[...] of Ultima Online, I’ve been engaged in a variety of discussions regarding PvP (such as this exchange on Raph Koster’s blog last February). And as a result of my various postings, some people have [...]

[...] months and months of reading blog posts and listening to thread after thread about Eve Online, I decided to break down and download the game to see what it is [...]

[...] reports on an absolutely wonderful story out of Eve Online. Quick summary: Eve has been dominated by a huge player alliance for a while now. A single [...]

[...] Koster nailed why this keeps happening in [...]

- The autopilot will happily route you through “low-sec” space (non-guard zones). If you run missions or just like to explore, this can happen quite frequently. See above; I’ve only been attacked once thus far by a solo gate-camper. I’m advised that this risk can be minimized by forgoing the autopilot and navigating manually.

FYI, when I was playing, the autopilot could be configured with various settings including “Don’t go through places with a low sec, don’t go through places where recent bad things have happened” and so on. I’d be shocked if it got taken out.

But… somewhere in the back of my mind is an essay brewing about the differing impacts of structured vs. unstructured conflict on the development of virtual societies.

Share when it’s ready, yo. I want to hear this.

- I’ve been attacked only once. The attacker hit me with an impressive alpha strike. Fortunately I had an impressive amount of armor and was able to warp out, singed but intact.

- The autopilot will happily route you through “low-sec” space (non-guard zones). If you run missions or just like to explore, this can happen quite frequently. See above; I’ve only been attacked once thus far by a solo gate-camper. I’m advised that this risk can be minimized by forgoing the autopilot and navigating manually.

- I specced for mining, and have been happily harvesting, manufacturing, and running missions. I’m not compelled to PvP (apart from remaining alert and knowing how and when to run), and the economic game is pretty engaging thus far.

- Despite strong economic and security incentives to group up, the solo path appears to be viable (assuming, once again, you’ve got no issues with running from a fight).

My not-quite-a-week assessment is that there is a resemblence to pre-Trammel UO, but spread out over a much larger area and with finer resolution to the zoning. You’ve got a good degree of control over the degree of risk that you’re comfortable with, and it seems to be well-balanced with the potential rewards. If you don’t mind rabbitting out now and then, and you’re conservative with your ship investments (i.e. don’t fly what you can’t afford to lose), this is not a terribly hostile place to be a carebear.

But… somewhere in the back of my mind is an essay brewing about the differing impacts of structured vs. unstructured conflict on the development of virtual societies. In the meantime, I’m just gonna keep on flying

The rest of you…you know not what you miss!

Yukon, I am Diametrix in EVE. Send me a message and I will assist you greatly.

So… how should I fit out my new Navitas?

“Eve Uni Prepares for Influx of New Students
KORSIKI, THE FORGE — With Eve Online’s latest expansion, Apocrypha, hitting shelves this March, students, teachers and directors alike at Eve University are ramping up their efforts to prepare for the influx of new pilots to hit the space lanes of New Eden. Assisting this push has been two months of peace and prosperity, putting the University in a prime position to deal with the rush.

We asked Kazzym, the Recruiting Manager at Eve University about the upcoming player surge. “Typically we’re dealing with 30 applications a day but with Apocrypha coming out, we’re expecting much more than that. For all those new pilots out there looking to join, come along and join the “Eve University” channel. However if nobody knows about us, and what we do to help new players, many of those pilots will quit in frustration, unable to find help. This is why we’ve been working on advertisements targeted at new pilots into Eve.” The advertisements, which have already hit EON magazine, are expected to hit Eve Online soon.

Chief among the improvements have been a continuing revamp of the mentor system by Mentor Manager Aehara. Applications developed within the University allow students to request mentors catered to their specialisation and playtime, who will guide them, one on one in their first steps into New Eden. Automation and other improvements in request handling have allowed most requests to be processed in less than a day.

For the more advanced, Wolf Vanberg has announced the opening of “Division 6″, Eve Uni’s advanced low sec training program, designed to aid older students in operating in low sec and wormhole space, whilst emphasising self reliance and small gang warfare. Response from the students has been strong and enthusiastic, and it is hoped that Division 6 will prove effective now and long into the future

Perhaps most heart-warming however, has been the support of the New Eden community. Sinqlaison, of Capital Builders Inc. has graciously agreed to donate 1 billion ISK each week, much of it going to fund those who have achieved the position of “Student”, demonstrating that even in New Eden, a world of power struggles and corporate greed, a true spirit of community can be found within its pilots. Within the Uni, newly appointed Loans Officer Calamoures is restarting a loans program sponsored by an industrial corp, NAGA with the intention to provide students the cash flow needed to get a head start in Eve.

Other help has come from unexpected places. When HPC Larry led his first fleet operation, composed of over 50 ships into the notoriously dangerous system of Rancer, and was involved in a battle with pirates, he was surprised to receive 100 million isk each from two members of the pirate corporation who will remain anonymous to protect their nefarious reputations. One explained that “Our guys were very impressed with the training Eve Uni was giving, and all the Eve Uni guys comported themselves admirably. Would fight again.”

Meanwhile the University’s 5th anniversary is rapidly approaching, and while details are under wraps, the leadership in Eve Uni surely has something special planned.

–Cazzah,
Managing Editor,
Eve University

Eve University is a non profit, neutral corp devoted to teaching new pilots in Eve Online. If you are interested in joining, or just need help and advice, join our channel “Eve University” in game.”"

Eve University is just one of many many player built enterprises that embrace the social growth and benefit that can be achieved in EVE Online.

On the other hand, I think there is a very strong point to be made about the means by which this took place. Basically, this is the equivalent of convincing a rival WoW guild officer to /gkick the roster and loot the guild bank dry. Or to stick with the football analogy, it’d be like bribing Pat’s owner Bob Kraft to fire Bill Belichick and cut Tom Brady & Randy Moss.

Is this ultimately a good thing for the game? Probably. Should they change the mechanics of the game so that this cannot happen the same way ever again? Absolutely.

Bring the noise.
Cheers……….