I had the chance to speak to Snuffed Out diplomat Niden on his alliance’s decision to join the Imperium (this move was originally covered by EN24 here), the coalition headed up by Goonswarm Federation.

Curt: What sort of coalitions/allies has Snuff had before? How does the Imperium compare?

Niden: As far as recent memory goes, Snuffed Out was part of the MBC that fought the Imperium during WWB, until the infamous Big Black Wedding. Most recently, we were in a coalition with Project.Mayhem and Pen Is Out, primarily fighting PL, NC. and SC, and others. The Imperium is obviously a whole different deal. Whereas I suppose MBC can be compared in sheer size, it was never a coalition in the same sense the Imperium was and is.

Apart from this, Snuffed Out has had a varying list highly temporary allies, depending on what fights we were getting into. We get involved in a lot of different conflicts, and you have to use the tools at your disposal allowing you to engage.

Curt: Culturally speaking, Snuff and much of the Imperium are very different. How have Snuff line members reacted to this change? Was it a shock or was it expected?

Niden: Of course some people were not expecting it, but, overall, I don’t think many were that surprised. Our interests have been aligned with major elements of the Imperium for some time and it’s a logical step given the enemies we have stacked against us and the immediate future of EVE. The nature of Snuff means that there aren’t that many of us given the level we fight on, and you simply need numbers when fighting the blue doughnut. Skill will only take you so far.

Curt: In addition to joining the Imperium, Project.Mayhem has also merged into Snuff. With these big changes, will Snuff continue as always, or will New Eden be seeing a new era for Snuff?

Niden: Snuff is like a bad stain on your pants. It doesn’t wash out easy. We’re exactly the same assholes we were yesterday, and will be tomorrow.

Curt: What would you say to naysayers who would say that Snuff bent the knee to the Imperium?

Niden: Nothing. We have no interest in winning any poplularity contest, quite to the contrary. To be honest, I don’t personally care what people think, the sowing circle, that is the EVE metagame, are going to make up their own stories anyway.

Curt: I don’t have any further questions, that wouldn’t be pushing the envelope when it comes to opsec. Is there anything you would like to add about Snuff moving to the Imperium?

Niden: It was foreseen by the prophet Boneless Steve, it was fortold by the seer Hellshrike, D0nnie has seen the signs in the stars, we have run the tool. Amen.