(my $.02 on this subject- this thread seems as gud as any)
making games is like fighting in Vietnam- the simple plans work best.
independent pilot files for multiplayer simply cannot work with the time differences among the many facets of the game. a standard clock for the game would work, but then you have to deal with the idea that the game loses the whole facade of appearing real.
ideas that could work:
in a normal game, having another user act as a pilot AI for an escort- perhaps to shepheard the rest of the convoy away from a battle or act just as a fighter- should the user get killed, he could opt to be regenerated as a fighter. if the server (primary user) get killed, a fighter could pick up the escape pod or just run off with the credits and start a new pilot file, now with a resumé in his or her pilot file that includes "figher pilot for the SS Victorious from 2355-2358"
somewhat like pokémon before it, just turn the game into a massive arena stadium where people can join in Melee battles online with options like automatic regeneration, (integrated music,) asteroids, sensor interference, AI pilot type and number, time limit, etc. it would be like any other multiplayer arena game, only faster and easier to play.
make EV like battle or bungie.net- the host uses a host pilot file (e.g.- he has a crecent warship) and a guest uses a 'guest' file (e.g.- he has a cherried out UE fighter). the host advertises for escorts online, and actual players respond with demands for compensation (or free if they just want a good fight) and resumes (if they wish to have one). perhaps expand the spaceport for 2 or more escorts/fighters- add roulette, poker, keno, more slots, allow the pilots a certain 'a cut of the profits' to upgrade their personal ship files. pilots could betray their hosts, fight, break away from the group, herd other escorts, etc. missions could be as simple as completing EV base missions to as complex as rasing funding through piracy to raise an army of warships to conquer New Mira. Pilots could have a resume on their guest file to offer as proof of jobs completed honestly and efficently.
if done correctly, EV COULD become a real multi-player game.