Since its inception a year ago, EVE Online’s player-led government, the Council of Stellar Management or CSM, has worked hand-in-hand with CCP to shape EVE Online’s development. Now approaching its third election (May 29), the first representative virtual democracy has significantly streamlined navigation and improved gameplay experience in EVE Online. The CSM’s notable achievements to date include:

* Better weapons – the CSM improved the effectiveness of weapons for more explosive player-versus-player battles
* More ships – the CSM gave rise to an all new class of small freighter ships, the Orca, which filled a much needed hole for players [would you be able to offer a bit of clarification in terms of what that hole was?]
* Easier ship customization – the CSM improved the UI based on EVE players’ feedback about how ships are customized
* More efficient skill acquisition – the CSM added one of the most requested features in EVE – the skill cue, which allows players to level up their characters faster and more effectively

With the Council’s elections around the corner, please let me know if you would be interested in speaking to a CSM player-elected official about6+- his / her experience as a Council member or a CCP executive about the reasoning behind and success of EVE’s unique player-developer communications conduit.