths to illustrate useage?

This does make sense as a custom fitted design to ships that smugglers would use and I take the criticsim that a ship designed for such purposes would stand out. I guess my purpose here was to give some incentive to use of the ship. But I guess even as a fast equivalant it would be useful. So I'd be happy to drop the dedicated role bonus if it's not deemed to be sensible. It would then be a case of how best to adjust the numbers, as I had this factored into a role for the ship as a result.

I think Eve has more than enough content to be working on without trying to add new ships, new skills, and a bunch of new items to make scavenging a new mini-profession.

I think Eve has more than enough content to be working on without trying to add new ships, new skills, and a bunch of new items to make scavenging a new mini-profession.

All that really needs to happen IMO is flag a smuggler as suspect (Crimewatch 2.0) when they jump through a gate with contraband, let players handle the rest. There's enough eager trigger fingers in Eve to handle it. Blockade runers are somewhat immune, but I am going to guess suspects can't cloak based on the feeling given from the Crimewatch talk at Fanfest, but I have no solid refrence for that, just a huntch.

Magnates, probes, kessies and which ever gal frig has the fat cargo hold, will be the most likely used, I suspect.

I like the designs with player policing becoming more relevant, but I have a feeling it isn't a solution to cover all bases or completely replace existing NPC systems is my only concern. As such for myself I want to reserve judgement on the new crimewatch mechanics after the implementation, but I do understand the relevance of what your saying and the added options for playability would be a welcome addition also.