The time has come to exercise your democratic rights. Voting for the Council of Stellar Management 18 begins on September 4, giving all EVE players the chance to choose their community representatives from a pool of over 50 candidates. Every aspect of EVE gameplay is represented among them, as well as varying philosophies on ganking, EVE’s future, and other hot-button issues.
Who deserves your support? It’s hard graft to research 50 candidates on your own, so we asked the Just About EVE Online community to share their own analyses, as well as offer their heartfelt endorsements and inside knowledge. We’ve put together their responses below, grouped by candidate. We hope you’ve got some democracy pills because you’re about to catch election fever!
Mark Resurrectus - J-space incumbent
Candidate quote
“Hello friends, I’m your friendly neighbourhood wormholerbtw CSM incumbent Mark Resurrectus, back again to try and convince the wormpeople to do something they’ve never actually done before - get the same candidate on the CSM in back-to-back years.” Mark Resurrectus
Endorsements
“Wormholers and J-space dwellers have been underrepresented in recent years. It makes sense to build on the work Mark did last year should you choose him as your Wormhole candidate. The nullblocks can do without one of your votes. Notawormholerbtw.” As endorsed by EVEIL. Original post
For more on Mark Ressurectus, check his level-headed CSM 18 interview with Ben Rush which explores the importance of the CSM perspective, Mark’s achievements from this year, and his ambitions for his next term.
Amelia Duskspace - risk calculator
Candidate quote
“Experienced YouTube creator, two-time Alliance Tournament champ, skilled fleet commander in mid-scale and small-gang. Expert in Wormhole space, Nullsec, and Pochven. Running for CSM to reshape risk vs reward, drive CCP innovation via dynamic updates, and balance large-group projection via Ansiblex adjustments.” Amelia Duskspace
Endorsements
“Risk vs reward is likely to be a big theme in the upcoming expansion if CCP’s track record is anything to go by. Pochven and Faction Warfare Frontlines both focus on giving players a reason to fight over lucrative focal points. Having someone on the CSM to nudge CCP as it balances and adjusts the new content over the next year will be invaluable.
“As someone who likes to gatecamp in Nullsec, Ansiblex adjustments would be great too. Landing in Horde space after taking a filament always makes me sad (I know, I know. Poor gatecamper).” As endorsed by EVEIL
Pandoralica - content aficionado
Candidate quote
“Over the years I've always been outspoken about issues in the game, especially when it comes to Citadels and opportunities for content creation. So last year I decided to finally run for the CSM for the first time. I would be very happy to represent the players with my knowledge again and help CCP find the best possible path for the game.” - Pandoralica
Endorsements
“Someone that knows how to find content for his audience knows how EVE needs to improve in this area. Less time spent searching for content is better for everyone.” As endorsed by EVEIL
Mike Azariah - school bus philanthropist
Candidate quote
“My niche is the new player experience, and I have been a regular in Rookie Help Chat for a long time. I drive Operation Magic School Bus 3 and have been a speaker at Fanfest and Eve Vegas I. In real life, I am a retired teacher (yes, and an old man) and the skills of being able to explain, teach, and convince someone to listen do play a part in working on the CSM.” Mike Azariah
Endorsements
“Operator of the Magic School Bus, an initiative to provide new players with free ships. I’d have no regrets using one of my votes for him. He also brings a wealth of CSM experience.” As endorsed by EVEIL
Ben Rushalso shared an interview with Mike Azariah. In scoops “hotter than fresh poutine”, they’ll continue to interview CSM18 candidates on their YouTube channel.
