Massively takes on EVE Online's learning curve

by James Egan Jul 21st 2008 at 1:30PM

Filed under: Sci-fi, EVE Online, Economy, Game mechanics, Guides, PvP, Tips and tricks

EVE Online is a complex game. There's no doubt about that. That complexity is a large part of the draw, but that doesn't mean learning about the game has to be a daunting experience. With that in mind, Massively has EVE Online in its sights. We've brought solid writers on staff who are quite knowledgeable about the game and are here to give some in-depth info on how EVE is played.

CrazyKinux and Crovan of The Drone Bay podcast joined us in April, and since then have provided Massively's readers with some helpful columns. CrazyKinux, aka David Perry, writes the Have Clone, Will Travel column. David's most recent piece, 3 Essential Tools for Capsuleers, provides a great overview of some of the third-party programs and resources available to help you plan your skill progression and your ship fittings. But we're also running two more EVE-centric columns at Massively. Read on after the jump to see what else we're bringing to the EVE community, and how we're easing that learning curve.

Rogue Signal is a column by Phillip Manning (known to many as Crovan) which dispels much of the confusion surrounding ship fitting and PvP, with particular emphasis on tackling. Phillip explains how to communicate with your gang or fleet while in combat (as there's really no time to type), as well as how to maximize the benefits of multiple characters and accounts.

Last, but certainly not least, is Massively columnist Brendan Drain, aka Nyphur, who hardcore EVE fans will know from his writing at EVE Tanking, E-ON magazine, and of course his presence on the official EVE Online forums over the years. In the short time Brendan has been with us, he's provided some insightful commentary on the state of New Eden through his EVE Evolved column. He's given us a look at the underpinnings of EVE's economy, and demystified EVE's skill system. Brendan has also explained how to get ready for war profiteering in the Empyrean Age, and the game mechanics of EVE Online's factional warfare.

We hope that Massively's EVE Online fans -- those who are just starting out as well as those who've been around for a while -- are happy with what we've brought you so far, but we're just warming up here. Massively will have plenty more EVE-focused content for you in the weeks and months to come.

Tags: ambulation, capsuleer, ccp, ccp-games, complex, complexity, crazykinux, crovan, drone-bay, e-on, economy, empyrean-age, eve, eve-online, expansions, faction, factional-warfare, fitting, fleet, game-mechanics, gang, mining, nyphur, podcast, pve, pvp, sci-fi, territorial-control, walking-on-stations

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Vort said on 1:40PM 7-21-2008

Its a game I really want to like. But the shear amount of reading research you have to do before you can really play the game is daunting.

Bam! said on 1:45PM 7-21-2008

I just started up. My buddies and me just about have the cajones to set up a blocade in low sec. Once you get even the slightest idea on how to fly a ship you can get a swarm of people with frigates out and trap people. I just got my first cruiser after 3 weeks of only light playing ($$ donations from random people), and I just sit back far away with artillery and blast the bejeesus out of people my buddies tackle at a warp gate.

James Egan said on 2:17PM 7-21-2008

Cool.

I love to hear about people starting up and finding ways to survive and succeed.

Since you seem to be on the wrong side of the law, I think you'll like an EVE feature that should go live in about an hour from now.

CrazyKinux said on 5:06PM 7-21-2008

It's really rewarding to see that we can help new players, and make a positive difference on their experience in EVE.

NuZZ said on 11:58PM 7-21-2008

Hmmm... I would play, I want to play, I did play... I remember playing the 2 week trial, getting myself a cruiser and actually paying for 1 month subscription. But then I got sick of it and bored, and left pretty much after that...

:(

Have not seen the new graphics and such, and I want to... But problem is that I don't know how you play properly. It is incredibly daunting imo. Wish there was just some guide out there that told you from when you get your ship to when the fun starts, provided you know all the basics. :) :)

Side said on 8:02AM 7-22-2008

that is the thing with eve there is not set course of progression

evey other game is level based and your goal is to get the next level then the next then the next

the best bet for enjoying and sticking with the game is finding a group of people to play with. I was fortunate early on me and a co-worker started the same weekend and we quickly got in with a group of guys (MD-K). Which we learned the ins and outs of PvP and have been at it ever since.

EvE rewards the ambitious and punishes the lazy

fodigg said on 12:06PM 7-22-2008

This game sounds great. It also sounds like you need to sink a lot of time and effort into it to really enjoy it. Too bad I don't have the time or inclination to do that anymore.