Last week we discussed the development of EVE's ship progression, and it's partial design of end-game content for it's subscribers. As a change from that, I wished to highlight a few services that have become available to those playing the game that may/may not have an impact on all players. They definitely help out if you play EVE for a while, and I've never seen a singular resource guide that lists them all and their benefits.
EVEMon
This tool allows you to take your API (The behind-the-scenes data that identifies your character and it's abilities inside of EVE) and view it on your computer. It allows you to make and save training plans so you can easily resume a learning course to fly the ship you want or be able to use a specific module. And you can view how your training is progressing without actually logging-in to the game.
EFT
Similar to how EVEMon uses your API data to manage your character, EFT uses your API data as well. However, rather than skill management, EFT actually emulates in-game ship values and allows you to fit any module in the game using your own skills. It's incredibly useful for it's ability to give insight in the pros and cons of using one type of fitting versus another, as it shows details of damage output, resistance percentages, and passive abilities.
Latest
This developer-produced map displays the entire EVE universe, broken up into Sovereignty claims and currently escalating war status. It is constantly updated, and is very handy at quickly viewing who owns what part of space you might be considering flying through.
InEVE
This website allows users to submit their API data and hosts it as a searchable listing. Characters can use their data in website form to show their skills to others via website hosting. Some very minor false API data shows some characters having skills they actually don't, but this is restricted to players who have modified their API themselves. There is an option to have your API verified from CCP directly, and players who choose to do so receive an 'API Verified' logo across their portrait. This website sees most use from players wishing to auction their characters through CCP's Character forums, but is also very useful for locating particular pilot abilities if you're about to go up against him in PVP (a much under appreciated feature, see if their abilities match yours quickly and conveniently).
EVE-Survival
An EVE-wiki dedicated to listing mission complexes found through agents. It stands apart from other similar guides by having clear and concise images with walk-through's for some of the harder missions, as well as variants for level difficulty and npc location depending on who you receive the mission from. I've only found 1 mission not listed here, but it's updated by users who do the missions, so hopefully it will always have your mission listed.
EVE-Avatars
A well known but somewhat exclusive service, your in-game avatar is transformed into a moving, expressive animated .gif. Unlike the rest of the services posted, this one costs 20 million in-game currency (ISK), but it's well worth it for the surprising results.
BIG Lottery
EVE has had several Lotto services in it's history, but one has outshone all others for it's size, duration, and widespread participation. The BIG lottery has been a part of EVE since the very beginning. Billions of ISK have been paid out to winners, ticket costs are very inexpensive, and it's entirely in-game viewable via the in-game web browser.
EVEMaps
By far the highest quality maps of the EVE Universe. Easy to view, simple key guides to system data, and printable. Free to download and easy to search are the real high points of this service. Definitely worth a look.
These are the services that can help the average player excel into an advanced player. The information is easy to grasp, and all of these are either free or well priced for their value. I recommend all of these for the EVE enthusiast, and if nothing else, they are defiantly worth a look!
20080714
20080707
Fresh Start
As of today, the direction of this blog is going to be changing. rather than produce narrative of my eve career (which is more often than not boring to all hell, nothing significant, and/or depressing) I will be engaging in several conversations into the developing game mechanics behind the EVE- Online game, and how it can be improved.
I plan on having several open debates with guest speakers which will be posted here, as well as promote the positive change of a game that many enjoy and have been faithful with over years of patronage.
To begin, my initial blog will illustrate the general deficiencies inherent with the mechanics. These are both constructive and hated. In these orations, I will attempt to resist the easy vice of involving personal interest into the considered changes.
-
Day 1
POS Warfare - Or how I learned to stop worrying and love the Server lag.
EVE - Online is first and foremost: a game of Internet spaceships. Your progression in the game is rewarded with an increasing proficiency, selection, and ability increase of these spaceships. It was not until recently that any consideration to actual representations of the player were taken into consideration (See: EVE patch, Ambulation). Did you know EVE is actually based on a prior game, developed in 1984 for the Amiga? (Elite). All there was to offer was spaceships, places for spaceships to dock, and talk with other spaceship owners. Things for spaceships to do is the entire content of the game.
