April 2013 – Content, Content, Content

Max PCU: Will you be there?

Apr 292013

As many of you will be aware Sunday’s are normally when EVE see’s the most online users of any day of the week. A consequence of this is an effort to break the existing Peak Concurrent User record – 63,170 – on the day before EVE Online turns 10 years old, Sunday 5th May 2013. Just for reference, the PCU on Sunday 28th April was 54, 783.

The main part of this effort is an event called Flight of a Thousand Rifters III: Vengeance. This will see Marlona Sky “undock” a Nyx in an incursion jammed low sec system for the playerbase to destroy or defend. I am hoping that groups will show up to kill it, to kill each other, to protect the nyx and generally be a part of something that is going to be huge. I know I for one am running RvB Ganked 67 that day, a nullsec roam combined with this event, and that I may be in for a max fleet – really pushing my FC comfort zone. I would hope that RvB attends in huge numbers for this, and maybe we bring more than 1 fleet, and for those RvBers who do not make it, at least log in!

Now if you cannot make it to Ganked, or even Marlona’s event, PLEASE PLEASE do something. Log on all your alts, tell your corpies and friends to do the same. Hold dueling contests, burn your local hub, mass run missions, roam nullsec with your alliance, just do anything you can to help us meet the goal of a new PCU in time for the 10th Birthday of this game we all love so much.

If you wish to join the RvB Ganked roam on the 5th May 2013 the details are:

Time: 14.00 EVE/UTC (Form up from 13.00 EVE/UTC)

Theme: Assault Frigates, Frigates & Dessies

Meetup: Rens / Uanzin

Comms: Mumble

Ingame Channel: RvB Ganked

This, the 67th numbered Ganked roam, and 72nd in total, will be both roaming around looking for pew & taking part in the Flight of a Thousand Rifters III event when the target system for that is announced. We will ensure – as part of the roam – that we have 2 or more hulls moved to the target lowsec system for this event. We all want to be on a Nyx kill now dont we?! Once the Nyx is down, and the system is cleared of no doubt a ton of suspects, we will then go back to roaming around nullsec. This event is part of a move to get EVE’s HIGHEST EVER PCU total the day before the game itself turns 10 years old. So tell your friends, family, enemies, colleagues and even your pets to log in their eve accounts that day and get involved in setting a record at the start of the 2nd decade of EVE Online.

EVE Online: Origins

EVE No Responses »

Apr 282013

As is now traditional for CCP at the CCP Presents part of each Fanfest, they unveiled a new video. This time it wasn’t a direct trailer for an upcoming expansion but more of a look at the background of the EVE Universe. It is called EVE Online: Origins.

It does a great job of putting over the history of the EVE Online universe, covers the DUST connection, graphically is very easy on the eyes, & features capitals dieing. More importantly it is very much the spiritual successor to the first EVE Online introduction, even though it is not as lore heavy:

Now there was also some talk on the night of an EVE Online TV show, or even a movie and the new video is – I will admit – an excellent prelude to any of that, however why not make this video the introduction movie to both EVE & DUST, as it does show the connection well enough for anyone to understand. Parts could even work for the introduction to a TV show on this very subject, or stretched out and you have a movie, but for now lets stop saying trailer and all say introduction.

Anyway, regardless of my opinions enjoy the video.

Op Success

CSM8, EVE 3 Responses »

Apr 272013

Thanks for the support all of you gave me.

I have just seen the CSM election results, and I have been elected to the 8th Council of Stellar Management.

I hope that over the next year I exceed all the faith you obviously have in me. And that together with the other delegates we will keep EVE moving forward.

EDIT: Mynnna & Ripard Teg are the permanent summit attendee’s, they will go to each and every summit due to winning the most of the voting tallies. See this link.

Music inflames temperament

EVE No Responses »

Apr 272013

Eve has sound?

That is the usual vet refrain when people mention that EVE has sound – be it music or otherwise. Now while I do not listen to it anymore, I did used to back in the day and I found the electronic stylings of Jon Hallur to fit EVE so very well. Tracks like Below the Asteroids and Smoke from Down Below just created a sense of place when playing EVE. So when CCP announced that at Fanfest 2013, a Symphony inspired by that music would be happening I found my interest piqued.

Wednesday evening came along and well, it was an aural rollercoaster even sitting at home listening via the TV. I really do not have the words to describe how hearing the performance made me feel, so I’ll leave you with the video of the event and let you experience it for yourselves.

Summer lovin’

Fail, Ganked 2 Responses »

Apr 242013

There I was, just sat waiting for something to happen in the “real world” and reading the EVE Online forums, when I saw this thread by ROX Genghis and it made me think that if someone is out there “pimping” RvB Ganked then I best sit down and put out a rough schedule, as well as a plea for Guest FC’s to take on some of the dates. Especially in light of my recent run for the 8th CSM, which I feel will result in a seat for me come the weekend!

