EVE Online | Frequently Asked Questions

14.1 What is the difference between Tranquility, Singularity (SiSi) and Multiplicity (Multi)?
Tranquility is the “live” server, the EVE game world where most of the action takes place. Singularity is the test server where players can experiment with new features and changes without risking loss or changes to their favorite characters on the live server.

Multiplicity is a test server as well but runs the same version as Tranquility does.

Periodically, the latest data from Tranquility will be uploaded to the Singularity server. This process is called “mirroring” and allows players to use their existing characters from the Tranquility server rather than having to start new characters on Singularity. Data is not transferred from Singularity to Tranquility, so whatever is done on the test server will not affect characters in the “real” game world.
14.2 I’m a paying customer. Why should I help test?

Playing on the Singularity test server is completely voluntary. Many subscribers enjoy having the opportunity to explore changes or features that are in development before they are introduced on the live server. This helps them to understand how things that will be implemented may affect their characters.

The EVE developers monitor the Game Development forum and #eve-chaos channel on the Coldfront (irc.coldfront.net) IRC server for feedback regarding the latest build versions. The exchange of ideas between testers and the developers is invaluable to both as they work together to balance and improve the game experience for all of our players.
14.3 Where are the patches for the test server available?

http://www.eve-online.com/patches/testpatches.asp

You should make a copy of your EVE directory for use on Singularity, patching separately from your normal version. Test patches should not, and often cannot, be used on the live server. Installing a test patch into your regular EVE directory will result in an incompatible client version and you will not be able to connect to the Tranquility server. Test patches cannot be removed once installed.
14.4 How do I access the test server?

The test server is open to everyone, but the information about the accounts and characters is only updated periodically from the live server. You may not be able to log onto Singularity if your EVE account was created after the last update. From the EVE log in screen, select the ”Singularity” server from the drop down menu to enter the test server. A message will be displayed to alert you whether or not the build you have of the EVE client is compatible with what is currently in use on the Singularity server.
14.5 When is the test server available?

The regularly scheduled time for Singularity is at 12:00 GMT every day. It is patched and restarted during this time, and as needed, but occasionally will experience extended downtimes for any number of reasons.
14.6 Where can I get help for Singularity-related questions and problems?

There is an in-game channel named Singularity where players on the test server exchange information. Testers are also invited to join the #eve-chaos channel on the Coldfront IRC server or to participate in discussions in the Game Development forum on our boards. The petition system is unavailable on Singularity and Game Masters will not be able to address issues related to Singularity.

Patrons of #eve-chaos are asked not to use identifying tags, such as corporation tickers, though you will see some names in the user list that do include tags. These are EVE volunteers who can provide you with information or assistance when you are on the Singularity server. [BH] tags identify the special group of volunteer bughunters who are part of our volunteer program.
14.7 What do bughunters do?

Bughunters are not game masters or EVE developers. They are members of the Interstellar Services Department, our volunteer program, who assist our programmers by testing game features and items on Singularity, filtering bug reports that are submitted and helping to establish a priority for fixes and changes that need to be made. Bughunters do not have special characters or abilities on Tranquility.
14.8 How can I become a bughunter?

Any EVE player over the age of 18 with an account in good standing may apply for a position. Applications are reviewed and candidates must successfully complete an interview and training process before they are inducted into the team of their choice. Log in to the EVE Player website and go to the sign-up page. Due to the volume of applications received, we regret that we are unable to respond to all applicants. If your application is approved, you will be contacted with further information about interviewing and training. Leads for the division observe and invite candidates based on participation in the #eve-chaos channels, on the forums and by the quality and quantity of the bug reports they have submitted. The best way to become a bug hunter is to help out frequently and express an interest to someone in the division.
14.9 How can I get extra stuff to help me test?

The market on Singularity is seeded with most items for a minimal cost, 100 isk. This enables players to test new features and changes to the game without having to worry about cost, or losing ships etc. These items are seeded periodically, but if something is sold out at a particular location it will not be re-seeded until the entire market is re-seeded. Because of this we ask people to only take what they need for testing and not to hoard items.
14.10 What are the rules of the test server?