That's what we love about it. You fly around, there are pretty graphics. It's a rewarding experience if you're into that kind of thing. Somewhere along the way of being a spaceship simulator, it breaks down into several meta games involving small encounters with others. Then it involves the destruction of each other's entire assets and efforts. Since no one can have an unfair advantage (CCP is dedicated to providing vibrant, compelling products that transcend the boundaries of conventional MMOGs and facilitate social networking through virtual worlds.), The Universe is stuck in a perilous state of mutual dissatisfaction of no singular successor organization dominating it's social scene. To illustrate more clearly:
In the past, measures were taken by the developers to benefit a participating party of EVE, namely BoB. It was front-page tabloid news at the time, and ultimately it did little to change the outcomes of who hates who. What it did illustrate, more to the point, was that CCP directly or indirectly, are interested in influencing their 'open-universe' virtual world to produce a creation as they so choose. Mind you, the reporting party was subsequently Banned from ever participating in the EVE - Online universe again for breaking their EULA (honesty doesn't pay).
(See: http://myeve.eve-online.com/devblog.asp?a=blog&bid=424)
And why shouldn't they? If we look at one of their widely accepted failures, it would make perfect sense. EVE exists internationally on a single server, known as Tranquility. There are other servers, but the majority of game play exists on just this one shared Universe. China had a widely anticipated server launched specifically for it, Serenity. 20,000 people had signed up of it's Beta in China for it on day 1. 30,000 people active and playing in the first month (compared to similar figures on the International server). Then within two years, it's population is dwindled to 3,000 - 4,000 at any given time. So what happened?
Basically, All of the game's conquerable content was obtained by a single entity. Without conflict, opportunity for personal triumph against an all-powerful governing body became non-existant. Enthusiasm waned, several in-game mechanics failed, and the combination of deployment fault and game mechanic balance spelled the end.
(see: http://myeve.eve-online.com/ingameboard.asp?a=topic&threadID=594374)
So what did CCP do during this event to prevent it from occurring on it's much more profitable and popular International server, and why do we find ourselves in the mildly-unhappy state we are in? Simply put, CCP returned to it's game play premise that every player has a chance for optimistic growth, or at least a reason to drop the $14.95 coin in the slot for another month. From CCP's own introduction guide:
Sounds great, right? Where is the enlistment office? This is known as excessive publicity in a favorable manner. It is not necessarily accurate. It does reinforce the concept that anyone, regardless of ability or time spent, can achieve the same as any other person. Democracy sucks. The player base of EVE - Online spoke up to this point, mentioning that they should be treated specially. That without them, CCP had no subscriptions and would be doomed for failure. CCP listened.
December 16, 2005. Exodus: Red Moon Rising - The game saw the introduction of Capital ships. Vessels that took months of production time. Invested player fortunes some could never hope to earn. And the unanimously agreed upon shift in focus away from player versus player combat to Player Group versus Player Group involving Player Owned Stations.
--
To return full circle, let me return to the thesis of this timeline. EVE is a game about flying Internet spaceships. One of if not the most enjoyable aspect of these spaceships is their ability to blow each other up. Bigger and more expensive ships have to be good, right? That's what all of the veterans asked for. It's what the developers planned to introduce from day 1. Here's where the problem with Capitals, POS's, and Sovereign Warfare come into play:
Due to limitations of technical design, the current python language that serves as the backbone for the EVE - Online universe cannot handle multiple-user interaction beyond approximately 200-400 clients on the same node (part of space) unless this population is a constant number on a daily basis. Encounters of the magnitude commonly associated with these vessels requires tens, if not hundreds, of coordinated ships to counter engage them. This means that the physical ability to participate by it's players with the content is restricted. These ships, while designed to serve a function, restrict actual game play.
Here's the interesting part: Half of them are not functional whatsoever. They are purely for a singular task...and it ain't flying around and exploding each other. It's to destroy the Player Owned Stations of rivals in long, unplayable, financially draining scenarios. Changes in player-based ownership of game assets is gradual, drains income from the economy preventing inflation, and permits the developers ample time to witness and address concerns to it's Sovereignty meta game. It is to the point where it works, and no one wants to fix it.
That's not strictly true. (see: Here) CCP Has for some time asked the player body once again for insight, suggestions, advice, or criticism to it's end-game content for nearly 8 months now. Feedback has been limited to minor changes to minor issues, or dramatic alterations that relate to the productions of other developers. Inquisitions to it's player base of this level indicate that they are currently playing it by ear.
They don't really know how to solve their crisis.
And that crisis is: "How do we keep the game entertaining (as our company is an entertainment-profitable company) without risking our ability to manage it."
As was demonstrated, CCP has no intentions of allowing their production lose replay value with it's subscribers, or fail on their commitment in providing a virtual-world where personal growth is present and encouraged.
"How do we continue to grow market share, without finding foreign markets?"
They have witnessed the production and failure of foreign markets, and it appears clear that they intend to keep EVE on a single server.
"How do we satisfy our current player base, without ostracizing new ones?"
