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E3 2014: EVE: Valkyrie gameplay trailer brings war to the stars
EVE: Valkyrie may still be in the pre-alpha stage, but that doesn't mean that CCP came to E3 empty-handed this year. On the contrary, the studio delivered a gameplay trailer with a couple minutes of in-game footage from the VR space dogfighting sim. In it, you can see combat between fighters as they use missiles and cannons to engage in aggressive diplomacy. The camera's constant tilting illustrates how the Oculus Rift headset will offer the player an unrestrained field of view during the experience. Check it out after the break and let us know what you think!
EVE: Kronos preparing 1.2 patch for tomorrow
EVE Online is prepping a batch of fixes and tweaks for the recently released Kronos expansion. The new 1.2 patch will fix broken exploration sights, allow players to limit the sound engine voice count, and improve loading for kill reports. Kronos 1.2 is scheduled for tomorrow, but you can read the patch notes today. It's like seeing into the future! Amazing!
The Daily Grind: Should I start fresh in EVE or use my old character?
I'm thinking of returning to EVE Online. It's been a couple of years for me, and even though ArcheAge and The Repopulation are on the near horizon, I've got a serious sandbox itch right now that just isn't getting scratched. My question for you is this: Should I dust off my old character, who if I remember correctly has around 10 million combat-focused skill points? Or should I start fresh as I relearn the game? Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!
CCP lays off 49 at Reykjavik office [Updated]
According to Polygon, CCP is currently undergoing a "gigantic cut" in its Reykjavik offices. The EVE Online developer confirmed that 49 people are being let go. "As part of our strategy to focus on the EVE Universe, today CCP conducted a restructuring that resulted in the layoff of 49 people in our publishing organization," the firm said. "Though it is hard to say goodbye to our friends and family, this action concludes the process we started several months ago. CCP has provided severance packages and job placement assistance for those affected. Development teams and plans for EVE Online, EVE: Valkyrie, DUST 514, and Project Legion are not impacted by the restructuring." [Update]: CCP has told Massively that the 49 layoffs were from multiple offices and not just Reykjavik.
EVE Online: Kronos goes live
EVE Online deployed the Kronos content update-slash-expansion today, and CCP is calling on all pilots to get out there and kick some major pirate booty. Er, butts. Heinies. Kronos includes new pirate ships, a mess of ship rebalancing, more exploration sites, and plenty of improved visuals. The hefty 1.2 GB patch comes with equally impressive notes to peruse while you update the game. Kronos represents the first update on CCP's accelerated six-week cycle.
EVE Online: Kronos brings the fight to uppity pirates
EVE Online: Kronos is on deck for next Tuesday's release, which means that CCP Games is going into overdrive to inform the community as to what to expect with the newest expansion. As such, today we have a pair of lengthy posts talking about new exploration sites and ship/module balancing. In the expansion, players will be tasked with hunting down a particular sect of pirates, the Guristas, by hunting through a null-sec system for the prized data. CCP will be dangling eight new ship skins as potential rewards for a successful search. Kronos will also include a rebalance of 38 ships, a "heap" of modules, and a total overhaul of the drone weapon system. CCP stated that the two themes of the expansion's balancing are the ascendancy of pirates and mercenaries and advancements in industrial technology. CCP also just posted the patch notes from Kronos, so give them a look!
Here's what else is coming in EVE's Kronos
Last week CCP shared what EVE Online players can expect with June 3rd's Kronos release. Today, the firm has published another lengthy dev blog with even more internet spaceship goodness. There's an improved Typhoon model, new low-sec contraband sites, low slots on freighters and jump freighters, and improved visuals on EVE's Mac client (as well as improved Mac-specific customer service).
