Recently, a post appeared on the EVE Online subreddit (r/Eve) proving that even the ruthless universe of New Eden knows how to celebrate major real-life events. Written by the well-known player Bluemelon, the post announces that his oldest friend, Casper24, recently got married and is going to be a father.
To celebrate this major milestone, the alliances Hydra Reloaded and Oblivion Watch decided to inaugurate a massive in-game infrastructure project, affectionately dubbed the "Babytar".
The Return of the Freeport in the Maila System
Bluemelon announced the deployment of a new industrial and commercial complex in the Maila system. The primary structure is a Keepstar (the largest and most expensive player-built space citadel), flanked by a Sotiyo (a massive engineering complex). Soon, a Tatara refinery will also be anchored on the same grid.
The choice of the system is no coincidence and has deep historical roots in the game:
In the past, Maila hosted a Keepstar that served as a wealthy trade hub, which was removed following the "I Want Isk" scandals.
The new structures aim to replace the now-destroyed Oijanen freeport, providing a safe tethering and docking area for massive Supercapitals.
It offers a top-tier industrial production area located within direct jump range of Jita, EVE's main trade hub.
The Keepstar will operate as a true public freeport, protected by the same rules as the structures already present in the Basgerin, Amamake, Turnur, and Huola systems. Bluemelon clarified the terms of use with a strict warning: anyone who attacks the Keepstar will immediately and permanently have their access revoked to all other structures managed by Hydra and Oblivion Watch.
Who are Bluemelon and Casper24?
To understand the scale of this announcement (deploying and defending a public Keepstar requires massive funds and logistics), it is crucial to understand who the protagonists are:
Bluemelon
In the post, he ironically calls himself a "5-time Alliance Tournament loser, Tama Skymarshal, and Navpoc enthusiast." Irony aside, Bluemelon is a top-tier veteran. He is a key member of Hydra Reloaded and Oblivion Watch (with a long history in famous alliances like Pandemic Legion).
He is known throughout the community for his strategic skills (theorycrafting) in the Alliance Tournaments (AT), having come close to victory multiple times. Furthermore, he is known as one of the wealthiest players in the entire game: he owns a priceless collection of ultra-rare ships (such as the Raven State Issue or the tournament-distributed Pythons). Because EVE is a cutthroat game, Bluemelon is also known for his extreme pragmatism, never backing down from intrigue, espionage, or betrayal to secure priceless assets from other players.
Casper24
Described by Bluemelon as "my oldest friend in EVE," Casper24 is another legendary figure. He is one of the minds behind the historic "Amamake Police" group (whose Discord chat serves as the official channel for managing the new Keepstar) and is linked to elite alliances like Snuffed Out.
Casper24 is a cornerstone in the EVE universe: if someone is looking to buy ancient, nearly impossible-to-find ships, he is the man with the right connections. He is an extremely influential player, respected for his PvP skills and for managing his group's extensive network of freeport space stations.
In short, the "Babytar" is a gift from a titan of EVE's economy and PvP to his comrade-in-arms, a way to turn a happy real-life event into a space hub that will influence the daily economy of thousands of other players.