By asking for help from the players themselves, they are removing themselves from a position of disenfranchising themselves by their own actions to prevent the outcome they have foreseen as a "pos"sibility (bad pun, couldn't help it). The responsibility of providing a solution refreshingly rests on our shoulders.
Here's the real question CCP whisper to themselves in their offices : How do we continue to add features and updates to an ever increasingly complex and valuable property title (Eve-Online) to make it the sci-fi equivalent success of Blizzard's WoW?
--
I can't assume to know the answers. I have illustrated the current condition of a complex game, with even more complex geopolitical activity occurring on a separate level from the already vibrant internal scene.
And with that, I present the continuation of this Blog. Let us delve into the expectations, interests, dreams and fancy of my readers. Perhaps we can present a superior model, one that will re-invigorate the corpulent disdain held by many of our fellow pilots and adventurers. Let's cut the crap and fix this while there's still something left to fix; unless you all want to go raid Black Temple with our 70 Warlocks and Rogues so we can get some new t-shirts with +6 mana regeneration.
I plan on having several open debates with guest speakers which will be posted here, as well as promote the positive change of a game that many enjoy and have been faithful with over years of patronage.
To begin, my initial blog will illustrate the general deficiencies inherent with the mechanics. These are both constructive and hated. In these orations, I will attempt to resist the easy vice of involving personal interest into the considered changes.
-
Day 1
POS Warfare - Or how I learned to stop worrying and love the Server lag.
EVE - Online is first and foremost: a game of Internet spaceships. Your progression in the game is rewarded with an increasing proficiency, selection, and ability increase of these spaceships. It was not until recently that any consideration to actual representations of the player were taken into consideration (See: EVE patch, Ambulation). Did you know EVE is actually based on a prior game, developed in 1984 for the Amiga? (Elite). All there was to offer was spaceships, places for spaceships to dock, and talk with other spaceship owners. Things for spaceships to do is the entire content of the game.
That's what we love about it. You fly around, there are pretty graphics. It's a rewarding experience if you're into that kind of thing. Somewhere along the way of being a spaceship simulator, it breaks down into several meta games involving small encounters with others. Then it involves the destruction of each other's entire assets and efforts. Since no one can have an unfair advantage (CCP is dedicated to providing vibrant, compelling products that transcend the boundaries of conventional MMOGs and facilitate social networking through virtual worlds.), The Universe is stuck in a perilous state of mutual dissatisfaction of no singular successor organization dominating it's social scene. To illustrate more clearly:
In the past, measures were taken by the developers to benefit a participating party of EVE, namely BoB. It was front-page tabloid news at the time, and ultimately it did little to change the outcomes of who hates who. What it did illustrate, more to the point, was that CCP directly or indirectly, are interested in influencing their 'open-universe' virtual world to produce a creation as they so choose. Mind you, the reporting party was subsequently Banned from ever participating in the EVE - Online universe again for breaking their EULA (honesty doesn't pay).
(See: http://myeve.eve-online.com/devblog.asp?a=blog&bid=424)
And why shouldn't they? If we look at one of their widely accepted failures, it would make perfect sense. EVE exists internationally on a single server, known as Tranquility. There are other servers, but the majority of game play exists on just this one shared Universe. China had a widely anticipated server launched specifically for it, Serenity. 20,000 people had signed up of it's Beta in China for it on day 1. 30,000 people active and playing in the first month (compared to similar figures on the International server). Then within two years, it's population is dwindled to 3,000 - 4,000 at any given time. So what happened?
Basically, All of the game's conquerable content was obtained by a single entity. Without conflict, opportunity for personal triumph against an all-powerful governing body became non-existant. Enthusiasm waned, several in-game mechanics failed, and the combination of deployment fault and game mechanic balance spelled the end.
(see: http://myeve.eve-online.com/ingameboard.asp?a=topic&threadID=594374)
So what did CCP do during this event to prevent it from occurring on it's much more profitable and popular International server, and why do we find ourselves in the mildly-unhappy state we are in? Simply put, CCP returned to it's game play premise that every player has a chance for optimistic growth, or at least a reason to drop the $14.95 coin in the slot for another month. From CCP's own introduction guide:
- Though there are certainly some players who have already amassed a great deal of wealth and equipment, this will not affect your ability to advance in the game competitively.
- When a player has mastered the basics of the game,...the possibilities become almost endless.
- We provide the rules and tools, but it is the players themselves who create the adventures.
Sounds great, right? Where is the enlistment office? This is known as excessive publicity in a favorable manner. It is not necessarily accurate. It does reinforce the concept that anyone, regardless of ability or time spent, can achieve the same as any other person. Democracy sucks. The player base of EVE - Online spoke up to this point, mentioning that they should be treated specially. That without them, CCP had no subscriptions and would be doomed for failure. CCP listened.