EVE Online warns supercarrier pilots of impending changes
On June 3rd, EVE Online is rolling out its latest expansion, and that means changes are coming for everyone. This includes some pretty substantial changes to supercarriers, such as the doubling of all Fighter Bomber drones. Depending on how full your drone bays might be, that could mean you suddenly have more units in your drone bays than you have actual space to fit them. A quick post on the official site notifies players that in the event their drone bays become overfilled, all of their drones will be moved to the cargo bay, where they could leave a ship overloaded and unable to jump until cargo is jettisoned or destroyed. Players are advised to take care of the space in their supercarriers now, before the expansion launches, rather than scrambling to find places to put all of the drones once the update actually happens. You can also check out the original blog outlining the overall supercarrier changes if you missed it the first time around.
EVE Online posts training session schedule
Are you a terrible EVE Online player? Shh, it's all right, there's no shaming here. Everyone starts somewhere. That's why the development team is hosting a series of new player training sessions, designed to help novices or clueless veterans figure out how to play in the sprawling spaceship spreadsheet sandbox. The newest schedule has just been posted for several exploration-themed training sessions in anticipation of the game's next expansion, starting with "How to Scan" on May 28th. Data, Relic, and Ghost Sites are covered on May 31st, Ore, Gas, and Ice get the spotlight on June 4th, and Combat Sites and Escalation are getting covered on June 7th. From there it's a tour through wormholes on June 11th and a conclusion with the developer-led exploration fleet on June 14th. For more details on how to join in on training sessions, there's a handy guide available; if you want the exact times for these sessions to check your own schedule, check out the full posting.
The Daily Grind: Which MMO histories are worth preserving in book form?
One of the things that sets EVE Online apart from most other MMOs is its sense of time and place. New Eden is in fact a virtual world with its own constantly changing history. This makes for a potential experience that is totally unlike the disposable, repeatable experiences to be had in MMO themeparks. EVE's not completely alone in that regard, though. And after reading yesterday's news about the forthcoming EVE-based history book, I started thinking about other sandbox games that would make for an entertaining read. What do you think, morning crew? Are there other MMO sandbox communities worth preserving in book form? Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!
People paid over $95k to crowdfund an EVE history book
Game journo Andrew Groen has managed to secure more than $95,000 in crowdfunding support for his EVE Online history book. Prior to the funding drive, he estimated that $12,500 was needed to print a thousand copies using a "decent price-per-book" printer.
EVE Online phases out time codes, releases Bloodbath of B-R5RB video
If you want to subscribe to EVE Online, you aren't lacking for options. You can sign up for a monthly subscription, of course, but you can also purchase EVE time codes and PLEX. PLEX have the advantage of being tradeable within the in-game market, and you can use them to upgrade from a trial account to a full account. Or you can carry them around in a ship so that when it gets blown up, people can attach a real currency number to how much you lost. Clearly, PLEX have more to offer, which is why EVE Online is phasing out EVE time codes in favor of PLEX activation codes. The net prices are identical, but the effect is that subscription time will be awarded as PLEX, which you can use in all of the many ways you already use PLEX. For more details and a quick rundown of how PLEX work, check out the official blog entry. In other EVE news, CCP has released to its YouTube channel a Recording History video chronicling the events that triggered the Bloodbath of B-R5RB. We've included it below. [With thanks to tipster J!]
EVE Online infographic details what makes the game unique
A new infographic created by A Winning Personality blogger Merike Taal showcases EVE Online with a huge focus on what sets it apart from all other MMOs. "If you've never heard of EVE Online," the infographic states, "here's why you should start paying attention." With details on everything from the trifecta of alliance power to stats on the space MMO's largest battles, this infographic seems mostly to target those who are either unaware of or unconvinced of EVE's allure. You can check out the complete graphic after the cut.
EVE Fanfest 2015 dated, tix discounted for limited time
EVE Fanfest 2014 is still a recent and warm (if scandal-ridden) memory, but CCP is already looking ahead to next year. The studio opened the doors today for fans to pick up tickets to next year's convention. EVE Fanfest 2015 is scheduled for March 19th through the 21st, 2015, at the same place it's been in Reykjavik, Iceland. The studio says that in keeping with the space-themed MMO, there will be an observable solar eclipse during the event. CCP is offering several tiers of early discounts, starting with the current early bird limited special offer. While the regular price for the tickets will be $200, players can pick theirs up right now for $125 or 13 PLEX apiece.
