EVE General Discussion

Question: With Odyssey claiming to further the Storyline as one of the main points of the expansion, will this mean a continuation of the current dynamics between the Big Four? Or will we see less homogenization and a more nuanced approach to the archetypes that form the backbone of the Big Four?

As an Amarrian, I am concerned about the cultural direction of the Empire within the evolving storyline. As Tony Gonzales demonstrated in his two books (and specifically in Templar One), the Amarrian culture is one that is not a black and white, archetype of villainy and racist demagoguery. With the (relatively) recent progressive edicts from Empress Jamyl, it seemed as though this blurring of the archetype was not just an abberation, but a starting point for a trend of progressive evolution regarding the Empire as a whole. Just as slavery in America evolved into indentured servitude and eventually into emancipation, so too did it seem that the Empire would begin the (understandably slow) transformation from the evil overlords of religious zealotry towards a more enlightened, and less overtly evil, culture.

Granted, this is EVE, and as such the dark and gritty aspect of it's backbone must be preserved; while I accept this, I also cannot accept the fact that the line separating "good" and "evil" should become so pronounced. Recently, it has appeared (from a lore standpoint) that the Gallente and Minmatar have increasingly become identifiable as the obvious "good guys," despite the many opportunities to blur the distinction inherent within their respective cultures.

Will the current trend towards a more simplistic and black vs. white morality dynamic be continued with the next expansion's focus on storyline development? Or will New Eden become a more muddied, convoluted and gritty universe? There seems to be a lot of room to maneuver within the established lore, and yet all I see is a regression from the more nuanced view expounded (quite wonderfully, I may add) by Tony Gonzales.

As archetypal as the dichotomy of freedom and democracy vs religion/slavery and capitalistic fascism is, and as intriguing as that eternal conflict is, it is not a stable platform for a vibrant and nuanced universe, as such blanket archetypes lose their potency over time.

While it is not the place of a mere player to dictate how that evolution should occur, such static archetypes make being an Amarrian an exercise in futility. If I wanted to be an evil spaceship god, I'd be a pirate; but I am a hero at heart (as all humanity is, at the end of the day, even tyrants and villains are heroes in their own twisted internal stories) and it is tough to have to constantly reconcile my own internal heroic (and patriotic) tendencies with the reality that I fight for an Empire that enslaves those who it does not exterminate, simply because of religion and racism.

Give us Amarrian's (and our fellow villainous brethren, the Caldari) a reason not to be continually embarrassed by our own villainy. I'm not arguing that you make US the heroes, but at least look towards blurring the line of why we are considered the bad guys.

TL;DR - EVE is EVE because the line between good and evil is only in the eye of the beholder. Let's stick to that.

~A.K.

That's what I have assumed, but with the next expansion's focus on story, I have been looking into the more recent developments, and I can't tell which way the wind seems to blow. Honestly, the murkiness of the good vs. evil dynamic is one of the biggest reasons why I've stuck with EVE throughout the years, aside from the pew pew that is. I just hope the evolution of the Big Four continues in the same direction, rather than regressing to a more black and white morality play.

I'd really love to believe in the seductive power of being the underdog.

But, as I learned when I decided to leave my whorish carebearing days behind me and joined the Amarr Militia, I found myself staring at a FW map that was hopelessly dominated by the Minmatar. Looking at the numbers (this was almost a year ago), it was obvious why. To this day, we are still vastly outnumbered, and, while plex farmers are certainly a large part of it (looking at all y'all sneaky russians), the problem lies more in the general lack of enthusiasm (and this may well be true on the opposing sides, only been in the Amarr Militia). It is hard to constantly go out and fight for your militia, if you don't have some sort of pride or patriotism or nationalism or whatever you want to call what the Minmatar have (a love of anarchy?). Simply put, there is little incentive (unless your a dirty whore of an RPer like me) to enlist in a Militia that is seen by most players as the archetypal villain.

Granted, this is a specific problem of the archetypal villainy of the Amarrian lore, and it really only applies to the die-hard militia-members and corps that go out and fight the good fights day in and day out. And granted, while there was a legitimate increase (one could almost say an equilibrium) when the Winter Surge happened and Amarr stopped losing wretchedly (and could almost be said to have fought the war to a brief stalemate), that progress quickly evaporated, and we're down to a bare handful of systems (three, last time I logged on, we probably still have Sis...). A lot of this was due to the rebalance of FW, which made plexing not utterly ******** in it's profitability, but since then, the farmers have returned, and it's a lot of blobbing SFI's and/or stabbed rifters.

But even through all the ups and downs, being the literal underdog hasn't seemed to do us many favors. Who would join a militia that has been losing in stellar fashion (not due to actual fleet engagements or skirmishes, but simply to plex farmers who have no stake in the militia regardless)?

RPers, and noobs who don't really know much about the Amarr, but their ships are quite shiny, and, well...Lazors.

EDIT: Forgot to get to my main point. We might be literal underdogs in FW, but the Minmatar are certainly the PERCEIVED underdogs, being rebelling slaves and freedom fighters and whatnot. Have you ever seen a movie that held the slaveowners as heroes?

Aside from Birth of Nation, that is.

I'm not "heavily" into role playing in this game, but if you ask around I think that you will find that a lot of Amarrian players feel that personally the whole slavery and overbearing zealotry is a cultural problem that slowly needs to be changed. Personally, my particular race has always been more oriented towards tolerating those tendencies while still finding a way to get along with (and do business with) other races.

From an RP point of view many citizens feel that slavery is a failed economic experiement, and that religion should be spread through example rather than force of arms. While those beliefs are not likely to spur them to open revolt, it is pervasive none the less.

Most likely we will see stories and events that concern these issues, many of which will deal with subtle plot twists and deceptions (which no doubt will lead to armed confrontations of one form or another) which uses the might of the Amarr Empire against itself instead of outright rebellion.

Then again, perhaps we will see a new highly charasmatic order arise, or an ancient prophecy revealed, that will inspire large sections of the population and govt./religious institutions to surge in a new direction. We've always been strong on saviors and martyrs.

I like the fact that the latest chronical portrayed your average Caldari as having a side that was very human and capable of a sympathetic response (even respect for an enemy) while still being ruthlessly efficient. Indeed it showed the benefits to their population that efficiency of that type would bring.

It was nicely done, and hopefully it will also be done for the Amarr.

The might be taking our lives BUT NEVER OUR CAPITALISTIC FASCISM!

Glory to the State.

Lots of people fly all 4 up to battleship. They are underpowered.

So youre saying they will add Pandas.

Fantastic.

Oh god, not PANDAS! But seriously, it'd be great if Jamyl did...something. I mean, yes, she freed the slaves (well, some of em at least) but that's about it. But that was like a year or so ago. Is she in a coma?

With Amarr and Caldari, you just have to go off the grid. The clownish bad guy thing makes them vastly more entertaining than the alternatives (granted, Mentas is giving the Gallente some meat to go with the sauce). Run with the snappy space Nazi theme, circa oh I don't know, 1937, and pity everyone in the "my grandmother knitted this shawl with seashells that she carved by hand just before her holders killed her for spilling the salt" faction... shudder.