December 16, 2005. Exodus: Red Moon Rising - The game saw the introduction of Capital ships. Vessels that took months of production time. Invested player fortunes some could never hope to earn. And the unanimously agreed upon shift in focus away from player versus player combat to Player Group versus Player Group involving Player Owned Stations.
--
To return full circle, let me return to the thesis of this timeline. EVE is a game about flying Internet spaceships. One of if not the most enjoyable aspect of these spaceships is their ability to blow each other up. Bigger and more expensive ships have to be good, right? That's what all of the veterans asked for. It's what the developers planned to introduce from day 1. Here's where the problem with Capitals, POS's, and Sovereign Warfare come into play:
Due to limitations of technical design, the current python language that serves as the backbone for the EVE - Online universe cannot handle multiple-user interaction beyond approximately 200-400 clients on the same node (part of space) unless this population is a constant number on a daily basis. Encounters of the magnitude commonly associated with these vessels requires tens, if not hundreds, of coordinated ships to counter engage them. This means that the physical ability to participate by it's players with the content is restricted. These ships, while designed to serve a function, restrict actual game play.
Here's the interesting part: Half of them are not functional whatsoever. They are purely for a singular task...and it ain't flying around and exploding each other. It's to destroy the Player Owned Stations of rivals in long, unplayable, financially draining scenarios. Changes in player-based ownership of game assets is gradual, drains income from the economy preventing inflation, and permits the developers ample time to witness and address concerns to it's Sovereignty meta game. It is to the point where it works, and no one wants to fix it.
That's not strictly true. (see: Here) CCP Has for some time asked the player body once again for insight, suggestions, advice, or criticism to it's end-game content for nearly 8 months now. Feedback has been limited to minor changes to minor issues, or dramatic alterations that relate to the productions of other developers. Inquisitions to it's player base of this level indicate that they are currently playing it by ear.
They don't really know how to solve their crisis.
And that crisis is: "How do we keep the game entertaining (as our company is an entertainment-profitable company) without risking our ability to manage it."
As was demonstrated, CCP has no intentions of allowing their production lose replay value with it's subscribers, or fail on their commitment in providing a virtual-world where personal growth is present and encouraged.
"How do we continue to grow market share, without finding foreign markets?"
They have witnessed the production and failure of foreign markets, and it appears clear that they intend to keep EVE on a single server.
"How do we satisfy our current player base, without ostracizing new ones?"
By asking for help from the players themselves, they are removing themselves from a position of disenfranchising themselves by their own actions to prevent the outcome they have foreseen as a "pos"sibility (bad pun, couldn't help it). The responsibility of providing a solution refreshingly rests on our shoulders.
Here's the real question CCP whisper to themselves in their offices : How do we continue to add features and updates to an ever increasingly complex and valuable property title (Eve-Online) to make it the sci-fi equivalent success of Blizzard's WoW?
--
I can't assume to know the answers. I have illustrated the current condition of a complex game, with even more complex geopolitical activity occurring on a separate level from the already vibrant internal scene.
And with that, I present the continuation of this Blog. Let us delve into the expectations, interests, dreams and fancy of my readers. Perhaps we can present a superior model, one that will re-invigorate the corpulent disdain held by many of our fellow pilots and adventurers. Let's cut the crap and fix this while there's still something left to fix; unless you all want to go raid Black Temple with our 70 Warlocks and Rogues so we can get some new t-shirts with +6 mana regeneration.
20080505
In Memory...
The space life is often wrought with peril, but rarely truly perilous. Science has advanced to such a state that even premature death itself has all but been eliminated. Mortal Accidents usually are the topics of jest between pirates, the true nature of our violent actions often lost on us from the common-place normality of it all.
It is with a heavy heart that I transcribe the most recent of such events, one without a happy ending.
Standard operation. We were assembled and traveling in an area well-known for it's hostile nature and penchant for random encounters. The Syndicate is one of many areas where law has only meant he who has the most guns wins. Twelve jumps from anything resembling a safe dock. Our FC Shouts into our neocomms:
etheris: "Hostile Fleet spotted! Everyone quickly get to your optimals on that gate and get ready for combat."
My fingers briefly lose sensation as my body quickly produces a wave of adrenalin to respond to the command. The scene is not spectacular, but the meticulous clockwork of 10 pilots orbiting a stargate in practiced synchronized orbits has always made me warm inside.
etheris: "Gate activation, this is it! Everyone lock primary target and DPS it down!"
