Sequential EVE

New year, new opportunities

2011-01-08T18:51:00.003+01:00

Or at least that's the idea...
It's been over a year since I started this blog and even though it doesn't look like it here, much has happened. It's become harder and harder for me to play EVE, or draw EVE related things, mainly because of all the other work that never stops comming.
Adding that I just spent a week in bed without being able to do a single piece of work, and I'm now well and truly behind on pretty much everything.
I still have some WIP's that may come up here but that will be when I have time to finish them.

Fly safe!

Shots

2010-12-12T22:44:00.002+01:00

Haven't had much time to play lately, but here are a few screenshots. :)

Amarr

2010-12-06T00:40:00.003+01:00

A quick research sketch : Amarr
Used screenshots found on the net
since I can't use Singularity at the moment.

Spaaaacey...

2010-11-29T02:27:00.003+01:00

Capsuleer

2010-11-14T01:52:00.000+01:00

Speedpaint

Plex

2010-11-07T20:04:00.001+01:00

Just a quick sketch for research.

I'M BACK!

2010-10-27T00:59:00.003+02:00

After many hurdles ( no appartment, then no internet, then last week computer broken....)
I'm posting again! O_O

If anyone's still here to watch this, here's an Incursus speedpaint for your trouble. :)

Alive!

2010-09-24T18:09:00.000+02:00

Just a quick post to show I'm still alive. :)
I'm finally in my new apartment, with new internet and new furniture,so I'll be able to get back to EVE and this blog soon!

Cut off

2010-08-22T03:19:00.000+02:00

It's rather complicated, but the long and short of it is that from monday on I will have no internet...I don't know how long it will take to get it back but I hope it won't last too long. It mostly depends on whether I will have any appartment or not when I get back to France.

Hope to see you guys again soon!

-Y

Busy times

2010-08-15T01:45:00.000+02:00

Unfortunately, no post this week, as I have a canoe trip, a burial and a wedding to attend, among other things. :P

Comming out of the egg

2010-08-07T00:53:00.003+02:00

So, while some on the EVE forums are quite vocal about their not having a need for a new spiced up chatroom and private shops and bars, I for one am really looking forward to Incarna.

Finally being able to get out of the pod, and admire the different cultures' architecture, fashion, and looks inside the station instead of the same old we see every day in space will go a long way in making the game's immersion better. :)

being able to talk to an assembled crowd in a room instead of just looking at your ship when making a speech, the ability to make your own missions ( if they kept that feature? I sure hope so), and the minigames seem like it'll be alot of fun.

Oh and my character sure could use the revamp. I mean, even I hardly know what he looks like...

Mayday! Mayday!

2010-07-30T21:09:00.003+02:00

Winner!

2010-07-29T10:12:00.002+02:00

And the first to give me the answer to last week's question was Gabriel Theodoulus

THE PRIZE:

Gabriel will get the frigate of his choice painted, and he can also choose the setting: In combat, mining (!) or maybe simply cruising in space.

Docking request accepted

2010-07-23T22:03:00.003+02:00

Those following this blog will undoubtedly recognise the comic above.
I've had it in the works since before this blog started.....But since I wanted to make the art really grandiose I kept putting off showing it.....and finally realised that I didn't want to have it gathering dust anymore, that the time it took to make was offsetting the "quick and funny" feeling I wanted.

So I redid a really quick (and crappy) color job and here it is: The reason I started this blog in the first place.

Maybe I'll come back to it and uppgrade the art later (whenever I feel like it :P), but that's another story!

Oh, and the first one that can tell me what comic strip this is based on wins a prize!

Good writing

2010-07-18T01:19:00.002+02:00

And the workload continues I'm afraid, but I will continue trying to post at least once a week.
Tonight i would like to sing the praises of another blogger, whose writings I have come to enjoy immensely.

The hydrostatic capsule is part of Crazykinux' blog pack. But altough his posts only go back to early this year, I find many of his ideas concerning the EVE Online game most interesting.
The posts are well written and engaging, and thus I hearthily recommend that you have a look at his blog.

And to get my few readers to return here after, I promise new art for next week's post. :)

In the meantime, fly safe!

Lost

2010-07-12T16:07:00.004+02:00

Apologies for the late post this week, I'm on an island right now which causes some internet and time/work trouble.

Once more

2010-07-03T12:10:00.002+02:00

Fiddled around with it a bit more, YES I know the Omen has yellow lights
but it looks better this way, there WAY too much yellow in this pic already.

Omen dock

2010-07-01T09:50:00.001+02:00

I wanted to finish this tonight but I don't know
if I'll have internet, so here it is unfinished.

Coercer

2010-06-25T00:47:00.002+02:00

Seen from space

2010-06-18T22:58:00.003+02:00

Rohk orbit

2010-06-11T15:11:00.003+02:00

Velator

2010-06-05T00:05:00.003+02:00

Exams!

