Why joining a corp changes everything in EVE Online (and how I landed in Quantshure)

I've officially joined Quantshure, part of Xagenic Freymvork (VAULT). I hadn't really planned for it this soon, but my NEOCOM Corporation tab kept blinking (or was it just lit up?), and that invitation sitting there was too tempting to ignore.

And yes, I did have a brief moment where I thought: "Well, clearly they saw something special in me if they invited me."

Then reality checked in: it was automated. 😉

Phoenix Labs: The Few, The Proud, The Industrialists with teeth!

I've been a member of Phoenix Propulsion Labs for most of my EVE career. I've written in the past how important it is to quickly join the right corporation in EVE in order to enjoy the game to its full potential. Let's face it, EVE is an MMOG, a real Massively Multiplayer Online Game, one where the social element of these game is most prominent. Not that you can't play the game solo, but it's a no easy task, and doesn't provide the support a good corp will.

In my case, that corporation is Phoenix Labs. Shortly after joining the corp, I had a chance to meet these fine folks in person during the EVE Gathering in Vegas in mid-2006. Recently, I interviewed our Human Resources Officer, Isuridae, and gave him the chance to showcase this amazing corp I'm proud to be of! The interview is below.

What is Phoenix Propulsion Labs (PPL)?

PPL is primarily an industrial corp but we are trying to become more balanced in areas of PVP. We have a saying to that regard, “Industrialists with teeth.”

What sort of industry does PPL perform?

PPL is engaged heavily in T2 and T3 manufacturing of items ranging from rigs and modules to starships and drones. We also manage a good deal of capital ship production.

How Is PPL structured?

That’s a good question, I am glad you asked. PPL is a socialistic corp in that the means of production and distribution of goods is owned by the corp. All assets belong to the corp. And our Tax rate is 99%. We have a military rank system with promotions based on merit.

That sounds very restrictive for pilots, how do they make money?

The corps provides its pilots with anything they require, thus the burden of constantly grinding for ISK is relieved. Pilots are then free to pursue the activities they enjoy, rather than wasting their energies. All we ask of our pilots is that they maintain a good level of activity, and participate in corp operations when required.

Is PPL part of an alliance?

At present no, though we do see an eventual return to a 0.0 based alliance. It is our hope that with the Dominion expansion, the alliances will begin to see the worth of a dedicated industrial corp. This corp, working with a couple others in what was then FIX alliance, is responsible for the construction of most of the outposts in the Querious region. 3-FCK, I1Y, and 49U to name a few.

Why would a capsuleer join PPL?

PPL is very much a family of mature pilots that value the principles of teamwork, honor, integrity, and commitment. If you are looking for an experience greater than just being out for yourself, wish to be part of a cohesive team working towards a common goal. And want to have fun doing it. PPL may be the corp for you.

What are PPL’s goals?

First and foremost to provide our pilots with a fun and rewarding experience and secondly to be recognized as the preeminent industrial corp in EVE.

Applications can be submitted on our corporate website. I review the applications and then contact you in-game for an interview.

Finding the right corporation in EVE Online

...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!

Once a corp mate, always a corp mate!

So what makes an MMO so special. What makes you log in every night day in and day out? The people you play with that is. Brent from VirginWorlds.com hinted at the idea, and I have to agree. Yes the game you're playing has a lot to do with it, but in the end, the friends you play with have more to do with it.

Earlier tonight Isuridae, second in command at Phoenix Propulsion Labs contacted me to know if I was interested in returning to the corp. Well, well now. What to do?

After a bit of chatting, I learned that PPL was moving back to Empire space. I then inquired if there was the possibility of becoming the Trades Director. I was told that the corp was open. Interesting. After a few minutes of private chat with Isuridae, I had convinced myself that this was the best outcome for me. I was to return amongst friends. And that's exactly what I did.

After 18 jumps, I had applied and been accepted. I had access back to the PPL forums and members area.

I was home. Amongst friends.

Change is in the air...

Since I've been back from Amsterdam, I've barely played EVE, except to set a new skill. At first I wondered why. Why, even though I longed to play the game while away, did I not find interest now that I had the time.

