|
Written by Nate Randall
|
|
Tuesday, 02 September 2008 01:26 |
|
| As I mentioned earlier, I was drawn to the space MMOs like a moth to a porchlight on the Southern Bayou. Seriously, they couldn't have hooked me any deeper even if they were grilling ribs. It doesn't get much more authentic and enticing than EVE Online. | | I was fortunate to have Public Relations Associate, Ned Coker on hand to give me a walkthrough. With a userbase of over 200,000 and argueably the most complex dynamic economy of any MMO on the market, EVE is as stunning visually as it is impressive technically. A massive virtual world on one single shard, EVE is a constant struggle for galactic control. One can join a faction, fight as an independant or turn to a life of piracy.
The system is made with a clear risk/reward aspect ingrained. One of the developers key goals included permanent consequences for death. If your ship is destroyed, it is gone. If you die, you are resurrected to your last clone point and revert back to that skill level. From the other side, skilling, learning and building can all be done while you are offline.
Technicalities aside, EVE also boasts one of the most revolutionary community engagement projects attempted by any online game. The Council of Stellar Management, or CSM as it is known, is a council of nine democratically elected players who meet with the EVE management team on a semi-annual basis. CCP, the makers of EVE, fly the CSM in alongside an internationally reknowned mediator to discuss the issues. Then the CSM brings these issues back to the community at large. Re-elections assure the power is always in balance. Having completed the first round, Mr. Coker said they were extremely pleased with the progress and believes the open communication and dialog are vital to thier success.
These things really just begin to scrape the surface of EVE Online. It is a deep, rich and dynamic economy, community and game. If the impression the CCP folks game me are any indication, the developers of this game have hit on something nearly impossible to define. Not unlike a fine BBQ sauce from the Southern Bayou. |
|
|