Eve Online....

I'm not a complete hater! I just dislike CCP's track record on player interactions, game promotions/monetization and a majority of their business decisions that directly impact/change Eve Online's universe and/or game-play. I do really, really like the game and I'm a solo carebear! A member of the great unwashed masses.

The list of my bitter and twisted feelings is long and has a crown jewel(mysterycode); But I'm a sucker for what they get right in Eve Online. It's why I bought the last 2 x 3 month sub with MCT; It's why I'm considering buying it twice again, it's on promotion again. It was predictable they would do something as the last 3 month with MCT has just about 'run out'. 50% off! A sale that actually appeals to me as an actual sale!

It's a deal, it's a bargain and I can't help but hate myself for wanting to get it again! Feeding the hand that bites me, so to speak.

Anyway the main reason for waffling on this post is to say that CCP can do things right. Yea I said it....

No, not the monetizations. No, not the 'deals'. Not the 'bargains'; Both are larger subjective gray areas; But the real reason for this post ......... One moment while I explain......I was in the Epic store to claim the latest free game when I saw an Eve Online popup. A free Eve content pack you say! I even like the colours!

So I created a new Eve Online alt. For no other reason than to claim the bundle. It's been a while since I created a new Eve character. Which I did and then split the goodies between both my 'mains' once the tutorial was done. I'm a collector, a hoarder and if the Bind on Pickup changes to the login/event rewards hadn't been done I'd be happier. However here's the 'really good bit'.... The new, new, new, latest new variation of the New Player Experience......... It's good! 

Maybe I'm behind the times but I've no need to create new alts on an ongoing basis.

It's an actual honest to goodness, good version. It's practical! Intuitive..............Makes sense, it's interesting AND enjoyable!!!!! 

There's just the right level of  NPC 'characterization'; In a white and blue collar kind of way, without being over the top one way or the other! Professionals like Caldari Navy(I created yet another Caldari, Calamari for life) officers are professional and work for a living miners are suitably 'roughneck'. 

Eve/CCP don't make it easy to do things simply, Even if a new alt this way is 'working the system'; I look forward to creating another character via my wife's Epic login and 'redistributing' goodies but also seeing the creation/tutorial again. Granted I've yet to turn her to the dark side of Eve Online gameplay but Eve Online is a long-term thing......  

So the new/latest intro tutorial is good, I'd even go so far as to say..... gr....great....(One moment while I pick myself up off the floor).

The game as usual has always been upping the ante in the graphics department. Eve Online today is so very very purdy. It does a hard sell with graphics in the tutorial process. That's not to say the game is ugly on an average day; but the tutorial locations and the AIR station are 'very nice'. Very photogenic, don't mind if I do!

The only things I have issue with are 2 items that you have as part of the tutorial missions that are removed from you. Understandably so but still; I'm a collector/hoarder..... It's a personal perspective.

First up is a black box mission item that did respawn a copy of itself so I could have had it to keep but was all taken on redocking for the mission handin. :(

The other is the AIR 'tutorial' Astero; I so very much wish I'd been able to keep it. Even if it is 'special' and tutorial use based; As short as it's life in the tutorial was I wish I'd been able to keep it. A broad complex issue that being given an Ibis doesn't get resolved by.

Guess I have attachment issues #Gollum.

Speaking of every day Eve Online. The more things change the more they stay the same. My usual activities are my usual activities. Mains and alts, skills, missions and mining, P.I. and trading. Whatever suits the mood and timings.