And then it struck me. Boredom. Since my return to Phoenix Labs, I've seen the corp crumble to a mere shadow of itself. Over the last few weeks, every time I've logged in, I was either alone, or with other corp mates who were afk. And with FIX in constant wars left and right, that left me stuck in various systems, with little to do. Now we did try to get things going again, but it's been happening at a crawl.

It was time for me to come to a decision. Stick around some more, or cut the chase, grab my things and head out there to make a name for myself. Ok, that may be too theatrical, but you get the picture.

I've mentioned in the past my desire to start up a mercantile operation - a trading corporation that would navigate through empire space and lowsec, and reap the riches doing so. Well I think this time has come. I'm thinking of dusting off the old chart of the corporation I had founded way back when, and start trading in goods again. I'll need to reread the trading articles in those 3 EON issues; sell some of the stuff I've got lying in Querious and head over back to Gallente space to establish the new corp.

Any way that's the plan.

Having said that, I should now return to my regular posting schedule for the next few weeks.

So stay tuned!

Phoenix Labs looking for new members

My corporation, Phoenix Propulsion Laboratories, is currently recruiting. When I rejoined PPL a few weeks back, I had some very good reasons for doing so. Phoenix Propulsion Labs is a small giant, that is, we're not a big corp by any means, but because of our mode of operation we have a much bigger footprint. And how do you do that you might ask, simple, you give everything back to the corp.

Because of this military communistic approach to corporate structure, PPL has several POS, operates in zero sec space as part of the FIX Alliance. We are a manufacturing corp which was listed as one of the top 10 industrial corps in EVE. By providing the corp with all your loot and isks, you get ships, ammunition, drones, skill books and much more. It's a win-win situation.

The support operations we have are also quite impressive. In addition to a well put together web site and active forum, we have a Member Section where a pilot can manage his skills training with defined paths to specific skill sets (see this post on becoming a Gallente battleship commander). This is where pilots request new ships, new clone contracts, new skills and all the benefits of belonging to PPL.

And as with any corp in EVE, we go through cycles. Our ranks rise-up, we pick-up momentum, and then they fall. Currently were operating with a much smaller crew than what we'd like, and what we can afford to, given the size of our assets. So that's where the recruiting, and you come in.

If you're looking for a dedicated bunch of pilots, opportunities for advancement to leadership positions, we have a wide range of positions available: manufacture, research, sales, starbase maintenance officer, exploration, invention,capital ship pilot, mission runner, mining and transport. We operate in 0.0 space and still require access to Empire for trade purposes.

We currently have members from most North American time zones, and one mate in Australia (that's you Sapater). European pilots are also welcome of course, though we currently only have one player I believe.

So if you're interested in joining us, come and chat with us on the SHOP@PPL channel, then head over and apply!

Hope to see you soon in corp channel!

EVE Online Corporations links

• Aegis Militia
• Agony Unleashed
• Black-Mesa
  
• Communications Relay Commission
• Coreli Corporation
• Eldritch Storm
• EVE Defense Force
• Gentlemen of Low Moral Fibre (The)
• GoonFleet
• Guiding Hand Social Club
• Infinitus Odium
• Iron Fleet Towing and Salvage
• Mysterious Mining & Manufacturing
• MC Cubed Inc.
• Oberon Inc.
• Omerta Syndicate
• Phoenix Propulsion Labs
• Phoenix Rising (The)
• Phoenix Wing
• Prophets of a Damned Universe
• The Paratwa
• RONA Corporation
• Soldiers of Fortune United
• Stoned Hippies (The)
• Syrkos Technologies
• TAKAGI Corp [French]
• The Transcendence
• TRUST
• Veto Corp
• Y.A.R.R. Industries

[LAST UPDATE February 1st, 2010]

101 EVE Online links

I've been using blinklist for a few months now, and I've really come to value this social bookmarking site very much. It's simple, intuitive and allows you to discover great sites that I would normally never come across.

So I've been using it to keep track on my EVE Online sites. Some of these are corporation or alliances sites, some are for used as reference, some are blogs, while others are news articles related to EVE Online.

All in all, I've got 101 sites so far. And the list keeps getting bigger.

If you know of other sites you use regularly, which are well done, and kept fairly up-to-date, than please let me know, so I can add them to the list.

