Escalation

The build up to the next expansion is here. Inferno hits us in just under a month, but today brings the pre-instalment of Inferno - Escalation.

There is absolutely no point me going through the features that are getting added and the changes that are being made to pre-existing content. Needless to say, there has been a lot of speculation what these changes will bring. The biggest indicator, as always, is the market. Particularly the massive increase in mineral prices.

The increases in mineral prices has led to a lot of suggestion that mining fleets will become more common place in the weeks and months that pass from today. I'm not entirely sure as boring mining is still boring. Still, as if to underline how boring mining is, Helicity Boson and The Mittani are endeavouring to liven it up with Hulkageddon V. That's not to forget the counter-initiative - Griefergeddon. And these follow on perfectly from today's Escalation patch, beginning sometime after the 28th of April and continuing through the whole month of May.

Actually, thinkning about it, it's almost like Helicity and Mittens have been in collusion with CCP in marketing this. Think about it

• 24th April - Inferno - Escalation
• 28th April - Goonswarm burns Jita
• 29th April - Hulkageddon V begins
• 22nd May - Inferno
• 31st May - Hulkageddon ends

Certainly we are in for a busy month ahead. Whose side are you on?

(( Edit 24/04/2012 12:12 - Helicity confirmed Hulkageddon starts on the 29th ))

Awaiting Hulkageddon V

A friend and I have been awaiting the commencement of hostilities that is known as Hulkageddon. This is the perennial event which draws tears by the bucketful from the miners of New Eden. During the last Hulkageddon not even simple haulers were safe as industrial ships also became valid targets.

Last I heard, the fifth iteration of Hulkageddon was due to start on January the 2nd but here we are several weeks later with nothing. Annoyingly a friend and I have been waiting for the start of this event with the aim of taking part. Between us we plan on joining both Hulkageddon and the defending initiative - Griefer Geddon - but I'm not saying who wants to join which side.

This time around, as well as Helicity Boson running the gank-fest, The Mittani has also become involved. The first delay to Hulkageddon V was allegedly due to The Goons invading White Noise's territory and I expected the actual start to be soon after that campaign was announced victorious. It has been sometime now since Mittens claimed himself victorious in that endeavour yet nothing has happened.

With this in mind it suddenly occurred to me why the games have yet to begin. We are very close to candidate selection for the next Council of Stellar Management and the proper voting should be soon after that. The Mittani, as a very serious space-politician must have his eye firmly on the ball to secure a second term as Chairman Mittens. As any politician knows, it is wise to avoid controversy during such times. Thus Hulkageddon V has been delayed further, presumable past the elections.

A little research led me to find a comment by Chairman Mittens himself stating the reason for the delay was an unexplained absence of Helicity Boson. I don't believe this for one minute. Clearly there was a conflict of opinion between Helicity and Chairman Mittens with only one potential outcome. So, next time you rescue the Damsel from Kruul's Pleasure Hub please have a check around, there may be another little someone held against their will.