Friday, June 24, 2016

Four Years of the Code

June Twenty-Fourth. It's a day that's celebrated all across highsec--and in enlightened corners throughout the rest of EVE. Today marks the fourth anniversary of the Code.


For those of us who played EVE before the advent of the Code, it's almost difficult to remember exactly what highsec looked like in those dark days. If you could step into a portal and visit pre-Code highsec, you'd hardly recognize the place, with its static fields of infinite ice, its undisturbed flocks of twenty, fifty, or even a hundred untanked Hulks and Mackinaws in one location. Its widespread use of the most primitive bot scripts. System after system with only deafening silence. But the biggest difference would be the one you could only feel, not see: The total absence of hope.


Then came that magnificent declaration of June 24, 2012. In the Halaima ice field, an Invincible Stabber arrived with the thunderclap of revolution. People, smart people, had a feeling and a sense that something special was happening--something important. And it was. But no one quite knew, not yet, just how significant that event was. The transformative power of the Code would only be fully felt as the years went by and the greatest story in EVE's history unfolded.


And what a transformation it has been. The fat clouds of yield-fit Hulks evaporated, leaving behind dribs and drabs of refugees in tanked-up Skiffs clinging desperately to the rocks. If you took a ganker from 2011 and sent him out into the highsec of today, he'd return home empty-handed and shaking his head. Old school hunters of autopiloting pods and shuttles would be even more astonished: The New Order caused a 95% reduction in their population. For years, everyone believed highsec was impossible to change in any way. It was just too big, they said. As it turned out, the Code was bigger.


These changes didn't happen by accident; they were written into the Code from the very beginning. The curmudgeonly rebels and skeptics still doubt for the sake of doubting. Very well. But consider: When a newbie goes to a forum and asks for advice on mining in highsec, what do people say to him? "Tank up your ship," they say. They caution, "Whatever you do, don't mine AFK." And, "Use your D-scanner. Watch local." Buried beneath the downvotes, more sage advice: "Buy a permit." Ah, but what the rebels and skeptics on Reddit and elsewhere don't realize is, buying a permit is only one provision of the Code. The rest of it? Exactly the things they told the miner to do. They were instructing the miner to obey the Code, and they didn't even know it! That's how much we've changed the culture, how deeply the Code's roots are planted.


Speaking of culture, no organization is more essentially EVE than the New Order. CODE. is the most relevant alliance in the game. More and more, people gloss over everything else, while their eyes quickly dart to each mention of the Code. Everything else seems to fade away. Even the biggest nullsec war in years didn't get but a fraction of the coverage you'd expect--on either the pro- or anti-Imperium websites. Observers are at a loss to explain why. Another example: As predicted years ago, CODE.'s history-making performance in the Alliance Tournament is the only thing people remember about it. The scandal-ridden Alliance Tournament, plagued by cheating, elicits only a yawn. Players' eyes light up when they talk about CODE.'s brief but remarkable involvement in the contest. Yet another example: The EVE blogosphere. At its height, there were four very popular EVE blogs--MinerBumping, Greedy Goblin, Jester's Trek, and Poetic Discourse--and many lesser ones. Today, MinerBumping alone towers over the ruins. They can't explain that, either.


The true nature of the Code's transformative power is seen at the individual level. The Code turns bot-aspirant miners into compliant miners. It turns carebears into players who seek out other forms of gameplay. It turns some of those players into Agents. And it turns Agents into legends. On this last point, even the most cynical rebel can scarcely remain in denial. loyalanon began his career as a random highsec ganker; he ended his career as EVE's #1 PvP'er, ranked above millions. The Code did that. The Code made that happen. There are legends in highsec today, Agents who walk as giants among the thousands of carebears who look up at them in wonder. Some look at them in hate, but in this, too, the Code's power is seen, for the Code created the rebels. The Anti-Ganking community is toxic, but even they, living as they do in squalor, are but the prodigal children of the Code. Anti-Gankers, you wouldn't exist if it weren't for the Code.


For its supporters, its enemies, and for those who would ignore it, the Code defines reality in highsec today. Players read it. They obey it and thrive because of it. If they don't obey it, they account for it or adapt to it in some way. Or else they suffer because of it, losing their ships, their cargo, their implants, and yes, sometimes even their corps. After four years, we know how essential it is. Thankfully, we do have the Code--a Code you asked for, to keep highsec in order. Some players hoped and expected that the Code would simply go away. It didn't. Instead, they went away. They won't be missed. Highsec only has room for those who want to help us build the future. Because as far as we've come in four years, there's still so much work to be done.

You see, highsec isn't perfect yet. But it will be.

31 comments:

  1. Separate frogs legs and dry thoroughly with a cloth. Lightly flour. Place some clarified butter in a frying pan on the heat and add the floured and seasoned frogs legs. Fry gently. Smother the frogs legs with the smashed garlic and turn the legs after 2 minutes. Add the herbs in the pan and then pour over heated Calvados and set alight - give the pan a good shake and then add the dry white wine. Reduce the heat - cover and allow to cook gently for 4 minutes. Cut the apple in half - scoop out the center with a teaspoon leaving 1/4-inch of flesh around the outside. Heat broiler unit to medium. Place the apple under the broiler for 10 minutes. Season the frogs legs with salt and pepper, add the sour cream, Worcestershire sauce and capers and then the 2 tablespoons of dry white wine. Stir gently to combine. Place the frogs legs on a heated serving dish - coat with a little of the sauce and serve the rest of the sauce in the broiled apple halves.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Happy Code Day! Wow, we've reached the halfway point in the eight year plan. I look forward to the next four years and final victory.

