CK’s Blog Pack | The Wandering Druid of Tranquility

EVE Bloggers outage :) RESOLVED!

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As some of you may be aware, The EVE Online Portal is currently down due to a problem with the hosting provider experiencing a technical issue:  http://alexiamorgan.blogspot.com/2009/12/updates-to-evebloggerscom.html.

Update, Alexia has the site back up and running!

Alexia is working very hard to get this resolved quickly.  In the mean time, below are links you can use to get your community fix:

Like many others, I will be busy with the upcoming holiday.  So, if I do not have the chance to speak to you, have a Merry Christmas!


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“Wow, that new thing is so shiny!!!”

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Welcome to the eight edition of the EVE Blog Banter , the monthly EVE Online blogging extravaganza created by CrazyKinux . The EVE Blog Banter involves an enthusiastic group of gaming bloggers, a common topic within the realm of EVE Online, and a week to post articles pertaining to the said topic. The resulting articles can either be short or quite extensive, either funny or dead serious, but are always a great fun to read! Any questions about the EVE Blog Banter should be directed here . Check out other EVE Blog Banter articles at the bottom of this post!

This month’s topic comes to us from Ga’len at The Wandering Druid of Tranquility.  He asks: “What new game mechanic or mechanics would you like to see created and brought into the EVE Online universe and how would this be incorporated into the current game universe?  Be specific and give details, this is not meant to be a ‘nerf this, boost my game play’ post like we see on the EVE forums.”

We all see things in game that need to be enhanced or ‘fixed’.  We all see the many things that need to be tweaked and I know that we all talk about them.  But that’s not the question here.  What new thing would we like to see brought in to the EVE Online game?  Hmm…

Hackable Sentry Guns

All low sec pirates have to deal with the fact that engaging in piracy on a stargate will result in the sentry guns firing on you.  Well, what about those guns suddenly going offline?  In many PvE missions, you need to use a ‘hacking module’ to be able to access a container, why not add hackable sentry guns to the mix?

This is how it would work.  Hacking sentries would only apply to the sentries at stargates in a .4 or lower security system as they are unmanned structures and there is no Concord nor faction police patrolling the stargate.  Attempting to hack a sentry gun in a .5 or higher security system would result  in the same response as if you had shot at a sentry gun.  Hacking the Concord Billboard would not be possible as Concord maintains an active data link with the billboards, sentries are automatic and unmaned.  Hacking sentries at stations would also not be possible as they are remote controlled by the station.

You would need the same skills that are needed to operate a codebreaker module and operate POS guns.  You would use new codebreaking modules that are only available from Deadspace complexes.  There would be two code breaker modules, a pirate module and a police module.  The pirate module would require a pilot security status of -5.0 or lower greater (you would have to had that -5.0 status for at least 1 in game month as well) to operate.  The  police module would require a +5.0 security status or higher (you would have to had that +5.0 status for at least 1 in game month as well) to operate.

You would have to engage in a separate hacking attempt for every gun on a stargate.  Simply hacking one of the guns will not work as they work in unison.  You can only hack them if all of the guns are not currently firing on a ship as the guns can not be hacked and offlined while you or anyone on the stargate has an active aggression timer.  If you are in the middle of hacking a sentry gun and aggression occurs where the guns should start firing, your hacking attempt will be interrupted and you will have to start all over again.

If you attempted and failed to hack any one of the guns, all of the guns would go on high alert and would not be hackable by anyone for the next 7 hours.  You would immediately would be fired upon by the sentries as tampering with sentries is an act of aggression and you specifically could not jump through that specific stargate for the next 60 minutes.

If you were successful, all the guns would not open fire on aggression at that stargate for the next 4 hours regardless of who engaged in an act of aggression.   The Concord billboard would be still active and able to fire on anyone who commits an act of aggression, but it’s rate of fire would be reduced by half as it would be actively trying to online the sentry guns again.

