Update: this reward has now closed and its best submissions, all from expert players with hands-on experience, used to create curated content: EVE Online first steps!
We've launched plenty of rewards asking for advice for a player's first days in New Eden, but this reward asks about what comes before.
What we're looking for is easy-to-understand guidance and advice for someone who has decided that they want to play EVE Online but knows nothing about the sign-up process. And so, we advise you tackle at least a few of these new-player questions (as well as anything else that might be of use):
Should I play on Steam or the standalone client?
Can I play on Mac or Linux?
What are the differences between Alpha and Omega accounts?
How many characters can I have?
What are the most important decisions in character creation and are they reversible?
What do the different currencies mean? ISK, PLEX, EverMarks, LP - I'm lost!
Should I sign up using a referral code? Where do I find them and are they all the same?
What else should I know?
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Standalone client. It is how I have always played since the inception of Eve. You definitely can play on a Mac.Alpha is the free account where you have access to basic ships and modules. Omega is the paid account where you have access to all of the ships and modules in the game.You can only train skills on one character at a time without buying the multi-character training. The race and gender which cannot be changed. I think that is the most important decisions. Appearance of the character can be changed.ISK is the in game money which is used to purchase ships etc. Plex is used for many things including Omega & ships skins. Eve is a game where you will constantly be learning. I’ve played the game sine June 2003 and there are still things I learn all the time. Eve is a great community and you can make some great friends in the game.
Hello future resident of New Eden, I'm CMDR Henckes and I'll be guiding you though the process to be a brand new citizen of New Eden in EVE Online!
Since EVE Online is a online and multiplayer game it is necessary you have an account that can be created on the EVE Online site, other alternative is you to play though steam and use your steam account to play EVE, so it is up to you what you think fit better for you.
There are two types of subscription, the Omega and the Alpha, the Alpha is the free one, for who is starting it is perfect, it gives you access to most of things at the game, while the Omega is a paid subscription that will allow you have access to some things early and give advantages like skills training.
If you have a friend that already play the game he can send you a referral code, but remember to use it you must create an account out side the steam to redeem it, it will give you 1,000,000 Skill Points to be spent in the game.
After that you need to download the game, though the site or if you decide the steam account you must Download the game though the steam launch. Remember if you download though the steam when you open the game it will open the EVE Online launcher, and it will download some update before you are able to play.
After all that you be able to open your game and the first thing you will have to do is create a new character. You have 4 options of race to choose, each one with different ships, starter locations and lore, read with cautions and choose the one you are more attached to. Remember you just have 3 slots of characters, if this slots are all occupied you have to delete at least one of the existing characters to create another.
You must remember that your character name is permanent so take care choosing one to avoid future regrets, for the appearance it is possible to change it in the future paying for it.
For understand the currency I will resume each one to easy understand:
ISK: Is the main and the base currency of the game, it is attached to the character and will buy only things in regular stores
PLEX: Is the premium currency that you buy it with real money and it gives you access to upgrade to Omega Account and character transfer, you cab even buy ISK with it.
Loyalty Points: It is a special points that you earn doing task to some corporations, it will allow you buy exclusive itens.
Evermarks: The points for the cosmetic section of the game, are points earned with special missions for the Paragon NPCs, it has some restrictions, like ship types for the mission completion.
After that when starting the game and finish the tutorial I recommend you to follow the career paths, you can choose the best one for or, if it is Soldier, Enforcer, Industrialist or Explorer, Since the game is very complex it is a nice start to follow those or at least one of this careers, the tutorial won't be enough to introduce to the game as whole and without it you probably will be a little lost at the begging.
I'll write what I wish they had sent me when I started playing, I hope it's useful!
Should I play on Steam or the standalone client?
The game allows you to choose, it's up to you, I really like steam because it allows our friends and other games to be aggregated in one place, making your life a lot easier. If you've already downloaded the standalone version, you can just log in via steam, you don't need to create another one.
