It's past two A.M. here, so I'm going to keep this short. But there will be more tomorrow, I promise.
I will open with this: thank you, thank you, thank you, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. I am completely overwhelmed by your support. You will find out exactly how overwhelmed on Monday when the numbers come out, but trust me when I say they're stunning. They certainly stunned me.
When it was time to enter the main hall for the CCP Presents keynote, I was a nervous wreck. It's a little known fact that you have two choices of how to watch the keynotes at Fanfest. You can enter the main hall where drinks are (technically) not allowed. Hint: this is why you see those nifty EVE Online flasks from time to time. Or you can enter the side hall and watch the keynote on a video monitor... and you can bring your booze with you. Because of something that had happened earlier in the day, the Rote Kapelle guys wanted to watch in the booze room.
I stuck with the main hall. I knew however the results came out, I would get emotional. And I didn't necessarily want to do that in front of my alliance mates. ;-) And get emotional I did. Particularly when the Tweets started coming in. I apologize for not responding to them, but wireless in Harpa was a bit overwhelmed by 2000 people trying to use it. My access to the Internet was intermittent or missing until about 15 minutes ago when I got back to my hotel.
Tonight, I am alternating between very happy, very humbled, and quite frankly, a little terrified. What have I DONE?!
It'll be real tomorrow. For now, I'm going to bed. Again, thanks to all of you. I will keep my promises, and if I don't you know where I will be on May 1 of next year and you have my permission to come and kick my ass. More, including a full recap of the day, in the morning.
Welcome to Jester's Trek.
I'm your host, Jester. I've been an EVE Online player for about six years. One of my four mains is Ripard Teg, pictured at left. Sadly, I've succumbed to "bittervet" disease, but I'm wandering the New Eden landscape (and from time to time, the MMO landscape) in search of a cure.You can follow along, if you want...
Ripard, what have you done! ;)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on winning a seat in the CSM. Take a breath, remember to enjoy it. I'm looking forward to seeing your energy and passion for eve blogging put towards building the foundation for the next 10 years.
Wow - Congrats dude! A tiny voice in the crowd emerges to make a HUGE difference. The community has given you a very scary mandate indeed. Good luck, I support whatever you choose to do with this :)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad someone used the word "mandate" here. Because from the numbers I'm hearing, that's what this is.
DeleteIn real life politics, an electoral mandate is a powerful thing that empowers the candidate (victor) during his/her term. So yes, be humbled, be a little scared, but also be confident and be brave.
Congrats..!! Glad my two votes counted! Now your are guaranteed a trip to Iceland next year because of me ;)
ReplyDeleteI couldn't be more pleased that you'll be representing EVE players to CCP for (at least) the next year.
ReplyDeleteI never doubted that my implicit trust in you was well founded.
-Miri Kr
Congratulations, and WELL DONE!
ReplyDeleteA GUARANTEED SEAT!!!!
I just hope you keep the blogging rate up.
Work hard and do us proud!!
FIRST
ReplyDeleteMailed you privately but I'll congratulate you publicly as well. You've worked on this for over a year now and it really paid off. You got more first place votes than the CFC candidate; I dont think anyone would have predicted it but you deserve it by virtue of doing it. It's an impressive achievement for an independent.
Now don't blow it by sperging out ;p I'm sure you'll do a great job.
May I be the first to say Congrats!!! Now, the real fun starts... =]
ReplyDeleteYou earned your spot more than any other candidate elected, besides perhaps Trebor. I'm sure that will show when the numbers are released. Make us proud!
ReplyDeleteP.S. - Please try to seriously tackle the topic of attribute removal with the devs at some point.
Been reading your blog for almost 2 years now. It was the first, and only, blog that I picked up and stuck with, I still check out others occasionally but none have been able to keep my attention like yours.
ReplyDeleteReally just wanted to create an account to say congratulations. You've always brought a great view to the events of New Eden, I'm sure you'll do superbly in the CSM.
