Since the initial release of Eve Online CCP has added fourteen expansions to the game. The fourteenth expansion, Incursion was released in stages, the second of which (Incursion 1.1.0 - 18 January 2011) introduced the Sansha Incursions and a complete overhaul of the character creation tool, paving the way for the future release of the Incarna or Walking in Stations expansion. The thirteenth expansion, "Tyrannis", was released on May 26, 2010. The twelfth expansion, Dominion, was released on December 1, 2009. The previous expansion, Apocrypha, was released on March 10, 2009 and introduced features such as further graphics updates as started in the Trinity expansion; the ability for players to group their vessels' weapons for easier interaction;[73] changes to autopilot routes and avoidance of player-defined star systems.[74] CCP provides expansions free of charge to its subscribers.[75] Over time expansions have added features such as conquerable stations, ship classes like Freighter and Dreadnought capital ships and advanced missions for players to master. Apocrypha, included an overhauled probing system, wormholes and customizable Tech 3 ships as its major features.[76] Dominion, which became available for download on December 1, 2009, included an overhaul of the sovereignty system, planet graphics, the Titan Doomsday weapon functionality being changed and the in-game web browser with Chromium's web kit. It also included a redesign of the UI and in-game mailing system. The recently released expansion Tyrannis has added more features which so far include exploitation of planetary resources, a way to contact your friends from any computer so long as it has internet access, as well as new technology for ships, and more graphics upgrades.
Sunday, 20 February 2011
Planned future developments
CCP has been working on a game feature that will allow players to exit pods and interact with other player avatars in the communal setting of the interior of a station.[77] CCP has not yet formally speculated on a release date for this feature. In March 2007 tentonhammer.com released in-development game footage of this feature, videotaped at Game Developers Conference 2007 with the approval of CCP's chief marketing officer Magnus Bergsson.[78] At the 2008 Fanfest players were able to play a restricted version of the Walking in Stations functionality, including walking through the Captain's cabin to the promenade and then into a Minmatar bar. Other shops will also be available, with 16 slots available for players or corps to rent in each station. Bars will also have skill-based gaming tables with strategy games. The personal avatar project for the game Eve 'Walking in Stations' (WiS), formerly 'Ambulation' has now been renamed as 'Incarna' (Incarnation being a synonym for Avatar) CCP has yet to publicly ratify a release date for this project.
The ability to enter a planet's atmosphere (planetary flight) and to interact with the surface is also mentioned as one of the future development plans. At Eve Fanfest 2005, a working prototype was demonstrated in which a Caldari Crow-class interceptor could be seen flying around over a planet surface. However CCP stated that full-scale integration of such features to the game requires an enormous effort and is only planned for post-Revelations production phases.[79] Subsequently it has been stated that until a proven in-game reason is found for planetary access further work on this will not have a high priority.
The ability to enter a planet's atmosphere (planetary flight) and to interact with the surface is also mentioned as one of the future development plans. At Eve Fanfest 2005, a working prototype was demonstrated in which a Caldari Crow-class interceptor could be seen flying around over a planet surface. However CCP stated that full-scale integration of such features to the game requires an enormous effort and is only planned for post-Revelations production phases.[79] Subsequently it has been stated that until a proven in-game reason is found for planetary access further work on this will not have a high priority.
Dust 514
During the 2009 Games Convention in Cologne, Germany, CCP unveiled Dust 514, an upcoming console based MMOFPS title meant to integrate with the Eve Online universe. According to developers, players hired by Eve Online alliances would fight over planets.[80]
According to Eve Online Senior Producer Torfi Frans Olafsson, at the recent Eve Online Fanfest, the Dominion release will involve sovereignty, the ownership of districts on planets which are capable of creating industry.[81] This player ownership system will be dynamic as it will be subject to PvP diplomacy as well as subjugation. The latter allows for linking with Dust 514 (planned release 2011), whereby players within Eve Online will be able to contract, in-game, Dust 514 players to take control of planetary regions within the Eve Online universe and these 'mercenaries' will then vie with other Dust 514 players hired by the opposing faction. The integration between the console MMOFPS game and the Eve Online MMORPG is both through community interaction and through the changeable battlefields based on the planetary architecture of a common universe—the outcome of these battles in Dust 514 will affect the status and ownership of the corresponding planets in Eve Online as well.