The hostile gang is 15 strong, and are all piloting fearsome battleships. Their damage potential is impressive, but our counter to this is our speed and practiced precision. Within seconds of the first gate activation, the first target is down. More targets are called. Combat flows through my veins, tachyon laser beams are my vision. Explosions make contact with reinforced armor plating wherever I look.
It looks like they might escape with the majority of their fleet intact, due to their immense faggotry and enough armor plates to build five capital ships. Our FC Heroically drove us forward with his actions and his words, as he Microwarpdrived with immense momentum into the side of the enemy.
etheris: "Bump that mega off the gate! Do NOT let him escape! Ram that sketchy bastard into orbit!"
The Megathron was hit with such a force that it ricocheted off the stargate by about seven thousand meters. Half of it's cabin lights shuddered and dimmed. In a horrific realization, we watched as it directed all of it's capacitor into overheating it's weapon systems and stasis webbifier. The brave Ishtar etheris collided with the Megathron in order to prevent his escape was bent in on itself, a huge concave indentation of fire and leaking gases venting off into space where it struck. When the Megathron locked and webbed the remnants of the heroic craft, it nearly blinded us with it's cannon discharge. Shock echoed through us as combat noises faded into the background. We stared at the strewn remnants of etheris's bravery. Most of us hadn't even realized that the Megathron had been vaporized by our weapon systems as they were overloaded, our subconscious subroutines had maintained a steady stream of firepower onto the failing craft that we just watched eliminate our commander.
Under normal circumstances, his genetic data would have been transmitted via nano-wavelength frequency into a gel-filled tank that would have instantly reproduced his body and mind. We've all had it happen, and were aware of the fine-details as it was the only reason we were able to get out of bed in the morning and do what we do. There was no escape capsule from etheris's shipwreck. he had not had time to start the transmit code for his cloning procedure. The intense force from the Megathron's guns had erased etheris from the universe.
There was an intense, choking silence as we returned to stations, half of us not able to believe what had happened.
Even now, I still look around when I see and Ishtar, expecting to hear his comm channel open up and hear a primary target amongst our corporation be called in jest.
We all fly because that's what we've always dreamed of.
Some are destined to reach horizons no others even see.
He has exceeded our vision as he ascends towards greatness.
Fly safe buddy, and never look back.
It is with a heavy heart that I transcribe the most recent of such events, one without a happy ending.
Standard operation. We were assembled and traveling in an area well-known for it's hostile nature and penchant for random encounters. The Syndicate is one of many areas where law has only meant he who has the most guns wins. Twelve jumps from anything resembling a safe dock. Our FC Shouts into our neocomms:
etheris: "Hostile Fleet spotted! Everyone quickly get to your optimals on that gate and get ready for combat."
My fingers briefly lose sensation as my body quickly produces a wave of adrenalin to respond to the command. The scene is not spectacular, but the meticulous clockwork of 10 pilots orbiting a stargate in practiced synchronized orbits has always made me warm inside.
etheris: "Gate activation, this is it! Everyone lock primary target and DPS it down!"
The hostile gang is 15 strong, and are all piloting fearsome battleships. Their damage potential is impressive, but our counter to this is our speed and practiced precision. Within seconds of the first gate activation, the first target is down. More targets are called. Combat flows through my veins, tachyon laser beams are my vision. Explosions make contact with reinforced armor plating wherever I look.
It looks like they might escape with the majority of their fleet intact, due to their immense faggotry and enough armor plates to build five capital ships. Our FC Heroically drove us forward with his actions and his words, as he Microwarpdrived with immense momentum into the side of the enemy.
etheris: "Bump that mega off the gate! Do NOT let him escape! Ram that sketchy bastard into orbit!"
The Megathron was hit with such a force that it ricocheted off the stargate by about seven thousand meters. Half of it's cabin lights shuddered and dimmed. In a horrific realization, we watched as it directed all of it's capacitor into overheating it's weapon systems and stasis webbifier. The brave Ishtar etheris collided with the Megathron in order to prevent his escape was bent in on itself, a huge concave indentation of fire and leaking gases venting off into space where it struck. When the Megathron locked and webbed the remnants of the heroic craft, it nearly blinded us with it's cannon discharge. Shock echoed through us as combat noises faded into the background. We stared at the strewn remnants of etheris's bravery. Most of us hadn't even realized that the Megathron had been vaporized by our weapon systems as they were overloaded, our subconscious subroutines had maintained a steady stream of firepower onto the failing craft that we just watched eliminate our commander.
