The Life of a SpyMaster: Speaking with Akay Quinn

Intel and subterfuge are two interesting components to EVE Online. Not only does the concept provide tangible and manifest benefits within the game, but it plays a very strong meta-game position as well (that being, effects going beyond the realm of the game).

Few networks have become as proficient at the art of intelligence gathering as the dreaded Goonswarm Intelligence Agency (or GIA for short), who have been accredited with some of the most intriguing intelligence leaks and corporate upsets in the history of EVE.

We have today the privilege of speaking to Akay Quinn, current chief of GIA, filling the position that The Mittani once held.

Zeroniss: So when did you start playing EVE Online? Continue reading

Pilot’s Perspective: Fun on Singularity Server

Hunara

Hunara

I recently wandered onto the Eve Singularity test server to relax and fly some shiny ships that I am admittedly too poor to fly on the Tranquility server. After the slightly lengthy but worthwhile update to the test client I was greeted by my character selection screen. I was a bit disappointed that the most recent mirror to the test server was before my new character portrait was finalized. Since the current mirror was a bit farther behind then I was hoping I wasn’t able to fly the ships I am now capable of flying.

I started roaming around killing random rats when I saw a few people from our beloved EVE University log on and start chatting about some PvP practice and how to coordinate it. This conversation piqued my interest quite a bit. As I don’t consider myself a god amongst mortals I thought I would join my fellow Unistas for some laid back PvP training outside a nearby station. I started out by flying some of my favorite cruisers like the Rupture and Stabber – let’s just say that it didn’t end end in my favor. I had decided to have some fun in a shinier ship so I hopped into a Cynabal and fit it up as best as I knew. Continue reading

EVE University Updates Rules of Engagement

In a surprising and welcome announcement, EVE University CEO Kelduum Revaan announced that as of today EVE University will officially be adopting a NBSI (Not Blue, Shoot It) Engagement Policy for Nullsec and Wormhole Space.

Many are heralding it as a welcome change, as for seven years of flying under a Not Red, Don’t Shoot (NRDS) policy, Ivy League members have often been forced to wait until engaged first – thereby losing the advantage where an engagement is about to occur.

“The changes will only apply to permitted areas of engagement – that being NPC Nullsec and Wormhole Space (Sec status -1.0 to 0.0). Our rules of engagement will remain the same in Highsec and Lowsec, and the areas of space where University members are permitted to enter shall remain the same.”

Many have heralded this as an excellent opportunity for University members to start fielding ships that had previously been frowned on, and use tactics that had previously been forbidden. “It is an exciting time,” said Director of Education Neville Smit. “This opens a great deal of new learning opportunities for us to present to the students and we are keen to exploit this.”

EVE University still operates under an open NAP policy – any corporation or alliance in New Eden may request to have us set as blues and have such reciprocated, regardless of prior experiences.

EVE University’s new Rules of Engagement come into effect from 00:01 on 16th April 2011.

Do you hold previously poor standings with EVE University? See our standings page here, as well as information on how to seek an NAP.

Will this change in standings effect you in any way? Tell us more here.

Read EVE University CEO Kelduum Revaan’s official announcement in the CAOD section of the EVE Online forums here.

EVE University Calling: Becoming a Mentor

One of the primary missions at EVE University is to teach new players starting the game from a background with little to no knowledge of the mechanics and nuances of EVE Online – arguably one of the most difficult sandbox MMOs currently on the market. In a world so daunting, classes may seem like a terrific way to learn. But there will be times when there isn’t an important class you need available, and a tedious gap in your knowledge that you are burning to fill. What do you do?

Chances are, your assigned Mentor will be your first calling point.

The Mentor program was established to give students that close tutor support they may need to help them get started with their first steps. Want to know how PI works? Your Mentor will point you in the right direction. Concerned how your PVP fit is? Your Mentor will give you unjudgemental advice and assistance.

We took a little time to speak to Alastar Frost, the Mentor Manager at EVE University. Continue reading

Under the Anonymous Crosshairs

EVE University has had an interesting 7th birthday. Coming out of a three and a half week period of almost continuous war, students were greeted this morning with a notification that war had been declared against Ivy League by Holding Corp One – a one man corporation headed by an alt character.

EVE University CEO Kelduum Revaan was available for comment. “I am saddened by this latest turn of events. It has been brought to my attention by the sole member of Holding Corp One that this war declaration has an ulterior motive – one designed to cause trouble and hassle for the University population.”