The purpose of the test server is to provide people with the ability to test new changes and upcoming patches without the worries of losing something valuable they have worked to obtain. Singularity players are encouraged to use the market inventory to test combat features, also, provided these two simple rules are observed:
- Combat is by mutual consent only. Since the main purpose of the server is testing, attacking people who may be attempting to test something specific, trying to reproduce a bug or merely minding their own business is not allowed.
- Absolutely no pod killing without mutual consent. Although Singularity is periodically updated with new character data from Tranquility, being pod killed may result in the inability for someone to continue testing effectively.
14.11 What happens if the test server rules are broken?

Should you encounter someone who is breaking the test server rules, report it to a member of the BH squadron immediately. If none are available, make a post on the Game Development forum. Do not try to exact revenge yourself. Please try to maintain a sense of propriety and remember that stirring things up on the forum only serves to escalate problems more often than not. Each case is investigated individually when a complaint is received. Repeat offenders may be temporarily or permanently barred from Singularity.
14.12 I submitted a bug report. Why hasn’t the issue been fixed?

Frequently, a bug will require more than one report in order to be fixed due to the complexity of some issues. It isn’t always possible to pinpoint what is causing the problem with the information given in a single report. By including as many details as you can when filing a bug report, the time to investigate the issue will be reduced and a fix can be implemented more quickly.

14.13 What information should I include in a bug report?

Always provide as much information as you can – give details, circumstances, locations and anything else that could possibly factor into the problem. Attached files can be especially helpful when sent in these formats:
- Combining and compressing information: Please use Zip files to combine and compress a number of files that you may be submitting. Using a Zip file makes it much easier to guarantee that everyone can open the files easily and reduces the amount of time needed to upload the information. Please specify in the bug report text what the Zip file contains.
- Images: Images can communicate an abnormality more efficiently than trying to communicate it through text. Use the “Printscreen” on your keyboard to capture images to your Eve/Capture/Screenshots directory, and then convert them to jpg format before submitting them. This makes the files a more manageable size. MS Paint can be used for this and is readily available on almost all Microsoft OS’s, though you may have better tools available. Drawing a red ring around specific areas, taking care not to obscure important parts of the image, may help clarify what you are reporting.
- Crash Dumps: Typically, when EVE crashes, a crash dump file (.dmp) is created in the Eve/Logs directory. The format for file names of this nature is generally similar to this: #crash b11113 2003.07.20.00.07.24.dmp, where the first number corresponds to the version, then the date is YYYY.MM.DD format, followed by the time when the crash occurred.
- EVE Log Server Files: The EVE log server (logserver.exe) is located in the EVE directory. It can be set up to monitor what happens on your client and/or the errors it encounters. These files may contain confidential information about your account, so be very careful to submit them only by an official bug report and do not share the files with others. To activate the log server, start it before you start your EVE client. Go to the File menu and select “Create a new workspace.” Start your EVE client as usual. When you encounter a problem or abnormality, exit the EVE client, then save the workspace file the server log has created.
  
  If you are running EVE in windowed mode and anticipate a lot of activity with the client before you are able to reproduce the issue you want the log server to record, you can use CTRL-Del in the log server window to clear the current log. This will enable you to document only the portion of play you want to capture.
- DXDiag System Information: To collect this information, go to the Start menu, then select “Run” and type “dxdiag” (without quotation marks) in the available field. When the program is done, select “Save All Information” to get the combined information on your system and drivers as a text file that you can attach to your reports. This can be especially helpful when dealing with issues that may be related to your sound or graphics cards.
14.14 I had a problem submitting a file with my report. What went wrong?

The most common problem is that the maximum possible size of a submitted file is 2 MB. Compress your submissions into Zip files, be sure that your screenshots have been converted from bitmap to jpg format and try resending.
14.15 Will I get a reward for reporting bugs or participating on Chaos?

Unfortunately, we are unable to reward those who report bugs or participate in testing on public test servers.