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EVE Online General Article: Plans for the Future
MMORPG.com's Jon Wood outlines the many plans that the developers at CCP have for their sci-fi sandbox universe as EVE Online continues development both inside of the game client and out.
By Jon Wood on October 21, 2009
Over the last few weeks, we have touched on a number of elements of EVE Online's development, from its history to its current implementations, but what about the future? There are big things on the horizon for both EVE Online and the company that develops it.
Dominion
First up is to talk about the game's next major free expansion, Dominion. Due to launch on December 1st. This new expansion is the culmination of the work of somewhere around 120 developers who have been working steadily since the launch of the Apocrypha expansion back in March.
The Dominion expansion will bring a new sovereignty system to the game, and will make changes not only to the ways in which an alliance can capture territory, but also to what can be done with that territory once it's captured. Captured areas will now offer options for upgrades allowing players the opportunity to decide when and how their space is developed.
The new expansion will also add in new epic story arcs, including missions that rely on speed rather than DPS, a much-needed mail system overhaul, new Fighter bomber ships, new planetary graphics and more.
New Eden
As was discussed at much greater length in a previous article, the developers are releasing an EVE based social network system that they used to call COSMOS, but are now calling New Eden. This new addition to EVE's infrastructure will allow player to communicate in more meaningful ways than ever before.
This particular advancement for the future of EVE Online shows the developers' commitment to not only providing in-game upgrades by way of expansions and updates, but also to continue to expand the game outside of the client.
Aside from announced features for the Q1 2010 release of the product, the developers also intent to make a number of other upgrades under the New Eden banner including: new game forums, out of game phone texting and voice chat support, corporation management, file hosting, and access to more in-game info from outside of the client.
;)
Incarna
First, the project was called Ambulation, then it was called Walking in Stations, now, they've changed the name once again to Incarna. Let's hope this one sticks. While other articles and years of talking about this upcoming feature have left some wondering if it is ever going to happen, a number of points were revealed at this year's Fan Fest.
The first interesting piece of news is that the team plans to have Incarna up and functioning before the launch of DUST 514. While that launch is still a ways off, at least we have an idea of the rollout priority list. The second is that it was hinted at (though not explicitly stated) that EVE and DUST players might both have access to Incarna.
Formations
For years, it has taken a fair amount of posing and organization to capture ships flying in formation. In the future, the developers plan to make this easier via game mechanics, even offering bonuses for flying in formation. This, the developers hope, will make large fleet battles "feel more awesome."
Treaties
Part of a sandbox game is that players will do their own thing and make up their own ways of doing it. EVE players have been making treaties for quite some time, but CCP is planning on taking it to the next level by offering actual design support to the concept. This should allow alliances and corporations to make binding contracts to players, offer rights of passage through specific areas of their space, and more.
New Mining Options
Lots of players in EVE prefer the hum of a mining lazer to the blast of weapons firing, and CCP will be introducing two new ways to do that: Comet mining and Planetary Ring mining.
;)
Planetary Interaction
It's no mistake that Dominion will be introducing new planetary graphics, and a system that will create over 50,000 unique worlds as they plan to add in a new and detailed planetary interaction system that will not only allow players to control their own sections of planets, but they will be able to interact with other player who control neighboring areas.
The developer are quick to point out that while they aren't trying to clone games like Civilization or SimCity, that they are trying to do something that captures a similar feel. The idea is to offer a low barrier to entry on this new style of gameplay, but to allow it to become complex and interesting enough to hold a player's interest over the long term. It will have a darker feel to it, and, as is the case everywhere else in EVE, there will be no concrete right or wrong, just human nature. The interactions will allow you to build things like industry, academia and other infrastructure, but will also take into account environmental effects and the like.
This will also tie in to the company's plans for DUST. While many of the zones on a planet will be used for planetary interaction as described above, others on the same planet will be used as maps for DUST.
Immediate future
In the immediate future, the developers are moving into a "refining" phase of development, looking at what they can do to make what is already in the game work better and be stronger.
Overall
As you can see, there is much for EVE players and followers to look forward to as we move into the future. Expansion not only of the game, but of the game's universe both in terms of out of client activities and in, is the anme of the game as CCP continues to develop and grow their virtual universe.
Good article.
It does make sense that Incarna should be usable by EVE and DUST players, but I wonder if DUST is the push behind implementing Incarna?
It seems that DUST is going to be impacting the EVE Universe a bit more than I expected... I just hope they keep a bit of separation in case something doesn't go well.