Can I play on Mac or Linux?
Yes and no haha. The game has support for Mac, but when it comes to Linux, it's a bit complex to run, as it doesn't have support, so it's up to you. Many players use steam play and manage to run it without any problems.
What are the differences between Alpha and Omega accounts?
The game has two types of account, Alpha is free and Omega is paid. In summary, progression and limits are better for paid accounts, such as unrestricted skills, access to all ships and modules. You can easily play with the free account and, if you feel like it, change your account.
How many characters can I have?
You can have up to 3 characters, who will not log in simultaneously. To train more than one at the same time, you will have to pay for additional training.
What are the most important decisions in character creation and are they reversible?
When you create a character, you'll need to choose one of four factions, which will basically change the start of your journey and won't have any impact on your gameplay in the future. Of the points that do have an influence and are unalterable, I would point out that your name and gender cannot change.
What do the different currencies mean? ISK, PLEX, EverMarks, LP - I'm lost!
ISK: This is the game's main currency, which you earn by carrying out the game's overview, such as carrying out missions and selling items.
PLEX: Another currency, but a premium one, which you have to buy with real money or ISK on the internal market, allowing you to buy skins, special items, etc.
EverMarks: These are the points from AIR missions or daily challenges, which you use to customize your game cosmetically.
LP: You get them for carrying out missions for NPCs or fighting in War Factions. You use them to buy special items and sell them for ISK.
Should I sign up using a referral code? Where do I find them and are they all the same?
Signing up with it will reward you with skill points, which will speed up your initial development in the game. Any player can generate a referral link, or even an influencer you like, they usually release their codes.
What else should I know?
I recommend not playing alone, all games are better with interaction, try playing with your friends, or join existing communities, there are several discords.
I wouldn't say that the tutorial is 100% essential, but if you're not going to follow it, try watching videos on youtube to learn, it's a good starter, but you'll feel lost regardless haha.
Why You Should Create Your EVE Online Account Through Steam
I highly recommend creating your EVE Online account via Steam, as it comes with multiple benefits and zero drawbacks.
Advantages of Using Steam
1. Better Pricing - Steam offers regional pricing, meaning you can get Omega or packs cheaper in some cases. Selecting a USD-based region saves around 6% compared to EU and players from India get a 20% lower prices on all packs and subscriptions. You can later convert your Steam account into a regular EVE account and take advantage of official site deals too.
2. Playtime Tracking - Steam keeps track of your play hours, letting you brag about your dedication.
3. You also get access to Steam overlays, community boards, avatars, backgrounds, friends, and other social features.
4. Easy Remote Play Access - With GeForceNow, you can access EVE Online from any device with a screen, making it easy to switch skills or refresh market orders from your mobile phone. While you can do this with a regular account, Steam integration makes it quicker and more convenient.
So start with Steam, then convert it into a regular EVE account - this way, you get the best of both worlds.
- Should I play on Steam or the standalone client? I think steam is the best option if you're already a frequent user of the platform, as everything from EVE online would be quickly linked to your steam account and this makes it easier to make in-game purchases and not have to create a new account with a password. However, if you're not a steam user, it's more feasible to use the standalone client by creating an account directly on the game's website, to make things easier!
- Can I play on Mac or Linux? The game has official support for MacOs, but not Linux, so to run on that OS you would need a Steam Proton running indirectly on windows, which is a job I don't recommend for anyone who doesn't work with computers. So let's just go with the idea that the game only has support for windows and mac!
- Differences between Alpha and Omega accounts: We can summarize them as a free account (Alpha) and a paid account (Omega). In practice, the Alpha account will have limited access to certain skills, blocked ships and slower progression. Meanwhile, the Omega account has full access to all skills, ships and the progression of your character is faster (there are packages ranging from 11 to 19 dollars per month for the Omega account). Don't feel pressured, you can start as an alpha and then upgrade to an omega account to enjoy the game 100%.
