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EVE-Online RP Discussion and Resources => EVE OOC Summit => Topic started by: Rova053 on 18 Aug 2011, 07:34

Title: ISD - Mercury
Post by: Rova053 on 18 Aug 2011, 07:34
Worth investigating?

Just read up a bit....wanted to hear some thoughts.
Title: Re: ISD - Mercury
Post by: Casiella on 18 Aug 2011, 07:50
My personal view:

Why volunteer to write on an unpaid basis for a corporation?
Title: Re: ISD - Mercury
Post by: Julianus Soter on 18 Aug 2011, 08:58
We pay for the rights to play the game, impact it and then spontaneously generate content that furthers the corporation's financial bottom line. Maybe some folks just want to work within the system and get a good resume bullet point?

Title: Re: ISD - Mercury
Post by: Seriphyn on 18 Aug 2011, 09:39
Volunteering as a fiction writer for a multimillion online gaming corporation...hmm...will have to word it in a way they take it seriously, by putting the profit generation first...
Title: Re: ISD - Mercury
Post by: Casiella on 18 Aug 2011, 10:31
The idea of getting resume fodder, frankly, doesn't really work out in the world. See http://shouldiworkforfree.com.
Title: Re: ISD - Mercury
Post by: Wanoah on 18 Aug 2011, 13:05
The idea of getting resume fodder, frankly, doesn't really work out in the world. See http://shouldiworkforfree.com.

I tend to agree for the most part. That said, writing is a skill that can be improved by plenty of practice, good criticism, and by working within a set of constraints. If you enjoy writing, there's a lot to be said for volunteering in an environment that provides you with these things. As much as anything, having an outlet for writing is the most important thing. Writing for Eve is as good an outlet as any, and gives you a ready-made audience whether you simply self-publish on forums or a blog, or whether you go do stuff for CCP.
Title: Re: ISD - Mercury
Post by: Casiella on 18 Aug 2011, 14:09
Sure, but there's a huge difference between, say, honing your writing via writing fiction on your blog, etc., and generating descriptions and whatnot to spec for CCP.

People who want to write can find lots of ways to improve themselves and have something to show for it without directly giving their work away to a corporation.
Title: Re: ISD - Mercury
Post by: Kaleigh Doyle on 18 Aug 2011, 14:58
Want a job with CCP? Can't hurt to have it on your resume.
Title: Re: ISD - Mercury
Post by: Rova053 on 18 Aug 2011, 15:38
Don't really want a job with CCP...just want to find an outlet for my writing that might get noticed.

EVE's given me some great ideas....of course one of them working first might help my resume more.
Title: Re: ISD - Mercury
Post by: Casiella on 18 Aug 2011, 16:01
Oh, Kaleigh makes an excellent point. For those players who do want to work for CCP, the ISD is a really good way to get started. I assume that's a relatively small subset of the player population, even among roleplayers, though.
Title: Re: ISD - Mercury
Post by: Bacchanalian on 18 Aug 2011, 21:15
Don't really want a job with CCP...just want to find an outlet for my writing that might get noticed.

Then you're probably better off writing about just about anything else.  EVE represents such a miniscule fraction of even just the gaming niche world that it hardly gets noticed.
Title: Re: ISD - Mercury
Post by: Cmdr Baxter on 18 Aug 2011, 21:34
Sorry, but a security clearance opens more doors than unpaid volunteer work. I'll pass. Don't get me wrong, I like writing RP when it strikes my fancy. Taking it on as a permanent job ... ? Not my thing.
Title: Re: ISD - Mercury
Post by: Saxon Hawke on 19 Aug 2011, 14:36
Because it's apparently super top secret, I'm probably not supposed to be saying this.

I thought I'd give Mercury a look until I got their application. The volume of material that they wanted to decide if I was worthy of giving them my creative products was off-putting, to say the least.

No thanks. As others have noted, there are other ways to produce Eve related material and get it to the masses.
Title: Re: ISD - Mercury
Post by: Kaleigh Doyle on 19 Aug 2011, 14:43
Mmm, deadlines and expectation of dates make me wary of participating in this, largely because my schedule varies and this is a casual hobby.
Title: Re: ISD - Mercury
Post by: Galen. on 25 Aug 2011, 04:45
I think all your reasons not to apply for and possibly join Mercury are valid. It is unpaid, you can already write what you want and the only deadlines you have are your own.
However: Everything you write in Mercury is canon when it gets published. You get to work in a team with some of the brightest people in EVE RP. And you get to work closely with the CCP storyline team.

Even if i could i would not force anyone to join Mercury. It´s your decision. But i think even with the deadlines and everything it is worth it.
Title: Re: ISD - Mercury
Post by: Hamish Grayson on 25 Aug 2011, 07:57
Never mind