EVE Online’s Community Manager Reveals Insider Tips for New Players

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As a dedicated gamer, I can attest that EVE Online stands among the oldest and most captivating MMOs out there, with its devoted player base being one of the most steadfast in gaming. For over two decades, CCP Games has been collaborating closely with the community to construct an expansive sci-fi universe that continually draws me back in. While this partnership between developers and players hasn’t always been smooth sailing, it’s fair to say that it’s currently stronger than ever, largely due to individuals like Peter Farrell, who serves as CCP Games’ Community Manager.

Recently, Game Rant visited EVE Fanfest in Reykjavík, Iceland, where we spoke with Peter Farrell, famously known as “CCP Swift” within the EVE Online community. In our chat, Farrell discussed at length CCP’s approach to onboarding new players, their efforts towards greater transparency with the community, and his journey from EVE player to CCP Community Manager. For your convenience, this conversation has been condensed for brevity and clarity.

Peter Farrell’s Journey from EVE Player to CCP Community Manager

Q: How long have you been playing EVE Online?

A: I’m an ardent and devoted fan of EVE Online, having played it long before I joined CCP. I started playing EVE back in April 2004, and though I’ve had some interruptions along the way, I’ve been a consistent player since 2006 without much pause.

Q: How did you first find out about EVE Online?

At my college, someone was playing EVE Online. It appeared incredibly fascinating to me due to its visually captivating presentation. Intrigued, I decided to give it a go myself, but I found myself struggling terribly. My performance was dismal, so I abandoned the game. A few weeks later, during Spring Break, when everyone seemed to be idle, I thought I’d revisit the game. Despite my continued lack of skill and mounting frustration, I ended up quitting again.

A few months down the line, EVE reappeared on my screen again. I was engrossed in Earth & Beyond at the time, but we transitioned to EVE Online together. That’s when things started clicking for me. I found someone who was ready to guide me. They walked me through the basics and pointed out all my mistakes. Since then, it’s been a smooth journey.

I encountered an exceptionally kind individual in the gaming world, even though I wasn’t a regular MMO player back then. This person, instead of just sailing their ship, paid attention to my actions and offered helpful advice, “You’re making mistakes, young one.

Originally, I inquired, “What is your requirement for this ship?” To which they responded, “There’s none needed. Simply pass the ship to the one taking over your position when you’re done.” I then asked if others were facing similar difficulties, to which they replied, “Yes, everyone’s having a tough time, man.” At that time, there was no tutorial or newcomer assistance. It felt like, “Welcome,” and that was it.

A: Would you mind walking me through your progression, starting with your initial experiences in EVE Online and leading up to when you became the Community Manager at CCP Games?

B: It’s been quite an adventure! Eventually, I stumbled upon a team of gamers and felt drawn to the idea of being a pirate – it just seemed so intriguing. So, I ventured into Low-Sec (Low-Security space). Attempting to pirate someone didn’t go as planned initially, but my past encounters taught me to seek guidance from others. There was an organization called ‘Slacker Industries’. They were laid-back yet competitive, serious about their skills without being overly formal. They knew how to have fun while still striving for excellence.

They showed me the basics of Player versus Player (PvP) combat. Later, that collective disbanded. Ultimately, we all joined another group called ‘Pandemic Legion,’ which was back in 2008. I’ve been part of this team ever since then. I participated in the Alliance Tournament and found myself drawn to its competitive spirit. Over time, I progressed from leading fleets to heading the Alliance for several years.

It was astonishingly incredible to have thousands of people enthusiastically following me, despite there being no compulsion. They simply wanted to join in the journey with me. That’s when I began attending events like EVE Fanfest and interacting with fellow gamers in person. I found it truly fascinating.

Previously, I collaborated with CCP Games on the Alliance Tournament and the Council of Stellar Management (CSM). This experience led me to meet some fantastic individuals. Over the years, we would reconnect when they visited town or when I was in Iceland. They often commented, “Whenever you discuss EVE, you seem joyful, you smile. When you don’t talk about EVE, you look dismal!

Previously, I was a corporate lawyer – a role I deeply disliked. Over time, my passion for the game and community remained strong, and it became evident that I cherished it more than anything else. Approximately four years ago, I took the plunge and joined this exciting venture, and since then, I’ve never regretted my decision.

The CCP Community Manager’s Advice for EVE Online Newcomers

Question: What’s the initial piece of advice you’d give to beginners as they start playing EVE Online for the first time?

Typically, gamers tend to bypass tutorials when starting a game. However, in EVE Online, it’s crucial to go through the tutorial. This game has numerous player organizations and groups that offer assistance and guidance without expecting anything in return. EVE Online is known for its hardcore nature. The game is often associated with stories of massive wars, betrayals, or corporate espionage.

In truth, people are genuinely thrilled when a fresh player enters the game because it benefits them for there to be more participants. With organizations such as EVE University offering fantastic resources and the streaming community being warmly inviting to beginners, this newcomer will find an encouraging environment.

