Maybe I'll Spend More Time In EVE Frontier In Cycle 2

I took some time away from Final Fantasy XIV this weekend to dive into Cycle 2 of EVE Frontier. No, this was not in response to the kerfuffle about Mare Synchronos. I had planned on doing so as part of my coverage of CCP Games' big new game. And at the rate development of Crimson Desert is going, perhaps Pearl Abyss' next big game also.

Mining in the starting system

Originally I only intended to run through the content in the tutorial system, jump out and compare my experience in Cycle 1 versus Cycle 2. But then I looked at the tutorial that suggested I needed to build a network node. So I did.

My initial setup with a network node

By building the network node I learned a valuable lesson. The structures in the Core tab in the UI don't require power. So if I got adventurous I could try to get lost and have a system to myself. I think I achieved the same goal by being slow to get out of the tutorial and let everyone race past me. We'll see.

I now have a couple of new goals. The first is to build and keep fueled a small collection of structures as a base. The second goal is to build a shipyard and build a ship I can't make using a portable printer. What convinced me to stick around a little longer than intended? The network node interface.

The Network Node Interface

I just like the concept of managing the structures. Using the lowest quality fuel I can keep the base operational for two weeks, assuming no one comes along and knocks my house down. Considering network nodes can only be built on Lagrange points the odds are someone will unless I go whole hog and build defenses.

My purpose in playing Frontier isn't to play another game. The game is currently in what I consider an open alpha. I've already paid $20 to play until launch plus 30 days. Plus, I need something to write about as the drama in FFXIV won't last forever. Maybe one day I'll even going a tribe.