- How many characters can I have? You can have up to 3 characters per account, but only 1 can train skills at a time (unless you buy additional training through the in-game store). What's more, these characters don't share wallets!
- Important decisions when creating a character: Apart from the aesthetic part of character creation, which is very nice, and the choice of name, which is basic (just choose carefully, you can't change it later, ok?), you will be faced with the choice of starting faction (Gallente, Caldari, Amarr, Minmatar). They only influence the starting system and the lore of the story. Thinking about the late game, they won't have as much of an impact, so in my opinion, you can choose the one that suits you best!
- What do the different currencies mean? This explanation is more expository, so grab your pen and paper: ISK is the game's main currency, used for practically everything, from buying ships, equipment, trade and so on. PLEX is the premium currency, like CASH in other games, which can be bought with real money and exchanged for ISKs, Omega subscriptions and cosmetics. EverMarks are the loyalty points of the corporations, basically used to buy modify the appearance of the corporations with emblems and ship skins. Finally, Loyalty Points are the points earned from your faction's missions, which are important for getting exclusive rewards from these points!
- Should I register using a referral code? I highly recommend it! When you use a referral code from a friend, you'll get some bonuses like PLEX and/or Skill Points. It can be a good help at the start of the game. If no one you know plays the game, you can get the code from anyone on the game's forums or discord just to secure the rewards!
- What else should I know? Apart from everything I've already said, I think I should reinforce a few things that I didn't do properly when I started playing: NEVER skip the initial tutorial! The game is very complex and the tutorial will be very important for understanding a large part of the game and making sure you don't mess up! Also, look for a guild that has a lot of newcomers, so you can help each other and evolve together! Apart from that, have fun! The game has everything it takes to surprise you and steal hours out of your day!
How to Claim 1 Million Free Skill Points in EVE Online
Surprisingly, this topic is still in high demand and remains confusing for many, so I decided to break it down and clarify things.
Should I Sign Up Using a Referral Code?
No, you don’t need to use a referral code during signup. The beauty of EVE Online’s referral system is that you can claim the 1 million skill points bonus later, as long as you haven’t redeemed it before. So, focus on character creation and learning the game first - you won’t miss out.
Where Do I Find Them, and Are They All the Same?
All links are granting 1M SP as a redeemable item. Be cautious when clicking links from in-game spam—always verify the website. Criminals can potentially make fake sites to get your credentials. If you encounter one, immediately report via F12 game petition so Game masters can block the character and remove the content they are spreading.
2️⃣ If you already have an account, instead of registering, click “Log in to become a recruit”.
3️⃣ That’s it! Within 30 seconds, you’ll receive a redeemable in-game item. Make sure to claim it on the character you want to receive the 1 million SP.
Is 1 million SP worth a lot?
Yes! 1 million SP is a month of real-time training, which is huge for new players. It unlocks many career paths and broadens your options. Here, I made a video showing how you can earn 16-18 million ISK per hour on your first day of the game, and its possible only thanks to skill points boost:
1.Nowadays mostly it doesn't matter, why mostly? The only thing that today standalone client is different is that it can run without steam! If you have downloaded steam version you don't have to reinstall it if you want to make it standalone one.
2.Frankly, i don't know.
I'll talk about key differences: You can't go behind 5mln skill point level, you can't skill into some of the skills , you can't fly certain ship and you don't progress that fast ingame.
In theory you can have only 3 characters on one account but practicaly many people use alts ( it is not against the rules as far as i know) and it is very viable option called multiboxing.
There's 2 more or less important things and all of them are reversable: Choosing faction mainly mean starter location, I'd advise caldari because you are next to main trade hub called Jita in which most of the things are cheaper. Next thing is skills sheet, I'd advise doing them at the same level, but after first choose you'll be able to remap them.
