So I’ve had a few days to catch my bearings in EVE. There are so many improvements in the game its making me spoiled. First up, the new turrets…well, after taking a day or so to get used to them, and seeing the wide variety of graphics, including the “ZOMG I can see my missile launchers!” moment, I give it two thumbs up.
Mostly I’m impressed with the wide variety of improvements to mission running though. The in game agent finder, coupled with the removal of the “agent quality” system, made life much easier on me. Before I had a single corp that I could run some level 3 missions with that was 20 or so jumps from my home base. Now I can do level 4’s with them, and 3’s with everyone else in that faction (Minmatar), and at least 2’s with everyone else – though I am within one storyline mission (or career tutorial, now that I think about it…hmmm) from hitting 3’s with Gallente as well. In fact, I’m so likeable, the list of people who I’m on the bad side of is surprisingly slim:
All the graphical updates are welcome as well. But the trick in EVE, as always, is learning to set your own agenda. And I think I am having a desire to play the game and success in that because I’ve learned to ask the question in a new way:
What would you have fun doing right now?
I’ve learned long ago, that being in large fleets and watching thousands of missiles fly just isn’t me. A strong argument could be made for that being the meat and potatoes of what makes the EVE world go ’round (yeah, I just mixed some metaphors there, deal). But I think what I have discovered is something I said, long, long about about Shadowbane – PvP games make the best sandbox spaces for non-PvP players. Its a weird side effect but it is true. In developers giving players the space they need to hit each other in a variety of ways, they inadvertently create wonderful sandboxes from non-PvP people to come along for the ride.
That’s not to say I’m anti-PvP. I play World of Tanks for goodness sake. And I’ve enjoyed my PvP experiences in EVE, limited as they have been. But there is something to be said for living in the shadow of a richly detailed world. And so when I ask that question above, the answer may not be the one that is fun for anyone but me. And that is okay.
Right now I’m having fun training and fitting my interceptor with an eye towards doing some low sec roams for giggles. And in trying my hand at farming microorganisms in planetary interaction. And in trying to decide what to do with the almost 200 datacores I amassed (apparently Research Points accumulate even when you are offline). And I found a few old friends to fly with, so I’m having fun doing whatever they have fun doing as well.
Not a bad start to what looks to be another lengthy stay in the world of New Eden.
Harbinger Zero 