Editing The Explorer's Handbook (section)

=== The Basic Loop === 

That's all well and good you say, but what is the minute to minute experience of exploration?  The basic gameplay loop when you're exploring looks like the following:

#Ensure your safety through smart habits.  
#Navigate to a system to explore in.  
#Locate Signatures and/or Landmarks. This is primarily done via scanning probes, but also can be done via Bookmarks.  
#Interact with your chosen Signature/Landmark. This may include hacking, gas huffing, combat or simply enjoying the view.  
#Collect the reward (and eventually sell it). 

A player can start their exploration career on their very first day. Exploration is an activity that grows with you.  As you get more skilled, as you get more resources and experience, you will find your horizons expanding in new, more dangerous, and potentially more profitable ways.

EVE provides a wealth of diverse geography, locations, landmarks, and loot for you to find.  Combined with the unique navigation and Player vs. Player elements inherent in both normal space (K-Space) and wormhole space (J-Space) this basic loop provides an incredible amount of depth.

Additionally, exploration is a uniquely personal activity in New Eden. You do not have to be in a small gang or a large fleet to get things done and be effective. While there are times where you may be venturing out into the unknown with friends, much of the time you simply do your own thing with all the freedom and peril that entails.