Keep blinklisting!

EVE Online: Phoenix Propulsion Labs, my new home

As you know, I recently left Coreli Core and started Combined Mercantile Holdings while I expanded my trading network, skills and abilities. But EVE is a very social beast and is made to enjoy as such. So while I was having fun trading in industrial goods - and making very impressive profit I might add, I was still looking to join a well established corporation. About a week ago, my long search ended. While reading E:ON #2, I cam across an add from Phoenix Propulsion Labs Corporation and after going through their website from top to bottom, I knew this was the one.

So after meeting some of its members over on their public channel, SHOP@PPL, I decide to apply and completed an application. The next day I received an email requesting my presence for an interview. After agreeing upon a time, I prepared myself by learning as much as I could about PPL.

Earlier today, I completed a 2 and a half hours interview with the head of HR, Gilgamoth. Let me tell you that this was one of the most professional and complete interview I have ever done, virtual and RL. After the interview I was convinced I wanted to be part of PPL, and sure enough, I was accepted.

Now I have a bunch of chores to do, a lot of material to go through. Now, the fun begins...

Coreli is no more...

About a week ago I was quite surprised to learn that my EVE corporation, Coreli Corp, was splitting up. It seems that most directors wanted a change, and after some posting on our corp forums, it was decided that Coreli would split up into two: one would embraced its roots in smuggling and the others would stay faithful to its new goals, defending the Gallente Federation.

I must say, I never saw it coming at all, and was completely stunned. My experience in Coreli so far had been very good. It was one of the most engaged corp I had been part of, and its members were a dedicated bunch. As an RP corporation I was having a lot of fun keeping up with the various events we were involved in.

Recently, I had discussed with our Director of Production, about a position as a Director of Production for the Placid region, and was really excited about it. I had trained my Production Efficiency skill to level 4, and was completing my level 5 (a 14 days skill mind you) when I learned the terrible news. My dreams of overseeing the region of Placid had just gone up in smoke.

Though the split occurred somewhat smoothly within the corporation, outside it was a bit chaotic. You see, Coreli had recently founded an Alliance (a group of corporations in EVE) with the goal of defending the interests of the Gallente Federation - "Fighting for a Stronger Federation" was our motto. But things were doomed from the get go. From the beginning, the Cyrene Initiative, as it was known (and still is) was not going to work properly. Within a week the in-game chat for the alliance was dead quiet. Nothing significant ever occurred out of it. Some blame its founding members, some blame the lack of interests from the corporations themselves. Suffice to say, it did not last very long.

Now right about the time the Coreli's directors decided on the split, Coreli was contacted by an opposing corporation, and to make a long story short, things turned ugly between the two. When the split was publicly announced and Coreli split from Cyrene, a war was declared against the alliance. You can read about it in this post, on the EVE-Online OOC forum.

Things have quieted down now, and people have started going there separate ways. The evil Coreli is moving its assets and personnel into Curse region, the loyal federalist have founded Gallente Ventures and continuing the path that had been until recently followed. But a lot of members have gone there separate ways, each taking this chance to explore new avenues. Some friends will be missed. Good luck to you all, Jenna, Freeda, Zofo, Luance, Joshua... it was fun!

Cruising in my Gallente shuttle

2005.11.10.03.07.21
Originally uploaded by crazykinux.

I finally logged in some hours in EVE Online last night. It had been a long time since I played and I missed it a lot. With the move a month ago and then my computer failing, I barely had any time to devote to my addiction (wink wink)!

Now, things should go back to normal and I should be able to play regularly. And I've decided to change career path for a while. My character, Treenara Mazouk, is a character with most of her skills combat oriented, with a good emphasis on pilot skills also. In late September, with 3 members of my corporation, Coreli Corp, we decided to go into production and trading. This was an aspect of EVE I had never really looked into and one that I always regarded as too complex. It's much easier to take down a few rats (pirates in EVE lingo), then to plan a complex trading operation.

But that's exactly what I've decided to do for now. This screenshot was taken last night, while on a visit of different regions to inquire about pricing of various merchandise we plan on selling.

We'll see what riches lie ahead for Treenara.