While any of the sentry guns are offline, the security status indication would change on the info screen for that system as well as on the screen of everyone currently in the system.  Say a system was a .4 system, it would now show up as a .35.  A .3 system would show up as a .25, a .2 as a .15 and a .1 as a .05.  This change in security status may or may not have an affect on the type of NPC rats in the asteroid belts.

Sentry guns would come back online once the four hour timer expires Once they come back online, they would go into a high alert mode that would not allow them to be hacked again for the next 3 hours.  The security status for that system would also return to it’s original state.

Now you many ask, what is the purpose of the police codebreaking module?  This is a fun one.  It allows a person to fill the role of a vigilante and online the guns after they have been offlined.

You have to online each gun in the same fashion that the pirate module was used to offline the guns, however, if you fail your hacking attempt, nothing happens.

If you are successful in bringing all the guns back online, you will then have an aggression timer with those sentries for tampering and you will not be able to jump through that stargate for the next 60 minutes. You would have the same security status drop as if you engaged in aggression around the sentries.

Before you cry foul remember, you are still tampering with the sentry guns and only the police are allowed to do that.  You are risking being shot by the sentries to receive the reward of stopping the pirates from being able to gate camp without sentry guns shooting them.

Please do read these other fine posts on this month’s Blog Banter!!!

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EVE Blog Banter May 26th 2009

“One, Two, Three…three things….hahahahaha”

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Welcome to the seventh installment of the EVE Blog Banter , the monthly EVE Online blogging extravaganza created by CrazyKinux . The EVE Blog Banter involves an enthusiastic group of gaming bloggers, a common topic within the realm of EVE Online, and a week to post articles pertaining to the said topic. The resulting articles can either be short or quite extensive, either funny or dead serious, but are always a great fun to read! Any questions about the EVE Blog Banter should be directed here . Check out other EVE Blog Banter articles at the bottom of this post!

This month’s topic comes to us from ,

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EVE Blog Banter April 30th 2009

“Who the hell are they?….”

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Welcome to the sixth installment of the EVE Blog Banter, the monthly EVE Online blogging extravaganza created by CrazyKinux. The EVE Blog Banter involves an enthusiastic group of gaming bloggers, a common topic within the realm of EVE Online, and a week to post articles pertaining to the said topic. The resulting articles can either be short or quite extensive, either funny or dead serious, but are always a great fun to read! Any questions about the EVE Blog Banter should be directed here . Check out other EVE Blog Banter

This month’s topic comes to us from Quintrala of Speed Fairy . She suggests to ”write a short fiction story about the dissolution of the BoB alliance. It could be from BoB’s point of view, the Goons’, by neutrals in 0.0, civilians in Empire, NPCs or even rats. Write about before, during or after the coup; give us stories of market, war, people or love. In-character or roleplay. We want to know what happened, from those fictional characters that, in your mind, were part of it.

“So, who the heck is this guy?”,  Ga’len hears this question repeated several times over the comms.  Suddenly, for no apparent reason, the  poor soul that Ga’len and his corp mates had been shooting seemed to change his identification on his transponder. It’s happened before, when a pilot decides to leave a corporation.  His transponder suddenly changes in the middle of a fight, but never before has Ga’len seen that happen to several pilots who are in the same alliance.

“Are they still enemies?”, asks Daff over the comms.

“Well, they are still shooting, so, I would say yes.  Keep firing, kill them, we will sort it out later.  Weapons free mates!!”, Ga’len encourages his squad mates. Several minutes later, the area around the stargate is littered with the debris of several wrecks, the drifting remains of a few cruisers.

“I sure as hell hope these guys were not new friends”, UnBaLaNcE says over the comms, “Did anyone hear about a standings reset?  I didn’t.  Wait, my datapad interface is buzzing, news alerts from Scope are coming in.”

Ga’len engages his datapad interface from within his pod.  The Scope, the new agency for all of New Eden has new reports coming in every few seconds.  Something major must be going on.

Ga’len orders his squad, “All squad members, loot what wrecks you can and dock up.  We need to see what is going on.”

