Empyrean Age designed to make PvP more accessible
Ten Ton Hammer spoke with EVE Online developer Matt Woodward about the features of and the design philosophy behind the Empyrean Age expansion, which is set to go live in just a few hours.
Naturally, the entire conversation focused on the new factional warfare system. Woodward explained that CCP hopes factional warfare will lower the barrier for entry into the PvP side of the EVE experience. Up till now, the transition from low sec mission running and mining to high sec PvP conflict has been intimidating to many players, in part because they might face opponents whose skills and ships far outclass their own. Factional warfare, which for the most part matches participants up against opponents at a similar level of advancement, will make it easier to transition between the two gameplay modes.
Woodward also noted that regardless of what you do in factional warfare, you'll still be able to dock at any faction's station (in cases where you would otherwise), although the NPC navy ships of opposing factions will engage you in high sec space. Fighting back will have no impact on your security rating, though.