The Oz - economist in chief
Candidate quote
“A proven and respected EVE markets and economy expert. Completely independent without any alliance influence or commitments. Purely focused on making the game better. Years of experience discussing issues with CCP, CSM members, and expert players on my Twitch show and podcast. Trusted leader of one of the largest Discord communities in the game.” The Oz
Endorsements
“Oz is a genius in everything related to the economy. He has demonstrated with countless examples how to trade, understand the game from an economic perspective, and, of course, how to make a lot of ISK in the process. I consider it important to represent all these qualities in this new CSM. A healthy economy makes the game more enjoyable for everyone, and who better than Oz to provide his insights and help maintain the balance?” As endorsed by orik Kado. Original post
“A markets and economy expert who knows how to explain tricky concepts in a clear and easily followable way. His investment fund may or may not benefit from having him on the CSM, if nothing else…” As endorsed by EVEIL
Yondu Quill - pioneering industrialist
Candidate quote
“I believe that EVE has great potential only if new things are constantly added or tweaked, rather than removed and nerfed. This also includes the ISK-making and ISK-losing areas where I would love to see huge galaxy-wide projects such as megastructures and a new dawn for Lapetans, to keep in mind the eager newbros, the rich bittervets, and the core between.” Yondu Quill
Endorsements
“An experienced player and an ambitious industrialist. His more interesting proposals might seem a bit outlandish, but I believe the first step is to plant a crazy idea. After that, the work of the CSM and CCP is to figure out how to turn it into something more realistic while still fun for both new and veteran players.” As endorsed by orik Kado
Lee Adoulin - Nullsec miner and industry dude
Candidate quote
“I love the game and the community, and I want to do my part for it. If I find a place I like, I take care of it, to try to help wherever I can. So, I decided to apply to CSM 18 to improve our game and help this community. As a CSM, I will mainly stand for the industry people located in Nullsec.” Lee Adoulin
Endorsements
“Another player who loves industry. However, his proposals seem a bit more focused and feasible. He aims to enhance players’ experience of industry, mining, and transportation. Naturally, there are areas for improvement here, and I believe his ideas are on the right track.” As endorsed by orik Kado
Stitch Kaneland - PvP balancer
Candidate quote
“I've been able to implement multiple changes into EVE without being on the CSM just from good posting. I am able to apply critical thinking to problems and find resolutions that tend to fit the confines of what can realistically be changed.” Stitch Kaneland
Endorsements
“A skilled PvP player. While PvP isn’t my forté, I think his proposals to balance ships and make fights more exciting and fair are very interesting. I believe his suggestions have a lot of potential.” As endorsed by orik Kado
Gustav Mannfred - innovative idealist
Candidate quote
“I want to help develop this game. I have been playing for 14 years (70% of the lifespan of the game), and I want to feel involved in it. It’s also an area that I didn’t really look into in my early days of playing EVE. It came to my attention in summer 2020 when the old [Abyssal] arena was taken away.” Gustav Mannfred
Endorsements
“His proposals for module balance, abyssal spaces, and mutaplasmids are interesting and, in my opinion, necessary. Undoubtedly, his experience can help guide these changes to continue preserving the ecosystem’s balance.” As endorsed by orik Kado
Gabriell Bemenacth - Pochven saint
Candidate quote
“I’ve been a loyal member of the Purple Helmeted Warriors for about six years now, of which nearly three have been as the CEO of the corp Svarog Liberi. Our chosen niche is Pochven. Content in and around Pochven takes many forms, but our main focus is small- to mid-sized PvP. I’m a very active EVE player and spend very little time docked in a station. I’m usually out roaming in random ships or finding sites to crab or bait on.” Gabriell Bemenacth
Endorsements
“Gab is the f***ing man. I noticed him organically when starting to get back into Pochven after some absence. When I say ‘noticed him organically’, I mean, if you take a Krai Svarog to Pochven looking for PvP then Svarog Liberi will be on your radar.
“He walks a perfect line between gatekeeper of the old ways and super-inclusive curator. It doesn’t matter how bad you suck right now, if you come with a drive to succeed in the region and a can-do attitude, he’ll take you from ship spinning in fear to ranked killer real quick.
I’m a Pochven candidate, but he’s the PvP candidate for sure. I have total trust in his ability to curate the health of the smoll gang dream I fought in Invasion for.” As endorsed by Melicien Tetro. Original post
Melicien Tetro - versatile chippervet
Candidate quote
“My primary goal is to bring an invested Pochven candidate to the council with no Null loyalties, somebody who is accessible and engaged with the Triglavian Community. I think a little bit of guided feedback could push the region forward.” Melicien Tetro
Endorsements
Rather than self-aggrandising during their self-endorsement, Melicien included some endorsements from non-JA community members:
"I’ve been flying under Mel for six months (after an eight-year break), so perhaps there’s a little bias here. But it feels rare to find someone that’s been playing the game for so long yet still has such a passion for it and others that play it, managing to resist the allure of blaming and bashing CCP for every decision it makes.
