Andre Ricard
Gallente
Merch Industrial
GoonSwarm
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Posted - 2008.01.16 10:38:00 -
[1]
Edited by: Andre Ricard on 16/01/2008 10:43:27
 Originally by: Yang d'Flatulent
My question is if there is a facility for those in the EVE community to contribute stories to the EVE Chronicles. Obviously, these would need to be reviewed through an editing process to check for continuity with the general EVE storyline and concept. It would also be necessary in order to assure that CCPs accepted concepts of language, violence, and bawdiness are adhered to. Is there a plan for this type of situation to occure in the future?
We are dealing with a huge universe in EVE. We should have an active and diverse history in which to immerse ourselves.
I'm capable of answering this. The answer is yes. Several of the Chronicles are written by people outside of CCP's offices. The most recent and famous examples are Hands of a Killer, written by Discorporation of Band of Brothers, Cold Wind, written by Herko Khergans, and The Crystal Boulevard, written by none other than yours truly.
Hands was written and sent straight to CCP for publication. Cold Wind and Crystal Boulevard appeared first of the EVE Library forum before being accepted as official fiction of the EVE Universe. It is possible, but the process can take a long time, it is subjective, and your work must fit in with the existing backstory and tone of EVE - not necessarily unremittingly dark (look at how flippant the narrator in Crystal Boulevard is!) but with an understanding that few things in the universe are sunshine and roses.
I'm sure Abraxas and Mr. Gonzales will elaborate on the process further, but the simple answer is yes, it can happen and it has happened in the past.
But now, to build upon this idea, I have a few questions of my own.
1) Say I have an idea, a pitch, for an EVE novel myself, one that I think would enhance the backstory of EVE without intruding on existing material or gameplay and could in fact enhance it. Precisely who should I get in contact with in order to make such a pitch? Are such things even being considered at present time? Would CCP consider bringing a player, as Mr. Gonzales once was, onto the writing team for another novel in the future (assuming the first novel is at least a modest success)?
2) Unpaid submissions to CCP are all well and good, but what about those of us who would love to be in your shoes directly? Is there any room at CCP for more cooks in the kitchen, especially if we've proven we're competent with the food? Could there be room in the future? Should I just bugger off and tool around in my Moros for the rest of time? 
Unrelated to that topic, a few questions about the progression of some events.
3) Most of the people involved in EVE's story development agree that, rather like the Emperor Situation, the Gallente Election was a bit of a fiasco. Did it play out at all like you desired? Are there things you wish you could do differently with it now? Will we see more Gallente politics of this nature in the future? Does Mentas Blaque secretly keep a copy of Mein Kampf in his broom closet?
4) In relation to this, does the lack of player-generated fiction and 'role play', for want of a better term, in regards to the Gallente Federation puzzle you at all? Do you think more could be done with the Gallente than what is done now?
EDIT as I thought of another good one: 4.5) Speaking of the Gallente background, between the various names of the tech 2 ships and the references in a few articles to things like "Mercury Square", is it safe to assume that what remains of Gallente spiritualism is grounded primarily in Greco-Roman pagan beliefs? Similarly, with names like Huginn, Muninn, Naglfar etc., is it safe to assume that Minmatar are by and large what we would call followers of the Norse religion?
And to round us off:
5) Mr. Gonzales, you mentioned at Fanfest that you believe that there are conditions in Caldari society for them to become something 'really evil'. Can you elaborate on this at all, or would that involve terrible spoilers?
6) For Abraxas: you were also a player at one point in time. Since we know a few players have since become CCP employees (such as Ifni), do you feel comfortable revealing what your previous identity was? The masses are curious.
That should be plenty enough, I think.  Looking forward to Thursday!
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