    Highsec is worth fighting for.

    ReplyDelete
  3. yo Jamie, me old mucker. 4 yrs eh? still hallucinating that "code"? meds didn´t help, counselling no good? well, you got your disciples to praise you, so at least it should be some sort of bearable. still a shit life if you ask me but then, better than being in that old soft cell again, right?! you take care of yourself..and no. there are no monsters under your bed. monsters, not miners, don´t confuse that just because you like shafts. See ya lad.

    Hennessy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. At least he stopped telling people that he is Jesus IRL...dont be so hard on him, let him have that jesus feeling as space pixels.

      Delete
    2. Anons 709 & 726

      You waited eagerly to post on this most historic of days. Your tears are noted, and luled at.

      Bless your hearts

      Delete
  4. A story for the grandkids. I hope I make it.

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  5. Mr. Movement, there´s your inconsequence, throwing insults and fowl language around you´d like others to refrain from or make threats of wardecs because you were treated that way. how do you expect to be taken seriously?
    you wouldn´t know what low and null looks like...the places were you certainly get shown how little "elite" you are and by that i don´t mean miners shooting back but people who actually do proper pvp and won´t hide behind the strange philosphy that is your code. guess you need something to have at least some sort of value in your low life. get well soon.

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  6. Remember all those Carebear naysayers, at the beginning, gloating how the New Order wouldn't last 6 months?

    Praise James 315, saviour of highsec. \o/
    Praise the New Order of Halaima. \o/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I still hear it all the time:
      "blah blah you will be sorry when CODE is gone blah blah".

      And the tears they post on this site confirms James' superiority over the hisec dogs.

      Four more years!
      Four more years!
      Four more years!

      Delete
  7. 802 is just BM/Davey trying to shock. His previous posts about kiddie porn and incest were worse.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Right now the AG movement has absolutely no credibility, and no respect. Their only hope at relevance at this point is to reform and kick out all the carebear shitters.

    It would be so simple for the carebears to take back hisec, however they cannot do that AND remain carebears. CODE wins!

    Almost as if EvE were designed that way........

    Carebears! Ship up to combat or get rekt! You have no other option, your "leaders" have failed you.

    ReplyDelete
  9. https://www.reddit.com/r/Eve/comments/4pofui/reflections_on_ganking_answering_some_questions_i/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. hail Zopiclone

      Delete
    2. Who is Zopiclone?

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    3. Exactly hail them. If you don't know then you haven't been playing EvE.

      Delete
  10. 1207: let the code into your heart and let the hatred of life go. embrace the code for it's life giving wisdom. i am not butthurt miner, but i do know him irl. his real first name is richard. come, anon brother 1207, lets spread the glory of the code together.

    praise be to james 315 and the new order of highsec

    ReplyDelete
  11. Whats missing from AG?
    Just the F.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Fearsome?
      Ferocious?
      Fun?
      Family?
      Fortitude?
      Friends?
      Factitious?
      Festive?
      Flourishing?
      Frightening?

      What could it be?
      Or, all of the above?

      Can you spell 'relevant' with an F?

      Delete
  12. Whats the difference between a dead carebear in the road, and a dead dog in the road?

    There are skid marks leading up to the dog... Bada boom


    From emergency breaking.


    Where someone tried to stop.


    And not hit the dog.


    I mean who wants to run over a dog.

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  13. Yea sure you know BM. Well most wont believe you just because you say you know him. So good luck with that.

    And, your writing style seems familiar. BM/Davey tried that thing already where he creates an alt persona in a thinly veiled attempt to validate his relevance.

    So why you still try BM/Davey/Richardsfriend? CODE get under your skin that bad?

    How does it feel to be that incompetent?

    ReplyDelete
  14. What an auspicious day! Congrats agents past, (present, and future), shareholders, compliant hisec capsuleers, and James 315!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I come here for our saviours word but the tears from screaming care bears makes it much better!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. amen brother. let's spread the code through new eden together.

      glory be to james 315 and the new order of highsec

      Delete
    2. I came here to laugh at the uninspiring articals and crazy propaganda... Jimmy never lets me down. Keep up the good humor.

      This blog is like the Eve version of the National Enquirer. It's a train wreck of facts and miss-information. But hilarious to read! Thanks for the laughs! 4 more years!

      Delete
  16. i am not bm. i do know him in real life. we are not friends. why do you think i called him out on here? because i like him? i dont think so we work together, thats it he's an asshat plain and simple. so come and play with us brother 433. help us spread the glory of james 315 to all parts of new eden.

    praise be to james 315 and the new order of highsec

    ReplyDelete
  17. Four Fantastic Years. Here's to the next four!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Four more years!
      Four more years!
      Four more years!

      Delete
  18. \o/ Only four more years to FINAL VICTORY!

    For he has seen the promised land! Reborn! 100% compliant.
    Praise James!


    -Galaxy Pig

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  19. Lol what a bunch of CODE shitters

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hard to believe it's been four years. In honor of this historic occasion I shall actually log in to EVE and punish a Code violator or two.

    ReplyDelete

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