“He led me to more varied and interesting gameplay than most of what I’d seen before. The environment he promotes in-corp is so friendly and positive, and I’ve met a bunch of new folk that I’m happy to call friends. His investment into Pochven and the people that live there is genuine, as is his wish to see the region improved by better content and an environment that enables people to thrive. As I said, biassed, but I believe he will bring Zorya to speak with us again." Endorsement by Cairo Dog
"Mel is passionate, optimistic, and dedicated to everything Triglavian. I’ve collaborated with him for a while now and appreciate his dedication to his friends, copilots, and enemies. He works hard for others and I’d feel comfortable having him represent the region and its interests.” Endorsement by Gabriell Bemnacth
"You have someone who fights for Pochven and also supports further development in cooperation with EDENCOM, even if that sounds a bit strange now. Azdaja Clade is the only clade that has aspirations to deal with EDENCOM. When I ran for CSM 15, that was also my ambition, that some progress happens here; I give this now into his hands." Endorsement by Prospektor Schipplock
MILINT ARC Trooper - mad scientist
Candidate quote
“I am applying for the CSM to be a voice for a broader base of New Eden. The foundations of EVE Online are the industrialist, mining, hauling, and exploration communities. These activities feed into the PvE and PvP sides of EVE Online’s overall ecosystem.” MILINT ARC Trooper
Endorsements
“The self-proclaimed mad scientist has had a following on Reddit for a while now, of which I find myself a part. I’m a simple man; I see a MILINT post, I upvote a MILINT post. He can be found posting absurd fits that leave people wondering ‘why?’, when they should be wondering ‘why does this work?’
“His platform highlights a lot of specific things he would like to use his voice as a CSM to advocate. My personal favourites include:
Fully testing changes. As MILINT has shown via many examples, there are a lot of things that don’t get touched when updates happen. This can have unintended negative side effects which poorly impact the game.
Triglavian hauling ships.
Dynamic cargo holds. Think T3C. Different rigs could add different holds or add different bonuses to improve the quality of life for space truckers
More compression. MILINT believes that compression is the future for making mining less of a headache for players.
“Beyond those agendas, he has a litany of ideas and even categorises them by their difficulty to implement. He has clearly put a lot of thought into these changes. I think he’s a great candidate!” As endorsed by Brother Grimoire. Original post
“I love Milint. A walking psyop, incredibly intelligent, and a connoisseur of mecha media.” As endorsed by Melicien Tetro
Kshal Aideron - newbro candidate
Candidate quote
“Ask yourself who’s better to petition on behalf of new players than a new player? Especially a new player who tried playing twice before and ragequit both times because the tutorial was a hot mess at the time. I’m not a bittervet (quite yet), but I’ve accomplished a lot in my short time in New Eden.” - Kshal Aideron
Endorsements
Here’s Ben Rush again with another CSM 18 interview; “enjoy, eh?” Original post
While the majority of responses to our bounty endorsed candidates, the community did upvote one response that sounded a note of caution. We’re including it here because it’s thoughtful and constructive criticism with which there’s scope to disagree - thank you all for playing nice, even when you’re expressing concerns!
RGC Godfather - antigank advocate
Candidate quote
“For me, joining the Council of Stellar Management (CSM) is a mission to safeguard the interests of all Highsec spacefaring citizens in New Eden. My campaign, ‘Stellar Guardians’, focuses on addressing two crucial issues: anti-ganking efforts and the protection of new players in high-security space, along with a secondary goal of reevaluating war declarations and their impact on the EVE Online community.” RGC Godfather
Critique
“I’m all for improvements to the new player experience, of which there have been many in recent years. Anti-ganking is a noble and valid playstyle. My only concern here is that an anti-gank agenda may mean advocating further nerfs to ganking. Ganking is something I firmly believe has been crucial to EVE’s success. It sets it apart from other games. It stops the Highsec experience from becoming bland and unfulfilling, yet ganking has received nerf after nerf.
“If the ruthlessness of EVE draws in one player for every one that ragequits, EVE is left stronger. Won’t somebody please think of the ganker?” as expressed by EVEIL
A ballot spoiled in political protest?
We’ll conclude with @Kanecarnifex's take. Rather than discuss a particular candidate, Kane shares concerns with the CSM as a whole:
“There is an ongoing issue with leaking information out of the CSM circle. The other issue is big alliances advising their members on how to vote.”
With big alliances containing more than 40,000 members and many members ready to toe the party line, is Kane right? In lieu of the old ‘Wahl-o-Mat’ system that matches voters to candidate viewpoints, this is Kane’s advice to would-be voters:
“If you’re considering voting, step aside from the big power blocs and choose a candidate who matches your current playstyle and maybe has a nice character too.” Original post
Voting will take place between 4 - 11 September, with CSM announcements taking place on 21 September at Fanfest.
NB Some text has been edited for grammar and brevity. You can find the submissions in full at the original bounty post.
Image Credit: Razorien on Flickr
Created at . Page last updated at .
