Being a casual gamer throughout my childhood, I’ve found myself continuously growing into games which provide a deeper sense of content. Beginning on consoles, my introduction to the culture of PC gaming was shocking to say the least. As I moved through my teens, I began to ask more of my experiences as a gamer. With the standard first person shooter becoming relatively shallow and repetitive, I went in search of a much more enthralling experience. Armed with the boredom of winter break, this is where my journey with Eve Online begins.
I had heard little about Eve at the time. After reading some intriguing reviews from players old and new, I decided to try my luck in New Eden. I blundered through the character creation phase and found myself thrust into the daunting universe that is New Eden. Overwhelmed with the sheer amount of windows, tabs, and shiny red buttons, I timidly began with the exploration tutorial missions. Barely knowing how to move from system to system, operating a probe launcher appeared hopelessly out of my reach. Unable to scan down even the easiest of signatures, I turned to the mentor of all gamers: Youtube. This is where I began to understand the scope of Eve Online. With every video providing more questions than answers, I slowly began to realize what I got myself into.
Reading became my single most important ally in the struggle to find my place in New Eden. The fabled relic sites of null security space became my immediate goal. After watching many videos and reading more guides on how to survive in low to no security space, I took my first steps into the eerie regions of null sec. Confident in my ability to run in terror of any ship I discovered on my directional scanner, I soon found myself maneuvering through parts of Syndicate without much opposition. As my knowledge of Eve online expanded, I found myself making regular trips to Jita to sell off the loot I had uncovered. I had found a niche in Eve, but what was the next step? PLEX.
With more and more reading and investigation, I stumbled upon the corporation known as Signal Cartel. The thought of a friendly, non-aggressive, welcoming community geared towards exploration struck as very appealing to a newbro such as myself. The pilots of Signal Cartel provided me with patient responses to my endless stream of questions. The corporation also provided free Tier 1 exploration frigates. This is invaluable considering my numerous encounters with Asteros in wormhole space. Becoming increasingly fascinated with the world of Eve Online, I began to read articles regarding topics beyond just exploration and surviving null sec. This is where I learned the history of Eve’s greatest alliances and the events that formed the current shape of New Eden. The tales of SirMolle and the Red Alliance brought me to the realization that Eve Online was more than just a videogame but a second life.
SECOND LIFE IN A VIRTUAL WORLD
This realization brought many questions to my head whilst grinding through signatures in deep wormhole chains. Is this game something I really want to invest time in? How does a second life in a virtual world relate to the goals I have in the real world? Does Eve Online pose a threat to my “real world”?
After chatting with an admin of Signal Cartel by the name of Mynxee, I began to understand that Eve Online is not considered a game to most of its citizens. It is more accurately considered a hobby to many. I discussed and reflected on the dangers that a virtual second life can pose to not only the pilots of Eve, but any MMO game. With my first PLEX just within reach, I came upon the realization that Eve is much more than the average video game. Eve can actually be considered life to some of its citizens. Now transitioning to the next volume of my journey through Eve, I wonder where its endless possibilities will take me.
