EVE Fanfest 2011: An experience like no other

The Fanfest 2011 has been in full swing for the last few days and though my first experience here, back in 2008, was memorable, this year's Fanfest is something beyond my expectations. No, I'm not talking about the CCP panels, round tables, and awesome content and announcements that have been made over the last 2 days (or later today — looking forward to the CCP Presents keynote).

EVE Player Meet at Brutopia

Last night at Brutopia, after asking a few strangers sitting at tables if they there for the EVE player meet (and getting these weird looks back!), I met up with fellow EVE players.

Now the funny thing is that 3 weeks ago these fine folks - Cartboard Box, Krevette, Figura, Jattzia, Cozmo and Sil - were all strangers to me (well except you Pandore). Complete unknowns whom I'd never met, let alone shared a good pint with, exchanging war stories.

But here I was, sitting amongst new friends who shared a common passion, EVE. We all had a good time, shared stories, got to learn about each other in RL and much more.

And if there's one thing I learned and promised myself to remember, it's to run like hell if I ever land in a system and see Jattzia in Local! You've all been warned. =)

In the end we promised ourselves to do this again in a month. And this time we'll be more fools, sipping more beer, enjoying ourselves even more.

Here are my photos, and here are CB's.

The next Montreal EVE Online Player Meet

As I returned to EVE after a short break, I had an evemail waiting in my inbox. This brief mail was from fellow Montrealer and EVE player Cartboard Box informing me of a player meet that was being organized on the 22nd of February. So I headed over to the EVE forum thread and added my voice to the discussion.

If you're interested in meeting up with a bunch of EVE buddies over beer and greasy food, then let us know on the EVE forum thread. This would be my 3rd such event that I would attend - this being the first.

I'll make sure to bring a camera to get some pictures of these fine folks!

Looking forward to it.

A North American EVE Fanfest?

In one of my previous posts, I listed attending an EVE Online North American Fan Fest as one of my wishes. Well it seems that unless the community puts it together, there will never be one. In a recent interview over at Gaming Moments, CCP's CEO explained that if there ever was a fan fest on these shores (I'm in Canada), it would be put together by us fans, not by CCP themselves.

The question, submitted by yours truly, was fielded by Mandrill during an interview with Hilmar Petursson, at the Edinburgh Interactive Festival earlier this month. As a result of having my question chosen for the interview, I won a Gaming Moments T-shirt! It's currently on it's way! I'll post a picture of it when I get.

I highly recommend you head over and read the interview titled, "The God of EVE Online, Hilmar Petursson". It's not your typical interview, with the same old and repetitive questions - which Hilmar seems to have given over the last couple of weeks. Mandrill went out of his way to ask different questions, and as a result, I learned a couple of new things about EVE. Have a read and let Mandrill know what you thought.

Getting back to the Fan Fest, is anyone out there interested in putting together such an event? Maybe we could start with CCP White Wolf and start annoying them with the idea. As I've mentioned in the past, I've been to a fan fest held in Las Vegas (pictures here) and though a bit short, it was a blast. I'm sure there are enough EVE fans out there to hold another soon. Maybe on the east coast this time.

I'm convinced this could be really a big event. Taking into account the results of my latest poll, in which 69% of you wished they could attend the EVE Fan Fest in Iceland, I'm sure that some of you in the States or Canada would most likely travel to such an event. Hell, I know I would!

Anyway, the idea has been put forth. Let me know if this is something you'd be interested in putting together. I for one, am ready to give it a try. Let's see where this leads.

The next Montreal Player Gathering

Right on the footsteps of our previous player meet, I've decided to hold the next one in on September 22nd, same place, same time. So if you're in the area at that time next month, and you want to join us for a jolly good time, then mark your calendar!

Oh, and please let me know you'll be coming in the forums thread, right here!

Montreal's first EVE Online Player Meet

Last night at Hurley's, a bunch of strangers met with a common passion, EVE Online. We arrived strangers and left with smiles, knowing that we would have to do this again. Though the turnout was not as high as I would've like, still, for those who were there it was a blast. We had a few pints of Guinness and Kilkenny, a few good laughs and a lot of war and ship setup mishaps stories!

Pictured above (from left to right) are Sinjin, Sine Tamar, Alexis Aristide, Pandore, Treenara Mazouk (that's me) and Phreacker. And I guess you can tell by the look on our faces, we had fun and the pints they were flowing nicely. So the guys have asked me to setup the next meeting, which I plan to do soon. As soon that is as when they get me a few good PvP ship setups for my Vexor, Myrmidon and Dominix! Now we're talking!

P.S.: 1 million isk to the first one who points out the pirate amongst us!

The beautiful vistas of EVE Online

One of the first that strike people when I show them screenshots of EVE, or the videos with in-game footage, is how beautiful it is. And even today, after three years of playing the game, I'm still awestruck once in awhile by its visuals.

The screenshot below gives you a glimpse of what I mean. With the current rework of Trinity, EVE's graphical engine, the future looks even better. Of the few before and after Trinity II screenshots that we've been fed by CCP, I really can't wait for them to roll it out.

I've put together a set over on Flickr of my favorites screenshots. Have a peek, enjoy, and let me know about your favorites. Oh and while you're at it, have a look at the Trinity II comparison shots I've also added.

And now, I'm off the the First Montreal EVE Player Gathering over at Hurley's on Crescent St., downtown. I'll have pictures and stories to tell in tomorrow's post. I'm looking forward to meeting fellow capsuleers and share a few war stories while drinking a nice cold one. See you there boys!

Fly safe everyone!

EVE Player Meet in Montreal this August

If there are any other EVE Online players in and around Montreal, mark your calendars for early August. I'm putting together a Player Meet at the beginning of August. It'll either be the 4th of 18th depending on whose available. Nothing formal, just a get together downtown where we can share stories over beer and some good food (pizzas, burgers, chips and other essential nutriments).

Here's the link to the thread on the EVE-O Forums. Let us know if you can make it. So far we're about 8 or 10.

And players from Ottawa, Toronto and Quebec and everywhere in between are all welcome. I also send out the invitation to our fellow gamers down south - Happy 4th of July by the way. The more fools we are the more fun we can have.