We now embark on the second chapter of the EVE Fanfest Saga. If you missed the beginning, where I reflected on two decades in Eve Online‘s New Eden and the dream of attending this festival, it all started with my arrival on the island.
Table of Contents
No, this is neither a typo nor an exaggeration in this article title – September 21, 2023, revealed three mysteries to me. It began early in the morning, with the sun shining brightly in a clear sky and the thermometer reading 7°C. Over breakfast, I got to chatting with two locals, naturally about the weather hehe. They explained that such conditions were considered quite good for autumn in Iceland.
A note on the locals – everyone I spoke with over these days had an impressive level of English, with rich vocabulary and nuanced speech. Their accent was unique, one I mentally dubbed the “Icelandic accent,” as I had never heard it elsewhere. The way they spoke added another layer of immersion to the experience, reminding me that this place, like EVE itself, had its own unique voice and identity.
The Unexpected Sights of Reykjavík
Well-fed and energized, I set out for a walk along the promenade in northern Reykjavík. The view was stunning. Coastal mountains loomed in the distance, wrapped in the soft blue haze of the open air. The landscape stretched for miles, and along the shoreline, I spotted strange rust-colored stakes and unknown structures jutting out. It reminded me of the first time I warped into an unexplored system — something beckoned me forward. Curiosity got the better of me, and I set off to investigate.
The Recycled House
Roughly three kilometers along the waterfront, I stumbled upon a surreal place. A sign at the entrance read “Recycled House.” The owner – renowned Icelandic filmmaker Hrafn Gunnlaugsson, famous for his Viking films such as Hrafninn Flýgur (The Flight of the Raven). His works stand out for their brutal realism, portraying the Viking way of life with an unflinching gaze, inspired by Icelandic sagas.
As for the house itself, both the building and its surroundings are adorned with sculptures and artistic elements, predominantly crafted from metal. The dominant theme is Norse mythology, and the harsh Atlantic climate has blanketed everything in a dense layer of rust, adding to its rugged charm. A structure weathered by time yet standing tall — much like EVE’s player-driven history, shaped by countless battles but never truly broken.
An Illegal Cultural Landmark
Hrafn still resides here with his family. While wandering the backyard in admiration, I had the chance to speak with one of his descendants and uncover some fascinating details. Originally, military barracks stood on this land. After World War II, a house was built, home to four families – one of them being the parents of the singer Björk. Hrafn acquired the house about 30 years ago as a creative space for his films, and he has been expanding and modifying it ever since. Beneath its floors, a natural hot spring keeps the home warm year-round.
Despite its uniqueness, the city authorities despise this house. Deemed “illegal,” it was nearly demolished by bulldozers a few years back. While Hrafn managed to defend his home, part of his collection was lost in the process. If you ever visit Reykjavík, make sure to see this place for yourself – a silent yet defiant piece of cultural history. It’s a fitting reminder that some of the most extraordinary things in life exist outside conventional boundaries.
I found a video of Hrafn himself recounting the story of his house, offering a glimpse into its fascinating interior.
A Walk to the Harbor
Just 30 meters away, you will find the Sigurjón Ólafsson Sculpture Museum, another cultural landmark worth visiting. I learned much from these two sites and was grateful for the chance encounter that led me there.
My next destination was four kilometers away, in the city harbor. The promenade was lively with tourists zipping past on electric scooters along designated paths. I chose to walk, taking in the ocean views and mentally preparing for what promised to be an emotional moment.
Along the way, I encountered more wonders – the Sun Voyager (Sólfar), a sculpture of a ship symbolizing hope, progress, and freedom, and the Harpa Concert Hall, an architectural marvel of honeycomb-like glass panels that reflect an ever-changing cascade of colors. This venue has traditionally hosted EVE Fanfest, and in 2025, the festival will return here once again.
The EVE Online Monument
Finally, I arrived at the EVE Online Monument. Unveiled on April 30, 2014, to mark the game’s tenth anniversary, the monument was designed by artist Sigurður Guðmundsson in collaboration with CCP’s art directors Börkur Eiríksson and Ásgeir Jón Ásgeirsson. But this monument is no mere sculpture – it is a time capsule.
Buried beneath it lies a portable computer containing audio and visual materials related to EVE Online, set to be unearthed on May 6, 2039 – 25 years after its installation and 35 years after the game’s launch.
The monument’s platform consists of plaques engraved with the names of EVE Online characters active as of March 1, 2014. In 2023, for the game’s 20th anniversary, an additional layer was added, featuring more names. Players whose names were already on the original plaques and were still active in May 2023 received a distinctive chevron beside their name.
It was a moment of reflection. A decade ago, I had never thought I would stand before something that immortalized the journeys of thousands of capsuleers, myself included. Is your name among them? You can find out using the monument’s dedicated search system.
As I neared the monument, a wave of emotions swept over me. A strange melancholy took hold, but within it was a joy and pride – the realization that I was part of something greater than myself. Surrounded by fellow capsuleers, I set out to find “my” names.
After a brief search, I found not only my own character but those of my wife and daughter. Nearby, a group of players were engaged in the same search, their expressions shifting from nostalgia to delight. Just a few steps away, another small group of four stood together, reminiscing about old adventures, sharing laughter, and exchanging hearty pats on the back. They had traveled from different corners of the world to attend Fanfest – bitter enemies in-game but close friends in life.
A Visit to CCP Games Headquarters
The sun dipped lower, casting a golden glow over the harbor, as if saluting the capsuleers gathered here. Taking this as my cue to move on, I grabbed a quick bite of traditional Icelandic fish stew, Plokkfiskur, at a nearby eatery before heading back towards my hotel. Awaiting me there was a shuttle bound for Gróska, a modern building on the University of Iceland campus that houses the headquarters of CCP Games.
Inside, I learned that the company employs at least a couple of hundred staff, though the exact number remains a mystery. The building itself was a labyrinth of glass and concrete, filled with winding corridors. On the lower floor, volunteers handed out passes and souvenir bags to players who had pre-purchased festival tickets.
I was escorted into the main office, where all major company events unfold. At the entrance, the company’s motto stood boldly in five languages: “We create virtual worlds more meaningful than real life” – makes sense!
Further in, I found a hall lined with real steel swords—each unique, forged as awards for employees who had served CCP Games for ten years. Among them, one stood out—a massive two-handed sword belonging to CCP Hellmar (Hilmar Veigar Pétursson), earned for 20 years of service.
After being seated, I was granted a glimpse into the future through a breathtaking presentation of upcoming announcements (it was Eve Vanguard,4X strategy Eve Galaxy Conquest, and opening of Deathless System in Eve). However, strict secrecy was enforced until the official reveal the next day.
The Making of EVE Online
The third and final mystery of the day unfolded during dinner with fellow journalists and select CCP developers. Thanks to the remarkable Icelandic artist Sigga Soffía, I discovered a fascinating connection between fireworks, flowers, scents, and dance.
Later, we all attended the premiere of The Making of EVE Online, a documentary created by The Escapist, at Bíó Paradís.
Following the screening, the audience had the rare chance to converse with the director and contributors.
A Night of Celebration
A day packed with revelations, yet I had one last goal—to witness the dance of lights in the midnight sky. My patience was rewarded. No photo, no video, nor even words can truly capture its grandeur. Sometimes, you simply have to see it for yourself. Still, I took a few pictures of majestic Aurora Borealis before retiring for a well-earned rest.
Day 2 Gallery
The adventure continues in Part 3 of the Saga, where I finally arrive at Fanfest itself. Don’t forget to check the gallery below for vibrant photos of day 2!
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