According to CCP CEO Hilmar Pétursson, devastating loss is a “turning point” for players in EVE Online.
The quote comes from GamesBeat Summit 2020 (via VentureBeat) which explores the importance of loss to EVE Online. Loss is seen as a driving factor for your future behavior in the game,
“It’s often this element of a devastating loss that becomes a turning point for people in Eve Online. By losing your spaceship or making a mistake that costs you everything that you’ve earned so far, if you have the social support to get out of that, that’s really when you start to become an Eve player for real.”
If you’ve played EVE Online, you know the prevalence of loss. In fact, Hilmar shared an observation the team has made that when players experience loss, they drift towards social structures. The team identified people who assist these players as “helpers,”
“They want to help others, and in a game that has so many opportunities for mistakes and loss, that is where helpers thrive. And when we look at the people who identify as helpers, we see they have the highest engagement.”
It’s an interesting read and concept to say the least, given the seemingly relentless punishing nature of EVE Online. What has been your worst experience with loss in EVE Online? Sound off below.
