You can't survive at the top of your game for almost eleven years by being stagnant. Eve is a system of constant change and evolutionary forces. The smart players are constantly adapting and changing to meet those challenges. This is true at the micro and macro levels, and at every point along the journey. Few players know the truth of this more than Pirates. We're constantly looking for the slightest edge, in our fits, in our tactics, and in how we approach the game we all love.
Over a year ago I issued a very specific challenge to our members. The introduction of Uprising and the subsequent changes that brought to Factional Warfare space would forever alter the fabric of our chosen play style. And while Stay Frosty would always be the home of exceptional solo pilots, still proudly half small gang and half solo after a decade! The truth was that we needed to start evolving into a more small gang focused Corporation. A transformation that would not be easy to accomplish.
So I started by organizing regular, predictable Saturday fleets. These fleets would be used for a variety of purposes, for learning, for getting our members into ships they might not normally fly, and for building a sense of teamwork and organization we were never really all that good at in the past. Of course, we always had our moments - especially when it came to home defense. But this would be more of an institutional change. The trick would be consistency and success. Once our pilots started experiencing the difference for themselves, my hope was that it would become natural and desirable for them.
A year later and we are running two or three or more regular fleets a week. A year later and we scored the first Cybele kill in all of Eve Online. A year later and our regular gangs are becoming recognized around the neighborhood. And other players are constantly complaining about them. (Which is always a sure sign you are doing something right.) And our players are getting really, really good at flying together. Like, insanely good.
Participation is also way up and we are regularly getting to the point now where the label "small gang" might not be accurate. And friends and allies are regularly flying with us. Which is all tremendously good news for our little Pirate band. New FCs are starting to pop up and take an interest in leading groups, spontaneous fleets are forming piece meal at random times - just the other day we were hanging out and someone just handed out fitted Enyo's and we all went on a roam. (Thanks Saint!) This is exactly what I had in mind over a year ago.
Thing is, this also helps the solo play style. It gives people confidence to go out and challenge themselves, and it gives all of us a chance to get to know each other, work together, and truly grow as players.
Exciting times in Stay Frosty these days. Low Sec is busy. Lots of activity. And it has changed a lot in the last year or so. Luckily, Stay Frosty has changed with it. And we're meeting the challenges of a new world head on.
Maybe it's time you considered flying with the real Pirates of Low Sec?
YARRR!
PS: in-game channel is EVEOGANDA btw