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Live Free or Die!
Political slogan of the French Revolution, New Hampshire state Motto and the creed every capsuleer in the cluster should adopt. These past few days the Imperium (aka CFC, aka Goons) have had their propaganda machine turned up to eleven, with modest posturing regarding their new Viceroy program along with other supposed leaks and forum trolls.
In and of itself, what will this campaign mean to the average capsuleer?
For empire dwellers the politics of null sec rarely make an appearance in the core hi-sec systems unless we’re talking about focused campaigns in certain systems. Besides the Burn Jitas of the past and attempted Nitrogen Embargo’s I don’t really think the average mission runner is going to experience any difference in their gameplay.
Low-Sec may see some more action as the winter progresses, but this is still very much an exercise in saber rattling. It’s still unclear if the supposed “we do low-sec now” agenda will be able to be sustained for anything more than a few skirmishes here and there. It would be nice to see, but I’m not hopeful.
Wormhole dwellers may or may not see some additional opportunities for engagements, but likely they will continue with business as usual. Of course additional forces staged in new regions may provide some additional content for these parties, but beyond that there is not likely going to be anything new the Imperium will have to offer.
This of course leaves a very focused region in the wast of null-sec, which may or may not get the opportunity to engage Imperium forces.
All things being equal I’m not certain comparing the inevitable GSF collapse and the fall of the Roman Empire is accurate, but I think it’s a fair assessment to say “Deklein isn’t outright burning yet, but anyone present in the region can certainly smell smoke.”
With Citadels on deck for the spring, one logical consideration would be that all this posturing is to ensure the capsuleer community continues to give the CFC the same level of consideration they had a year ago.
This new campaign, if it turns out to be real at all, is likely to produce a small modicum of “protection” ISK from whomever they manage to extort it from. And they will need it. If POS’ eventually get phased out, we also have to consider that the passive resource gathering that moon mining yields are also going to be altered if not eventually going the way of the Dodo bird. There has been talk of this for years.
The need to diversify and replace income streams is going to be radically altered if major power blocs intend to remain the super powers they are today.
Reduced moon goo, and how it’s harvested means that the Imperium has no choice but to branch outside of its hinterland of the west to feed the ever dwindling resources they’ve grown accustomed to. This new Viceroy push is not about the Imperium generating content for its members or for any other player. This is about the fall of their empire. Too many things just don’t add up, and a lot of players see that. Love them or hate them, the Goons aren’t stupid. Far from it. Somewhere in the Imperium there is a team of actuaries and spread sheet samurais that run macros for fun, and look at pivot tables with lust. They see the writing on the wall, and they know that these new developments have the potential to kick them from their laurels.
The Imperium has to hedge their bets, and manage the upcoming risks differently. You have to go with what you know, and propaganda is something they are adept at. Or at least they used to be.
So how does all this rampant speculation relate to Live Free or Die?
When eighteenth century French revolutionaries began to popularize the slogan, and attach the “Vivre Libre ou Mourir” to their rhetoric, the idea stuck. Maybe it was just the equivalent of a sound bite from the late seventeen-hundreds but that phrase (rhetoric of not) has some weight to it. It’s not something which should be thrown around lightly. Real world parallels exist in the lore, as well as the meta game. In the virtual world of EVE I think it’s fair to say that art imitates life, just as much as life imitates art.Most players have no qualms with pirates nor do they have any issue with high-sec ganking activities. Where I think most players draw the line is when the line between the meta and the game becomes blurred, and players feel marginalized.
Tin foil hats aside, New Eden is on the cusp of not having to suffer the Imperium for much longer. Some believe that nature will take its course and the Imperium will not have the will or the fortitude to adapt to the evolution of the game.
Every capsuleer, should stand and fight against the Imperium.
Some smaller organizations don’t have the resources to take on the Imperium in a pitched fight. Players may feel there only option is to pay the tribute and chalk it up to an expense like fuel or ammo. But in doing so, you lose the opportunity for richer gameplay. Stand your ground (or space) and fight! If you get whelped, so be it. It is far better to fight and get podded, than live a mediocre virtual life; wishing you had done something different. The loss of ISK or assets is still a much lower price than giving away your freedom to play in the sandbox.
The Imperium continue to spin their yarns about cluster supremacy, and how we will all be loyal subjects or burn. The part of EVE which is a war game welcomes this potential for engagements. Make them fight for every inch though, blue ball them until they lose interest. Learn to cloaky camp. Be a thorn in their side. Find their logistics chains, and harass them. If you are unsuccessful then start a campaign to “liberate” any subjects of the Imperium you find. They are outright stating that being a bi-monthly Imperium whore entitles you to exactly zero Imperium protection. (Other than from the Imperium, of course.)
EVE is a team sport! Reach out to your neighbors, your friends, or hell, even your enemies.
Live Free or Die!
