This is my fourth return to EVE Online. I have an account that is stamped 3+ years old but I haven’t played more than 6 months all combined. Each time I come and go, I learn a bit more about what does and doesn’t work for me. I’m rolling all those tidbits into my gaming experience this time.
Like many players, my first foray into EVE was an attempt at a very passive experience. I wanted to try a sci-fi game and the idea of deep space was intriguing. I went in with the idea of doing some PVE, although forewarned it wasn’t very deep and performing mining in the relative safety of high sec. I quickly learned that mining isn’t for everyone - you either love it or hate it. I hated it and combined with the loneliness of not having joined a corporation, I was quickly gone. When I came back I knew to steer clear of mining. I found the PVE entertaining enough but spent more time sitting around in a ship hanger than out having adventures. Within a couple of months I was gone again.
The one thing I had plenty of when I returned for the third time was adventure. I logged in with the idea of actually doing PVP. I enjoyed the PVE side of the gaming for teaching the concepts of ship selection, appropriate configuration for the task at hand and basics of ship combat. However, I knew that I needed more excitement to hang around. And boy oh boy I got it. I joined a corporation in whose membership I found the lively chat and cooperative play that made deep space finally come alive. I learned about salvaging as an income opportunity. I joined my first fleet operation helping to protect the guild’s industrial activities – protect the miners. *Smile* More notably, I had my first taste of PVP when the corporation found itself in the death-throws of a War Declaration. A corporation meltdown ensued and I unsubscribed a couple of weeks later.
I’m back again looking for the right mix of activity that will provide a successful casual experience in EVE Online. What have I found? WAR has spoiled me on having quickie game-play. My 15-30-60 minute game-play opportunities that can be done are small pushes without penalizing myself or disrupting others. EVE has plenty of these opportunities if you enjoy the PVE content, which I do.
Within the confines of doing the PVE content, I’m achieving at least 50% of what I want from EO. I can check on the requirements for a mission (quest) before accepting it which starts the expiration timer, and configure my ship more ideally for the encounter. So far I have 100% record for earning the bonus rewards by completing the missions quickly. Receiving the bonus rewards is a goal and mini-game for me. I almost missed receiving one bonus reward and got blown to bits in a nicely fitted Frigate along the way, but more on the story in another post.
Depending on the size of the encounter, I can accept one or more missions then head-out to complete them. I bookmark the wrecks of the opposing ships, go back to turn in the missions and claim my rewards. Afterward I climb into my salvaging ship, nicknamed Aly’s Wrecking Ball and go out to salvage and loot the wrecks. For a single, medium effort mission, this whole sequence takes anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes. In less than an hour, I’ve tinkered with my ship configuration, flown my ship, successfully completed a combat mission and earned a living from the mission reward combined with the salvaging.
This might sound very sedate. It’s not. I’ve already had some heart-thumping experiences which I’ll post separately. Letrange talked me through the easy process of manufacturing. I’m looking into the casual self-sufficient crafting ideas posted by Van Hemlock. And most importantly, I’m saving up my war chest and filling gaps in my combat skills before I can participate in what I want for the other 50% of activities, which will be PVP via Faction Warfare (FW).
I already know that PVE is perfect casual play. If you’re willing to do crafting purely for yourself, friends and corp-mates, and stay out of the highly competitive auction market, here again, you can have a rewarding casual experience. I’m extremely curious to see if FW can deliver the casual PVP I’d like to incorporate into my EO adventures.