Under normal circumstances, his genetic data would have been transmitted via nano-wavelength frequency into a gel-filled tank that would have instantly reproduced his body and mind. We've all had it happen, and were aware of the fine-details as it was the only reason we were able to get out of bed in the morning and do what we do. There was no escape capsule from etheris's shipwreck. he had not had time to start the transmit code for his cloning procedure. The intense force from the Megathron's guns had erased etheris from the universe.
There was an intense, choking silence as we returned to stations, half of us not able to believe what had happened.
Even now, I still look around when I see and Ishtar, expecting to hear his comm channel open up and hear a primary target amongst our corporation be called in jest.
We all fly because that's what we've always dreamed of.
Some are destined to reach horizons no others even see.
He has exceeded our vision as he ascends towards greatness.
Fly safe buddy, and never look back.
20080428
Camping Expedition
So I wake up from cryo sleep, and There's this nice letter from our Fleet Commander with orders for me to get my arse clothed and hauling gear for a 'fun time to be had by all'. Nothing good has ever happened from an introduction like that.
I threw most of what I thought might be useful in whatever big surprise operation the bastard has planned this week, and reported to commons.
The 'invitation' read something like this:
MONDAY 13:00: YOU LADIES BETTER HAVE YOUR CRAP PACKED BECAUSE WE'RE.... Going camping!
glee.
amidst some grumbles and side-jokes, someone actually raised a hand and said "But sir, we just moved everything Last Week, don't you think this is unnecessary?"
...see, I didn't know they had installed miniaturized thermonuclear remote detonation devices inside our heads until that point. At least everyone was awake by then.
I'll spare you the details of putting batteries into secure canisters and refueling duties. Eventually we made it to base camp and set up shop.
These exercises are designed to promote teamwork, sharpen our combat skills, and exercise our problem solving... uhg, I don't think I can keep smiling about it much longer. If I have to spend one single more minute in some backwater system that was only ever populated 100 years ago during the tritanium rush in what is basically the jurassic age I may just self-destruct. Or fly my gang into a star.
We kill the unsuspecting shuttle here and there, and occasionally an off-duty Iteron but really, this is the pits.
Commander etheris: "Beatings will continue until morale improves."
If things get better, I'll have something to write about. In the meantime, enjoy the coverage of the recent DED raids, drink some Quafe, and wait for the bang.
I threw most of what I thought might be useful in whatever big surprise operation the bastard has planned this week, and reported to commons.
The 'invitation' read something like this:
MONDAY 13:00: YOU LADIES BETTER HAVE YOUR CRAP PACKED BECAUSE WE'RE.... Going camping!
glee.
amidst some grumbles and side-jokes, someone actually raised a hand and said "But sir, we just moved everything Last Week, don't you think this is unnecessary?"
...see, I didn't know they had installed miniaturized thermonuclear remote detonation devices inside our heads until that point. At least everyone was awake by then.
I'll spare you the details of putting batteries into secure canisters and refueling duties. Eventually we made it to base camp and set up shop.
These exercises are designed to promote teamwork, sharpen our combat skills, and exercise our problem solving... uhg, I don't think I can keep smiling about it much longer. If I have to spend one single more minute in some backwater system that was only ever populated 100 years ago during the tritanium rush in what is basically the jurassic age I may just self-destruct. Or fly my gang into a star.
We kill the unsuspecting shuttle here and there, and occasionally an off-duty Iteron but really, this is the pits.
Commander etheris: "Beatings will continue until morale improves."
If things get better, I'll have something to write about. In the meantime, enjoy the coverage of the recent DED raids, drink some Quafe, and wait for the bang.
20080312
The problem with boosters.
Everyone is trying to get their ship to go faster. Go farther, Be harder. Be Better. Some pilots spend years of time learning detailed mathematical algorithms directly from the science labs that most of our ship's come from, just to be able to tweak their equipment the slightest bit. Deep space pilots swear by their custom riggings and amped ships. In the deeps, there is no police force. No one will rescue you if your ship fails. These small modifications are often the difference between life and death.
And some of us, looking for that edge, start a downward trend into boosters and implants for the quick fix of combat ability. Three percent here, five percent there, and before you know it we don't even know our own names or how many thousands of ship crews we've slaughtered in the past hour.
It is with this introduction to the shortsightedness of boosters that I explain the details of my most recent death.
-Local is clear. Cargo bay is full on ammo. The pride of the Caldari fleet, her majestic wings and advanced shield systems being used to full effect; My Raven is on a lonely mission. See, many of my old friends back home would get very rich very quickly if they saw me, and it would involve an unfair fight to be sure. So here I am, alone in the bowels of Sansha's rearming facilities slaying countless many aboard the defensive guards that patrol this installation. Saving the precious tags to earn myself some respectability back in the empire.
