EVE Vanguard is headed into its next era, Solstice, and CCP Games has released info on how the upcoming sandbox FPS will continue to evolve, as well as a look back (with stats!) upon the just-ended First Strike era. Plus, a new CCP Director’s Letter talks Vanguard and the overall path ahead for EVE.
CCP has released a new infographic about the recent Solstice event, which ran from June 20th to July 1st. In that event, there were more than 4.1 million Biomass collected, 5.8 million rounds of ammo crafted, and 1,730 people fell to their death. The event is also on a new roadmap, showing that event closing out the First Strike era. Now we enter the Solstice era.
During this time, CCP is highlighting expanding the front lines to add depth to the gameplay and more economic connections between EVE Vanguard and EVE Online through contraband. They're also increasing player agency, including more environments to explore, more deployment control, and more crafting options. So expanding gameplay elements like PVP flashpoints, more craftables that you can use in the field, and more activities to discover.
In a new video titled “Vanguard in Focus | A Future Vision”, CCP introduces their goals for Vanguard and what they’ll offer for players to really shape the platform and the experience. They want to build on the legacy they've created in two decades of EVE Online, and this also means attracting new players.
For an EVE player who isn’t one for FPS games, the deep economic systems are still player-made, and there’s room to grow and evolve. Everyone can create content too, from contracts to shipping contraband somewhere for others to potentially smuggle or use later. For someone intimidated by the vastness of EVE Online, there’s a foundation in EVE Vanguard and it could be a way for someone like that to experience New Eden, especially with a fresh release.
This is echoed in the new Director’s Letter: “Whether you're stepping into New Eden for the first time or a returning veteran, everyone starts on equal footing in EVE Vanguard, with no one having a head start”.
As for testing, they’re citing the importance of these First Strike playtests as they transition into Founders’ testing, calling it “invaluable” in helping them “avoid past pitfalls” from efforts to create a shooter in New Eden.
Supporting all this, the roadmap does promise more dev diaries, Q&As, and play tests. In November, there’s a big box labeled MAJOR UPDATE. All the info we get for now. Sometime after this, the Steam Early Access launch will happen.
