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EVE Online, where do I start with
this one? I wrote a blurb about EVE Online in a previous post where I was
discussing my enjoyment for Strike Suit Zero and the YouTube channel of Scott
Manley on which I was watching it. Unfortunately a blurb cannot possibly do EVE
Online justice. Even the book I am reviewing cannot possibly do EVE Online
proper justice. The book, “EVE Source”
by Dark Horse Comics does a great job of simply giving an overview, landscape,
and brief history of the events and major players of New Eden. If one were to
give a truly detailed account of New Eden it would have to be done in volumes.
I am going to do my very best to
keep this blog post short. I know I have written some epics in the past but
quite frankly if I do take that route with EVE Source I will be writing until I
have blisters and I have no interest in that at all. EVE Online is a
multiplayer sandbox video game where users must create an account and also pay
to play. I believe the cost is around $100.00. I think it would be fair to say
that EVE Online is the outer space version of World of Warcraft. Now, if you
were to say that to an EVE Online player or a World of Warcraft player (my ex
was a big time WOW player and she did not like when I made jokes about it) they
might get insulted and go into length about how the games were different but
for the general populace I think the comparison is a fair one. EVE has gained
popularity for its massive scope and areas such as being
part of raids for supplies and even collecting on bounties. It really acts as
its own separate mini-universe although that universe is nearly endless in size
and scope if you play.
The game has featured some of the
most legendary online battles in the history of the internet. There have been
hundreds of players engaging their fleets in battles featuring hundreds of
thousands of ships. EVE Online has also been praised for some of the most
brilliant and spectacular visual graphics in video game history. There is no
denying marveling at the sight of gameplay is truly a work of art that if I
could would happily hang it in my apartment.
The critics of EVE Online
have highlighted the fact that the game is very difficult for new players. Yes,
this can certainly be true since EVE relies on hard physics and piloting skills
in actual outer space environments. If you don’t have much background,
knowledge, or interest in legitimate space flight then EVE Online would not
really be the game for you. Critics have also stated that there is no real
learning curve and support. Apparently there was a tutorial in the game but it
was taken down. My guess is that it was brought back up. I would not know for
certain as I don’t play EVE Online or any games really. I am simply in it for
the story factor but I would imagine that these critics are correct.
To sum things up for the general
populace EVE Online takes place in a star cluster of the universe which is
called New Eden. The story goes as such; just over 16,000 years ago Earth had
expanded so much through its solar system and other local stars that resources were
becoming scarce. A wormhole was discovered in which several ships from
different part of human species ventured. Not everyone made it through and the
wormhole collapsed, those that were on the other side of the wormhole had to
survive and fend for themselves. These were dark times but eventually
governments were established and empires were born. These empires controlled
several star systems and on many occasions went to war. Eventually CONCORD
(think the United Nations) was established to oversee things and ensure fair
play or at least something close to it was part of the plan.
The main
empires of focus were the Amarr who reminded me of the Roman Catholic Church or
the southern United States in the late 19th and early 20th
century. The Amarr were big advocates of slave labour and human trafficking.
The Minmatar Republic who were the freed slaves of the Amarr who rose up against
their masters and established their own home world and republic, the way they
are described reminds of poor African nations just trying to get some respect
and a foothold in New Eden. The Gallente Federation who I guess could be
described as one giant New York City with a very pro left wing lifestyle.
Basically anything goes in the Gallente Federation be it any of vice of ones
choosing. The Caldari State who I would say is essentially corporate America
run amok. It is a place where consumerism is everything and the people pledge
allegiance to corporations. Then they are the Jove, a mysterious group of
people who have vastly superior technology and weaponry. They keep to
themselves and nobody has heard from them in a while. I know it may sound
strange but they remind of what North Korea wishes it was in the minds of
others, enviable, superior, and a mysterious awe.
The
descriptions of the empires and other major players like the criminal
organization known as the Angel Cartel or the terrifying megalomaniac Sansha
seem to be literally ripped from our own world history. The descriptions I gave
of the empires are pretty spot on. It is not plagiarism or anything of that
nature but I have to deduct points for creativity. Reading this I often felt I
knew these empires and environments already. I learned all about them in school
and on the history channel. As for the crazy dictator Sansha, well he sounds an
awful like Darkseid from DC Comics to me.
Don’t get
me wrong. I think EVE Online is awesome and some really cutting edge stuff in
terms of visuals and gameplay but after learning the history of characters
involved it was all rather familiar. The star cluster of New Eden is massive in
scope and scale. We are talking literally trillions of human beings and the
thoughts of planet Earth have pretty much become myth since that wormhole
closed some 16,000 years ago. Part of me wonders with that many people how
would any of these empires possibly enforce their rule of law. It just
seems like too much control. No level of government or even military could
possibly oversee and police that many. To me it just be too much to handle and
these empires should collapse and form smaller or manageable groups of people
but what do I know? I do know this, if you are looking for something different
check out EVE online but don’t worry, it is not too different in fact it is
much more recognizable than you might think.
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