Despite the name, New Eden isn’t most people’s idea of a paradise. But that’s not to say it wouldn’t be an at least interesting place to live, which got us thinking: of the four distinct empires that control much of its space, which would be the best to live in? The tribal Minmatar, the entertainment-loving Gallente, the corporate Caldari, or the theocratic Amarr?
We put the question to our community, with the following condition: whichever empire you choose to inhabit, you have to begin your life with the conditions of the median citizen. You couldn’t start as, for example, the new Amarr emperor or a Gallentean media mogul; you’d have to factor in the religious oppression and wealth inequality, respectively. Consider it our intergalactic version of John Rawls’s Veil of Ignorance - a philosophical thought experiment which states that consideration of whether a society is just can only be properly made without the knowledge of one’s personal circumstances within it.
Caldari State
Here’s a snippet from CCP’s official description of the Caldari State:
“Built on corporate capitalism, the Caldari State is run by a few megacorporations which divide it between them, controlling and ruling every aspect of society. Each corporation is made up of thousands of smaller companies, ranging from industrial companies to law firms. All land and real estate is owned by a company which leases it to the citizens, and government and policing are also handled by independent companies.
“Although this gives the corporations dictatorial powers, they are just as bound by Caldari customs and laws as the individual, and the fierce, continual competition between the corporations ensures a healthy, consumer-based social environment, which benefits everyone.”
Our first community member who’d opt to become a Caldarian citizen is EveOnlineTutorials, who was drawn in by Caldari’s meritocratic rule-based society:
“I’m a creature of logic and fact; I adore rules. I love to know where I stand, my limits, and what is and isn’t acceptable. A strong-minded person could join the Caldari military, and - if they didn’t immediately die - climb the ranks by following the corporate structure of the Caldari high command. In a universe where loyalty and bravery decide one’s fate, the right attitude could take you to the top. Also, missiles, people, missiles! Sit back, hit ‘fire’, and watch the explosions.”
“If I had to live in an empire, it would be the Caldari State. But when considering who is an ‘average citizen’, remember that the empires are vast and diverse, populated by different bloodlines and political divisions.
“I’d hope to be an Achuran monk who spends his days ruminating on the mysteries of the universe. Achurans do not necessarily have an organised religion, but they operate out of a few dozen monastic orders dedicated to exploration and science. They have little interest in politics and current events. Rather than dealing with the harsh realities of the future, I would spend my day learning of the wonders that remain hidden to those in the material world.”
Gallente Federation
Here’s a snippet from CCP’s official description of the Gallente Federation:
“The Gallenteans. Self-righteous, meddling, pompous and tiresome, or virile liberalists and defenders of the free world. Love them or hate them, you simply can't ignore them. Everybody has an opinion on the Gallente Federation, it all depends from which side of the table you view them. For many, it is the Promised Land, where any dream can become a reality. Descendants of ancient Tau Ceti colonists, the Gallenteans remain strong believers in free will and human rights, despite numerous setbacks in their long history.
“It has been said that, once you have seen the Crystal Boulevard in Caille you've seen it all. True, the view is spectacular, but if there's one thing you can never see in its entirety, that is the Gallente Federation. You may travel its length and breadth, marvel at the Sunspiral on Troux, climb the Akat Mountains on tropical Intaki or thrill to the Mendre dancers on Sovicou. Wherever you go, you will always see something new and exciting, even when you visit the same place again. Gallente society is in a constant state of flux, vigorous, vibrant, and progressive.”
Swagger Olacar admits that he’s tempted by the Caldari - “they like money and so do I” - but ultimately the progressive values of the Gallente won him over:
“It’s probably because they have a very similar society to our current one. Sure, speaking French and flying ugly ships with awful weapon systems is a requirement, but the Gallente are also known for their inclusiveness. It may just be the one empire where I’d feel very much at home.”
For similar reasons, the Gallente also resonate with Sturmer who makes a powerful defence of the federation’s core values:
“Since I created my character back in 2004, whenever someone has asked about my favourite EVE Online empire, my answer has been the same: Gallente. The choice might surprise some, especially given their reputation as merely entertainment obsessed. But I see these as myths and misconceptions, likely stemming from Amarrian and Caldarian propaganda.
“In my view, the Gallente Federation epitomises values that are increasingly scarce in our world: freedom, equality, diversity, and openness. These aren’t just abstract concepts; they’re principles that guide the federation, making it a unique and admirable entity within the game’s universe.
“These values deeply resonate with me. They align not just with what I desire in EVE Online, but in the real world too. I advocate a society where these principles are not just upheld, but celebrated. The Gallente stand as a testament to these ideals, making them more than just an in-game faction for me. They are a beacon of hope and progress, and they represent what I seek for everyone.
“So yes, my choice remains the Gallente. They’re not just a faction I play in a game; they’re a reflection of the world I aspire to see.”
Hear, hear!
