233: Solitude Summit

Our Solitude contract went better than expected

-Alek is joined by alliance leadership types Martin Lockheart of Hardly Competent, blogger Xuixien of Solar Wind Security Solutions, and Henrick Suzaku of the Caldari Militia’s SPD

-Contract Update: Solitude turns on a dime after a pair of pitched battles breaks defender morale, leading to the near-collapse of Greater Solitude Commonwealth, a political realignment of the region, and an early job well done for Noir.

-A follow up to our carrier buff poll

-CCP ignites a community firestorm by offering magic Retrievers for cash; we cover the controversy, CCP’s response, and the continuing player backlash

Talking in Stations celebrates 6 years and founder/host Matterall retires from the show. Unfortunately Craigbot eats most of our discussion about it 🙁

Ship packs
  • CCP selling ships/items directly for $ is never good 61%, 23 votes
    23 votes 61%
    23 votes - 61% of all votes
  • CCP selling player made ships/items directly for $ could be OK 16%, 6 votes
    6 votes 16%
    6 votes - 16% of all votes
  • CCP selling player made ships/items directly once-per-account for $ could be OK 16%, 6 votes
    6 votes 16%
    6 votes - 16% of all votes
  • CCP selling spawned ships/items directly once-per-account for $ could be OK 8%, 3 votes
    3 votes 8%
    3 votes - 8% of all votes
  • CCP selling spawned ships/items directly for $ is fine, what's the big deal? 0%, 0 votes
    0 votes
    0 votes - 0% of all votes
Total Votes: 38
March 21, 2022 - April 3, 2022
Voting is closed

231: 120 Minutes in Space w/ CCP Burger and CCP Paragon

Disclaimer: Technically not 120 minutes

-CCP’s Burger and Paragon join Alek to discuss the Road to Fanfest and the questions raised by this much lauded dev blog

-Fanfest is coming!!! What should people expect out of this event 3 years in the making?

-Mining NPE and the most effective metrics for new player retention

-No more ninja POCOs: gantry now have timers and are shootable (no change to the actual POCO once it’s up)

-Gameplay options for Rorqual conduit jumping and how aware CCP are of the potential abuses

-Instant compression! Good. What’s the gameplay goal of compression in the first place though?

-Follow ups on the Dynamic Bounty System, the ESS, and the unrealized potential of bank heists

-Progression for aspiring carrier pilots? What pilots should aspire to carriers and why? What is their role if they can’t fight near tether?!

-Taxation and the evolution of EVE’s PVE structure

-CCP Burger’s feelings going into the Fanfest Keynote

PS: Pardon the initial mic quality (it does normalize).

The Battle of the Bergurs
  • CCP Burger 53%, 8 votes
    8 votes 53%
    8 votes - 53% of all votes
  • CCP Paragon 47%, 7 votes
    7 votes 47%
    7 votes - 47% of all votes
Total Votes: 15
February 22, 2022 - April 10, 2022
Voting is closed

230: 5th Annual Black Mark Awards

“I have an unpopular opinion on this.”

-Reaction to interview with CCP Rattati and Swift
-Long overdue Contract Updates!
-SNUFF dreadbomb trapped in place
-New nullsec conflicts starting up: TRI vs FIRE and NC. vs BOSS
-2021 Black Mark Awards winners announced!

Will Rote be able to save both of their Fortizars this week?
  • Yes 80%, 12 votes
    12 votes 80%
    12 votes - 80% of all votes
  • No 20%, 3 votes
    3 votes 20%
    3 votes - 20% of all votes
Total Votes: 15
February 2, 2022 - February 14, 2022
Voting is closed

229: Rattati Redux

“Devs replying to you on Reddit isn’t a God given right either.”

-CCP Swift and CCP Rattati join the show for an in-depth, no holds barred interview

-Scarcity, the Age of Prosperity, their rollouts/marketing, and what the data is telling CCP now

-Gaining and maintaining player trust

-NFTs, blockchain, and how emerging tech trends relate to EVE’s future

-The Doctor Who event: who licensed who, what resources went into it, what CCP’s learning from it, and the wholesome reason behind it all

-Hot topics for 2022 including (but not limited to): structures, FW, untapped PVE experiences, approach to ship balancing, and CCP’s current thinking on priorities and prioritization

-Voting for the 2021 Black Mark Awards is now live! VOTE HERE!

Has this interview changed how you see CCP Rattati?
  • Yes, I see him less favorably now 47%, 139 votes
    139 votes 47%
    139 votes - 47% of all votes
  • Yes, I see him more favorably now 27%, 79 votes
    79 votes 27%
    79 votes - 27% of all votes
  • No, pretty much the same 27%, 79 votes
    79 votes 27%
    79 votes - 27% of all votes
Total Votes: 297
January 18, 2022 - January 31, 2022
Voting is closed