EVE New Citizens Q&A

close enough.

"Carebear" is generally descriptive of Miners/Industrialists/Researchers/etc (this isn't necessarily a negative connotation).

It can also be descriptive (in the negative) of players who feel that whilst Everyone Vs. Everyone (yes, EVE is an acronym) is centred around PVP in many forms, they should be left alone by everyone else who is "griefing" them.

Edit for clarity --

I say "griefing" in quotes, because EVE doesn't view scams/ganking/etc in the same manner as other MMO games. On some level, if you're not trying to scam/gank someone, you're playing EVE wrong.

Also, keep in mind that nearly everything in EVE is some form of PVP:

Combat (duh)
Resource gathering/Mining
Invention
Production
Stealing that guy's loot
Ninja Salvaging
Scamming
Market
Contracts

are all forms of PVP (note that Mining has been watered down significantly now that the belts respawn daily). About the only non-PVP interaction in EVE is ship spinning (though you can be PVP-ing whilst ship spinning) and maybe missions.

It's one use of it, but it's not how many use it. There is a difference between an industrialist and a carebear for example. They both might want to get along with others and not engage in any direct PvP combat, but the carebears can't really accept PvP being part of the game and often feel they should be allowed to be immune from unwanted combat PvP.

When carebears are confronted with unconcensual PvP they can't accept it and move on, so they spout all kinds of bile towards the people who attacked them. This is often followed by demands to CCP to change the game, so that such injustices can't happen in the future. The industrialist on the other hand doesn't really care for PvP, but accepts the risk of unconcensual PvP and accepts PvP as an integral part of the gaming experience that makes EVE what it is. He is aware of the risks and does what he can to mitigate them. When he ends up as a victim he might feel bad for a while, but he accepts the loss, tries to learn to avoid similar things in the future and goes on with business as usual.

The real difference is in the attitude both these peace and freindly co-operation loving players have. Most EVE players have no problems with players with an attitude like the industrial player had, but they can't stand carebears and if a carebear happens to quit, nothing of value was lost.

Some people call anyone that does PvE a carebear (which is kinda ironic since many/most PvPers support themselves with missions or incursion or stuff like that).

Personally, I see would say a carebear is anyone who refuses to PvP at all. People who refuse to fight for anything at all costs. They'll refuse to leave highsec at all, dock up/drop corps if wardeced, and generally avoid any kind of conflict or danger at all.

This is in contrast to people, like myself, who are willing to fight if they need to and aren't afraid to get their hands dirty, but they don't go out of their way looking for a fight most of the time.

I would consider anyone who spends more the 2 minutes clothing or creating a character profile a carebear. I think carebears are people that would prefer to play games such as the Sims over games that include strategy and real content. Games like WoW are 100% carebear population and survive because people like to play dress up and show off their new ponies rather than be involved in any kind of thinking or risk taking.

Im sorry but if your playing dress up with your avatar you are a carebear. The reason why MMOs in general have failed to push the creative envelope is that players do not demand quality content anymore. They rather be dazzled with colorful clothing, dumb mounts, and generally useless updates that provide little game change or in depth content. Ive barely played Eve but i can see that even a game with as much depth as this one still has to worry about folks who would prefer "aesthetic" content over real in depth content. There is a reason WOW is so successful and has been copied so many times. People in general prefer not to think and can be easily entertained with shallow game play. So while I understand im in the minority on this and my description of carebear is rather broad I do believe it to be an accurate example.

Thus I would suggest the distiction is that "carebearing" is something you do because you find it fun to do.

Edit: Inappropriate part removed, CCP Phantom.

This carebear issue has been floating around in MMOs since the very beginning. Now I know my account here is quite fresh and people might take this as a perspective from a "carebear" himself, but for those who are willing to hear me out given that i used to play EVE prior to Incarna but wanted a fresh start because i had to leave due to personal reasons, this concept is really getting skewed and shaped into something that it was never meant to be.

This is my perspective....

