EVE General Discussion

This article was first published on the blog of the Tolero Guard, located here.

A serious discussion is most definitely welcome, both for and against. However trolling will be completely ignored (and I encourage others to ignore trolling too).

In defence of AFK mining

The problem with the war on AFK mining is the line which defines what AFK mining and BOT mining actually is seems to have been blurred, whether intentionally or not. The reality is that they are two completely separate things and AFK mining is a perfectly acceptable practice in Eve. In this article, I’ll delve into why that is.

Let’s start by having a look at what Eve is. In the most simplest of words, it’s a sandbox that allows you to play whichever way you like. To further that though, that also allows other capsuleers to play however they like, which is what makes this game so interesting.

The important thing to note is, Eve has been tailored to accommodate all playing types. If you have a look at some of the features, such as the ability for skills to be trained and industry to churn even when you aren’t logged in is evidence that this game is specifically tailored for people who cannot be at the keyboard 23/7.

That is not to say that people who want to spend more time logged in will not receive further benefit for their time – that is certainly not the case. Those who want to devote more time to the game are rewarded for doing that just.

But the bottom line is, CCP has put the tools in place to allow you to play anyway you like and that specifically includes being away from the keyboard.

Now, onto AFK mining.

For some reason, many vocal members of the Eve community find being away from your keyboard for a few minutes or more as being tantamount to the destruction of Eve. The reality is much different – this ability to be away from the keyboard and still progress is what makes Eve such an accessible game.

Let me give you a few examples I have personally come across recently in Eve:

A mother of two young children – who happens to enjoy the company and companionship offered by the Eve community. However, her duties within her home don’t allow her to remain at the keyboard for extended periods.

A university student – who enjoys making a passive income mining asteroids semi-afk while completing their studies.

New players – It’s no secret that the learning curve of Eve is one of the harshest of any online game (as evidenced by the hugely popular image here). This steep learning curve requires many new players to do an awful lot of reading which while technically not AFK, requires them to be looking at other windows.

Traders – Traders spend an awful long time working on spreadsheets, calculating margins and working out where best to spend their ISK. Is there any harm in them making a passive income mining while they are doing this?

If you have a look at a few of the features that CCP has implemented, such a mining lasers that continue until the asteroid depletes and increasing the ore hold of mining vessels it is evident that CCP is trying to cater to all types of game play. On the flip side, the introduction of mining crystals, fleet boosts and so on also shows that they are actively rewarding people who spend more time at the keyboard.

The problem with the constant warfare on AFK miners is that it’s starting to make the game unplayable for those who want a more casual experience. Why would they bother logging into a game full of people who want to bully them out of existence? A game where trolls run rampant and take enjoyment in ruining the game play for these people?

While it’s completely understandable that with Eve being a sandbox, this makes that kind of bullying a side effect.

It may be worth considering – those kinds of actions are encouraging new and casual players to rethink investing their free time and money on Eve and without those casual gamers, the Eve universe would fall apart.

I lol'd. 5/10

Like an AFK cloaker can't attack you, but an afk miner can be mining.

We need to nerf local !

But moon mining is ok to have AFK right?

If you still have enemies it's a sign you don't have enough blues

I take it you've never had to keep 100 Tech moon towers fueled. You should talk to the guys that do it & they'll tell you all about how it's far from being an AFK activity.

If you're a smart trader, you know not to put your shiny mining vessel at risk of being ganked while you're updating your orders. I know I don't. The extra 5m an hour is a pittance compared to what a semi-casual trader can make docked in a station at no risk of being ganked.

Mining simultaneously while trading is a waste, it's risky and makes very little ISK. It is one of those quintessentially "good on paper" ideas that you realize is bad once you actually do it. Park your mining ship, and trade. Or if your trading skills suck, stop trading and go mine while they train.

Also, I'm a university student. I don't do missions or low sec roams while I'm studying because those activities require attention and pose an inherent risk. You treat high-sec mining like there is no inherent risk. Would you afk drive a car? A plane? Of course not, you have to pay attention. You aren't invincible in high-sec you know?

This isn't about afk mining as much as it is about clinging on to the false notion that you are invincible in high-sec and concord will always protect you. I can safely say most high-sec miners haven't even seen concord swoop in, ever. They just believe it will happen instantly and that they are perfectly safe, because "hey, all these other miners are here, if they think its safe it must be safe for me too, right?"

All this tolero business is a joke, you don't want to get ganked? Fit a tank, orbit your ice, move to a quieter, higher security system, keep an eye on local and warp out if you suspect you are at risk. Don't whine and complain here. Go and actually play the game, instead of afk mining while posting here. The problem is with the miner, not the ganker.

But.. but CONCORD promised they would be there for me~~

If anything, I'd say they were encouraging it by making AFKing easier and safer.

AFK mining is the basis of our whole industrial capability, we must never nerf it.

AFK mining is clearly against the very tenants of EVE, this isnt a casual game, if you arnt spending 14 hours a day playing EVE you are playing wrong