My only solace is the company of my raiding gang, the subtle buzz of my neocomm only a slight distraction in the background as my salvos strike stolen Amarr armor plates. Any other night, and this would have been business as usual. I'm getting sleepy, losing focus.
Suddenly, I see a lone interceptor craft speeding away from the installation. Locking fails; his sig is way to small. He's going to get help...
Great.
I reach into my pocket and produce a green and white packet, designed to resemble a professional sports drink. 'Fentrix - helps block out all inessential thought processes to get the most out of your game'. I empty the contents of the package , and wait for these so called reinforcements.
It is about this time that I notice my fellow pilot Max addressing me on the neocomm, apparently being a bastard.
"[ 2008.03.11 08:42:38 ] Maximada > Kwitch you fail eve"
What?! Hold the Phone, Kwitch doesn't fail anything! That rookie! I would give him a verbal bashing, but I'm trying to keep my senses clear, waiting for the first ping of new hostiles on my scanner.
"[ 2008.03.11 08:45:15 ] Maximada > Kwitch, girl trouble?"
Thats it. I feel a surge of energy flow through me as I type furiously into my neocomm. I set Max straight, he's had it coming, and the subtle buzz of my neocomm prior is now blaring loud in my head, all of my attention is focusing on their voices and the streams of data it is producing. I make short work of the defense of my pride, my stance on women, and the virtues of the Caldari lifestyle.
I look up from my communicator just in time to notice the last and final salvo from 3 Alpha class Sansha Lord Battleships, enraged from the fate of their recently lost comrades, destroy the final remnants of my Raven's hull integrity.
*pop*
"[ 2008.03.11 08:46:12 ] Bruce Boyako > haha theres a lesson there"
I make it back to HQ, and stare menacingly at the now empty Fentrix package, hot with the anger of my negligence of noticing my surroundings, and read the small print.
"helps block out all inessential thought processes (along with the occasional needed ones.)"
Figures.
And some of us, looking for that edge, start a downward trend into boosters and implants for the quick fix of combat ability. Three percent here, five percent there, and before you know it we don't even know our own names or how many thousands of ship crews we've slaughtered in the past hour.
It is with this introduction to the shortsightedness of boosters that I explain the details of my most recent death.
-Local is clear. Cargo bay is full on ammo. The pride of the Caldari fleet, her majestic wings and advanced shield systems being used to full effect; My Raven is on a lonely mission. See, many of my old friends back home would get very rich very quickly if they saw me, and it would involve an unfair fight to be sure. So here I am, alone in the bowels of Sansha's rearming facilities slaying countless many aboard the defensive guards that patrol this installation. Saving the precious tags to earn myself some respectability back in the empire.
My only solace is the company of my raiding gang, the subtle buzz of my neocomm only a slight distraction in the background as my salvos strike stolen Amarr armor plates. Any other night, and this would have been business as usual. I'm getting sleepy, losing focus.
Suddenly, I see a lone interceptor craft speeding away from the installation. Locking fails; his sig is way to small. He's going to get help...
Great.
I reach into my pocket and produce a green and white packet, designed to resemble a professional sports drink. 'Fentrix - helps block out all inessential thought processes to get the most out of your game'. I empty the contents of the package , and wait for these so called reinforcements.
It is about this time that I notice my fellow pilot Max addressing me on the neocomm, apparently being a bastard.
"[ 2008.03.11 08:42:38 ] Maximada > Kwitch you fail eve"
What?! Hold the Phone, Kwitch doesn't fail anything! That rookie! I would give him a verbal bashing, but I'm trying to keep my senses clear, waiting for the first ping of new hostiles on my scanner.
"[ 2008.03.11 08:45:15 ] Maximada > Kwitch, girl trouble?"
Thats it. I feel a surge of energy flow through me as I type furiously into my neocomm. I set Max straight, he's had it coming, and the subtle buzz of my neocomm prior is now blaring loud in my head, all of my attention is focusing on their voices and the streams of data it is producing. I make short work of the defense of my pride, my stance on women, and the virtues of the Caldari lifestyle.
I look up from my communicator just in time to notice the last and final salvo from 3 Alpha class Sansha Lord Battleships, enraged from the fate of their recently lost comrades, destroy the final remnants of my Raven's hull integrity.
*pop*
"[ 2008.03.11 08:46:12 ] Bruce Boyako > haha theres a lesson there"
I make it back to HQ, and stare menacingly at the now empty Fentrix package, hot with the anger of my negligence of noticing my surroundings, and read the small print.
"helps block out all inessential thought processes (along with the occasional needed ones.)"
Figures.
20080307
"Lucky to be Alive..."