I'm a fan of DUST, but EVE takes a higher priority for me.
I just react'd my EvE time (Kalso, CEO Viral Hysteria) and it seems that not much has changed since 2 years ago when i played.
One thing i am loving though is the queue system for skills...loving it to the end, lol.
Anyways, I really hope that i can walk in stations soon. Sure, the system is awesome, but it will put it on par with a ton other mmo's for the "walking" area and might bring a LOT LOT more people to the game...
Also, with the planets and once they get those worked out, i believe DUST players should be able to capture the planets, setup crap, etc.
Anyways, just thoughts.
Wot no Trading Card Game?!
Formations sound cool.
It's interesting that EVE is a game that you know was boring at launch, but you want to play it more as time goes on.
The bar I've set for myself is Incarna. I want to be able to get out of my ship and walk around. The planetary interaction looks really neat too. I'm thinking it's essentially going to allow me to set up my own little nation on a planet somewhere and rule it however I want. Awesome.
Sounds cool n all, but I don't think it's enough to justify me buying a subscription. We'll see what next year brings.
Nice article. I've really enjoyed the series of articles you guys have been putting out for eve lately, great job.
- Formations sounds awesome! I've been thinking about this kind of thing for a while now, as well as enhanced flight control options that I think the game needs.
- Incarna/DUST/Planetary Interaction is going to be epic, and will definitely complicate the system even more (which is great for the "thinking man's game" that Eve is). Bring on the Civilization/SimCity-ness to the game! It will also bring a larger playerbase methinks, especially since FPS are typically not "thinking mens' games". :)
- Sovereignty has been long time an issue, and the doomsday devices AoE - while kewl in theory, it was too much like hitting a Staples "That was easy!" button.
- Near future: Glad to hear they are interested in "fixes" and polishing more too; The best idea for an MMO is always to make what's already in the game (that players enjoy) even better - note: without nerfing or overpowering.
Correction tho: Dominion "Fighter Bombers" are not new ships. They are new drone types for use exclusively by Super Carriers. See: http://www.eveonline.com/devblog.asp?a=blog&bid=696 . There are however vast changes occuring to Pirate/Faction ships. See: www.eveonline.com/ingameboard.asp
EDIT: Oh, and also a Projectile Weapons Balancing Fix is in the works for Dominion: www.eveonline.com/iNgameboard.asp
Why do people play other MMORPG's besides EVE? I just can't understand it.
Good article, and looking forward to the future changes. (Incarna huh? We'll see)
'This new expansion is the culmination of the work of somewhere around 120 developers who have been working steadily since the launch of the Apocrypha expansion back in March.'
What an outrage lie...
I believe they were employed to work on Dominion but that they worked on it is as far from truth as it can be.
CCP is 5 weeks from Dominion release and they are not even capable to put sovereignty changes on test server in better shape then shoddy alpha.
Dominion will be just another failed expansion in line since Quantum Rise release...
I have a quick question. I have not played eve in a little over 2 years and when I left I have around 6 months of training time invested and my ship and assets were left in a corp owned station in 0.0 sec. So if I were to go back and see what was happening in eve now would my acount still be saved, or would I have to start all over? That and what would happen with my things still in that station? After all this time I am not sure if ti would still be there even.
Thank you in advance for all answers.
Accounts are not being deleted so you will keep all your skill points.
Bad news is for your assets in 0.0 station that got most likely new onwer that won't let you dock there.
New Mining Options
Lots of players in EVE prefer the hum of a mining lazer to the blast of weapons firing, and CCP will be introducing two new ways to do that: Comet mining and Planetary Ring mining.
This has my hopes slightly up... I just want it to be two things:
1) Hard to bot (impossible would be nice)
2) More interactive (aka fun). While AFK mining might have its place, actually interacting with the game client should provide bonuses (and be fun if it is possible).
LOL!
I personally spent about a year and a half recently playing EVE Online about every day. I enjoyed. I had friends that I played with. But, unfortunately, they moved on....not to other MMO's just out of EVE. I considered joining a large Corp but finely just gave up. One of the reasons, CCP's nack for promosing things and then not quite making it happen. I was one of those that was actually excited by the "walking in stations" stuff when announced but, it seemed to me CCP was just putting off. Now I understand you just don't integrated something like this overnight. However, I was getting a feeling that CCP was just stringing me along to keep taking my monthly subscription fee. Every once and a while CCP would release new info and make it sound like it might be soon (without saying "soon"). I just got tired of waiting. Maybe after they make it happen I will go back and see how it goes. Just not now.