2010-05-28T00:33:00.002+02:00

It's the last weeks of school! Soon I will be FREEEEEE!

Until summer work at least. :P

In the meantime, here's an awesome link for your spaceship art fix:

http://conceptships.blogspot.com/

There's even some EVE online ships there!

As for Tyrannis and spacebook, I went online today to check both out. It's seems awesome but I don't think we're going to see much action with it until the ball gets rolling and people start using it for real. Spacebook needs some time before CCP allows everyone to check it at the same time, and we won't see the effect the planets have on the economy until the land-grab is over and the goods start showing up on the market.

So keep on your toes!

Megathron

2010-05-21T21:44:00.003+02:00

Some dodgy attempt at speedpainting, and playing with colors. Did the megathron from memory, so it's not very accurate. >_>

Gallente

2010-05-13T19:57:00.002+02:00

Another screenshot, made into a wallpaper. (1680/1050)
Nothing spectacular, but I like the simplicity.

Rifter

2010-05-07T15:27:00.001+02:00

Continuing on the Minmattar frigate sketch, I decided to add a Hurricane in the background instead of more frigates, what do you think?

Looking at the stars

2010-04-28T22:55:00.004+02:00

It's been pretty busy here so I haven't had time to do any EVE work this week.
Instead I'll upload some screenshots from my ever growing collection.
And I have some more that I'm keeping to make wallpapers out of.
Fly safe, and don't forget to look out the windows when you do!

2010-04-23T00:11:00.001+02:00

Commission for crazykinux : a background for his twitter page.

More sketching

2010-04-15T19:58:00.002+02:00

Still pretty busy here.

Shuttle maintenance

2010-04-05T18:10:00.001+02:00

Gallente

2010-04-04T21:10:00.000+02:00

My apologies for the late post, but I wasn't online this week to post. To make up for it, here's something different! I'm practicing modeling in 3dsMax, so here's a quick start on a Gallente destroyer. It's about 2 hours work, plus an extra 1 and a half to get the video render to do it right...

Until next week, fly safe!

Spaceport

2010-03-26T14:12:00.001+01:00

More sketching, until I'm done with my current project.

Wallpaper

2010-03-22T23:40:00.001+01:00

A really quick wallpaper for Crazykinux's contest.

What I love about EVE

2010-03-20T11:45:00.000+01:00

(Stupid stupid flu has me bed-ridden, so no pics this week)

The main thing about EVE that differenciates it from other games is always the sandbox part. Players have the freedom to do whatever they want, there are no restrictive classes, and no closed storyline.
But another thing I very much like about EVE is that it's not based on a previous franchise.

I think this is important, as it takes the player's and CCP's freedom to another level. There are no limits.
If you play Lord of the Rings online, for example, you can only stick to the storyline. Of course there's alot of things the devs can implement as new content, but how many expansions will they be able to cram in before they have to reach some conclusion? The story has to advance, the ring has to get to Mordor sometime!
In that end, EVE has the advantage. No previous story, no end to the expansions. (Also, EVE expansions are free. That's another HUGE advantage)

But then more doesn't always mean good things. World of Warcraft has a new expansion, and frankly, I can't say I'm thrilled. Sure, there's new content, new stories, but expanding the game vertically like that isn't always good. It's always the same old thing, just in a new package.
WOW got boring after you reached top level, then it was only about grinding those dungeons over and over and OVER again, just to get that gear. What's the gear to be used for?
It's like Dragon Ball Z! You get stronger and stronger and then when you can snuff out worlds with a flick of your hand, there's still new enemies that somehow appear.

Er, got a bit sidetracked there, sorry.

The point is that in the end, you never have an impact in those games. They're good for fantasies and bragging points, but then, how many out of the playerbase actually KNOW the names of the "best"?
And, (comming back to the original point of this post), those "best", no matter how many demon Lords they vanquish or how many armies they defeat, somehow they still have to be weaker than, say Aragorn. But in the story, Aragon never did half the stuff they did!
...

There's always hopes and preconceptions for new players, but unlike WOW, star wars, star trek or LOTRO, we don't have to worry about hordes of rabid fans wailing about how their favorite character isn't in the game, or that "X would NEVER do THAT, YOU'RE RUINING THE ORIGINAL STORY!!!"

What we get instead are hordes of rabid players fighting about how their ship/module/implants aren't to their liking, but that's part of what gets the game forward. The gameworld continues to expand, and hopefully improve, thanks to the player having some measure of contol over CCP's decisions.

So that's my 2 ISK for this week. I feel this post ought to have been a bit more researched and organised, but screw that, I'm going back to bed.

EDIT: Just to make it clear, I love story-based games. A good story makes a good game.
I've played WOW and LOTRO, and plan to take on Star trek and Star wars as well.