Our final Gallentean ambassador is KAZO+AR. Rather than lofty principles, what draws them in is Gallente’s uniquely up-close-and-personal way of making things go boom:
“As a new player, I fell into the Caldarian trap of missiles and PvE, kiting around while emptying my rocket launchers. It was a safe combat technique, and I entirely respect that, but I grew bored. Then I switched to Gallente, and my gameplay changed to brawling and drone warfare. Flying a Tristan in Faction Warfare was pretty efficient as a solo PvPer, catching small targets, changing fittings, then firing those hybrid turrets - real fun! "
Much like CCP’s official description of the Gallente themselves, Kazoar notes that people either love or hate Gallentean ship design; “there is no inbetween”. Kazoar falls firmly in the love camp:
“What got me into it was the Hecate, that fast Nausicaa-like wing. I usually call my Galleantean ships ‘Bim Boom Bye’ because that was literally my solo-hunting plan. The Proteus confirmed my appreciation of Gallentean ships; it’s a sneaky killing machine that takes hunting to another level. But the ship that made me truly fall in love with the Gallentean design was the Moros Navy Issue - what can I say? It’s a beautiful monster."
Gallente/Caldari
Miyoshi weighed up their options carefully. They respect the Minmatar’s tribalism but see themselves as “an independent operator at heart” and they reject the Amarr on the grounds of irreligiosity.
Despite their contemplation, Miyoshi couldn’t come to a decision between the Gallente or Caldari and so chose both. Given the Caldari and Gallente’s historical ties, we’ve decided to allow it.
“Just like the real world, the culture of capital cities is not the same as that of rural areas. Given that empires can have gradations, I’d expect Caldari in Jita to be more cosmopolitan and open than Caldari in corporate colonies far from the main trade routes. Similarly, I’d expect Gallenteans to be more ‘down to earth’ the further you move away from Caille and its entertainment districts.
“I’d be Caldari for the structure; there are rules, and those rules are followed. It’s true that that structure could be stifling, but if one finds the right rung on the corporate ladder, I suspect it wouldn’t be as bad as the Gallentean propaganda makes out. Plus, for those shrewd enough to climb the ladder, the results will pay dividends.
“I’d be Gallente for the freedom to pursue my own path, both from a career standpoint and a personal one. Gallente are able to innovate because they’re not as restricted by rules and dogma as Caldari and Amarr. However, they do pay for their lack of tight focus, which the Caldari have with their preservation of the state. The Gallente’s focus on entertainment and debauchery don’t sit well with me either.
“In truth, I’d probably sit somewhere between the two. It’s not a good place to be in a polarised world, is it?”
Minmatar Republic
Here’s a snippet from CCP’s official description of the Minmatar Republic:
“A tough, no-nonsense race, the Minmatar are a determined and independent people. Their home planet of Matar is a natural paradise, although centuries of abuse have taken much from its beauty.
“Of the four major races of New Eden, none has endured more tragedy and suffering than the Minmatar. Once part of a thriving and technologically capable tribal civilisation, billions of Matari were enslaved by the Amarr Empire for more than seven hundred years, until a mass rebellion freed most, but not all, of those held in servitude. Initially modelling its recovery after Gallente Federation notions of democracy, the Minmatar Republic was born through the cooperation of four major tribes.
“For the Minmatar, the most important thing in life is to be able to take care of yourself on your own, and although kin and family play an important role in their society, they prefer identifying themselves by the clan or tribe to which they belong.”
“Life in one of the four major empires is an interesting topic. I’m sure many would choose to be part of the Caldari State or Gallente Federation, but there’s a faction that almost always gets forgotten: the Minmatar Republic.
“Why are they interesting to me? Their lore demonstrates how, given enough time, the differences between rivals can vanish when they realise that they can achieve more together. It’s true that they’re not that technologically advanced; they’re probably the least developed faction in all aspects. However, their ability to work together for a better tomorrow indubitably makes them my top choice.
“To be more specific, let’s remember that the Minmatar are organised by tribes. If I were given the choice, I’d join the Sebiestor tribe without hesitation. Their virtues and role within the republic reflect much of what Orik Kado loves to do within his space in New Eden.”
Amarr Empire
Here’s a snippet from CCP’s official description of the Amarr Empire:
“The Amarr Empire, a theocratic monarchy, is the largest nation in New Eden. It is known for its omnipresent religion and use of slave labour.
“The largest of the empires in the world of EVE, the Amarr Empire spans 40% of the inhabited solar systems. Amarr is a theocracy and a ritualistic, authoritarian imperial state where the ruling figure, the Amarr Emperor, holds near-absolute power.
“Below him are the five Heirs, the heads of the five royal families from which a new Emperor is traditionally chosen, along with a sixth, the Khanid Family, only recently brought back to the fold. The Emperor's authority is unquestioned and absolute, but the archaic and bureaucratic system of government makes it difficult for him to exert his rule unless directly in person. Otherwise, the Heirs rule in his name, dividing the huge empire between them.”
None of our community members opted to live in Amarr. That’s despite it being the largest faction and one of the top choices in our faction propaganda series. Might it have something to do with all the slaves? It seems John Rawls was onto something with his thought experiment. What can we learn from this? That the faction we choose to play in EVE is not necessarily the faction we’d choose to live in. It’s a place for exploring other ways of life.
Would any of you choose to live in the Amarr Empire? If not, why not? Let us know your thoughts on the empires’ livability in the comments!
Some text has been amended for brevity. You can find the original wording at the bounty post. Image credit: Razorien on Flickr and member submissions
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