Eve Online Isk - A money driven universe.The Inter Stellar Currency (ISK) is the driving force behind all the action in Eve. There will be those who'd say they do things just for fun, but the amount of fun that can be had without an ISK account to cushion your needs, in Eve, is minimal. In fact, the fun begins just as the cushions swell!
A Lesson in Economics
The prices in Eve go up and down according to the demand and supply rules. Not being a 'fixed prices' game, the Eve economy teaches the gamer a free firsthand lesson in economics as well! As a result, there are just as many people complaining about inflation and interest rates, as there are complaining about game play issues!!!
The Eve Professions
To match the inflation levels, the residents of Eve get massive opportunities to earn more and more. While most people think of mining as the only way to get rich, trade route running and manufacturing ships are some basic ISK earning professions as well. Being a persistent world, there are as many less documented jobs in Eve as there are brains to think them up!
For the gun slingers, the job of guarding a miner or a trade runner in low security deep space can earn some good money. Or hunting down MPC pirates and claiming the bounty could earn quick money while being fun in itself.
The Shady Side
While some prefer to uphold moral values, others live out their fantasy pirate dreams in Eve. Needless to say, the shady side of the law offers a more lucrative income than the morally correct professions. Being a pirate, or an assassin, in eve can be a very rewarding job. You can hunt in packs, which is always safer and less costly when you divide the booty while keeping in mind the fact that fewer of your ships were damaged.
Buying Eve Online Isk
As with all MMORPG these days, there seems to be no shortage of websites where players are able to buy eve online isk. While we don't really condone this, there's enough interest out there that it's worthy of mention.
Making Money, from Money
The oldest saying in the capitalist's book is that you need money to make money. In EVE this is doubly true. Often taking a loan can be a crucial, and necessary, business decision. If you need a couple million ISK in order to make the purchase you need, and you know that your profit margin will be 9% or 10%, then paying the lender their 2% - 5% daily interest won't be such a problem, especially if you can make multiple trades in one day. In short order, you can be self-sufficient. But then again, there are no safe options in Eve.
Loan Sharking
Once you have a nice cushion of cash in the bank, a good way to rapidly build up your account is to get into the lending market. The beauty of a game like EVE is that you have the option of being as nice or as evil as you want. If being a badass loan shark is your dream, you can be as mean and extortionate as you want. Or, if you believe in helping out a fellow gamer, you can give them a low interest loan as a helping hand up.
The Risk
There are two types of loans you can offer. The first is what is called an unsecured loan. What unsecured means is that if the person you gave a loan to doesn't pay you back, then you will be a few ISK lighter. You can choose to ignore the whole episode, or you could hire an assassin to get even. The second option may cost a bit, but heck, you have to earn your reputation, right?
If you are not the really trusting type, you can offer secured loans as well. Meaning, you hold onto something of value as collateral. So, even if the loan isn't repaid, you can recoup your investment.
A Tip or Two
With any profession, there is always the opportunity to grow. And in Eve, you grow by spending your ISKs. Get better equipment to support your lifestyle and of course, buy skills to enhance your abilities. That way the earnings per unit time will increase.
Though things might be fun as they go smoothly, but Eve isn't the safest place around. So it's always a good idea to maintain an up-to-date clone, and a ship insurance, to keep the damage after an unfortunate encounter to a bare minimal
Finally, plan ahead. Immaculate planning can serve well to save you the most precious resource in Eve, your time!