Kelduum referred to the correspondence he had received from the one-man-war-declarer, which seemed to hint towards a general dissatisfaction with EVE University leadership, culminating in the odd decision to harass the student population itself.

“I have put a very specific process in place for approaching and contacting me about any members of staff who are acting in an inappropriate manner. This process has never been a secret and I am severely disappointed that this individual has sought such a disruptive method of trying to get his point across.”

It is of particular worth to note that the individual in question has opted to using a two week old alt to arrange the operation against the University. The lack of using their main character to voice their concerns detracts severely from their credibility, making any complaint or demand they make very difficult to address. The University maintains a policy of neutrality and any words of criticism from external sources is always received warmly and fully considered without prejudice.

EVE University Teacher and Events Manager, Qato Vollan, was particularly agitated. “The University had arranged a terrific event to for it’s 7th birthday to allow students to relax and partake in some light hearted fun. Sadly this quick succession of wars has hampered such plans greatly.”

And such is the sad truth. Often while people don the mask of anonymity and go forth to enact some form of vigilante justice, some kind of innocent bystander is left in the lurch. In enforcing their scheme to bring pressure onto the EVE University directorate, the members of the so called “gang of sixteen” have directly had a negative effect on the gameplay of almost 1500 young players new to EVE University, all to introduce a war that has little to no promised substance.

As it stands, EVE University remains staunch, their channels of communication still open to any diplomatic ties that Holding Corp One may want to make, should they realise the true ramifications that their war declaration is having. However, with the countdown to the war start up time fast ticking, it is becoming rapidly apparent that the University students will be subjected to yet another week of war.

However – EVE University does not forget. The ILN is ever vigilant and ever probing, their agents and eyes already investigating the dark corners of New Eden for signs to point them in the right direction. Like a pack of hounds they will chase those shreds right to the true source, and they will strike hard, and they will strike true. It has happened many times before and it will happen many times again.

The war may go on. But EVE University will prevail.

Do you have any information about this or another war? Do you have a similar story to share?
Please let us know anonymously here.

For the EVE University Public Thread concerning this war, go here.

What’s the Deal About Fanfest?

Fanfest VII is the in-person EVE Online player/CCP convention in Reykjavik, Iceland, held between March 23-26. Folks get to mingle, visit, party, and see the sights, and several thousand have attended and enjoyed past Fanfests. Events scheduled to happen at this year’s include presentations and round tables, the PvP Tournament, Dev Track 2011, fun competitions, and more.

What if you can’t make the trek to Iceland and see and feel Fanfest live? You’ve got options for joining in too. You can check out highlights of events & roundtables, live coverage of many of the fest’s major presentations, and see commentary and interviews from the folks who are there. Streaming is free at at the Fanfest Stream site, with a paid HD option that grants you a special in-game clothing item. Plus, the free program book can also be downloaded. Continue reading

New EVE University Director of Education Announced

EVE University today celebrates it’s 7th Birthday. It was around this time seven years ago that Morning Maniac established a humble teaching institute, with the aim of helping players learn and develop their EVE Online skills and knowledge. Today the University has grown – with multiple departments and facilities and over 1500 students, EVE University is the largest institution of it’s kind in New Eden, and still immensely popular.

With this joyous occasion on hand, EVE University is proud to announce today that after the retirement of the former Director of Education Dierdra Vaal, CEO Kelduum Revaan had approached Teacher Manager Neville Smit to take up the mantle, which he did so formally on March 13th. Neville Smit has seen a successful spell as Teacher Manager, handling much of the department’s duties and organization – an asset well appreciated by former Director Vaal.

Neville Smit - Director of Education

Neville Smit - Director of Education

Director Smit was gracious enough to speak to us briefly about his new appointment and give us a small insight into what he has planned for the Education Department – one of the cornerstones of the University.

Zeroniss: First of all Neville, a big congratulations. How are you feeling currently? Excited by the task at hand?

Neville Smit: Absolutely! The University has been very good to me, and I’m delighted to be able to give something back.  The opportunity to help new pilots gain their footing in EVE, and to go on to succeed in whichever career they choose, is something that gives me a lot of satisfaction.

Z: The new position carries a lot of responsibilities. Are you worried at all?

NS: I’d be silly to not be at least a little bit intimidated – with over 1500 members, E-UNI is one of the largest and most well known corporations in EVE Online.  I have a lot of experience in the University though – having been a teacher, a mentor, a recruiting officer, a professor, and a manager in my time here,  so I think I am as equipped to step up to the Director job as I can be.

Z: Any exciting changes you have planned immediately for the department? Continue reading