Low-Sec: Pirate Factions

I was starting to comment on Rixx's post regarding pirate factions in low-sec, and it got so long, I decided that I might as well make a post of my own about it.

The ability to join Pirate Factions is an idea that has been tossed around for years. I've heard a number of variations ranging from Faction War-like setups, to something more casual.

In Rixx's implementation, eligibility to join these pirate Factions would be directly correlated to security status. Furthermore, these faction groups would be at war with the current four factions of Faction War.

While I generally like the idea of being able to join other factions in EVE besides the four you can join currently, I have a few issues with this particular implementation:

1. Being a pirate is not the same as being an outlaw, even though in general conversation we might interchange the terminology. Out suspect timers, criminal flags, and all the mechanics surrounding why and how we lose security status has absolutely nothing to do with the pirate factions of EVE.

2. NPC Pirate factions is not currently a 'low-sec' thing. The only aspect that kind of makes it seem like a low-sec thing is the correlation that was made between outlaws (who generally live in low-sec) and piracy. A correlation which is incorrect.

NPC Pirate factions actually have strong ties to NPC null-sec, with 'bases' in places like Fountain and Curse. Furthermore, you can already run pirate missions out in NPC null-sec for NPC Pirate LP to purchase a variety of NPC pirate items and ships.

I'm not sure it really even makes sense to think of NPC pirate groups as a low-sec mechanic, in general.

3. Pitting all the pirates against all the factions has some rather problematic storyline and player driven content issues:

-It doesn't necessarily make sense in the Lore of these factions to be at 'war' with all four Faction War factions.

-There is a substantial group of 'pirates' (outlaws) in Faction War who have a culture all of their own. There are definite undertones of 'renegade' militia, black sheep sorts, and anti-pirates, etc. There is occasionally friction between these groups, and the very real feeling of a 'fractured' militia at times.

The point being, CCP defining piracy in these sorts of political terms would trample all over player generated content in ways you can't really understand unless you are in militia. :)

4. As Rixx states openly in his post, this implementation really doesn't open the door to any new sort of gameplay. In fact, anything and everything you would gain from doing this is already attainable.

You can already join a faction, be a bad outlaw, and get LP for killing stuff. You can already kill militia in plexes. Heck, you can kill your own militia if you have alts to keep your corp's standings up. ;)

In many ways, I feel like this is a suggestion to provide a way for people to get all the benefits of FW without the stigma. Because ew, why would an elite pirate want to join a Faction War militia? They are silly noobs.


In conclusion, I think that there are probably other ways we can invigorate and improve low-sec without redefining current mechanics and lore.