Named after the popular 'Hulk' mining ship [pictured left], Hulkageddon III will see players hounding expensive mining vessels across CCP's space MMO. Kind benefactors have offered a number of respectable prizes for participants, hoping to beat the last event's record. Hulkageddon 2 brought the destruction of virtual ships worth 278 billion ISK--EVE's in-game currency--which is the equivalent of many thousands of US dollars.

As tipster 'AllupNya Gate' explains, "Mining is the backbone to EVE's economy."

The minerals gathered supply materials to manufacturer in-game ships and modules, and fuel player-owned stations. Ship builders have been inflating the price on mining barges for weeks in preparation for the event's impact. Some have held off from putting their inventory on the market until the event drives up the value of industrial ships. One positive thing that comes from the event is that it helps regulate AFK ISK farmers (Macro Miners) that have often been accused of having a negative effect on the mineral market by the community.

Even miners in high-security space are at risk, as canny gankers will still be to destroy the slow and defenceless vessels before NPC space-policemen arrive to stop them.

If you're planning to venture out into the unforgiving galaxy of New Eden this weekend, perhaps it's best you leave your Hulk in your space-garage and instead watch the losses rack up on the official Hulkageddon III: Summer of Gank killboard.