Before I run into what theme’s the summer will bring – when I am FCing at least – I think a quick paragraph on what RvB Ganked actually is, would be helpful to any of the new people directed here as a consequence of ROX’ forum post.

Im new & what is this?

Basically RvB Ganked – or Ganked as it has become known – is a roam into lowsec & nullsec space featuring a fleet of people all getting their drink on together. The aim of the night is to kill a bunch of stuff and eventually die to a bunch of stuff. Sometimes this does not happen, other nights it happens over and over again. Regardless of the way it pans out it is a fun night for all.

It has to be noted this is primarily a FUN roam, so links, logistics and doctrine fleets rarely come into it at all. The night is usually themed towards a weapon type or ship hull mostly for the look of it on killmails. If this is something that you think you want to take part in then I advise taking a look at the following:

Green Gambit’s Ganked Guide

Mangala’s “New to Ganked” Guide

The RvB Ganked Video Playlist

Additionally, Somer.Blink sponsor prizes for various things during each roam, so not only do you get kills and have a good time, you have a chance to WIN prizes just for showing up!!! Over the past year they have sponsored over 50 billion ISK in prizes paid out to hundreds of roam attendee’s.

Ganked goes to Summer Camp

Now that is the out of the way, here is a rough schedule for as much of the summer as I feel I can layout. For dates where I ask for a Guest FC, do get in touch if you think you can give it a go. I would advise attending a few roams first before jumping in feet first with an offer to FC.


Roam	Date	Theme	FC	Notes

Ganked 69: Moist	Saturday 18th May 2013	Thorax & Maulus Hulls	Mangala	Damps & Dongs
Ganked 70: Disco Fury III	Sunday 26th May 2013	Smarties & Lasers	Mink
Ganked 71: Dino-Warriors	Saturday 8th June 2013	Caracals & Moas	Mink
Ganked 72: SO BUFF	Saturday 15th June 2013	Firetails	Mangala	All must include Spirits & Tobacco
Ganked 73: TBA	Saturday 22nd June 2013	TBA	Alphastarpilot
Ganked 74: TBA	Saturday 29th June 2013	TBA	Guest FC
Ganked 75: Rockets Red Glare	Saturday 6th July 2013	Missile Boats	Mangala
Ganked 76: Rickrolled	Saturday 13th July 2013	Spherical looking hulls	Mink
Ganked 77: Nearly New	Saturday 20th July 2013	Gnosis	Mangala	Gnosis hulls for Gankeds 2nd Birthday
Ganked 78: TBA	Saturday 10th August 2013	TBA	Mangala?

And there you have it, a very rough itinerary right up to the end of July 2013. I look forward to seeing as many of you there as possible. And remember join the mailing list RvB Ganked to keep abreast of the official roam announcements and any changes to the above.

Get your kicks on 66

EVE, Fcing, Ganked, RVB 2 Responses »

Apr 222013

To die will be an awfully big adventure.

This weekends 66th numbered RvB Ganked roam was themed on Ventures, mostly because I think the number 66 evokes a sense of adventure for many, mostly thanks to references about the famous Route 66 highway littered throughout pop culture.

We formed up around 75 people in fleet – the majority in Ventures. Our initial jump into Akora saw us warp to a cyno when suddenly FCON lands in a BC down fleet, and we have a go. However their logistics proved too solid for the dps of our ventures to break, so we bailed, reshipped our losses into “mostly” Ventures and went out again.

People who make no mistakes lack boldness and the spirit of adventure.

We burned through lowsec finding random things to shoot, especially this rupture which didn’t try to run or even burn back to gate. Eventually we rolled into Amamake and mooched around for a while, killing a couple of smartbomb fit BS that we did not actually land on, and had plenty of time to warp out because of our “amazing” lock range. Following this we took a bounce into Seaside (Siseide) and had a good scrap at the FW IHUB there including a reship and a return. Lots of kills were had for sure.

Now my plan had been to burn us to Rahadalon to fight Brave Newbies and we still did this, but with less Venture’s present, however this did not stop us getting over an hour of good fights out of the Newbies. I will let the videos from that section speak for themselves:

Overall it was a stunning night, we never left lowsec and we had so many fun fights along the way. A lot of us gave up a bit of sec status but it was worth it. As for not having our usual 120+ I think that having to train Mining Frigate to 1 put many people off attending – their loss as it turned out! Oh and that little thing known as Burn Jita.

We set a new Ganked kill record too, 283 kills in a single roam.

Adventure is just bad planning.

