The Nullsec Deception.

We tackle what we call 'The Nullsec Deception' which exists between Highsec and Lowsec players.


There's a real division when it comes to the perception of Nullsec in the EVE online community. It can be characterized as a great rift of understanding that exists between two groups of players within the game. I'm always hesitant to lump the wide, colorful and downright varied group of personalities in EVE that I've come across together into generalized groups. Never the less this issue continues to fall directly into my lap, and I've decided I'll tackle it here and now. I've come to refer to this 'issue' as 'The Nullsec Deception', though it would be more apt to name it 'The Nullsec Perception', as it refers to the division of understanding that exists between Nullsec players and Highsec players when it comes to finding a solid definition of what Nullsec is, rather than the reality of it, i.e. a place where CONCORD won't respond to aggression.

The typical Highsec player views Nullsec with a twisted, contorted face. They recoil in terror at its gaping jaws, its visceral, tipped fangs which seems to invite only the brave and feckless and fend off the cautious and intelligent. Where Empire provides a perpetual shield to cower behind, Nullsec provides nothing between you and an enemy. It pits your wits versus theirs and lets you play the dangerous game that is gambling on your own competencies in a firefight.

Many Highsec players would define the average Nullsec denizen as arrogant, elitist, and perhaps ringed with a touch of megalomania. After all; the Nullsec player usually exists as a functional part of a multi-thousand man strong Alliance of some sort. He or she is usually capable and relatively conscious. In contrast they often view the Highsec player as a dull, cow-eyed creature. Content to endlessly run pre-scripted missions and tirelessly extract Veldspar from rocks that never really despawn, or that are never too far from the omnipotent Paladin's blade of CONCORD.

But I'd be a snake oil salesman if I was to tell you that Nullsec players don't - on average - at least scoff at the idea of the Highsec player. And in their minds why shouldn't they? They who've achieved so much, living in the wild madness that are the lawless reaches of Null security space. They call no one their masters, they're able to shoot first and never have to consider whether or not they should have stopped to ask a question. Not only this, but they have access to the bountiful resources of the Universe. Why mine Veldspar when you can extract R64? Why run missions when you can hurl a Carrier into a Sanctum? In fact the only ventures many of these players make into Highsec is to acquire goods they can't find naturally occuring in Nullsec, and those are few and far between. Nullsec provides.

However it would be a lie to tell you that Nullsec is all work and no play. Contrary to popular belief, Nullsec isn't a monstrous rampage of death, chaos and suffering etched into the tip of a tritanium shell. A more fitting comparison would be that if Highsec is a verdant field, then Nullsec is a Mediterranean desert. Its mostly empty and benign, save for the occasional strange insect or scorpion which bites or stings. In fact it's the intermediary, Lowsec, which offers the most danger (and ironically the most comedic incompetence) for the humble infant pod pilot. Roaming gangs of lunatics high on celestial PCP in Abaddons laced with Smartbombs lay awaiting for unsuspecting newbies who make the terrible mistake of jumping into Rancer while wandering, sating their curiosity.

Unfortunately, this poor perception also tends to make Nullsec players and their empires a target for the political advancement of individuals such as those seeking to acquire CSM positions. The idea that the Highsec player holds that the Nullsec boogeyman is out to get him helps to enforce whatever wild position they have. 'Vote for me or the Nullsec monsters will win!' In fact I recall a certain CSM candidate somehow convincing half of the Empire mission runners that Nullsec players were working feverishly to make Level 4 Missions a Nullsec exclusive component of the game. Despite Nullsec players and side-running CSM candidates reminding them that Combat sites basically are Level 4s without Agent instruction or LP reward.

In summary, the Highsec player would do himself a service to hop in an expendable Rifter, venture through the more dangerous gates and find someone to shoot at. The adrenaline high in exchange for an almost meaningless ISK investment is what makes EVE one of the greatest games ever made. And you'd be committing a terrible crime against yourself to believe that its an aspect of the game that you can ignore entirely.

~ WT