Isk is the main currency by which you can purchase most of the thing. Plex is premium currency which could be spend in eden shop(premium shop) for omega time/more 1 character training and many more, it is possible to buy plex with isk and sell plex for isk. Evermarks are not that important, they can be spend either on completing dailly goals or skins in paragon shop. And the LP, loyalty points which are earned by 2 ways: completing missions given by agents or by withing in FW. Most of the time people convert LP into isk by buying thing from loyalty shop of exact corporation/faction to which those lp are connected with and selling them on market for profit.
Deffinitely you should, it is easy 1mln SP for you and if you buy omega time, they that gived you refferal link will get half of it and many more rewards. You can find those on yt and if you ask anybody for those, they will give you their.
The most valuable skill in eve online is patience.
The first days in New Eden—definitely, too much time has passed since I started playing, so now I want to share with you a series of tips that can solve many of the initial doubts that new players frequently have:
Playing with Steam or the native client?
Regarding this question, the truth is that the gaming experience is exactly the same. The only real difference is how you created your account. If you create it through the game's website, you won’t be able to purchase Omega or PLEX via Steam. This is very important because, for example, in Latin America (and likely in other regions), it can sometimes be cheaper to buy these assets through Steam rather than the in-game store. Other than that, the experience remains the same, and it ultimately comes down to personal preference.
Can I play from Mac or Linux?
The short answer is yes. However, the game has native support for PC and Mac. With some additional steps, you can also enjoy the game on Linux.
What is the difference between Alpha and Omega?
Alpha and Omega are the game's subscription states, with Alpha being the free-to-play version and Omega the paid version. As an Alpha, you have certain limitations, such as the number of skill points you can train normally, as well as access to certain ships, modules, and industry features that are only available to Omega accounts. However, this doesn’t mean Omega makes the game "pay-to-win." Instead, it simply allows you to train any ship, use any module, and perform any activity you desire. But if you’re not skilled at what you do, an Alpha player can still defeat you without any problem. Finally, remember that you can pay for your Omega subscription using in-game currency. So, in the long run, you can play as Omega without spending real money—it all depends on how you play.
How many characters can I have? Here, I need to make an important clarification: Each account can have up to three created characters. However, you can only play and train with one at a time. You can pay to train two or even all three characters simultaneously, but you will always be able to play with only one at a time.
That being said, you can have as many accounts as you want and open them simultaneously as long as they have Omega status. In other words, you cannot open two Alpha characters at the same time, but if you have two or more characters and they are all Omegas, you can use them simultaneously. In that case, the only limit is what your PC can handle.
What are the most important decisions when creating a character? Are they reversible?
When creating a new character, the game will ask you to choose one of the four main factions. However, this choice only affects the starting ships and the region where you begin. You can train ships from any faction as you progress and visit other faction territories.
However, there are three aspects you should consider carefully:
Character Name – This cannot be changed.
Character Design – This can be modified later by purchasing a certificate.
Character Gender – This cannot be changed after creation.
What do the different currencies mean? ISK, PLEX, EverMarks, LP - I'm lost!
Don't worry! Let's go over the differences quickly and simply:
ISK: The common currency in New Eden. You can earn it by completing missions, destroying NPCs, selling items, and many other activities. This is the main in-game currency.
PLEX: The premium currency. You can obtain it in two ways: by purchasing it with real money or by buying it from other players using ISK. PLEX can be used to pay for an Omega subscription and buy various items like skins and training certificates.
EverMarks: Earned through AIR faction missions or daily challenge rewards. Primarily used for cosmetic purposes, such as purchasing emblem slots for ships, donating to corporations for player station skins, and skipping daily challenges.
LP (Loyalty Points): Earned by completing missions or participating in Factional Warfare for NPC corporations. LP can be used to buy faction-related modules, ammunition, blueprints, implants, and cosmetics for personal use or trade.
Should I register using a referral code? Where can I find them? Are they all the same?