*** Receiving Feed ***
...hello?...lost....with fleet... some distance... bubble, they were....lucky to be alive...
I'm in my pod in UKYS-5, stranded from my gang after my ship was destroyed... I repeat; FALCON DOWN.
...Need to focus... Navigate back to fleet...
I never saw them coming; I was a fool to think the superiority of my Covert Ops Cloaking module would save my lazy ass forever. I guess it's fitting. The first rule of surviving in the fringes of space is 'Live prepared, or die surprised.' Our foraging gang departed from our home system in search of wrecks, salvage, loot, and the act of producing these commodities. We were well-informed of our surroundings, it was a well-traveled route. The pickings were slim, the practiced coordination of our pilots textbook.
*CRACKLE-Fizz*
"8 Goons entering system on local scanner! Get out of combat range!" yelled our FC.
I calmly engaged my cloak and rummaged through my belongings for a media-disk of the most recent Gallentean pop-idol. Dang, they didn't make women like that back in The Citadel. Another long op...A quick snooze and some quafe, and I was ready to go home. Local looked clear, comms were quiet. A little voice in my head whispered 'too quiet', but I disregarded it. I had Betty. I had my Falcon. And she had never quit on me when I needed her. It was going to be as simple as bravely running away the instant I saw a red.
"Kwitch, what are you doing at that Stargate!? You're not cloaked!"
"Oh, that's because I'm going through it."
The sensory overload of 15 hostile targets within a magnetic-field spatial-field-destabilizer bubble took a moment to sink in. I remember this happening before. Something very familiar, I just can't put my finger on it. Oh yes, the last time I was cloned.
No time to panic; Align, Cloak, count. 4. 3. 2. . . . Never got to 1. When I came to, I was tumbling through space without a clue what happened to Betty, where I was, or why claxons were blaring in my escape pod regarding 14% hull integrity.
I'll make it back to the fleet, but I'll be leaving behind my trusty wingmate.
...hello?...lost....with fleet... some distance... bubble, they were....lucky to be alive...
I'm in my pod in UKYS-5, stranded from my gang after my ship was destroyed... I repeat; FALCON DOWN.
...Need to focus... Navigate back to fleet...
I never saw them coming; I was a fool to think the superiority of my Covert Ops Cloaking module would save my lazy ass forever. I guess it's fitting. The first rule of surviving in the fringes of space is 'Live prepared, or die surprised.' Our foraging gang departed from our home system in search of wrecks, salvage, loot, and the act of producing these commodities. We were well-informed of our surroundings, it was a well-traveled route. The pickings were slim, the practiced coordination of our pilots textbook.
*CRACKLE-Fizz*
"8 Goons entering system on local scanner! Get out of combat range!" yelled our FC.
I calmly engaged my cloak and rummaged through my belongings for a media-disk of the most recent Gallentean pop-idol. Dang, they didn't make women like that back in The Citadel. Another long op...A quick snooze and some quafe, and I was ready to go home. Local looked clear, comms were quiet. A little voice in my head whispered 'too quiet', but I disregarded it. I had Betty. I had my Falcon. And she had never quit on me when I needed her. It was going to be as simple as bravely running away the instant I saw a red.
"Kwitch, what are you doing at that Stargate!? You're not cloaked!"
"Oh, that's because I'm going through it."
The sensory overload of 15 hostile targets within a magnetic-field spatial-field-destabilizer bubble took a moment to sink in. I remember this happening before. Something very familiar, I just can't put my finger on it. Oh yes, the last time I was cloned.
No time to panic; Align, Cloak, count. 4. 3. 2. . . . Never got to 1. When I came to, I was tumbling through space without a clue what happened to Betty, where I was, or why claxons were blaring in my escape pod regarding 14% hull integrity.
I'll make it back to the fleet, but I'll be leaving behind my trusty wingmate.
R.I.P. - Betty
Beloved Falcon
Don't stop Jammin'
4/20/158-3/7/159
Beloved Falcon
Don't stop Jammin'
4/20/158-3/7/159
Ramblin' Man
*** TRANSMISSION ***
Hello? Is this thing on? Hmm, that didn't seem to work. Banks and banks of humming machinery...I've never seen so many knobs.
Let's try this one. No...how about that one there. No, not that one either.
Oh, I have an idea, hold my hat will you, there's a good fella-.
*** END FEED ***
Hello? Is this thing on? Hmm, that didn't seem to work. Banks and banks of humming machinery...I've never seen so many knobs.
Let's try this one. No...how about that one there. No, not that one either.
Oh, I have an idea, hold my hat will you, there's a good fella-.
*** END FEED ***
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