If you have been reading this blog from time to time, then you know that I probably fit more into the Sci-Fi-guy kind of category. I like space, a lot. When I look up to the stars, I always have the feeling that there’s something more. To life and everything. In the end of the day – we come from the stars, we go to the stars. Or so I’d like to think.
A long while ago I have already posted about a game I always wanted to actively play, and this game is known as EVE Online. So last weekend, I have gotten around to get myself a paid account (after my trial had looong expired) – and started playing the game. Again. Apparently there have been many changes, the “Quantum Rise” patch, which also is the 10th expansion to the game, added some more juicy graphics and improved the overall performance.
A Stargate – a massive faster-than-light transportation relay that allows for travel between the star systems
What is EVE Online? Well technically it’s a MMOG – much like World Of Warcraft. Except it has been around a few more years. However the difference lies in the complexity and diversity of the game and the persistent world. For starters, it is the largest fictional universe the world has ever seen. All takes place in a part of the universe that spans some thousand lightyears, and probably a few hundred star systems. Each system has a name, and is very detailed. Similar to WoW though is the concept of guilds – which in EVE is called Corporations. A player can try it solo of course, be on his own. However at some stage it makes sense to be in a corp. It is a universe full of pirates and corruption, but also full of peaceful people. The game is complex enough for it to have its own stock market. NASDAQ like. That’s right folks, there is a stock market in-game.
So what’s the story of the game?
Taking place 21,000 years in the future, the fictional background story of Eve Online explains that long ago humankind, having used up most of Earth’s resources, began colonizing the rest of the Milky Way. Eventually, humans expanded to most of the galaxy. Resources became contested and war broke out. When a natural wormhole was discovered, dozens of colonies were seeded at its other end, in an unexplored galaxy dubbed ‘New Eden’. An artificial wormhole generator was built to support the collapsing wormhole. When the natural wormhole collapsed, however, it destroyed the generator with it. Cut off from Earth and its much-needed supplies, New Eden’s colonists starved in the millions. Five known colonies managed to return to prominence, eventually rebuilding society together. These colonies make up the five major empires in Eve: the Amarr Empire, the Gallente Federation, the Minmatar Republic, the Caldari State and the Jove Empire. All but the Jove Empire are playable; CCP said that they intend to use the race within the Eve storyline.
And the wormhole was called EVE.
I wonder how long it took to build this – whatever it is
So after having played the game for a few days since Saturday now, and having found a Corporation with a nice group of people, I have to say that I am deeply impressed with the diversity, the complexity. In time, several other websites beside the official one have emerged, made by players, for players. Sites for example that offer detailed maps of the EVE universe. Or where you can find storyline agents. Other pages work as a news network. And then there are course the Corporation websites, on which you can find information about them. Also it is important to understand that since these are corporations, as in corporations, you just don’t waltz into one of them and you just work with them. It’s not like that. Most of them have very specific application processes and have certain requirements. These can be skills, or reputation standings – or both. Much like in real-life. That does not necessarily mean you are unemployed – you can always carry out missions. However, most of the fun lies in being with a Corporation, which gives you much greater possibilities. Plus, you get to know people. In the end they are players, and sit at their homes.
The currency in-game is called the ISK – Interstellar Kredit. The more coin you have, the better – obviously. The more ISK you have, the more things you can buy. Which is inevitable… you have to buy stuff. Like items. Skills. You can buy shares of corps. At a later stage you will have to buy entire ships, and equip them. With items and technology you either buy or invent yourself (inventions in turn require blueprints and the materials outlined on those blueprints – and blueprints, in turn, you can buy on the market). Long story short: the more coin you have, the better. Spend it wisely though.
Target destroyed sir! Set a course for the next Stargate
If you wanna get a feel for how big the entire EVE universe beyond New Eden really is, check this out – it is the latest political map (yes, political) of the EVE universe. Each white dot represents a star system with its planets, moons and stations. The lines to and from those systems represent the routes you can travel on with the help of the Stargates, massive transportation and faster-than-light relays.
So… all in all, if you want to escape your normal day to day life and want to explore another amazing world, and if you have no problem in paying for it, then EVE is for you. Its complexity and diversity will blow you away for sure, you are gonna find nice new people, possibly new friends when playing the game. If you’re unsure about paying, you can still download the full game and fly free for two weeks – to give you a taste. If you like Sci-fi, you will have great great fun playing this.
Course laid in. Warping to Stargate.
And this is EVE.
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