CSM Update #2

Seriously, I need a CSM News logo. Anyone?

Hello again. The last week and change has been fairly busy so I'll just list out some of the stuff that's been going on.

First CSM Voice Meeting (14 April, 2012)

I used my amazingly awesome power as Chairman to call for our first 'official' meeting which we conducted this past Saturday. The meeting was very focused and lasted just over an hour. In between a few random deviations, the main topics we discussed were:

• How is everyone settling in? Hi, my name is...
• Future CSM ‘Town Hall Meeting’ format
• Initial June Summit priorities (things we want specific meetings with the Devs about)
• We came up with five, which we will refine and then list officially closer to summit time
• Potential CSM White Paper changes

As the meeting closed, Two Step set up a 'TitanPad' account that allows everyone on the CSM to coordinate our communications and keep notes on important daily issues we want everyone to be aware of. It should also provide a way to help keep a record of our work as the term goes forward.

Three Big Questions

1.) It seems that the new marketing guy (CMO David Reid) actually *gets* EVE and no longer will you have a marketing dept wanting to highlight/develop EVE in a WoW-like manner to get the subscriptions rolling in; i.e., EVE is a hardcore game for hardcore gamers. What is your personal take on this guy and also on the marketing steer he is applying?

I have no idea if he knows the difference between a Brutix and a Hurricane, but he makes me want to play EVE. Before FanFest, all I had seen of the guy were a few videos about DUST where he seemed to be just yammering on and saying buzz word type stuff. When I saw him onstage at FanFest though... what can I say? The guy had an infectious energy about him that really surprised me. I like the style he seems to be throwing onto EVE's marketing but it's still too early to see how that is going to translate into what it means for the game's overall image.

2.) What about Jon Lander (CCP Unifex / EVE Online Senior Producer)?  He comes across as immensely competent and approachable. I get the impression he wants future expansions to have large game play elements which showcase SPACESHIP development but he'll also invest in the long term future of EVE too - revisiting the code base and improving it, one year on DX11 to have uber-details spaceships, etc... Is this impression accurate?

Jon Lander is a fucking boss, and not just in the internet meme sense of the words. I had very vague memories of him from right before I left the company a couple years (wow, that long??) ago but his appointment as Sr. Producer was a surprise for a few reasons. First of all, he's not Icelandic. Even he acknowledges the import and significance of that fact. He comes from a previous professional background; he didn't just grow up in CCP and get promoted because he was a cool bro. He actually plays the game. He's active ~somewhere~ in null sec and he also understands industry and the economic underpinnings of EVE. What he is unsure about, he asks after with a focus that lets you know your words won't be wasted. If you can catch him, he's very easy to talk to and doesn't mind answering questions. At the December CSM summit and again at FanFest, I got a chance to talk to him extensively and I'm really happy that this guy is leading the charge in EVE now.

3.) One of the important roles the CSM fills is filtered feedback to CCP from the players about their game, but are CSM members happy about the way they get feedback from the players? Are your Evemail inboxes considered a wasteland of unread messages? Do you want to hear about My Pet Idea for mining veldspar? Who do I complain to about the latest dev blog on ship balancing? Are you inclined to reply: "Make a thread in Jita Park about it" to half the inquiries you get? Are you satisfied with your current methodologies for guaging player reactions to EVE?

In terms of direct contact, I consider EVE Mail to be one of the best ways to contact ME about a particular issue. Sometimes it's a simple HEY!! with a link to an idea somewhere. Other times it is deeper than that. I try to reply to most EVE Mails I get, especially those which are well presented and have a solid initiative behind them. As far as who to contact? There are thirteen of us and you might find more traction with someone who you feel is more familiar with your particular issue. However, if you're not familiar with the particular members, myself or any of the elected Council 'Officers' are solid and will make sure concerns are passed on to the others.

On the Web

Hans Jagerblitzen wrote up a really good blog summarizing his point of view of his first week 'on the job'. It's well worth your time and covers a lot of ground for those interested in a bit more detail about what's going on with us: Hans: WEEK ONE

Lost In EVE has done another 'epic' podcast, this one clocking in at nearly four hours. While always fun to listen to, around 31m in, Alekseyev Karrde shows up and talks for a while about ~everything~. Then, around 1h 46m, they got a hold of me (literally right after I woke up) and we did a lot of Q&A for nearly an hour. It's a good show, so have a listen! Lost in Eve – Episode 73

Tactical Entertainment Network (TEN) has been working overtime to get in touch with and do voice interviews with all of the CSM 7 members. From what I've been told, they've gotten positive responses from a majority of the delegates and will be airing the interviews as they are completed.  So far, this is the list:

• TEN EVEning News HOT DROP! Interview with CSM Chairman Seleene!
• TEN EVEning News 4/9/12 “Interview with CSM Delegate Alekseyev Karrde”

Mike Azariah sent out a series of questions to all the CSM delegates and got responses from several. Interesting format and lots of good answers: Chatting with the Council CSM