Hey guys. I'm glad to see such positive response. AI 42 here and I'd like to clarify a few things from the "boss" point of view...
My number one goal, is to bring something fun to EVE that is not "normal" in appearance, stress free as we can make it, drama free as we can keep it, and just overall enjoyable for all parties. I respect the fluff CCP has provided, and there are a few reasons I have taken the direction at present.
Also: We are indeed still finding a "direction" - and I am open to suggestions but I may not take them if they do not work. Our primary goal is to have fun and keep our members happy without making OOC-drama in the RP department.
First to handle some common questions.
Q: Why do you speak/type bold?
A: Empyrean Age - the drones used bold there. I simply mimic this personally. I recommend it to drones.
Q: Why does everyone speak so differently? Why the Bender/HK-47/<insertpopularrobothere> quotes?
A: We welcome anyone. The corp itself is the role-player, not the individual. My only request to people is that they keep any conversation to a reasonably "acceptable" role-play level. Some people only know how to emulate their favorite game/show characters and I can't really fault them for that. If something is off/weird - chuck it up to drone insanity.
Q: How do things like unexploded torpedoes (Unexploded Ordinance), hob goblin 1s, or even humans become a rogue drone?
A: Well, at first I was going to demand a faceless alt with a numerical name. Then I decided that less intelligent machines (limited processing) - still have the ability to network to a ship. In short, stupid computers simply become an outlet for the hive itself. The network is viral in a sense... then people wanted to join with their mains!
Q: How do people work then?
A: So how do I explain the people in our group, eh? It was tough but...we all have implants. No computer hardware is "hack proof." Ever. No amount of rainbows and cherries can "hack proof" anything. Drone AI is super advanced, even if it is insane. Drones are sentient and aware. Some more-so than others, some less-so.
So why can't we just take over New Eden with our uber-hax-networking-AI? Simple, human brains are capable of self decision. I am sure the Jove designed the pods to prevent easy attack... that leaves one "network" method of entry available... willingly exposing yourself to it. A human comes along, "Hey, maybe I need to connect to these guys and see whats up."
Thus it begins. Depending on the human and the hive itself, is how quickly or how totally someone is infected. It could be little whispers in your head...suggestions to do something for us...you may even still be loyal to your current faction - all the while thinking your good ideas are your own...or you could be totally mind-destroyed, having opened yourself to fully to the network right off the bat.
This began with one of our first humans... there is some story to this I don't want to reveal right now, it is still being hammered out...but lets say, this is why this hive suddenly began acting "different."
Q: Why is everyone "unique?"
A: Once you began adding humans and other coded AI into the mix..you get hiccups and personalities developing. This is the easiest way to handle things, it is much harder to make a corp in the hundreds all type the same style, all say the same kinds of phrases, and all act the exact, same way. So yes we are not a "perfect" hive...neither are the rogue drones of CCP. They bicker and fight too. They have their own personalities too.
Q: This or that doesn't fly with predetermined CCP fluff.
A: I respect your feelings, as I myself am fairly heavy stickler on Star Wars RP being certain ways. (Led a revolution against SOE & AXIS [Guild] on my SWG server when they did something not-canon...) However, I would like to point out three things.
1: CCP states the Rogue Drones as ever evolving/changing. Drones began as sentient machines and evolved from there. It is not a stretch to say that we found a way to infect people using preexisting infrastructure.
2: CCP Rogue Drones DO communicate with people, and make alliances/friendships...and show some (as I see it) emotion. Even if it was done with some Terran tech or some such... it still can happen. Check out Empyrean Age for more, albeit not a lot, of Drone-Human interaction.
3: I did ask CCP about what we are doing. Including some pretty drastic things (which includes using human corpses to interface with pods, attacking the Gallente Federation, infesting capsuleers, and the likes). Their response was "Just have fun and use our fiction as guidance." - both of which we are doing.
Q: Are you copying Mass Effect/BSG/Etc.?
A: I have never gotten past the first 5 or so missions of ME1 and the last time I played it was years ago. I had all but forgotten about what the Geth are until a someone said we seem to be a bit Geth-like. I never have watched BSG (heresy I know, my girlfriend plans to correct this soon I think...) - I am faintly aware of the story there, but not really the whole back story.
Honestly? My main source of inspiration comes from real life articles, documentation, and "what if" scenarios that are freely/easily available everywhere. Even if some are "unlikely" - things like a super advanced virus taking over the internet and commandeering the world's technology center COULD happen...and are actively investigated possibilities.
There are people out there trying to prevent the "Skynet scenario." If we go to real life implants like EVE, it is a very real possibility that we could ourselves become hacked. This is one serious problem. Imagine if your pacemaker that uses WiFi to communicate to your doctor...suddenly got hacked by a kid who wants a cheap laugh at your expense...or worse, a virus specifically made to hold everyone hostage?
Real life, is the best inspiration. Every Sci-Fi pulls from real possibilities. Sometimes the stories just get spiced up for entertainment
That is my two cents. I will be happy to answer any questions.