Question: What is the recommended initial career or activity for beginners in EVE Online that helps them grasp its gameplay mechanics more easily?

As a gamer, I’d say one of the wisest moves early on is to dive into exploration. It’s a solo adventure, allowing me to set my own pace without any time constraints. I simply cruise through space, searching for signatures, making it easier to familiarize myself with the regions I’ll be traversing, understanding the type of content I’ll encounter, mastering ship piloting, and engaging with the universe at large. It’s a low-risk endeavor that offers a great introduction to the game world.

A: I’d be happy to help! What’s the reasoning behind the decision made by CCP to rely more on veteran players in EVE Online, since the tutorial has been revamped several times over the years and they are now focusing on this approach?

In our analysis, it’s evident that new players in Corporations tend to persist with the game more frequently. The majority of research on players and stories we hear from them revolve around locating someone who is willing to guide them and simplify this vast universe by breaking it down into manageable chunks.

Engaging existing players with new ones, we’re convinced, is the most effective method for retaining them. Regardless of how exceptional our onboarding process may be, there’s simply no substitute for a fellow player who shares your passions, offering reassurance and guiding you along the way.

Q: Is that the purpose of EVE Online’s new Freelance Jobs system?

A: Indeed. We could revamp the new player experience in every expansion, and our teams are more than capable of doing an excellent job. However, players would still have a better understanding of how to onboard newcomers. Instead, we’re equipping players with the necessary tools to welcome these new recruits. If you’re not acquainted with EVE, it might seem like we’re delegating tasks that we can’t handle ourselves to the players.

The individuals leading these Corporations and Alliances seek fresh talent as well. They desire these newcomers to aid in mining, resource gathering, and construction. Whether a small team or a massive conglomerate, they all require additional members. Finding the ideal individual to join your group can be challenging due to the multitude of roles available.

If you excel at discovery and have a passion for it, joining a corporation primarily focused on mining may not suit you well. Even if you find a group that cherishes exploration, their activity might be limited to specific time zones, potentially leaving you without interaction. In essence, our task is more about helping players find compatible communities than instructing them to repair issues.

As a passionate gamer, I’ve noticed that CCP Okami has been sharing Developer Blogs recently. To me, it feels like they’re making a conscious effort to keep us, the players, in the loop and ensure greater transparency about their work.

A: We have several strategies in place to ensure ongoing communication with you all. While these steps may appear minor on their own, they collectively contribute to something substantial. During our last EVE Fanfest, we discussed our forthcoming expansion plans and emphasized that we were establishing a solid foundation for delivering improved features. Players responded positively, expressing patience as they await the realization of those plans.

Over the past year and a half, we’ve been consistently delivering on our promises. This has significantly boosted their trust in us. When we commit to an action, we follow through with it. If they have any concerns about how it’s executed, we work together to improve it. Their increased confidence stems from observing our work in progress. Additionally, details matter to them, such as developer and patch notes. Rather than stating a simple 3% increase, we explain the reasoning behind it, saying that we increased this by 3% because we believe this is the solution to the issue at hand.

Apart from our regular team, we have the Council of Star Representatives, elected annually by our players through voting. These representatives are chosen from among thousands of candidates who campaign for votes. Approximately 50,000 players participate in this election each year to select the top 10 individuals who represent them most effectively. We meet with them weekly, discussing various projects and updates with different development teams. To ensure confidentiality, these representatives sign a strong Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA). However, we invite them for an exclusive peek into our game production process, offering them a unique glimpse into the game’s creation.

For those new to the CSM (Creator’s Studio Manager), it typically takes them around two weeks to fully understand the game creation process because it’s not as simple as some may believe. However, these individuals are an invaluable resource due to their unique perspective. Sometimes gamers can be skeptical of a developer’s claims. But if we demonstrate the creation process to their fellow gamers, they will be much more receptive.

In simpler terms, one of our key resources is CCP Okami’s blog, which is managed by our game design director. The tone on this platform isn’t typical of a marketing team. I admire George (CCP Communications Director), but it seems no one from PR reviewed that content. Instead, Okami openly discusses our mistakes, plans for improvement, and future goals. He even engages with players on Discord for extended periods. This openness significantly enhances our transparency.

How The Past is Informing EVE’s Future

Question: Which new addition or improvement in EVE Online is most appealing to you, considering both the changes made prior to your time with CCP and those introduced afterwards?

One particularly challenging change I encountered was ‘Phoebe’, a game expansion that significantly altered the movement of capital ships across the universe by CCP. This adjustment caused a major shake-up in the game dynamics, and as a player, I found it displeasing since I had been exploiting the previous system to my advantage. With this change, I could quickly traverse from one end of the map to the other in just 45 seconds, which originally would take hours. Whenever conflicts occurred, we’d be there, spoiling the fun for others. Although it was amusing for us, it was frustrating for everyone else.