A few minutes later, Ga’len is in the shower, washing off the remaining bits of Jovian goo.  Being a capsuleer has it’s advantages, but having to rinse off ‘goo’ everyday does get a bit trying at times.  “Good thing I keep my hair short, it’s so much easier to clean this stuff out,” Ga’len mutters to himself.

The squad agreed to meet up at the bar in station.  As Ga’len strolled to the bar, public information kiosks all over the station were filled with frantic reports of battles in the Delve region.  Reports upon reports of ships being destroyed.  Freighters filled with Band of Brothers assets being destroyed.  Massive plundering and pillaging continues to ensue.

“Yarr mateys!!!  What do ye be see’in tis’ about them southern seas, eh?” Ga’len says.  His corp mates at the bar just look at him and grin.

Daff is intently looking at his datapad.  He sips his drink and begins to speak aloud.  “Well, seems that there was some internal ’strife’ among the alliance leadership.  Band of Brothers has disbanded.  One of the directors in the executor corporation apparently stole all the assets that were in station and formally disbanded the alliance under the terms of the Yulai Convention.  All sovereignty controls on their space have fallen.  Alliance leadership is attemping to rally all pilots together.  They are trying to ‘reform’ the alliance, but it will take some time.”

Everyone just stops drinking and stares at Daff as he asks,” So, Band of Brothers is no more?  How?  How can such a large power block in New Eden simlpy no longer exist?”

UnBaLaNcE speaks with his infamous sage wisdom in his voice.  “Gentleman, such a large alliance may have been dealt this blow from a traitor to their cause, but they are far too powerful to simlpy be unmade in one night.  The pilots and the corporations still exist.”

“Methinks this smells of a Goonswarm influence here.  It would not surprise me at all if they had a hand in these events.  After all, they have had spies in BoB for years.” Ga’len remarks.

“You should camp the gates on the trade routes in and out of Delve.  They may try to move assets out of that region as they may be in danger,” says the bartender.

Ga’len looks at the robot with a quizzical look.  “So, tell me.  When the hell did you grow a pair, eh?  Pair of cognitive lobes that is.  When did you turn pirate?”

Before ‘Robbie’ can answer, there is the sound of weapons fire outside on the promenade.  Everyone grabs their weapons and runs to the bar door.  Ga’len peeks outside and sees three bald pilots arguing with CONCORD officers.

“Dammit, it’s our bar, let us in NOW!!!  We just lost our fucking ships to some pirates that you won’t do a fucking athing about and now you won’t let us drown our sorrows!?!  MOVE THE FUCK OUT OF THE WAY!!!,” yells one of the bald pilots.

“I’m sorry sir, but as I have told you, this bar was an establishment of the Band of Brothers alliance and until proper ownership can be established, this bar will remain closed.  Perhaps if they had paid the alliance bill before it was due this would not have happened.  Again, I am sorry, but if you continue to fire your weapons into the air, we will be forced to take you into custody.”

Ga’len holsters his gun and walks out onto the promenade towards the crowd that is now forming around the entrance to the closed bar.  The sight of three former BoB pilots so frustrated was more than he could bear.  Every ‘egger’ needs to have a drink after loosing your pod.  It’s tradition and one that must be respscted.

Ga’len says to the three bald, former BoB pilots, “Gentleman, I see that you are in need of your post cloning drink.  Do come this way.”   He looks at the CONCORD officer with an unusually respective face, “Officer, please excuse my friends here.  It appears that they have already had more than their share.  They can wait out their inebriation at our bar.  We’ll take it from here.”

Ga’len pushes the ‘baldies’ through the door to the Hot Gates bar, home of the Neo Spartans.

“Gentleman, before you begin to protest, let me buy you a drink.”  Ga’len motions to the bar and before ‘Robbie’ can protest and remind Ga’len of corporaton rules about BoB pilots in the bar, Ga’len whispers, “Before you say anything, use that pair you just grew and realize that hitting freighters in Delve will go better with inside information.  Besides BoB no longer exists per se.  Give them whatever they want, put it on my tab.”

