PI affecting battles has already been confirmed, as for Civiies i feel as though they'd be more distracting than interesting, also couple of problems with Civies.

-In a Eve no one really cares about Civies, starship pilots are the upper .001% of the population economically, and they have nearly all the money.

-I'd expect Civies to get as far away from useful infrastructure as quickly as they can the moment they see a warbarge in orbit.

-Having Civies in combat would produce unholy amounts of Lag.

I like the idea of secondary objectives, but as is, they're already part of the game-taking out a dropship, tank, or command node might be as useful in game as capturing a null cannon. Also we're paid to fight a battle not go off on our own and hunt for treasure, although I do hope for some PVE or PVP that does not involve conquest and involves instead fighting drones and other players for useful and rare salvage.

I would see it extending even into the ideas of capture points that provide additional buffs in battle as well. Things like supply depots that provide 10% buff to ammo capacity. Or factory that improves infantry weapon damage by 5%. An Engineering bay that increases armor by 10% A webbing battery that reduced infantry speed in a large radius around it.

These things could even be installations you bring down onto the battlefield, but can be hacked/captured by the enemy.

There are plenty of RTS games that provide a mechanic similar to this. In where a gold mine or relic provides a substantial boost to your production.

Treasure hunting could involve rare BPOs.......and who doesnt want more BPOs

Its the small things like that can influence a battle in either direction.

The civiallians provide game mode possibilities

Basic example - On a controlled or contested planet where player owned PI is maintained. Defending team has to defend the AI Civilians throughout the facilities. Attacking team will attempt to kill them, having a time limit (of how long their MCC can maintain immediate contact within the planet to provide clone support), and have a limited number of clones to achieve the goal.

I like the Ideas. With that said I think the Canon of the game states that civilians do not want to go anywhere near capsuleer structures. We tend to pacify the local population to make room for our command centers.

Couple things.

-The PI structures I thought were all automated? Or perhaps mostly automated.

- I hope to see capsuleer build fortresses that Dust players can fight to defend or take.

-Marcus Stormfire

Though I hadn't considered your last two points, I don't see the relevance of your first. I never implied they were important, just worth money. Plus the added complexity makes things more interesting.

Taking out vehicles would be useful in game, but you're thinking too small. By secondary objectives, I meant goals not immediately useful to victory in a match. Rather, achieving these goals affects the bigger picture of galactic combat. By stealing these items, you have taken a valuable item from that enemy and deprived him of a powerful buff in one stroke.

As for the whole 'we're not being paid to go treasure hunting' thing, I suggest you read up on the real life history of mercs in the 20th century. Especially their first appearance in the 1960's Congo. Profit is the name of the game, killing people is just a bonus.

Also this could be it's own game mode, mercs, wandering the battlefield trying to keep a low profile while seeking out valuables while the opposing team hunts them.