EVE is a PVP/PVE based game where we are given alot of choices, and though in the beginning the PVP was aimed for moreso than the PVE because your in space in war with other factions and the constant struggle for dominance in New Eden is always going to happen but there are those of us who provide contributions from behind the scenes, sure I dont like to PVP personally only because I am not exactly "armed" with full of information to sift through in order to even attempt it . Now I like exploring and there will be fighting in this, I agree... however, I want to try to avoid fighting until I know i can enter and leave a battle without having to worry about will I be able to survive and still move on without having people following me and pod killing me, sure people say its rare but ive learned to not go out somewhere if your not prepared.... Its only asking for suicide.

Now I say that I am a carebear because honestly I would perfer to go to into "Trading/Exploring/PI" and do things from the sidelines and provide the benefits to my Corp (whichever I am in) and yes I do mess around with my character's dress from time to time but every now and then I do need a change of clothing or look to reflect how I feel he should look asthetically, and it doesnt mean I should go to WOW or anything, sometimes just because no one "sees" your character does not mean that at some point we will have areas to sit down within the stations and chat. Technology is advancing and we cant expect our perspectives to grow old and obsolete along with the technology that we use.... Its about flexibility

Carebears are not exactly bad people and as lets get it out there, insulting carebears is like saying "only gays" or "queers" dont PVP and honestly I may be in that minority but I can tell you now that sometimes playing from the sidelines you may not get the notority you expect right off the bat, and it can be fustrating at times, but in the end you have the selection to what "you" want to do.... We carebears may not want to fight under any circumstance sometimes, but in perspective perhaps its the cliche " Flee to fight another day" sure we may run from dangerous situations or sit in stations until war is over, but if PVP consumes New eden then how is the market or any other profession going to reflect this... Its our accounts guys we are not here to do what "others" want we are here to make friends (some of us) and have fun sure this is a sandbox MMORPG, but like all melting pots we need to learn to co-exist and stop this hate... We are people behind these monitors and not computers


Here is my Proof

http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i398/photo198427/Snapshot_20111105_1.jpg


Seriously guys, this needs to be looked at with a little humility and compassion.. New Eden is supposed to be fun and enjoyable for all who wish to join her in the freedoms and struggles that come along with it... Perhaps as time moves on we can all look at this objectively but for now... These are just my thoughts... Take them or leave them... but in the end... we all need to learn to get along... because EVE whether we like it or not is like a family and you cant pick who is welcomed to it... you can pick your friends but not your family and we are like one big dysfunctional family, so the sooner we realize that everyone is different the better. Life is too short to banter about trivial matters, lets actually start enjoying it.

fixed that link for ya

I know your trying to be funny by using that link.. However I think we really need to assess the true message of this forum topic i mean I seriously think the OP has their point in bringing up the clarification while some will make jokes about what it is and isnt the fact that the term "Carebear" is used so loosely when it comes to the game is really a shame because of its open interpretations it can really be misconstuded into an offensive gesture, which you seemed to make fun of... im sure your a very intellegent individual and the community hopefully will see beyond it but the point is that we are all people behind these characters and honestly the concepts used towards eachother is really cruel sometimes and honestly I just wanted to at least show that some players do care what is going out there in New Eden even if they arent up to their neck in coldblood.

This is something id expect some people to say honestly, however to each their own in this circumstance, many people find PVP to be a good thing and worth their time while i know people who have played for years and cruise the markets and make this game a part time affair however this is besides the fact that this game has its freedoms... dont strip it away from those who actually enjoy doing other things than PVPing in any fashion.. It might actually be something you'll be doing years down the line god willing your not laying in bed with bedsores or anything ... The game is what we make of it... we make our own fun we arent here to crush the hopes and expectations of others because well thats more than robbery or piracy, that is just plain inhumane really, we dont tell you what to do ... thats the best part about EVE its all about choices there is no right or wrong, sure when you decide to be a combat pilot there are things you MUST do, same for the other professions but only YOU can truly make something worth your time or not...

So Cynthia and others, PVP is what you make of it dont let others dictate what is fun for you, if you want to do something just do it but remember like in life things we do in EVE do have their consequences.