This is completely optional, but using a referral code gives you a reward of 1 million skill points, which helps you progress faster. Keep in mind that you can only use one referral link.
You can get a referral link from other players. They may receive rewards when you use their code and make a purchase from the game's website. If you don’t buy anything, they won’t get a reward, but you will always receive the 1M skill points.
If your account has been active for a while but you've never used a referral link, you can still apply one—as long as the account that provided it is older than yours.
Most content creators share their referral links so that anyone who appreciates their content can use them. They also often provide a creator code that lets them earn a small percentage when you make purchases from the website, at no extra cost to you. It’s a great way to support content creators!
Remember that EVE Online is a MULTIPLAYER ONLINE game, so don’t try to do everything on your own. The game has huge communities that are usually happy to share their knowledge with new players. Don’t be shy—ask questions! I guarantee that if a player doesn’t know the answer, they’ll look for it with you, and you’ll both learn something new.
I hope this guide is useful to you, and welcome to New Eden! The galaxy awaits you.
I wanted to go for a very important tip that I gave several new players and that I noticed unknown to many. People who start out with Eve tend to forget how final some of their choices, including their names are. In the format of a pretty short video, this was supposed to rely info fast so you can keep creating your char. It's also my first try at a voice-over for my videos.
Sorry you missed out! We're planning to prioritise turning this into curated content, so if you still have your draft written and would like your insights included, post it as a reply here and I'll make sure your wisdom is reshared o7
Welcome to EVE! Prepare to make money, lose ships, and have the fun you can make!
I started playing in 2009, and if I knew then what I know now, I’d probably have an easier time at least starting out for the first time.
There’s a reason that in the old days, the EVE learning experience was called the “learning cliff” – because it literally hanged people, left them out to dry, or ravaged new pilots. Only the strong and truly dedicated (or utterly crazy) survived it, but it also left us some cutting-edge capsuleers.
The infamous "learning cliff" of EVE Online, comparing time invested to gaming skill over time
That said, the learning experience today is much more immersive, engaging, and educational for brand-new pilots, who no longer require as much intervention from developers or more senior capsuleers in order to understand the core basics of the game.
Firstly, let me say immediately that if you are considering signing up for EVE Online, and have friend who plays or is trying to recruit you to play, encourage your friend to send to you a “Recruit A Friend” code. This is the former “Buddy Account” system that would reward those who recruited friends into the game, as well as the pilots who joined through said friends. Today, those who join EVE Online using these recruitment opportunities will receive 1,000,000 skillpoints immediately, so they can apply those skillpoints to existing skills and gain a slight edge over other pilots who otherwise start at absolute zero. If you already made an account, fear naught, for recruitment bonuses can be applied retroactively!
Your recruitment, invite, or “buddy account” link will be sent to you via email, but can also be sent to you via direct link. For demonstration purposes, here is mine:
Recruiters also get rewards for the number of pilots who join the game, and then become Omega pilots, which I will explain in a moment.
Personally, I’ve never played on the Steam client, so I cannot compare Steam versus standalone, but what I can say is that the launcher compared to the original from 2009 has gone through a lot of improvements. Characters are better organized and easy to review before logging in, you have direct access to the EVE news and notifications about events, and updates are seamless and smooth.
You can play EVE Online on Windows, Macintosh (as of 2021), and even Linux. There are even mobile versions of EVE Online (known as EVE Echoes) available in their own universes (i.e., not connected to the main server known as Tranquility), and virtual reality platforms (i.e., Valkyrie and Gunjack).
At one time, a derivative first-person shooter was available on the Playstation 3 and 4 – DUST 514.
