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

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 →

The Council of Stellar Management 6 voting polls have opened – starting March 9, 2011. There are 57 candidates from various alliances, factions, corporations, and independents. Some are new to the game, others have played for years, and some previous CSM members (this year and others) are also on the list.

Our own Dierdra Vaal has developed a useful Vote Match web-tool, where you can answer a few questions in a poll about your game interests and preferences, then see the results of how your own preferences match with the stated goals/inclinations of the candidates. It is a starting place to help you research who you want to vote for. You can then find more information about the candidates at Jita Park Speakers Corner and Council Candidates Views.

During the open polls, EVE University will host impromptu CSM talks as candidates become available and show interest in sharing their experience and goals with E-UNI. EVE University does not back any specific candidate but you have a great chance to check out some of the front runners on our Mumble. Keep an eye on your EVEmail for Corporate announcements of impromptu chats.

You can vote HERE; all paying accounts older than 30 days at the time of their vote are entitled one vote. Voting for CSM6 ends on March 22, 2011 at 23:59 UTC.

Many who were online during this last Saturday had the distinct privilege of attending a guest class given by Vonqueesha Shenaynay and Akay Quinn. The premise of the class was both simple and complex – balancing a healthy amount of profanity with some very enlightening looks at the darker side of the EVE Universe.
Today we get a chance to speak to Vonqueesha Shenaynay, up close and personal, to find out a little bit more about him and the distinct role he plays in game.

Zeroniss: So how long have you been playing EVE? And what did you hope to accomplish when you were fresh and new?

Vonqueesha Shenaynay: I started around Christmas 2009. I immediately knew I wanted to be a spy – to destroy agroups will to play. Continue reading →

EVE University is proud to host a special event this weekend. We are proud to present to our students a guest lecture on Scamming and Black Ops. The guest lecturers are Akay Quinn of GoonWaffe, generally renowned for having his fingers in many secret pies, and Vonqueesha Shenaynay, a talented con-artist.

Akay Quinn

The lecture will be coverings issues of a subversive nature; how to run and operate a few beginner scams (which Vonqueesha has graciously agreed to lecture on), and matters of social psychology and it’s impact on politics and in-game society – in short, meta-game skills at their best.

Akay Quinn will briefly cover the realm of spies, and the infiltration and exploitation of Corporations and Alliances – a skill he has all but perfected in his time.

The lecture will additionally cover the use of Black Ops and the associated logistical issues on how to make them successful.

Vonqueesha Shenaynay

It is a thoroughly recommended lecture for those who are seeking something a little different and a little exciting. The event is restricted to current Uni members and Alumni only, however a recording of the lecture may be available in the near future.

Additionally, the Media Department is working on securing interviews with both of these very mysterious individuals, and these may be available in the very near future.

E-UNI members are reminded that much of what they will learn in this class CANNOT be used during their time in the Uni, but it offers an excellent insight into the darker side of EVE.

Class Details: Saturday, 5th March 2011, at 18:00 (Server Time)

Futher details can be found in this thread.

Zeroniss EDITOR

It is that time of year again, and once more, as it has for the past few years, Hulkageddon is poised to begin. Everyone in New Eden is feeling the effects, no matter what walk of life one has chosen to pursue.

May it be the humble mission runner, who now quakes in fear for the loss of his salvager. Or the docile miner, restricting himself to only the most vigilant of mining spurts. Or the pragmatic station trader, who is watching commodity costs rise as the supply chokes out despite unwavering demand. And of course, the brazen PvP warrior, who is suddenly keeping a closer eye on his ships because replacing them is costing a significant amount more.

So what is Hulkageddon? Confunded by the term? Boggled by the maliciousness behind it’s intent? For starters, the name is a portmanteau of the words Hulk and Armageddon. Hulk, of course, can quite simply be explained as the colossal ORE mining barge that every miner dreams of one day falling asleep at the helm of while he eats whole asteroid belts alive. Armageddon – without delving into too much of a meta-physical analysis of life and the hereafter – is loosely definable as the event that ends all.

So, in a nutshell, it is an event designed to facilitate death upon miners. It is a celebration of such, and the best and classiest harbingers of said death are honoured with a shower of gifts. Sound about right?
Well… sort of.

Hulkageddon has since grown far beyond the humble constraints of a portmanteau, now revelled in widely by the greater New Eden Capsuleer community – a sport of sorts.

Worry not, for we decided to go down this suicidal rabbit hole, and try to get behind what the event is all about. And what better way than to speak directly with the founder and creator of Hulkageddon: Helicity Boson!

Zeroniss: So Helicity, tell us a little bit about yourself. How long have you been a Capsuleer and a pirate? Continue reading →

The EVE University Bug Hunting and Quality Assurance Class, held on the evening of 13th February 2011, was a resounding success. Generating just over 200 attendees, the event was hailed both a success for the event itself, the first University hosted event with guest speakers from CCP, as well as the first ‘trial by fire’ success of the new Mumble server.

Ed'rashtekaresket

The event organizer and host, Ed’rashtekaresket, was pleased with the result.  “It was a runaway success, beyond my expectations!”, he said, quite pleased. “It really was a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I hope everyone that was unable to make it will still take the time to download and listen to the recording.” Continue reading →