...is crucial to enjoying the game. Of all current MMORPGs, EVE Online has got to have the
steepest learning curve ever conceived. Having said that, there is a way to help new players into the game. There is ONE way to ensure that new players stick through the
difficult periods of the game when you don't have a good grasp on everything, but you've got enough to glimpse at what's on the other side.
If there, one crucial step for every EVE Online player, it would be, without a doubt,
finding the right corporation. And that statement carries with it a lot of consequences. The right corporation for you, will allow you to grow as a players the way you intend. The right corporation will allow you to play EVE like you always thought it should be played. As we've mentioned numerous times on
The Drone Bay, the right corporation will determine how much you enjoy the game. And that corporation, that group of players exists out there. They're looking for you as we speak; as you search for them. But how do you find them?
Here follows a set of instructions that should help you find the corporation that's right for you. The steps described below will guide you through this process, in order for you to find like-minded people, with whom you'll enjoy the EVE sand box.
Ok, here we go!
1) Before you even start to look for a corporation, you'll have to ask your self what you want to do in EVE. Do you want to fight with other players? Do you want to trade with other players to gain new riches? Do you want to spend time harvesting the minerals needed to build items in demand? Or maybe you'll want to partake in the trading? Whatever it is, make sure you know what your goals are. They'll determine what you'll end up doing. So take the time to write down your personal goals, so that you'll know what to look for.
2) But where exactly do I find corporations you ask? Here are 3 ways to find a corporation:
- Through the EVE Forums, under Alliance and Corporation Recruitment Center. You can find corporations here, but also feel free to open a thread to advertise yourself: Let corporations come to you. Let them know exactly what you're looking for: PVP, Carebear, Mining, Trading, or whatever you're looking to do.
- Another great way to look for corporation is through a site called EVE Careers. Here, both players and corporations register and use the service to match-up. If you haven't found the corporation on the EVE Forum, this is a great way to find one.
- Finally, there's the in-game solution. Within the EVE Neocom (that's the icon bar on the left top-to-bottom) under the Corporation tab is a way to find corporations. You can look within regions, for corps in Alliances or not, with Skill Points or not, etc (see the below screenshot).
3) Now that you've found a couple of corporation you're interested in, how do you select the one for you? I've always stated that a great corporation, no matter what it does (PVP, Industrial, Mining, Trading), is first and foremost a group of dedicated player. And one of the most obvious displays of this is an active corp website.
Whether it's a forum or a full fledged website (a la
Phoenix Labs) if it's well done, then at least you know you're amongst hard working capsuleers. If you want to see a list of such corporation, check out the list I keep
here. The same goes for
Alliances.
4) So what do you look for? I'd say look for corps that have a
mission statement, or goals - just as you would in RL (real Life). Are these the same, or similar, to what you're looking to do in the long run? If so, you're almost there.
5) Most corporations have a recruitment process before you submit your
application. Either on the website, in-game, or through a public channel. At Phoenix Labs we use our shopping channel, SHOP@PPL, to meet the future recruits. Before you submit your application, make sure you've read all the corporation's info. You'll most likely be asked about it by the HR Director - again, just as in RL.
Now is time to pull out that list you made earlier, the one about your own personal goals, and what YOU are looking for in a corp, because you'll have a chance to let HR know what you're looking to do. Now you're ready for the interview.
If there isn't an interview process, that's a WARNING sign. A good corp will want to weed out the bad apples BEFORE they're put into the basket. If it does not, I'd stay away!
6) Now it's time to apply, go through the interview process and make your decision. Applying for a EVE corporation is a two-way street. It's as much about you being picked by a corp, as you picking the corp. Choose wisely!
7) Ok, so you've made it. You've found your corporation. You're now amongst friends, ready to face the harshness of space, ready to back-up your corp mates at any moment. This is a new begin. This is the way EVE was made to be enjoyed. Have fun!
If you want to listen to the podcast version of this tutorial, head over to VirginWorlds and listen to our podcast,
The Drone Bay Episode #2. And please, as always let me know your thoughts!
Cheers
