Blog Banter: Inspiration

This month's EVE Blog Banter comes to us from Roc Wieler of Roc's Ramblings. Roc's asks us to "write a story about a fellow EVE Blogger, or an EVE player whom has inspired you or affected you in some tangible way. After your story, describe why you chose them, and any Holiday wish you have specifically for them".

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Although there are a few people I can think of (my CEO for giving me a break and letting a n00b in, My RL friend Seth for his hard work in various RPG's we've played together, my wife for letting me play ;P, the makers of the many online resources for Eve, Black Claw for his unknowing introduction to Eve Blogging for me) there is one Eve player I would have to thank most of all... and what I'm thankful for has nothing to do with Eve.

A long time ago, in an MMO far away...

I was just starting my first life in the worlds of MMO's. Using my personal knowledge of RPG's (mostly D&D) I went to work building my levels in the world... of Warcraft. While leveling I met another Night Elf Hunter that taught me a few things about MMO's. At the time, I only knew two things, questing and getting ganked. Synighte taught me how to PvP. I became addicted to it. It became my bread and butter.

Then he departed for Eve (and to wait for Warhammer). In leaving I began to look at my own surroundings, and after a few months of working (and making a new max level alt), I began to realize why he left. PvP in Warcraft was an afterthought, and the game kept you playing through constant grinding not enjoyment.

In leaving, he opened my eyes to the cardboard patching of this world and I began to loathe it. When Warhammer released, I move to it. I was overjoyed, but the feeling ended quickly. Although the game had wonderful concepts the grind began setting in again. Although different, the game had little real content. Unlike Warcraft, Warhammer had real PvP, but there was little in the way of content leaving it, although still promising later, still disappointing.

Then one day as I was looking at old forums, I saw a post by Synighte. He said he was playing Eve online and he was having fun. Other than him, everyone I talked to said Eve was horrible and had very few players. So I looked at the website and decided I'd give this game a try.

Merry Christmas, Sy. May you and I both get our "normal gaming names" this year. ;P