How would someone begin playing EVE Online?

[gurren_laggan80]

I've seen the videos, the battle comments from news sources, and the means to scam, and I'm not so sure if this game is easy for new people to try their hand at. In my eyes, with everything that the game has within it, I can't see the reason anyone new to the game would try so hard to reach the top. It just seems like a second job for someone who just got off work to do. So, in the eyes of people who've been playing nearly longer than I've been alive, what's the game like, and how would one go about climbing the numbers game to do some incredible things?

[Baronfuming]

You don't have to reach the top. For a lot of people, just being a standard member of a corp or alliance is enough.

Otherwise, there is always something new to learn, even for those who have been playing for years. You train your character in-game, but you also progress as a player.

It is very important to set your own goals, and always try to weigh the possible risks vs. reward for anything you do. The stakes make everything more exciting and satisfying.

It must be emphasized that this game really shines as part of a group. You can play it solo, but it is a much more difficult experience when you only have yourself and no one else to help.

[Lactose the Intolerant]

EVE is really whatever you make it. There is no strict progression, the "end game" is whatever you want it be and can essentially start on your first day, depending on the types of content you want to get engaged in.

As such how much time is required to reach and stay at "the top" really depends on what "the top" means to you.

If you want to do something like lead an alliance of thousands of people then yes, that will be a second job.

If however "the top" is flying with some of the best alliances in the game being involved in the PvP battles that shape the player-driven narrative, and you don't care about flying a supercapital or don't mind that goal arriving much later down the line, you can do that with minimal investment, 2 hours or so a week. Large groups replace any PvP ships you lose for free and given how easy it is to set up free passive income, there is essentially no grinding in EVE unless you want to make ingame cash very quickly to pursue personal or specific goals.

Things like trading, procurement, logistics, can vary wildly on what exactly you are trying to achieve.

[waffl]

It's just a spaceship extraction shooter. You go in space, fight enemies, get loot and try to survive back to a place where you can sell it.

Don't let these weirdos trick you, its really fun and relaxing if you stay away from the politics and pvp.

[EfBee]

You can begin by uninstalling. It will save you loads of time, money and frustration.

[B-BRAIN]

Originally posted by EfBee:

You can begin by uninstalling. It will save you loads of time, money and frustration.

Get in a good starter corp and read up on plenty of stuff. Money wise it is only the monthly sub as a starter,

[invii]

Do (some of) the AIR intro quests. That should give you a decent idea of what the game has to offer. From there, find a corporation that fits your play style and time zone. Don't try to do everything, there's too much to do.