As a gamer, I can tell you that the Phoebe expansion revolutionized our game world. Instead of casually daisy-chaining jumps like before, it introduced fresh mechanics that kept us on our toes and drastically changed the map layout. This shift brought about the rise of new alliances, as old powers struggled to maintain control over their territories. It was an exhilarating ride for a couple of years, as we wrestled with understanding the new gameplay dynamics.

Ever since I joined this place, my go-to favorite has always been ‘Havoc’. This is because when we breathed new life into Low-Sec, it was truly a memorable experience for me. I fell in love with that part of space initially, and it was thrilling to witness its revival. Nowadays, they host some of the biggest battles.

I recently chatted with a fellow who runs an Alliance called ‘Minmatar Fleet’. He established his group when we launched that expansion. They have a blast. Their motto is something like, “If we’re unsure about what we’re doing, then our enemies will be just as clueless.” They’ve ignited several of the most intense fights that have taken place recently.

A: What do you expect the community response to be when EVE Frontier and EVE Vanguard finally launch?

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but feel a tinge of apprehension whenever a new game is released, knowing that it might dim the shine of the one I cherish so dearly – EVE Online in this case. Rest assured, the team at the London studio isn’t meddling with EVE Online; they’re developing EVE Vanguard instead. Meanwhile, the creators of EVE Frontier are busy doing their thing, independently developing and nurturing their own project, all while stationed in Reykjavík. There’s no fear of development time being stolen between these two distinct entities.

In the later stages of their playtests, gamers are discovering that EVE Online remains robust and vibrant, with worries diminishing significantly. Instead, they’re eagerly anticipating when these games can provide even greater value. Remember, a few years back, there was a game called Dust 514. When Dust launched, players fretted that CCP might neglect EVE Online, favoring console gamers instead. Now, those apprehensions seem to be fading away.

Initially, players encountered the EVE universe via Dust, transitioning into EVE Online. Although not everyone made the switch, some did, and they’ve remained active till now. In my opinion, Vanguard and Frontier will expand and elevate every aspect of EVE to new heights.

EVE: Frontier is particularly intriguing because it employs the same engine as EVE Online. This allows them to explore technologies we’ve been yearning to work on, yet have been unattainable in EVE Online. For example, they can implement a quicker tick rate and migrate to Python 3. These advancements aim to alleviate the technical debt accrued by a game that is now 22 years old. They can test these improvements in Frontier, and if successful, transfer those enhancements back into EVE Online as well.

Q: Are EVE Vanguard and EVE Frontier being developed with new players in mind?

Indeed, that’s correct. The creators of EVE Vanguard were discussing ways to design an engaging experience for novice players during this development phase. They are applying many of the tough-learned lessons from EVE Online regarding what is necessary to smoothly onboard a new player.

The Vanguard team, as well as all CCP teams, boast an impressive roster of talent. However, they don’t operate like a group asking “What should we do next? This worked for EVE, but what now?” Instead, they have the knack for designing an effective onboarding process for new players and skillfully integrating some of EVE’s social aspects to enhance that experience further.

In EVE Frontier, it’s much like stepping back into EVE Online. It’s a world where players are heavily involved in shaping their own destiny, essentially taking on a significant portion of the workload. Yet, unlike some other games, you don’t have to wait for the perfect moment to dive in – you can join right from day one and start making your mark.

Q: How has the EVE Online community impacted you?

A: I relocated to Reykjavík, Iceland primarily due to the game EVE. It was through this game that I met my partner, as she was a streamer for it. This move has significantly altered my life, even before I made it. I began playing EVE when I was 20 years old. To share a bit of less cheery news, I’ve become more adept at interacting with people thanks to this game. Skills such as people management, which I didn’t even realize I was acquiring, have been picked up along the way.

Dealing with the challenge of loss, especially when it comes to fellow players who may depart, involves managing emotions. Losing a friend can be tough, but it’s important to celebrate their achievements. At 20, I went through this myself and found it heavy, yet there were plenty of enjoyable aspects too. Attending an event like EVE Fanfest is a great opportunity to experience fun times amidst these deeper feelings.

The initial visit to a player gathering made me a bit nervous, since it was my first gaming expo experience. Frankly, I didn’t think I fit that mold. However, two of my friends were traveling from the UK and Italy to Washington D.C., and I really wanted to catch up with them. Coincidentally, they hadn’t seen a photo of me before. At that time, I resided in New York City.

Initially, I chose to drop by the bar, and if anything felt off, I planned to depart straightaway. However, upon overhearing their conversation, I identified them instantly. They seemed to be enjoying themselves immensely. Moved by this, I approached them, received a warm embrace, and we conversed for hours on end. Before I knew it, it was nearly two in the morning, and we hadn’t moved from the bar. This experience left me yearning for more. Consequently, I attended EVE Vegas in the same year and EVE Fanfest in 2012. I found myself captivated and have since made it a point to attend every event that followed.

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2025-05-14 20:30