My Big Idea

Less than six months into the game, and I'm thinking about organizing a community-wide project.  Silly, I know.  But hear me out, because I think this event will help the community solidify its own vision for the game, which we can then communicate to CCP through the CSM.

What I propose is a week-long "New Eden Economic Forum."  My inspiration comes from the World Economic Forum, a gathering of world leaders to discuss world issues, and a TED conference, where you go to listen to people talk about a wide variety of topics.

In a perfect world, the NEEF (need a better acronym) would run for one week in June.  Scattered throughout the week, there would be numerous panels and discussions where Eve leaders would discuss solutions to the game's problems and a vision for its future.  Some discussions I have in mind are these:

• Small-Fleet Combat: In this panel, our experts will discuss the problems surrounding small-fleet combat today.  Once an understanding of the topic is reached, the experts will float ideas about how best to end the blob and make small-fleet PvP a viable option for small pirate gangs and large alliances alike.
• The New Sov: The current sov-holding situation encourages mega-alliances with numerous renters. What are some ways that CCP could make the entry into 0.0 a possibility for small corporations and alliances?
• Factional Warfare 2.0: Critics of CCP often point to FW as a case study of CCP's inability to iterate.  Veterans of FW will offer their opinions on how the system can be made fun and workable again.
• The Regional Trade Hub: As CCP openly admitted in a QEN, Jita has become the end-all and be-all of Eve's capitalist market.  Some have blamed the ease of logistics, others have blamed the low prices of production in Empire space.  The panel will examine the problems and propose fixes.
• Super-Duper Capitals: As many a null-sec blog laments, supercaps are the "I Win" button of fleet combat.  What can be done to make supercapitals balanced with respect to regular capitals and sub capitals?

I had a bigger list when I was dreaming this up a few nights ago, but with sleep comes forgetfulness.  Using your feedback, however, we can think up a host of other topics, especially some that are less null-sec oriented.

So I have some example topics, what would I need to make this happen?

• Forums: A gathering place is needed for the panel to hammer out discussion points as well as for the community to discuss the panels.
• Chat Program: The event will require a TS/Vent/Mumble server.  We don't need a whole server to our selves, of course, so I am sure that a willing corporation or alliance would be more than willing to give us a chat room or two.
• Website: The website should list the event's schedule and provide links to downloadable discussions for future listening.  While this could be done on a forum, I think a dedicated website would add a whole new layer of legitimacy and cleanliness to the conference.
• Participation: To make this event a success, it will require participation from all parts of the Eve community.  We'll need industrialists, PvP'ers, pirates, alliance leaders, and WH dwellers.  Moreover, the panelists should come from beyond the blogoshpere and tweetfleet; we need to reach into the game and find participants who wouldn't normally look to the community for guidance.

Here is my fantastic vision.  Any comments, suggestions, or offers for help that you have would be greatly appreciated.

Fly safe!

-Stevie