Congratulations, dude.
Congratulations! Looks like a really good panel overall. And well done with your pre-results analysis, makes The Mittani look a right fool.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations man. You had my vote. Just make sure to do a good job so I don't regret it :)
ReplyDeleteAs someone who put you first and Ali Aras second on both his accounts, I am thrilled. Trebor and Mike are icing on the cake. As for the null bloc vote....
ReplyDeleteTheir time is up. Your time is now.
You deserve it. Agree or disagree with your positions, you are dedicated, honest, and open minded. I have no doubt you'll be a great CSM member.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, well deserved! And we watch for signs of slacking, vague comments and excuses for not writing citing "NDA". Good luck
ReplyDeleteCongrats. You were my number 1 on all four accounts, and I'm damn glad to see you and every. single. one. of the other five people I voted for on the final roster.
ReplyDeletegf! ;o) It's well deserved. Now, get to work! ;o)
ReplyDeleteAnd I have to say, there is no lack of ambition with CCP for the coming years... Their visions and endevours are diverse and grand. If they get half done I think the company (and our game) is set for another decade
Any idea where someone could look if they didn't want to have to wait till Monday? :p
ReplyDeleteYou're probably tired of approving comments by now, but here's another one to say many congratulations on what proved to be a spectacular result.
ReplyDeleteoh seven, meight
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! Glad to see my votes counted well this year. I think 7 of the 14 I voted for made it and the 2 people I wanted with permanent spots are there. Not sure what the results say about the little guys but its clear the 0.0 bloc vote didn't run away with it even with less of an overall turnout. So I think that is a good sign for STV.
ReplyDeleteAnd you have apparently signed your self up for 2 to 3 trips to Iceland in the next year. And a little of bit of extra work on the side.
~Kethry Avenger
Congrats! I've been waiting all week to see this. I can't wait until the numbers come out!
ReplyDeleteI gave you my 3 top votes. Don't let us down! But I think as long as you stay focused on the task, remember what you promised and don't get too friendly with CCP, you should be fine. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations jester. Or robo-blogger. Always pleased to read your blog and happy to hear the results. Fantastic work and news. Have a beer for me.
ReplyDeleteWell Done Ripard.
ReplyDeleteThis is my first time voting so I expect great things of you. It couldn't happen to a better blogger :)
Kisses
Miranda
Congratulations, Ripard!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on getting into csm 8 with a permanent seat aswell, i hope the you keep comming out with interesting blogposts still, and that you show us that you'll put our votes to good use :)
ReplyDeleteMuch congratulations Jester. I was pleased to see your name smack dab next to mynna on the permanent seats.
ReplyDeleteThe CSM as a whole looks to be pretty solid in my book, you, Mangala, and Malcanis along with the other non bloc candidates.
Best of luck to you and the rest of CSM, I have high hopes for this years CSM.
-Davion
Ps: Inb4 Chairman Jester
Congrats Ripard. Here's hoping your insight into Eve, and your passion for the game will convey nicely into the ranks of the CSM.
ReplyDeleteFrom the announcement DevBlog
ReplyDelete"The average age of users who voted was 33 years, an increase from 32 last election"
HA!
It's actually pretty important, it means basically no new people are voting
DeleteCongratulations!
ReplyDelete- Aeryn
Congratulations. I've wanted you on CSM for years! I look forward to watching as the realization of how completely you have just been griefed slowly dawns upon you.
ReplyDelete:)
Congratulations! Sounds like an interesting mix of people to work with. A great result I think.
ReplyDeleteCongrats! Glad to know that my vote wasn't "wasted". :)
ReplyDeleteAre you going to be aiming for CSM chair then?
ReplyDeleteCongratulations for your election, and for the *permanent attendee* thingy !
ReplyDeleteI, too, wonder how your blog is going to evolve now.
