Dear all,

Abstract: I think that VO could be more fun if the some "nondescript" systems are dropped from the universe and/or more wormholes are opened. This has been suggested before, but I have no idea what the current plans / status are?

I am a 'renewb', I played around a bit about a year ago, and now started playing again. I've yet to score my first pvp kill (or anything else than a pvp butchering), but I feel that I am starting to get to grips with VO and VO dynamics.

As far as I can tell, except for the things that can be done mostly everywhere (mining, trading, botting) there seem 3 main combat-related activities in VO:

1. hive skirmishes
2. border skirmishes
3. pvp and pirating

Now, (1) can take place in Itani, Serco, or Grey space. (2) is only really in Deneb, I think? And (3) is in grey space.

Currently, it seems (3) is probably the most popular activity, as nothing is more engaging than human vs human. As far as I've seen, there is little human activity in (1) or (2). I've participated in a bunch to up my skills, but I've only seen NPCs. Personally, I think the thrill of a MMORPG space shooter should be in larger battles, e.g. the border or hive skirmishes. PvP is nice, but we don't really need all to be online in the same universe for that.

As suggested earlier, e.g. http://www.vendetta-online.com/x/msgboard/3/19063#239540, transit time is a major problem in getting more people to participate in (1) and (2).

I would personally suggest dropping some systems from the universe. In my experience, there are three 'special' types of systems: capitals, borders, and hive-infested. I think some of the nation systems not falling in these categories could be dropped. For Itan, my "kill list" would be:

Setalli Shinas
Pherona
Artana
Divinia

A similar list could be made for Serco and maybe UIT.

This would result in a more compact universe, with smaller transit times and less tedium of flying wormhole to wormhole through 99% safe nation space. As far as I've seen, the odds of occuring another PC in nation space are extremely low, so it seems that these systems are not really doing anything, anyway?

Alternatively, instead of killing these systems, move them outside of the highway, e.g. directly connect Itan to Jallik and leave Pherona - Artana - Divinia as a detour.

Also, as suggested by the link above, adding some extra wormholes might shorten the grey - border transit times and lure more people into the skirmishes. Latos - Deneb might make most sense.

It should be quite easy to explain these changes in terms of gameplay. There is no good reason why extra wormhole cannot be discovered, possibly due to better technology.

What is the official word on universe changes? Are we all happy with the way it is?

-1 to killing off ANY systems, Itani, Serco, UIT, or Gray.

Make the universe bigger. We need new systems to explore, prospect, and fight over!