On May 6th, 2013 I made the decision to create a new Corporation called Stay Frosty. This Corporation would be based on old-fashioned ideas of solo and small gang piracy, adult responsibility, and a "no-rules" policy built on honor, fairness, and freaking common sense. Our only goal would be to undock and play Eve in whatever way we chose to do so. Without a care in the world about what other people thought about it. Our way. Without politics, drama, or bullshit.
Believe it or not, that was two years ago. On that day I was alone in this quest. But I have not been alone since that day. Since that day over 1,000 players have joined our merry band, some for a short time, some for a longer time. Sixteen different Corporations have been spawned from within our ranks, that I know about. Former Stay Frosty pilots can be found everywhere and current Stay Frosty pilots fly wherever they wish. At nearly 240 pilots strong Stay Frosty continues to grow, thrive and be incredibly active across all of New Eden. Our pilots can be found in Low Sec, Wormholes, exploring, running missions, and causing trouble in Null Space.
Our reputation for engagement is spreading far and wide. Stay Frosty brings the "good fights" and that is exactly what we want to be known for. Granted, some people see us differently - as blobbers, as pirates, as cheaters, and all the other labels I won't mention. But that is part of the story as well. We wouldn't be doing a very good job if we didn't have our haters. And goodness knows, we've had our fair share.
Yesterday I had a new member tell me they wouldn't be playing Eve if it wasn't for Stay Frosty. That is a story I hear almost every day. And if anyone wonders why I do it, why I continue to do it, it is because of players like that and the stories I hear from them. I believe the "Stay Frosty" philosophy is spreading across the universe. I hear it from people far and wide. My friends who have moved on to do their own things, each has taken a piece of that dream and made it their own. That is amazing. And incredibly encouraging.
We've exploded over 43,000 ships in the past two years. We've held three huge FFA events, participated in the NEO Tournament, and founded a thriving and amazing Alliance called A Band Apart. ABA is an entire Alliance built on the core philosophy of Stay Frosty, a large corporation of connected players each allowed the freedom to choose their own paths. Without fear.
This crazy idea really worked.
I couldn't have done it alone. I've been incredibly fortunate to have drawn amazingly talented and dedicated players to our cause over the past two years. From our leadership, Directors, Diplomats, and member corporation CEO's and Directors - all the way thru every member in every corporation. They are the ones that have worked hard, stood strong in the face of adversity, and have built this group into what it is today. I salute them all.
And what is this thing today? It still feels new to me, I find it hard to believe two years have passed, it seems like only yesterday that we were "doomed to fail". And yet, here we are. Oh sure, the whole thing could go ka-blooie any second now, but I don't think it will. In fact, I believe we've only just started to scratch the surface of our full potential. Like any new organization, our membership only continues to learn, expand, and strive for new horizons. Where will this journey take us? Only time will tell.
But I know one thing for certain. It will be awesome to be a part of it.
For those of you that don't know, Stay Frosty is an old-fashioned solo and small gang PvP Corporation (some call us Pirates) that only does one thing - we undock. We only have two rules: keep your word and don't hurt your Alliance mates. That's it. We don't believe in CTAs, alarm-clocks, participation limits, or any other stupid rules. We share loots, we have each other's backs, we warp into danger, we take on all challenges, we explode and re-ship. No one gets yelled at. No one watches the kill-board. You don't even have to be on comms, unless you want to. The only thing we ask is that you have fun playing Eve. That's it.
That is us. If you are having trouble finding that in your Eve experience then I encourage you to come join us. We always have room for you. You will have a blast.
Here is to the next two years. Where will they take us?
Let's find out.
Also check out what's going on in Lucifer's Hammer!