Best wishes for your term,
Boo
Now you are an elected internet spaceship politician. Congratulations. ;) But you love the game, we all do, and we trust in you to do the right things for Eve!
ReplyDeleteWhat have you done? You've made the transition from community champion to community leader with honours and are now burdened with crushing weight exceptions unvoiced.
ReplyDeleteCSM7 weren't so shabby as all that were they? But you've got some damage to repair and God knows how you are going to do that.
"Sadly, I've succumbed to "bittervet" disease, but I'm wandering the New Eden landscape (and from time to time, the MMO landscape) in search of a cure."
ReplyDeleteI think you might have found it... :-)
CONGRATULATIONS!
ReplyDeleteWill you be relaxing in the Blue Lagoon this morining?
Congratulations to be in CSM and be a permanent attendee!
ReplyDeleteCONGRATULATIONS!
ReplyDeleteBest wishes,
Alvar Kesh
Congratulations Ripard, I never had a doubt and I'm glad our votes helped.
ReplyDeleteRemember, if things seem suddenly daunting or the pressure is laid on thick then stop, take a deep breath and go into PvP mode. That little moment when you hear the locking noise, time to collect your thoughts quickly. Then go in guns blazing.
I know you'll do us proud.
Congratulation, Jester!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure the CSM is going to be far more interesting now that you're on it.
Congrats. Well deserved. And best read in eve. /SeeMeBoogie
ReplyDeleteCONGRATS!
ReplyDeleteAfter the pre-election I wondered if a permanent seat was possible for you, and I am excited you got so many supporters (not that it was necessary for going to Iceland, I am sure that would have worked out for you anyhow).
I am curious for the numbers, looks like not only your massive votes, but also 0-bloc votes all spilled over to Malcanis (#8 bloc). Next bloc after that is Mangala Solaris (#12 bloc). Appears the bloc-votes run out after 5 candidates already (since neither the 3rd CFC, HBC or the second N3 was elected).
That fact is surprising, considering the low turnout (49,702 votes, 10k less than last year), which should have made the blocs stronger, relatively. Obviously less people (at most 9,940 = 49,702 / (14 seats + 1) * 3 seats) voted anything CFC related than for Mittani alone (10,058) last year. Any guesses for the reason?
Am also curious what all sceptics of STV (due to its perceived preference for blocs - yes, I include you :), will have to say in hindsight about STV. Doesn't look as if the blocs fared as well as a lot of people expected.
Anyhow, congrats again! Hope you'll have a good time this year despite what you got yourself in. ;-)
I'm guessing mittens actually got a lot of his votes from non CFC and maybe even non 0-sec sources last time round. He's one of the most famous figures in EVE and there is a reasonable chance a lot of EVE newbies were created by hearing one his stories (or one of the ones he takes credit for at least :P) and actual Goon voting power is a fair bit lower
DeleteHooray!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on a well deserved result, I've been a reader of your blog for a long time now and when I saw you were running for CSM it wasnt a tough decidion to use both my accounts and vote for you.
ReplyDeleteMake our votes count.
Congrats! I know *exactly* how you must be feeling right now, haha! All the best for a very productive year on the CSM...looks like a great team you'll be working with. :)
ReplyDeleteNice to see you still keep tabs on Eve Carole, you're missed! Fly safe!
Deletecongrats and i think my iphone ate my first congrats to you while you were sleeping in iceland (+8 gmt here)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! Sorry I'm late but I've had a rather rough week, lol timing.
ReplyDeleteWell deserved and hopefully I was able to help as much as I could. You'll be great or I will personally gank you at FF next year. Or I'll have FlatRixx do it.
Fun fact: From the country based results in the election devblog, you can calculate the number of subscribers used as base: around 410k.
ReplyDeleteThere are a couple fun facts related to that:
Delete- they did not release the total % of voter turnout as they used to.
- This could be deduced from the released numbers.
I sniff a low level employee trolling a higher level one that gave an order about what specific information should not be disclosed.
