EVE Online

[gothwalk]

For anyone who's interested, I've posted some of my impressions of the sci-fi MMO, EVE Online, on dukestreet.org (which is also available as a feed on LJ: dukestreet). While it's not going to get me away from World of Warcraft, it's interestingly different.

Comments

[aidian.livejournal.com]

i played eve for about 4-6 months or so. it was expansive, beautiful, deep, and... well... kind of boring. That about about 6 months ago, iirc. yes, mine the ore, shuttle the package, blow up the npc rats. But by god, you'd better do three things: enlist the help of someone who's been playing longer than you, stay within major trading lanes, and have a LOT of spare time. Particularly if you decide not to throw in with a major corporation or have a buddy who's played since the beginning. Player balance was a gigantic issue, at least for me, because it seemed like everybody I ran into had not just a lot more money than me, but actually enough money to buy and sell me _a thousand times over_. There wasn't any "safe" or "assured" way of making even small amounts of money without hours per day of legwork at the console. It was fun when I had the time, but I'm convinced that most of the players are locked in basements somewhere and probably wear special helmets while they play.

I turned in my commission when I realised how painstakingly slow it was going to be to develop, otherwise.

I also didn't like the habit of bad guys in huge ships hanging outside jump gates and acing anyone smaller than them. Literally. It added an interesting edge of realism, but a little too real, if you ask me. They were able to actually blockade a major newbie travel route that happened to basically have a PvP zone dissecting it for about two jumps. The comms system was full of angry chatter about that one. I don't know about anyone else, but I play games in part to escape from the mean of everyday, even if they're bloody or gory or whatever, it's all in good fun. Essentially getting mugged by PC's wasn't fun at all and felt quite malicious, particularly when I realised that _nothing could stop them_.

yeah, bleh. Shockingly pretty, and I loved the character face-maker, but all in all, it wasn't for me. I really didn't feel like becoming a galactic stock broker or truck driver.

[gothwalk.livejournal.com]

I can see how it would go that way after a bit. I'm not sure I'd pay for it, to be honest - I might try a month at some stage to see how it goes, and get a feel for the larger structure, but not immediately.

[aidian.livejournal.com]

yeah, bleah. combat sucks, too. it's kind of naval style, auto-firing until someone dies or runs away. and as for who wins? all comes down to ships and equipment, which all comes down to.. money. you got the cash backing, you buy the biggest and baddest, you win. that's it. bleh.