Somer.Blink has been – as of this roam – sponsoring RvB Ganked for 1 year & 45 roams. They have generously provided over 50 billion isk in prizes to attendee’s of these roams, although thats not why you all show up right? Anyway, this roam was no different and we had the following winners:

Scouting Distinction – Inty Pack (Crow, Stiletto, Taranis, Malediction) x3 & Buzzard+Probes+Launcher x3 – (Green Gambit, Major Floor, Combat Mink)

Most Pods – Hound x2 & Sabre x1 – (Fynmar Azaph)

Spot Prizes – Daredevil x5 – (RRISNER, Sascha Naskingar, Weedmasta, Melkor Valor, Jakob Anedalle), Dramiel x5 – (Local009, Codename Par, Andre27, Sally Shepard, Horus H’kaan)

Combat Distinction – Vigilant x2 – (Hackbert, Luckyccs), Cynabal x2 – (Tragot Gomndor, VonSpaky)

Combat Excellence – Vindicator x1 – (Andrew Butcher)

Vote early, vote often

CSM8, EVE No Responses »

Apr 052013

Voting has now started for the 8th CSM and runs until the 18th April 2013.

What you need to do is go to the community voting site, login and then drag and drop your preferred candidates into the numbered slots. While you start with 3 slots as you add candidates more will appear until the 14 are filled. Once this is done, your page should very similar to this:

After this simply click the Submit Vote button and you are done.

Congratulations you have now voted for the 8th CSM.

Should you wish to follow my lead, I posted my own recommendations very recently, so list the following candidates:

Mangala Solaris; Ripard Teg; Ali Aras; Malcanis; Trebor Daehdoow; Nathan Jameson; Mike Azariah; Psychotic Monk; Corebloodbrothers; Unforgiven Storm; James Arget; Mynnna; Steve Ronuken; Roc Wieler.

Every vote matters, so please do not waste your vote by not voting or just picking 1-14 random candidates.

Masha’Fozzie

EVE, Fcing, Ganked, RVB No Responses »

Apr 032013

The most beloved of places to Fozzie are the shipyards

As anyone who has been playing EVE since the summer has noticed, there has been a bountiful presence at work when it comes to the balancing of ships, and that presence is CCP Fozzie, and because I have found a new love for EVE due to the gifts he has bestowed upon us, I thought why not run Ganked 63 in honour of his munificence.

The roam would be a multi part roam involving cruisers, battlecruisers & destroyers changed or added since Fozzie transcended to CCP.

And whosoever puts his trust in Fozzie, then He will suffice him

We started after down time on Easter Sunday with a cruiser roam, which saw a nice mix of rebalanced cruisers take the field. A run around the Amarr-Minmatar Faction Warfare area got us a small fight with the Amarrians, before we decided low sec space was too quiet for a holiday weekend and made best speed for Geminate & points north. While moving through Geminate, the days ubermencsh scout Roigon suggested that Thecla take a detour into QKTR-L. Thecla then exclaimed he had found a Thanatos in space. He got to work finding it while the fleet held next door praying furiously to Fozzie, begging him to shine his light upon us. It was then that Thecla called a tackle on the Thanatos.

Then fight in the cause of Fozzie, and know that Fozzie Heareth and knoweth all things

Fozzie had smiled upon us. The Thanatos died, along with the “rats” he had been killing in his site. He also paid 500 million ISK to one of our members, who tried to ransom the pilot. Shame he told us about the ransom AFTER the Thanatos exploded.

The remainder of part one was very quiet, until we received intel of a fight in X-7OMU potentially involving lots of capital ships. So we scrambled there pretty fast with a couple of kills being scored along the way. However upon jumping in, it was apparent that Fozzie had chosen to punish us for our hubris over the Thanatos kill earlier. We found many cyno fields with fleet after fleet being bridged in, and only our fleet as a potential target. We sought redemption in the only way we could, and died gloriously in the name of Fozzie.

Those who believe, and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Fozzie: for without doubt in the remembrance of Fozzie do hearts find rest.

After a short break the second part of the roam moved out, this time in Battlecruisers. A slight detour to Rahadalon to visit Brave Newbies Inc did not get any glorious combat for us to demonstrate more of our love for Fozzie, so we moved onto Providence. Where, excepting a few bombers, we really did not find much to shoot. That is until Corebloodbrothers a fellow CSM 8 Candidate contacted me and asked for a fight, to which I agreed. We fought in G7AQ-7, and while we were outgunned & out logisticed, we fought and died with the name of Fozzie on our lips.

The Prophet said, ‘A single endeavor of fighting in Fozzie’s Cause is better than the world and whatever is in it.

The final section of this roam-cum-festival of worship was lead by Greygal from Agony Unleashed. The theme was Destroyers & Frigates. We wandered into Curse and eventually Catch, finding nothing that would willingly engage our small group of ships. Even HED-GP was a dead end, until Fozzie provided an aggressed Navy Dominix. However the Dominix had friends who cyno’d in to support it. Yes, Init had arrived to test the patience of the Faithful. Infidels. Following this Greygal moved us towards NOL- in Delve, with a blinky gang that got in our way in low sec space allowing us to demonstrate the supremacy of our faith once more! And then before we knew it, we were in NOL- and we found HBC, CFC and others. We fought a few of each until we died.