According to Eve Online Senior Producer Torfi Frans Olafsson, at the recent Eve Online Fanfest, the Dominion release will involve sovereignty, the ownership of districts on planets which are capable of creating industry.[81] This player ownership system will be dynamic as it will be subject to PvP diplomacy as well as subjugation. The latter allows for linking with Dust 514 (planned release 2011), whereby players within Eve Online will be able to contract, in-game, Dust 514 players to take control of planetary regions within the Eve Online universe and these 'mercenaries' will then vie with other Dust 514 players hired by the opposing faction. The integration between the console MMOFPS game and the Eve Online MMORPG is both through community interaction and through the changeable battlefields based on the planetary architecture of a common universe—the outcome of these battles in Dust 514 will affect the status and ownership of the corresponding planets in Eve Online as well.
Virtual crime
Piracy (in the ship-to-ship sense) is part of the game, as is protection racketeering, theft, and ransom.[82][83][84][85] Eve Online periodically has arisen for discussion within the wider gaming community as players of the game find various ingenious methods of scamming, deceiving, or attacking each other. One infamous example was a corporate infiltration and heist where one corporation infiltrated a target corporation over the course of nearly a year. They then performed a virtual assassination on the target's CEO and proceeded to steal corporate property to which they had gained access. The target corporation lost billions of ISK worth of property (amounting to about $16,500 USD) and a great deal of prestige; the CEO's expensive ship and cybernetic implants were destroyed in the attack.[86] Events of this nature are debated both inside the game world and in the media.[87]
In 2009, a player alliance known as Goonswarm was contacted by a disgruntled director of rival alliance Band of Brothers, one of the largest alliances in the game at that time. The disgruntled director then stripped Band of Brothers of a large quantity of assets including ships, money and territory, and disbanded the alliance.[88]
Such dangers are an inherent part of Eve Online's virtual economy and thus are purposely not dealt with by the developers.[89] Players are expected to make financial decisions based (among other factors) on the possibility of other players' fiduciary malfeasance, much as in real-life economics.
The most common acts of piracy in Eve are "ganking" (a contraction of the phrase "gang killing"[citation needed]), gate camping, and small gang warfare. Every pirate corporation in Eve Online has its own preferred activities, strategies, and tactics. Some utilize cheap but high damage ships to suicide gank and kill people in high-security space (where they should hypothetically be safe) quickly before CONCORD law enforcement units arrive to destroy them, in the knowledge that certain ships they destroy will be carrying valuable commodities or expensive gear capable of recovering the cost of the pirate vessels lost in the gank. Others choose to set up gate camping fleets consisting of varied ship types and roles capable of rapidly disabling and destroying any unwitting passersby, thereby locking down star systems and killing or robbing whoever tries to pass through. Other pirates choose to roam in very fast and versatile skirmish ships, such as interceptors, recons, or heavy assault ships, killing anyone they encounter in lightning attacks. On gaining the upper hand in a fight many pirates will ask the victim for an ISK ransom, in exchange for sparing their ship or escape pod.
In 2009, a player alliance known as Goonswarm was contacted by a disgruntled director of rival alliance Band of Brothers, one of the largest alliances in the game at that time. The disgruntled director then stripped Band of Brothers of a large quantity of assets including ships, money and territory, and disbanded the alliance.[88]
Such dangers are an inherent part of Eve Online's virtual economy and thus are purposely not dealt with by the developers.[89] Players are expected to make financial decisions based (among other factors) on the possibility of other players' fiduciary malfeasance, much as in real-life economics.
The most common acts of piracy in Eve are "ganking" (a contraction of the phrase "gang killing"[citation needed]), gate camping, and small gang warfare. Every pirate corporation in Eve Online has its own preferred activities, strategies, and tactics. Some utilize cheap but high damage ships to suicide gank and kill people in high-security space (where they should hypothetically be safe) quickly before CONCORD law enforcement units arrive to destroy them, in the knowledge that certain ships they destroy will be carrying valuable commodities or expensive gear capable of recovering the cost of the pirate vessels lost in the gank. Others choose to set up gate camping fleets consisting of varied ship types and roles capable of rapidly disabling and destroying any unwitting passersby, thereby locking down star systems and killing or robbing whoever tries to pass through. Other pirates choose to roam in very fast and versatile skirmish ships, such as interceptors, recons, or heavy assault ships, killing anyone they encounter in lightning attacks. On gaining the upper hand in a fight many pirates will ask the victim for an ISK ransom, in exchange for sparing their ship or escape pod.