I will note that I really liked the sandbox feel of the game. If my friends were still there, I probably would be too.
Awe...
...some.
Dust being made for consoles only is a huge mistake.
I am not buying a stupid console with everything I have into my PC. I am sure I am not the only one who feels this way.
CCP is leaving out the majority of their playerbase by not releasing Dust on PC.
I hope the reconsider this.
If your things are in a player owned 0.0 station from 2 years ago, that station might be destroyed or owned by another corp.
If you are NOT docked the best you can do is contract sell those things if the station is still around.
If you are still docked in this station, be aware, when you undock, I would assume you can NOT ever redock, unless you join the owning corp.
Never leave game with anything important in a player owned station. Put your valuables in a NPC station in the future.
Don't keep this from bringing you back to game though. Also don't forget to make sure your clone is insured. Rule 1 of EVE.
Formations and binding contracts sounds great.
there is one hour donwtime :D
Stations cannot be destroyed.
It may just be me but I feel like I keep seeing these "EVE, Plans for the future!" news items.
I still remember first hearing about ambulation, and now the latest news on that is yet another name change lol.
But ah well, the "plans" keep blowing me away, but they usually take "longer than expected" before they make it in game.
Player/Corp owned, not the NPC ones.
Doesn't matter. Stations/Outposts can't be destroyed.
EDIT: Nah nvm it's off track. I'll just take your word for it.
Stations are perpetual. Period.
Most likely, where ever you logged off, that's where you'll be. If it was in a 0.0 station, whatever you do, don't undock immediately.
You'll be able to sell you stuff on the station marketplace and they won't be able to remove you from the station until you chose to leave. (Its also a great time to play market whore and buy up all the shuttles and mark the prices up outrageously if you are feeling mean)
But if you logged out in Empire, but your stuff is in 0.0, all is not lost. You can handle this two ways. First, create contracts in the station at discount prices.
Or....and this has actually worked, petition CCP and point out that you are a returning player after a long absence and they sometimes will relocate all your gear into Empire so you don't lose it all.
I think some people have wrong impression about walking in stations. From what I read that content will be more for corporations and alliances, sorta place to meet. Of course there will be some individual boards for you to check on your progress etc, but its not like those stations will be an entertainment rooms with mini-games and stuff. I am very eager to see that planetary conquest thing. I am not a big fan of PvP in EVE and thats why I am only training skills for the last year or so. Seems that if you chose military career and not a member of corp/alliance there is nothing else for you to do but missions and pirate hunt. And it gets boring fast.
I own a bunch of stuff I got during the years of play and I never get to keep my fun long enough to make things work for me in EVE and keep actively playing it. I get distracted by other games every time and lose interest to EVE pretty easy. I think its the sandbox type of the game that makes me lose my interest again and again. Plus I can't say that EVE is for casual play. It requires quite a commitment and effort to build/achieve anything.
Of course you will have entertainment in the stations. Player owned shops, gambling, customizable captains quarters, new production skills, On foot detective/spy missions, board games, Cardgames, Even a hinted at Mech arena to mess with along with the alliance meeting rooms.
People wouldn;t be asking for the feature if it only offered a meeting area.
Its great if all that will be like you say. I bet on minimum entertainment available right after Incarna release. And then they will add more and more possibly all that was promised but it will be a while until those walkable stations will finally become a real fun to be at. To be honest I'd be already happy if there was some kind of a mission guide and your personal progress helper or something. Otherwise this system where you have to search through stations and sectors for available agent that is in game right now is not very player-friendly. This system needs to be more intuitive than it is now.
Well of course at first incarna will feel empty. The feature will need time for players to take advantage of it and evlove it. Much like wormhole feature right now.
Oh and you can easily find agents by setting the starmap to available agent or just check the info of the corp you want to run missions for they have a complete listing of every agent and you could just set destination and go.
Pretty simple actually.
Of course its simple. Open starmap, apply filter.. blah.. But thats not fun. Need to have a gadget, or some system available only from the station headquorters that would contain combined database of all the available missions, very detailed description, course plotting features, etc... Would be nice to see some overhaul to the existing interface. Anyway, I'm eager to see how they will pull off Incarna.
Oh I see, yeah that would be cool. More info is always nice.
This is a sci-fi game I could see something like that being pretty useful.