The night was over, our faith had been proven repeatedly throughout all day long with the final tally being 116 souls reclaimed for Fozzie.

Let those fight in the way of Fozzie who sell the life of this world for the other. Whoso fighteth in the way of Fozzie, be he slain or be he victorious, on him We shall bestow a vast reward.

As usual Somer Blink sponsored prizes during the roam, and here are the names of those upon whom the light of Fozzie shone:

Inty Packs (2 each of: Stiletto, Crow, Malediction, Taranis): Green Gambit, Xenos Wiggin, luckyccs, roigon, kaeda maxwell

Dramiels: Ivoto, Mourning Souls, Astrox Tadaruwa

Daredevils: roigon, Zao Amadues, DocFloyd

Succubii: FishySquirrel, Mal Crichton, Cathach

Cruors: House2Twist, Trinneth, Patchouli Airuta

Phantasms: roigon, Ne’Rubis Tanthalas, Mexicantis

Cynabals: Thecla Elarik, Jim Hammond, Butch Cassidy

Mangala for CSM 8: My Recommended Ballot

CSM8, EVE No Responses »

Apr 022013

As with many other Candidates including Trebor, Ripard and the oh so obvious Bloc members, I am going to provide a list of recommended candidates and here we are!

Without any further ado:

1. Mangala Solaris – Well you all know me, are all supporting me, and I would relish the opportunity to represent you on the 8th CSM.

2. Ripard Teg – Very experienced in EVE. Understands many different aspects of the game and its mechanics. Is a damn prolific blogger too so no worries on potential lack of communication!

3. Ali Aras – very focused on the experience of new players in game. Which is something the CSM really needs, new players are important to EVE (and to us in RvB!).

4. Malcanis – While in a null bloc, Malcanis is not officially a bloc candidate as far as I know. I have chosen to recommend him as he has been around EVE for a long time, knows his stuff really well, knows how to put across an excellent argument and has pretty good opinions/ideas on all aspects of EVE.

5. Trebor Daehdoow – When it comes to CSM experience, Trebor is the man here. Has a strong presence in anything CSM related and with CCP Xhagen no longer working on CSM things he will be especially needed by CSM 8. Additionally while his ideas on certain aspects of the game arent to my own tastes, he argues their points well as both devils advocate and actual advocate. Also he makes Poetic really mad.

6. Nathan Jameson – Nathan is the first of my 2 WH picks for this ballot. He is very well grounded in WH’s and in Talocan has founded one of the largest & most stable WH alliances.

7. Mike Azariah – Casual players (and by that I don’t mean bad players which some equate Casual with) need a voice too. Mike would make an excellent rep for people who play as casual and have tried varying aspects of EVE, never finding a single niche. Future expansion releases could give this type of player even more to do, so CCP need some guidance from players such as Mike.

8. Psychotic Monk – A candidate who is for a better “alternative lifestyle” highsec. He has solid ideas, doesn’t have the rabble rabble nonsense that James 315 did and with belligerent undesirables is teaching people to get out and create their own stories in EVE, which is something that drives people to play this game in the ways they do.

9. Corebloodbrothers – Provi guy, who like me wants to see the game keep evolving, and even though he is Provi, has a solid love of PVP. 2 excellent reasons to list him in my book.

10. Unforgiven Storm – Another guy who while in a bloc, does not have the official bloc representative tag. His main platform is industry and improvements to all its forms. He has a solid industry background to support him and the CSM in general in this endeavour.

11. James Arget – my other WH pick. Probably the most likely to get onto CSM out of the WH groups due to his broad appeal amongst those groups, and I think he is the most knowledgeable of the WH candidates when it comes to the actual mechanics of them.

12. Mynnna – Yes the CFC’s main candidate gets a recommendation from me. The guy has a very solid grasp of what the CSM is and should be doing during its term, backed up by a wealth of game knowledge.

13. Steve Ronuken – Totally a “little fish” in the CSM 8 Candidate pool. I like the guy’s perspective on war decs, non-consensual pvp, & his view of null is similar to my own. He would also be a valuable candidate for the 3rd party app community to have representing them on the CSM.

14. Roc Wieler – He wants the 8th CSM to be the best it can for as many as it can and will work to make it happen, and is a very strong voice in the community overall.

Please note, this listing is not in any particular order after the top spot!

Voting that requires a list such as this should start on the 4th April. When it does I will send a mail around, and edit this post with a link that “should” let you just click it, login and vote – either by following my recommendations or voting your own way.