EVE Online explains its new expansion model, opens store testing
If you followed EVE Fanfest 2014 closely, you already know that CCP is planning on reworking EVE Online's twice-yearly-expansion schedule, but today's dev blog aims to flesh out that plan. Writes CCP Seagull, Instead of doing two big expansions per year, we are moving to a model where we do about 10 releases per year, or one release every 6 weeks. In general each of those releases will be smaller than what you have seen with our expansions, but overall we will get you more per year and an overall better EVE Online because of the two big benefits this new model brings: Smaller and medium size features get to you faster, and we can make bigger features and changes to EVE Online because these can take the time they need to mature before going out, without needing to time a rare expansion. Seagull further explains that the new expansion cycle will help the team deliver speedier content for a wider variety of playstyles. In other EVE news, CCP has announced that EVE's store is open for testing on the Singularity server. "The new store will be instrumental in the future for offering ship skins, and other character and account related services," says CCP Falcon.
CCP looking for EVE Alliance Tourney XII commentators
Are you a knowledgeable, personable EVE Online PvPer with some free time in August and September? If so, CCP wants to fly you to Iceland and set you up as a commentator for EVE Alliance Tournament XII. The company is covering airfare and hotel, so all you'll need is a little spending money. Well, OK, you'll also need a passport, a sense of humor, and the gift of gab. Details and the full list of requirements are available at the EVE website. Don't delay, as you'll need to contact CCP before May 19th!
CCP permabans EVE monument vandals
Citing a "zero tolerance approach to dealing with harassment and victimization in the EVE Universe," CCP announced today that it has permanently banned the three vandals who defaced the new EVE monument in Reykjavik, Iceland. A fourth individual received a six-month ban. "The fact that the monument was vandalized is an insult to the entire community, not just to the individual who's name was directly targeted by the vandalism," the studio posted. The ban includes not only CCP's games but attendance at Fanfest as well. CCP declined to release the in-game names of the individuals and said that any future development related to the incident will be kept confidential.
EVE Online is 11 years old today
EVE Online is 11 years old today, and CCP is gifting players three Gecko superheavy drones as a result. Said Geckos sport "more damage, more durability, and more striking power than any drone ever released before," according to the company's news blurb. EVE players can unlock eight more of them by completing a collective community challenge, CCP explains, though it says the details will be released "over the course of the next week."
EVE Fanfest 2014: EVE's plan to remove tutorials and reinvent the new player experience
When we asked you what you wanted to hear about at EVE Fanfest 2014, the biggest area of interest was EVE Online's New Player Experience. Every player who's ever signed up to EVE following news of some huge battle or event will remember the frustration of his first few days in the sandbox. A new player's first experience of EVE is wading through windows full of text in a succession of boring tutorial missions that could take you hours or days to get though, followed by being ejected into the big bad world with very little direction. If that's been your experience of EVE, you might be interested to know that something's finally being done about it. Developers revealed during Fanfest that of all those who sign up to EVE and pay for a month's subscription, 50% of them don't renew and a further 40% or more end up in solo professions like mining and mission-running, which have the highest rate of player turnover. Only between 5% and 10% of those who sign up will ever get into the kind of gameplay that attracted them to EVE in the first place. CCP's response? Completely remove the tutorial. Read on to find out why killing the tutorial could be the best thing that has ever happened to EVE's new player experience.
Stick and Rudder: How Star Citizen is turning the game industry on its ear
When this column began, the first thing I talked about was Star Citizen's then-unique development model and how important it was both for fans and the game industry as a whole. Over a year later, the jury's still out on whether or not Cloud Imperium's opus will bring balance to the Force and give starving hardcores a home of their own. It's already safe to say that Star Citizen has turned the industry on its ear, though.