Stargate

2010-03-11T15:50:00.000+01:00

My own take on Crazykinux's old blog banner.

sketching

2010-03-05T18:14:00.001+01:00

2010-02-26T23:08:00.001+01:00

a
Going abit slow because of other work, but here's some ink.

2010-02-18T22:48:00.001+01:00

Setting the atmosphere.

Back in business

2010-02-11T23:28:00.000+01:00

Exams are finally over! :D
Now to look forward to the next exam in less than 2 months......

Now, up today is the very reason why the blog got its name: An EVE comic!
I was supposed to have uploaded this a long time ago, but in the end it wasn't good enough so I'm reworking it. I'll put up the WIPs until it's done. ^^

Fy safe!

2010-01-17T23:58:00.000+01:00

I'm not part of the EVE blog banter but I tought I'd post something on the latest choice topic.

"What now?"

Since this blog is fairly recent, it sounds a bit silly, but I figured I could give you fellows some hints on what I'll be working on.

Even though I havent had much time to play lately, I still enjoy EVE immensly and plan to continue doing so. :D
The amarr frigate spread was very well received, so I figure I'm going to build on that and paint at least one for each race, and probably try and incorporate some of New Eden's famous sites.

Depending on the feedback I'm receiving, I might start to offer my services to the capsuleer community, that is if I'm wanted to. ^^'

But for the moment the paintwork is suspended until my work project is completed. I'm handing it in to the jury in 2 weeks, and I hope to have more free time by then.
Until then, I'll post again if anything comes to mind.

Fly safe all, and enjoy the sights!

Whut?

2010-01-10T12:20:00.000+01:00

For those of you who live in Europe and read about the Eurostar stopping, well I was trapped in England when that happened...

Anyway, I'm back at school again, and we're supposed to present our projects before a jury at the end of the month, so all my time has been focused on that, to the detriment of my other endevours, namely this blog.
I will try to get back with a post next week. Fly safe!

Packing

2009-12-18T19:02:00.000+01:00

No post today, I'm busy packing for a trip to London.
But I'll see if I can get something up before Christmas, if I get internet.

If not. Enjoy the new Zephyr, and I wish you all happy holidays.

2009-12-10T23:43:00.000+01:00

So apparently CVA and Ushra'khan both had their fith birthday recently. :o Being that these two are adversaries in game I can't help but think (this is just speculation on my part, I have no facts whatsoever) that they wouldn't be where they are if both hadn't managed to survive for so long.
Rivalries are fun. ^^

While I haven't heard of any Ushra'khan events, I was lucky enough to be in the right spot to attend CVA's 5 year celebration parade.

I know that there's alot of fuss in Nullsec what with Dominion and all, but I'll toast to CVA for keeping providence open to neutrals for 5 years, and hope they will do so for at least another 5.
And another to Ushra'khan for keeping CVA on their toes. :D

I took some screenshots. :D
Too bad we don't have formation flying yet, but a fleet of 100+ is always a sight to behold.
Here are a few of the best ones

BOOM!

2009-12-05T02:34:00.000+01:00

FINALLY done. Hopefully this will make up for the last week's rather crappy posts.
I am quite happy with this one. ^^

(I will put guns on the ships later)

Omen

2009-11-28T12:44:00.000+01:00

Work and some computer problems are wreaking havoc on this side of the screen, and I don't really want to show what I'm painting right now until it's finished (soon). So here's a sketch from last year for now.

Vectors

2009-11-20T00:56:00.000+01:00

This past week at school we've been working with Illutrator, so I tought I'd try something diffenrent.
Here's a Merlin. I know it's far from perfect (or finished), but it's a fun way to build a ship, actually. ^^

why?

2009-11-15T13:54:00.000+01:00

A little post about something that's been picking my mind for a couple of months:

I tend to surf the internet alot, and I visit alot of game sites, and sites related to video games. Many of these sites may or may not be related to EVE.

But for the past months, on almost EVERY game site I visit, and even some which don't have the sligthest relation to gaming, I get an EVE online video add.
You know, the kind where they show you some frigs killing stuff, saying "OUR LAWS", or showing how much ISK a player can make after a month playing the game.

I am aware that new technology with cookies and stuff allows to tailor advertisement for specific tastes, but it's getting a bit ridiculous.

I already play the game, I have for a long time, WHY do you need to show me those videos AGAIN and AGAIN and AGAIN?

And the weirdest thing is that it SOMEHOW happens even when I change computers.........

Maybe it's a bug? Or maybe they're observing my every move? >_>

Well, anyway, sorry for the rant, I needed to get that off my chest.

2009-11-13T01:05:00.000+01:00

I apologize for the meager offerings, but these are only a taste of what I'm currently working on.
Lots of stuff happening right now.
Look forward to the finished pics being posted here in the future!
And now, Frigs!

