CCP is looking for some testers to help out with the final polish on the upcoming EVE launcher. The launcher and enhancements to the visual experience are part of the overall EVE Online modernization as the game approaches its 20th anniversary next month.
The new launcher is in beta, so if you’re inclined to do some poking around and testing, you’re in luck. It’s downloadable for testing and you don’t have to remove the legacy launcher to test anything. The team is looking for feedback from a community known for giving feedback, so this is an opportunity to shape a new feature. Another will be tomorrow's sneak peek at the new visuals in New Eden at 1700 UTC.
Calling this new launcher part of EVE’s modernization process is applicable, since it is intended as a full redesign that serves a number of practical functions too. CCP touts that the new launcher “offers a more immersive experience by putting your characters front and center, and offering personalized content, in addition to improving security and performance”. You’ll see your characters when you log in and can select one and hit “Play Now”for access, but the original character select will be an optional setting.
The new launcher will also be a hub for sending bug reports directly, and grabbing data for support requests.
One highlight of the launcher will be its tailored nature, suited to your experience level. New players will see a more simplified version, with access to helpful guides and tutorials, and veterans will have something more focused on management, communication, and oversight.
The move also makes sense in light of the decision to discontinue support for old systems. This release “enables automatic updates, faster development, and native support for all operating systems and architectures supported by EVE Online”.
The beta build isn’t even feature complete yet, so this is your chance to get in there and help the team polish things up.
For full details, head to EVE Online.