The one notable improvement to the EVE new player experience over the last literal two decades has been the incorporation of free-to-play accounts, known as Alpha accounts. To compare, Omega accounts get access to all EVE ships and assets right off the start. Alpha accounts train skills at half the rate of Omega accounts and are capped at 6,000,000 skillpoints (which will take you 6 months to fill up without boosters or implants). Alpha accounts also cannot fly all of the ships in EVE Online, like Tech 2 ships and capital ships. Some Level 5 skills cannot be trained under Alpha accounts. Alpha accounts, however, do get access to special daily skill boosters and skill packs, and the AIR Daily Opportunities can offer the chance to earn additional daily rewards.
Per account, you can train up to three characters each, and between these characters, you can share item rewards, PLEX, and bookmarks (if you create a shared folder between these pilots). However, without multi-training enabled, you are restricted to training one character at a time.
With respect to the character creation process, the most unique aspect will be choosing your Empire of Origin and Bloodline. These will determine where in the universe you first start out and what initial technology you will first utilize. Once you have your character created, most veteran pilots will recommend that you always have a skill training and that you pursue training the “Magic 14;” the core skills that will benefit all ships and almost all activities:
Once you choose your Empire and Bloodline, those decisions are permanent, so choose wisely.
In the older days of EVE Online, there used to be videos that would play during your selection process to help detail the four empires. These videos have since been enhanced with newer and more exciting versions:
There are a number of ways to “make money” or “get paid” in EVE, and it doesn’t always involve liquid cash. The stable currency in EVE is “ISK,” based off the real-world Icelandic Kronur currency under the same abbreviation. ISK is what makes EVE go ‘round; it is how you buy items from the market, and is the most common method of rewarding pilots for completing missions and assignments. PLEX at one time was short for “Pilot’s License Extension,” and represents the “gold” or higher-level currency which allows pilots to purchase “premium” or “paid” content or items. Most importantly, PLEX is accumulated to purchase subscriptions to EVE Online (i.e., monthly game time cards from yesteryear). 500 PLEX is typically enough to buy a single month’s worth of Omega time. EverMarks are points earned for purchasing cosmetic items for ships, such as logos and icons that reflect your alliance or corporation. EverMarks can also be used to automatically complete AIR Daily Goal assignments, which in doing so, pilots will earn a small amount of ISK and skillpoints, which can contribute to larger goals if completed in successive days. LP is short for Loyalty Points, which are bonus points awarded to pilots from corporations for completing missions. Loyalty Points can be exchanged at NPC corporation Loyalty Point stores for implants, technology, and even entire ships.
The most critical aspects a new pilot needs to understand about EVE Online, however, is that EVE Online can be a very hardcore MMORPG, of sorts. By comparison, actions in other MMOs that might get one banned or disciplined and perfectly legal and even par for the course here in EVE Online. It is perfectly permissible to attack a pilot in high-security space, or infiltrate a rival corporation and steal all of its assets, or deceive alliance leadership with false information, commit fraud, and other heinous acts. However, there will be consequences, of course (such as NPC police retaliating, alliance members blacklisting an offending pilot, or areas of space denied to a given pilot). Likewise, if your ship blows up, it’s gone – you’ll respawn elsewhere in a station somewhere, but the hull and some of your items and weapons will be permanently destroyed. EVE Online pilots operate by the mantra of “Never fly anything you cannot afford to lose.” So, if you cannot afford to replace that particular ship, reconsider flying it until you are more capable, ready, or on more financially stable ground.
Lastly, EVE Online is what you make of it – your goals depend upon what drives you, and in particular, there is no true way to “win” EVE Online. Your victory conditions depend upon what you define.
Council of Stellar Management member, Mike Azariah, delivered an excellent address on this matter for EVE Vegas 2017:
Either way, EVE is whatever you decide it to be, but knowing what exactly you’re getting into can make the difference between sticking with it for decades on end, or burning out in 2 weeks.
Stick with it, and in the words of Mr. Azariah, “Make it a winning stick!”
Ah what a treasure trove of knowledge! Sorry you missed out on a prize, but you can bet your bottom ISK that we'll be including that wisdom in our guide (which should be live before the end of the week). Thank you for sharing it!