City WIP

2009-11-05T23:54:00.000+01:00

New Eden Editorials

2009-10-27T22:43:00.000+01:00

In the world of New Eden, holoreels have replaced television, and information can be transmitted directly into people's brain with the use of implants. However, apart from maybe a percentage of the capsuleer population that suffers from severe agoraphobia (fear of open spaces), I'm willing to believe that most people actually still read. (whatever serves as newspaper in a high-tech future)

New Eden has reporters and news agencies, the most notable of which would be The Scope, and of course the Interstellar Correspondents. The player community makes its own news, and there are many sites out there on the Net that regularly report, discuss, and analyse the newest info to inform, amuse or chock the readers.

Sites like EVE-tv (though discontinued, still a beautiful idea), EVE-tribune, EVE evolved, or EVE-mag, whose dedicated writers strive to bring light to the masses. Not to mention the hundreds of blogs...

However, while the digital crossover from paper to datapad may seem flawless, one key piece is still missing...

A quick look at Wikipedia's definition of newspaper reveals:

Features in a newspaper may include:

* Editorial opinions, criticism, persuation, entertainment and op-eds
* Obituaries
* Comic strips and other entertainment, such as crosswords, sudoku and horoscopes
* Weather news and forecasts
* Advice, gossip, food, and other columns
* Critical reviews of movies, plays, restaurants, etc.
* Classified ads
* Display ads

Did you spot it?

Let's see:

*Editorials, Advice, gossip and reviews are the meat and potatoes of all forums, news sites and blogs, covering everything from local and international news, economics, to reviews of the latest videos on youtube.
*The killmail boards are excellent obituaries, what with New Eden residents' tendency to rush all too quickly towards a quick and often painful demise.
*Weather forecasts are rare, altough you could consider calculating the rate of wormhole appearances something similar.
*We obviously have ads...

The only thing we DON'T have is comics. Editorial cartoons.The funnies. Celebrity caricatures. Politicals. you name it.

Some of you may of course know of Warp Drive Active.
But while it certainly is a webcomic (and a good one at that), it's content is focused on the game itself, with all it's quirks and funny stories, and does not complement or criticise the active news.

There are a few reasons why we don't have politicals or editorial cartoons:
First and foremost, the little portraits that show our face to the world are, well, little.
They all look mostly the same, too. So any attempts to caricature the leader of alliance A shaking hands with the CEO of Corporation B after signing that mining treaty is not going to work very well, since even the majority of the players in their own corporations would probably not recognise them....And how many would be able to point out the leaders of the NPC factions if given a list of pictures?
We never leave our pod, so we never see our characters move, talk and do things and do not feel any empathy towards the portraits.
Certainly, we can illustrate or caricature the ships, and we do have an emotional attachement to our ships. However, since cosmetic customisation is impossible, all ships of the same type look the same, rendering it useless to associate a specific vessel with a specific pilot.
Tough this last point may be debatable, as a pilot could choose to only pilot one type of ship to create an image.

All that may change, however, when Incarna finally comes out.
News reports and tabloid gossip could be given a new edge with the inclusion of shots of the interested parties published in the columns, or spying could have a renaissance with the emergence of paparazzis catching two celebrities in a shady bar.
The new character customisation demo shows promise, and with a little luck, corporation CEOs will be able to get through the crowds to the speech podium without having to wave a badge in front of everyone in order to be recognised.

But what I, as an illustrator, hope for is that the added social dimension might help sculpt a public face for the (player or NPC) celebrities, and maybe give birth to some (web)comics, politicals, or even a graphic novel!

And in the meantime, I'll be caricaturing the ships. :)

Greetings!

2009-10-23T00:11:00.000+02:00

Greetings fellow capsuleers!

My name would not tell you much, for I am but one of the many, many souls in this giant wondrous digital sandbox we call EVE.
Like so many before me, I have grown to love and enjoy this Universe. It's mighty Giants battling forever in the cold depths of the Ether, it's lone travellers peddling silently under the stars, and all the tales it spins over a drink in a shady bar.

And again, like many before me, I want to give something back to this Universe, to try and add my own thread to the spinning yarn.
I may not be much of a writer, or artist, but I will try with my humble skills to convey to you the beauty that I see in EVE.

And if you want to contact me, ask questions, or just say hello, simply look up my in-game secretary, Lahlana, who will be happy to relay it to me.

Or you could also comment on this very blog, but hey, that's up to you. :)
--------------------------------------------------

So let's see if I can make something out of this.
For now, I will try to post at least once a week -be it a sketch, a finished picture, or my own bemused toughts- As long as it has to do with EVE, it'll go up.

Let's Undock!

Ouverture

2009-10-22T23:58:00.000+02:00

Let's start with a double post to celebrate the founding of the Sequential EVE corporation! (SEQ)

A speed paint and another thing I toyed with tonight.