Eve Online A player’s solo corporation experience

Over the years having on and off played starting as a miner, I found myself returning last year with much less expectation although knowing that my veteran characters would prove likely lucrative. When I last left EVE, I recall a time having run Level 4 missions and selling accordingly from loyalty points applicable to then latest game exploration content released. I came back finding only the market for such items having been saturated with much lower profit margins. Obviously it was time to move on, or I’d simply take less pay for work. That aside, I was tired of mission running.

There is, of course, new content to explore and much emphasis has been given to nullsec space in this, but what does this mean for entry level or returning players?

The interface for character development has vastly improved relative to simpler past tutorial mechanics. That being said, I’d offer getting into higher tiers of vessels and skill sets required used to be and seem as likely a longer prospect. There are daily skill point sign in bonuses alongside the acceleration for skill points via implants. Likely if you want to find a path to character development outside of in game tutorials, you are best researching additionally via online and YouTube for ship fittings, skill sets and implants. YouTube provides plenty of content regarding nullsec ins and outs with a variety ships, fits and tactics for survival.

What have I done in the past year?

Honestly I’ve found my in game time use more regimented, and likely if you weren’t into making isk, my game practice could be generally on the mundane side. I do planetary production of tier one refined goods and sell in niche market. While I’ve had the hauling capacity to bring to market, I’ve found this mostly unnecessary and not really any more lucrative in the long run. Outside of planetary materials production, I’ve done mostly market investments locally with remote selling and buying in region. I’ve multiplied my original investment of a couple billion isk well over three times in a year with little game time spent. This being on average less than an hour a day.

Is EVE fun?

To this extent I probably have greater luxuries to invest more time and money if I were to choose, but mostly as EVE formulates risk into its environment, I find myself asking the question why engage in additional venturing? Up until the recent alleged windfall of upwell structure safety nets being pulled in the latest patch (see https://www.pcgamer.com/this-eve-online-pilot-just-made-history-by-pillaging-dollar60000-worth-of-items/), I was exporting with greater demand planetary materials likely I suspect to low sec markets. Maybe profits are in decline, and this leads to an inevitable what to do next. Hard to say. Mostly the narrative of fun in EVE at times for myself is far more subtle. I’ve long given up interest in shooting things, or the longer winded naval warfare as it has been described by some. To this extent, you could still challenge yourself to speed clears of mission complexes. I’ve completed all the level four missions I could to get my hands on the most optimal research assistants for research points to acquire data cores which incidentally aggregates a very small daily profit that I might cash in several years from now (maybe a few hundred million isk per char acct). I may take another long winded sabbatical till next time as my interests have waned.

My advice goes along these lines…EVE is more likely a spectator’s sport (yes with some long winded action), and it is also one filled with a myriad of technical statistics. It’s nothing like a high action first person shooter for many especially in the beginning. There’s a requisite of patience in development or having decent guidance in getting to upper levels via fast tracks and specialization. Arguably unless you have a clear pathway and plan, getting to ranks takes time. Hence my reiteration of researching precisely the ships and skill sets for desired goals. It can be fun, but jumping into game with a low learning curve likely leads to frustration and much lowered expectations with a certain high action mindset. I highly recommend taking the small steps and enjoying the process along the way.