Catalyst’s first post launch update has arrived, and while the patch notes look short on the surface, the impact is anything but small. The introduction of Access Control Lists for Freelance Jobs might be one of the most meaningful quality of life improvements for players who rely on contracts, intel, and covert operations to shape their corner of New Eden.
For the first time, capsuleers now control exactly who can see their posted job. It sounds simple, but the ripple effects touch everything from mercenary work to alliance level logistics planning.
Privacy becomes a real strategic tool
Up until now, posting a Freelance Job meant accepting that anyone could see it. That worked fine for generic hauling or mining tasks, but it became a real limitation for players who wanted to run sensitive operations. With ACL restrictions, the curtain finally closes.
You want to blacklist that rival alliance that keeps camping your routes. Easy.
You want a job visible only to your corporation’s trusted pilots. Done.
You want to put out a covert contract on a target without tipping them off. Now you can do it without worrying they will see the listing and run for the hills.
This single feature turns Freelance Jobs into something far more flexible. It lets groups operate with intent and secrecy, something EVE players have been doing creatively for two decades but never through this system.
Freelancing becomes a real profession
Alongside ACLs, the update brings a new Freelancing skill. The ability to accept more than three jobs at a time opens the door for players who want to turn freelance work into a dedicated playstyle.
Some will use it to become New Eden’s gig economy haulers. Others will run combat tasks, scouting jobs, or even espionage missions. By giving players a scalable framework, CCP is nudging Freelance Jobs toward becoming a core economic pillar rather than a niche utility.
Cheaper jobs means more activity
The reduced fees might not sound glamorous, but they are a quiet win for the entire ecosystem.
• Duration fees reduced by 25 percent
• Broadcasting fees cut by a third
This encourages more postings, more participation, and a lower barrier for newer players who want to dip into freelance work without worrying about the cost.
When prices go down, volume goes up. Expect to see Freelance Jobs become more populated and diverse, especially across high sec trade lanes and null sec staging regions.
The bigger picture
This update signals something important. Catalyst is not just about ships, structures, or combat updates. It is about improving the connective tissue of the sandbox. Freelance Jobs have always been promising, but they lacked the depth, privacy controls, and scalability needed to truly matter.
Now, they are inching toward what they should have been all along. A way for players to create emergent content, outsource tasks, build networks, and run covert operations without exposing their intentions to the rest of the cluster.
This is the kind of change that strengthens the game’s social dynamics. It makes trust, secrecy, and reputation matter even more. And in EVE, those are the real currencies.