Developer misconduct
Instances of developer misconduct in Eve Online have been substantiated, leading to debates and controversy within the game community. On February 9, 2007, a player known as Kugutsumen revealed that an Eve Online developer nicknamed 't20' had provided his alliance, Band of Brothers, with ten valuable blueprints, giving them an advantage over competing alliances.[90] Some within the Eve Online community asked for t20's dismissal. While an apology letter was left for the community in the form of a dev blog, he remained an Eve Online developer until late 2008. Kugutsumen was permanently banned from the Eve Online universe for violating the game's Terms of Service and End-user License Agreement by revealing t20's real name.[90]
In response to public concerns, CCP decided to set up an Internal Affairs division initially headed by Ari Eldon, better known in-game as Arkanon, whose responsibility is to monitor the activities of both privileged and player accounts operated by CCP staff in-game.
In response to public concerns, CCP decided to set up an Internal Affairs division initially headed by Ari Eldon, better known in-game as Arkanon, whose responsibility is to monitor the activities of both privileged and player accounts operated by CCP staff in-game.
Council of Stellar Management
In part due to the matters above, CCP invited users to stand for the first Council of Stellar Management (CSM) in March 2008, resulting in 66 candidates seeking election to nine positions.[92][93][94][95] It was a requirement that candidates released their full real names in addition to stating their in-game details.[96] In May, after a two-week voting period, the first Council was elected, comprising seven men and two women; three each from the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, two from the USA and one from Denmark, their ages ranging from 17 to 52.[95]
The remit of the Council has been changed since it was first proposed and is now seen by CCP primarily as a route for players to make requests for changes and improvements to the game mechanics, presentation, and game content of Eve Online. The first four Councils served for six months, after which new ones were to be elected.[94] Each individual was only permitted to serve twice. Each CSM will get the authority to put requests to CCP three times during their term of office which CCP have stated must be answered; once in person in Iceland and twice by e-mail, with most of the costs of their visit to Iceland being borne by CCP.[94] The fifth CSM will operate under new rules, featuring one-year terms with two Iceland trips and four email requests, as well as the abolition of the two-term limit.
The first meeting of the CSM with CCP took place in Reykjavik between June 19 and 23, 2008 and included not only the nine CSM members but a number of developers, designers, game masters and producers from CCP and members of print and video media.[97] Matters discussed by players on the Eve Online forums were reviewed in detail and whilst some were rejected for technical reasons many were accepted by CCP as useful improvements to the game which would be introduced either in an early so-called point release or added to the development plans for a future major update.
Nominations for the second CSM opened on September 26, 2008 with voting commencing on November 9. The following third Council of Stellar Management will see a modified age restriction in effect: candidates under the age of 21 are then no longer eligible as CSM members
The remit of the Council has been changed since it was first proposed and is now seen by CCP primarily as a route for players to make requests for changes and improvements to the game mechanics, presentation, and game content of Eve Online. The first four Councils served for six months, after which new ones were to be elected.[94] Each individual was only permitted to serve twice. Each CSM will get the authority to put requests to CCP three times during their term of office which CCP have stated must be answered; once in person in Iceland and twice by e-mail, with most of the costs of their visit to Iceland being borne by CCP.[94] The fifth CSM will operate under new rules, featuring one-year terms with two Iceland trips and four email requests, as well as the abolition of the two-term limit.
The first meeting of the CSM with CCP took place in Reykjavik between June 19 and 23, 2008 and included not only the nine CSM members but a number of developers, designers, game masters and producers from CCP and members of print and video media.[97] Matters discussed by players on the Eve Online forums were reviewed in detail and whilst some were rejected for technical reasons many were accepted by CCP as useful improvements to the game which would be introduced either in an early so-called point release or added to the development plans for a future major update.
