General Discussion

CCP has announced that EVE online will receive an expansion this coming winter.  The Trinity Expansion will include a major graphics update as well as a number of additions to the game's content and will be free to all EVE subscribers.

Reykjavik, Iceland - October 11, 2007 - CCP, one of the world's leading independent game developers, today announced an upcoming expansion of EVE Online, a popular massively multi-player online game (MMOG). The Trinity expansion will feature a next-generation graphics engine. The release of the new graphics engine aims to fortify the position of the popular MMOG as the market leader in graphical excellence. The expansion will not only enhance the visual impact of every element of the game, but also includes a myriad of content additions. As always, the next EVE Online expansion will be free to all subscribers.

The new graphics engine leverages Shader Model 3.0 technology to enable rich dynamic range imaging, including bloom, shadows and enhanced geometric detail, while maintaining a high frame rate on supporting platforms. Visual changes entail remodeled and retextured ships, stations and stargates.

The Trinity expansion ushers in a host of fresh content and gameplay improvements to EVE Online. Upgraded content includes advancements in combat tactics and battlefield management, additional capabilities that lend greater depth to the pilot experience and multiple new Tech II class ships.

"CCP has been on a continuous quest to offer cutting-edge virtual world experiences to engage the most advanced users on the Internet," said Halldor Guðjónsson, chief technology officer of CCP. "With the launch of our next-generation graphics engine and gameplay improvements, we aim not only to enhance the in-world experience of our dedicated EVE players, but also to capture the interest of new gamers. While EVE Online has been arguably one of the most visually appealing MMOGs, the quality of the images enabled by our advanced graphics engine sets a precedent for visuals that blurs the line between a computer game and a movie."

 

The 'EVE Online: Trinity' expansion includes: A new graphics engine:

• All spaceships, stargates and space stations in EVE Online have been remodeled; each object is comprised of several million polygons and multiple layers of high resolution textures
• Native Shader Model 3.0 engine
• Environmental effects, such as shadows and nebula-based lighting models, tie graphical assets into the different solar systems of EVE Online
• Ground-breaking visual fidelity, which blurs the lines between a game and a movie

Combat advancements:

• Heat damage attenuation and repair while in space
• Better drone management capabilities
• Mid-flight bomb deployment capabilities along forward trajectories
• Attribute Reassignment Modifier (ARM) scripts to modify bonus attributes of sensor boosters, dampeners and tracking modules
• Eased transition from rookie to elite pilot with revamped New Player Experience
• Fleet integration and enhanced management of fleet operations with EVE Voice

Content additions for Player versus EVE (PVE) gameplay:

• Hundreds of new kill missions and a re-introduction of mining missions
• Multi-frequency probe for more versatile exploration
• Faction loyalty points store items

New Tech II ships:

• Black Ops battleships - For undetectable infiltration and covert operations in hostile territory
• Marauder battleships - Optimized for massive damage output to spearhead assaults in enemy territory
• Suppressor Heavy Interdictor cruisers - A more lethal interdictor whose warp-jamming suppression sphere moves with the ship
• Specter Electronic Attack ships - For quick propulsion lockdown and sensor suppression of enemy ships

Read more here.

Cant wait! I'll probably go for Black Ops.

 Eve aways ahead of everyone else when it comes to improving there product.played off an on since beta and though i dont agree with how they changed alot of there game play since the beginning.they still do a hell of a job.

Mining Missions? Oh god, so long ago... :D

I know i will love the new t2-frigates!

Great time to be a EvE player for sure!

Cant wait for this expansion, all of it looks good.

The new t2 frigs look cool :).

So does the new graphics.

Not only is it a good time to be a EVE player, just imagine how great it will be to be a EVE player once Ambulation comes out.

EVE doesn't get worse from aging; it's one of the few MMORPGs that get better with time.

 I can't wait either! I'm really looking forward to it!

Very excited indeed. Looking forward to ambulation also and beyond for planetary landings etc. Eve will just get better and better!