You’re not wrong. Eve really does require a higher-level of commitment than most MMOs I’ve played; and I’ve played/tried many over the last 20yrs.

As a null-sec player, I’ve “alarm-clocked” for fleet ops at 3 or 4am, even during the work week, more times than I’d to like to admit. I’ve participated in some of the largest fights in game that have run 10+ hrs. There was a brief period there during the last major in-game war where these would be back to back. I think the longest fight I’ve been in was 14hrs.

But even when I was just a high-sec miner, mining with a small group in relative safety, I would wake up at like 7 or 8am during the weekend to run mining ops for my corporation (guild). The stereotype of Eve feeling like a job at times is absolutely true.

That all said, I’m choosing to do these things. Because I’m an idiot it’s fun to me. None of this is by any means a requirement. I’m sure there are groups in Eve where showing up in the middle of the night to attack or defend something, is a requirement. But those groups suck. I’ve never been in any group like that. At the end of the day, it’s a game. And when it stops being fun, then it’s no longer a worthwhile game.

I do recommend Eve to pretty much everyone. It’s easily one of the best games I’ve ever played. And because it’s a sandbox, you can play it casually or hardcore or somewhere in between. Or go back and forth between casual and hardcore. I’m definitely in one of my casual phases, and I’m expecting to stay there for a bit!

If you do ever give it a try, make sure to join a player corporation right away. Eve players have a reputation for being assholes at times. And we are! But we’re helpful assholes; we always want to tech and help others learn the game we are obsessed with. Even if it means blowing up their ship from time to time; it’s just a learning experience, that’s all! But seriously, new players are treated very well.