Nominations for the second CSM opened on September 26, 2008 with voting commencing on November 9. The following third Council of Stellar Management will see a modified age restriction in effect: candidates under the age of 21 are then no longer eligible as CSM members
Accounts and subscriptions
Users start playing Eve Online either by creating a trial account, being invited to the game as a "buddy" via the game's Buddy Program, or purchasing the Eve Online Special Edition retail box.[100][101][102] Trial accounts are freely available through both the Eve Online website and the Steam content delivery system. The Buddy Program, on the other hand, is a means for full-subscription players to distribute 21-day free trial accounts to their friends. If the buddy account is converted to a full account within 2 weeks of receiving the Buddy Program invite, the referrer is rewarded with 30 free days added to their subscription.
Both buddy accounts and regular trial accounts are free and allow players to access most of the Eve Online game, with exceptions. Players cannot train skills for some advanced ship types, for example industrial ships. Players also cannot create contracts and cannot directly transfer ISK to other players. Enlistment to faction-based militias is also unavailable to trial accounts. Once the trial period ends the trial account is locked and must be converted to a full account before its characters can be accessed again.
As of June 2008, Eve Time Codes (or ETCs) are available exclusively in 60-day increments. Until then, they were also offered in 30-, 50-, 90-, 100- and 120-day increments. Discontinued cards remain valid. Players using ETCs are treated like normal subscribers in every way. Eve Time Codes are available through CCP's online store as well as via online resellers.[103] Cards purchased through resellers are usually delivered through email for immediate use while codes issued through the Eve Online store are issued via postal mail or in-game item, and as such ETCs do not violate the EULA and can be bought and sold within the game.[104] There are no distinguishing differences in functionality between digital and hard-copy codes. Both provide the exact amount of specified game time, are entered into the same account section and can be exchanged between players for ISK using a secure exchange system facilitated by a "Timecode Bazaar" forum.
In November 2008 CCP introduced PLEX, the CONCORD Pilots License EXtension, which is an in-game item that can be used to extend a subscription for 30 days. PLEX can be purchased on the Eve Online website for real money, or inside the game for ISK. 60-day ETCs can be converted to two 30-day PLEX within the Eve Online client, which can then be sold via the in-game market.
As of March 10, 2009, a boxed edition is available in shops. The distribution is being managed by Atari.[7] The boxed edition includes a 60-day ETC, instant standings update to facilitate quicker entry into factional warfare, exclusive online new player guide, and an exclusive expanded cargo hold shuttle. Although marketed as included in the retail box, the bonus items are only available to new accounts created with the 60-day ETC.[
Both buddy accounts and regular trial accounts are free and allow players to access most of the Eve Online game, with exceptions. Players cannot train skills for some advanced ship types, for example industrial ships. Players also cannot create contracts and cannot directly transfer ISK to other players. Enlistment to faction-based militias is also unavailable to trial accounts. Once the trial period ends the trial account is locked and must be converted to a full account before its characters can be accessed again.
As of June 2008, Eve Time Codes (or ETCs) are available exclusively in 60-day increments. Until then, they were also offered in 30-, 50-, 90-, 100- and 120-day increments. Discontinued cards remain valid. Players using ETCs are treated like normal subscribers in every way. Eve Time Codes are available through CCP's online store as well as via online resellers.[103] Cards purchased through resellers are usually delivered through email for immediate use while codes issued through the Eve Online store are issued via postal mail or in-game item, and as such ETCs do not violate the EULA and can be bought and sold within the game.[104] There are no distinguishing differences in functionality between digital and hard-copy codes. Both provide the exact amount of specified game time, are entered into the same account section and can be exchanged between players for ISK using a secure exchange system facilitated by a "Timecode Bazaar" forum.
In November 2008 CCP introduced PLEX, the CONCORD Pilots License EXtension, which is an in-game item that can be used to extend a subscription for 30 days. PLEX can be purchased on the Eve Online website for real money, or inside the game for ISK. 60-day ETCs can be converted to two 30-day PLEX within the Eve Online client, which can then be sold via the in-game market.
As of March 10, 2009, a boxed edition is available in shops. The distribution is being managed by Atari.[7] The boxed edition includes a 60-day ETC, instant standings update to facilitate quicker entry into factional warfare, exclusive online new player guide, and an exclusive expanded cargo hold shuttle. Although marketed as included in the retail box, the bonus items are only available to new accounts created with the 60-day ETC.[
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