Oh, and btw, I don't think we will ever, ever, ever have this kind of information revealed to us again. On this particular regard CCP is quick to learn. We won't be able to compare voter turnout of future elections.
Congratulations !
ReplyDeleteAnd please keep up that spirit, also in your new role. Best of luck in your new job :-)
Congratulations, sir. Well earned. Absolutely STOKED that you got a permanent attendee slot, only in my wildest ponderings had I dared expect such a result. Given your company in that lofty position, and the fact that you are not a bloc candidate, I think it's fair to suggest your word may very well carry the most weight of any of the CSM8 elect.
ReplyDeleteI'm extremely proud to have supported you, and feel somewhat vindicated after pestering my corp into voting and putting you on their ballot. I'll be sure to loudly tell them so on voice comms. =)
My only hope is that somehow the reps for the null sec RMT cartels are kept off the group of 2. I know that their buddies inside CCP will ensure they have rides to Iceland as part of the 7, but it would be good to see some honest people there as well.
ReplyDeleteRipad Teg is one of the two.
DeleteWell done m8 , well done . Now it's your turn to step up and knock it out of the park for us :)
ReplyDeleteYou had my vote on every toon iv'e got , and after following your blog for the last year im preety sure you'll do a good job of keeping 'em on their toes .
CONGRATULATIONS!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! First read your blog when I was considering trying out an Eve free trial, having grown bored of other MMOs - and reading what you had to say convinced me to hit the download button. Delighted that your voice will be on the CSM.
ReplyDeleteCongrats Ripard! I'm really excited about the skills and talent you'll bring to the CSM. Best of luck!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!
ReplyDeleteNow, time to make all of us who voted for you proud to have done so.
:)
Congratulations from Heretic Nation, maybe a victory fight is in order? I am glad to see you in CSM and I know good things will come, but do come to Tama so I can thank you personally in local. =)
ReplyDeleteBut for now much drinking and celebration is in order.
o7
Congratulations man. I know this is the dream of every EVE fan.
ReplyDeleteHope you fair well in the ice lands and help make this game something so attractive that some of us would itch to come back and play again.
congrats, make your mark, and make sure something on the terran ships make it into the minutes PLEASE
ReplyDeleteWell done, Jester.
ReplyDeleteWell deserved indeed. You got all 4 of my #1 votes. The two top vote getters IMO, with the guaranteed trips to Iceland, needed more than anything, to be balanced players. You've consistently shown the ability to talk intelligently about a wide variety of EVE related topic.
ReplyDeleteCongrats u deserved it for u put out loads of good read
ReplyDeletegood luck
Congratulations! A well-deserved win.
ReplyDeleteNo need to thank us, though - just keep advocating for the stuff you've been writing about the last couple of years.
(Next year I'm voting for Garth.)
Congratulations Ripard! Your blog post reminded me of the Robert Redford movie "the Candidate" at the end... classic! Anyway, I'm happy for you and Congratulations again! Make the community proud!
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome and please run for Chair. You have the mandate.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!
ReplyDeleteI knew you'd be on the CSM - couldn't be good without you. But mittens-style first? Someone who actually has to say something? CCP hold on to your pants - this is gonna be a CSM that kicks ass :)
Congratulations!! Voted for you on both accounts, I was so happy to see your picture come up yesterday at the keynote. :-)
ReplyDeleteCongratz Ripard, I had a feeling you would be a permenant atendee and your placing yourself at #6 vote getter was incorrect with you vastly underestimating the votes you'd get. I was VERY happy that both the armour incursion chats (TDF) endorsees (you & Mike Azzrah) got onto the CSM :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Jester! I look forward to seeing what this CSM can do, especially given that CCP Seagull is obviously thinking big.
ReplyDeleteNow the fun really begins. :-)
Congrats! Glad to see my 3 votes helped in some way!
ReplyDelete