Welcome to Part Four of a series in which I will attempt to explain why everyone who enjoys gaming, should play Eve Online. And by "play" Eve Online I mean join up, log on, and have fun playing the most amazing virtual/real universe ever conceived by man. With spaceships in it!
Part One: The Common Thread
Part Two: Actual Real Humans
Part Three: The Big Lie!
Part Four: Spaceships
So far in this amazing series we've explored several unique and wonderful aspects of the incredible thing that is Eve Online. We've seen that it is a large and vibrant universe that happens on one single shared server. That hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world play it together in a continuous thread of history, built every day by the players themselves. We've also learned that when it comes to the players, the company and the community, Eve Online is stuffed full of actual human beings. And that, despite the horrible rumors, Eve Online is really very easy to play. And that learning isn't on a curve, it just simply never ends. Which isn't all that different from real life when you stop and think about it.
All of that is pretty darn cool. But it pales in comparison to the primary reason anyone should be playing Eve Online! Oh yes, believe it or not, you get to fly spaceships in Eve!
"But Rixx", I can hear some of you saying, "Flying spaceships in a video game isn't unique." And you are right, of course it isn't. By the way, you have a strange need for uniqueness. Flying spaceships in video games goes way, way back. Asteroids anyone? It isn't that the feature of flying spaceships is unique to Eve, it isn't, it is the sheer application of flying spaceships that is uniquely Eve.
And when it comes to spaceships Eve is jam-packed with the buggers. And they keep adding more and more to an already extensive line-up of Mining Barges, Transports, Blockade Runners, Frigates, Assault Frigates, Pirate Ships, Navy Ships, Cruisers, Strategic Cruisers, Heavy Assault Cruisers, Interceptors, Electronic Attack Frigates, Stealth Bombers, Battleships, Black Ops, Interdictors, Carriers, all the way up to city-sized headline grabbing Titans. And much, much more. When it comes to spaceship porn, Eve has two eyes full.
In fact, almost everything you do in Eve revolves around spaceships. This has been a bone of contention at various points in Eve's storied history. At some points in the past, efforts have been made to move away from this spaceship centric focus, with horrible results. If we've learned anything from those moments, it is that Eve continues to remain a spaceship focused game. And will continue to do so well into the future.
Which is excellent news. Spaceship focus means more focus on spaceships. And Eve continues to create, modify and expand that focus. Which has made extremely wonderful leaps and bounds over the past three years because of that focus. Spaceships are better now than at any previous time in Eve's eleven year history. Fact.
I had never even heard of Eve before I saw it for the first time. I watched as a large ship turned slowly in its hangar that first time. Watched as it undocked from a massive station and the camera slowly turned to reveal the vastness of space. A shiver ran down my spine and I walked directly to my computer and downloaded Eve. I haven't stopped playing since. And each and every time I undock from a station, I still get that feeling.
We tend to take a lot for granted these days. Maybe my perspective is different than yours. Or maybe we share the same essential sense of wonder. Either way, it is difficult to not appreciate the sheer amazing wonder that is an immersive, global, shared 3d gaming environment that features such incredible beauty as the universe of Eve Online has created. And displays for us to enjoy. And experience. Together.
I personally want to invite you to join me in space. To give Eve Online a try. To add your story to the tapestry of Eve's history, or to simply fly and have fun. It doesn't take a huge commitment, an hour here, an hour there. Whatever you have time for in your busy schedule. Last evening I logged on for twenty minutes, because that was all I had.
If this is your first time trying Eve, I want to give you some ideas to help you along. There are organizations in Eve that are ready and willing to help new players. So many, that I cannot list them all, but here are a few.
A Beginner's Guide to Eve Online
Eve University
Brave Newbies
Dreddit
Stay Frosty
Again, only a few of the hundreds of resources available to any new player. Or simply log in and get started on your own path, with your own friends, or all alone in a brave adventure.
I hope to see you in space.