With the upcoming 18th anniversary of Eve Online, CCP announced a request for video clips for their 18th birthday player celebration trailer (submissions have ended). We capsuleers have so many memories that it is likely very difficult to narrow them down to but a few. Many of our memories are likely not recorded on video, or even recorded at all! Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to share my unrecorded stories and experiences. Please feel free to share your own, and I hope you enjoy my own contributions:
New Horizons
Not so deep in the systems of Kor-Azor lies a lowsec system known as Khabara. This became my home on day seven of my EVE career. I enjoyed hanging out with my fellow corpmates, talking about everything under the sun (or many suns, since this is EVE). Our CEO seemed like a nice guy as well! What luck! After a few weeks, however, we started to see the cracks forming. Our CEO was quite self-absorbed and vindictive, using the players to provide himself with strictly controlled content. So, a group of us eventually had enough and left for nullsec.
Sure, we were lowly renters there, but this was our freedom! Doing what we wanted, when we wanted. This was the EVE of which I had dreamed! We mined together, fought together, and weathered storms together. Eventually, we drew the attention of The Bastion (BASTN) and were invited to join one of their corporations. We were no longer renters, but part of a true nullsec power. While I admit I never thought I’d end up aligned with the Imperium, these times and these people form some of my fondest memories of the game.
Finding a Role
It was in nullsec that I found my niche. We are all familiar with the old problem of never having enough logi. I saw a need and I filled it, out of duty to my friends and allies. It was awesome. Killmails and the F1 are fun of course, but logi became my niche. Oddly enough, I started with a FAX and worked my way down from there. I would eventually receive “The White Mage” as a title by my friends, I feel due to my reliability. There was nothing more exciting and rewarding that saving a friend in deep structure or rescuing a capital in the knick of time. I could almost physically feel the relief in people’s voices as they thanked me for the save. For just these memories I am unbelievably thankful for the bumpy road I took to get to where I am.
Rock Munching
Starting from the position as a renter, I mined. I mined on Monday. I mined on Tuesday. I mined on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. You know what I did on Saturday and Sunday? You guessed it; I mined. I mined first with a trusty Procurer, then a Skiff, then I brought along a Porpoise to help. Nullsec is no joke and we were fired on almost daily until we learned our own tricks. Over the months with my progressively better ship lineup, and the help of corpmates, I mined my way into capitals built by . . . your truly.
The rewarding feeling of working your way up the progression is incredible. I am a rock muncher and builder at heart, due in part to my experience with the progression. Eventually, I was able to field a Rorqual alongside my friends in our little rented rinky-dink system. Our ships were truly our own; sourced, built, and flown. I like to think we all felt the same elation, coordinating each other’s blueprints and components to build the ships we had always wanted to fly. I know I felt it.
When it comes to mining though, the best part is that rarely do you ever mine alone. This has been the case in all the groups I have been lucky enough to claim membership in. There is always someone to talk to about any topic under the sun. These are the times when I have really learned about the people with me and the game around us, during good times and bad. I find mining is perhaps the most social experience in EVE, and I love that.
Best Wishes
My narratives may seem par for the course in EVE, but they mean a great deal to me. Your stories mean just as much, because ultimately EVE is made up of our experiences. No matter what they may be or how typical they may seem, your stories help to create this game. Everything we capsuleers do, we do together, whether we realize it or not. I look forward to reading any reader stories and encourage you to share without reservation! Merry EVE-versary everybody.