‘Robbie’ stares at Ga’len with his blue glowing eyes, tilts his head to the left as in thought and then pulls out three tankards for the ‘guests’.

“Gentleman”, Ga’len says to everyone at the bar, “It would seem that Band of Brothers has abandoned it’s ‘family’.  It’s tough suddenly learning that everything you have is lost.  Loosing your pods at the same time, whew, what a blow.  Let’s drink to those who have fallen from grace.  TO BoB, MAY YOU REST IN PEACE!!”

“HOW DARE YOU INSULT US!!!  DON’T EVEN TRY TO PICK A FIGHT WITH ME!!  MY ALLIANCE WILL COME AND KICK YOUR ASS!!!” yells one of the ‘baldies’.

Ga’len’s eyes narrow and he glares at him.  “Sir, with all due respect, you should be more civil when you are in the bar owned by the same corp that put you into that fresh clone.  Don’t test my patience nor impugn my honor.  I offered you a drink and safe harbor out the kindness of my heart, but I won’t suffer to pass such insults.  Your alliance is gone, your support is gone and soon everything you own will be plundered and pillaged by those who call themselves pirates.  Don’t make me put you into another clone.”

The ‘baldie’ storms out of the bar and heads off in the direction of the old BoB bar.  Weapons fire is heard being exchanged and shortly after, three CONCORD officers walk past the entrance of  the Hot Gates bar, with a hover stretcher carrying the ‘baldie’ behind them.

Ga’len looks at the other two ‘baldies’ sitting at the bar.  Their eyes are wide open with fear.  “Gentleman, as long as you behave yourselves, you have nothing to fear from us right now.  You are welcome to stay and drink with us.  So, tell me, was your brash friend the one who decided to attack us?”

“My name is Derom”, says one of the ‘baldies’, “and to answer your question, yes, it was him.  You must understand, you are our enemies, we don’t really trust you regardless if our alliance is still alive.”

Derom pulls out his weapon and before he can point it at Ga’len, ‘Robbie’ blasts him away.  The third ‘baldie’ pulls out his weapon and shoots himself in his own head.

“Well, that was pointless.  Apparently it’s true what they say, the only good BoBbit is a dead BoBbit.” Ga’len remarks.  Laughter is heard from all over the bar.

“So, Ga’len”, asks UnBaLaNcE, “Shall we make a run for it in Delve?  Personally, I don’t it think it would be wise.  Every pirate in New Eden will be heading that way.  We may be tough, but we are small compared to some of those who would want to take that space.”

Thoughtfully, Ga’len looks up at the ceiling.  “Yeah, I think it would be a bad idea.  They acted like cornered animals when offered safe haven.  I hate to think what would happen if they were actually threatened. to say nothing about all their enemies.  Let them fight it out, we will simply pick up what comes our way. ”

“Sir”, ‘Robbie’ says to Ga’len, “As the BoBbits are now dead and the cleaning units are dispatching the corpses, shall I pour you another drink?”

Ga’len looks at the bartender and proclaims, “Drink me’earties, YO HO!!”

More of The Bleeding Rose

Please do read these other fine posts on this month’s Blog Banter!!!

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“…you see mate, it’s a matter of leverage, savvy?…”

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Welcome to the fifth installment of the EVE Blog Banter, the monthly EVE Online blogging extravaganza created by CrazyKinux. The EVE Blog Banter involves an enthusiastic group of gaming bloggers, a common topic within the realm of EVE Online, and a week to post articles pertaining to the said topic. The resulting articles can either be short or quite extensive, either funny or dead serious, but are always a great fun to read! Any questions about the EVE Blog Banter should be directed here. Check out other EVE Blog Banter

This month’s topic comes to us from Mynxee of Life in Low Sec. She asks “Alts and Metagaming: Is playing two accounts who are logged in at the same time and work together (hauler/miner, explorer/combat associate, trade alts in trade hubs) a form of metagaming that is “ruining the game”?

Click here to read more.. »

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EVE Blog Banter February 25th 2009