We've known for a little while that the EVE Online 2008 PvP Tournament will be a departure from how it's been run in previous years. Perhaps better reflecting the interests of the wider player base, the 2008 PvP tournament will feature mining that takes place amidst the chaos of combat. The implementation of these new objectives was briefly outlined by CCP Games in July, but they've now clarified the rules and systems to be used; a video they've put up on the official EVE site does a good job of explaining how it's all going to work.
Basically, all tournament participants will receive 'super characters' with all skills maxed at level 5. Both sides will have a Rorqual capital mining ship -- the space between those is considered to be the arena, where combat can occur. Both sides attempt to collect as much ore as possible within 15 minutes, as the video explains: "Any methods within the rules can be used to accomplish this and stop your opponents from doing the same. Mining ore yourself, killing enemy miners and looting their wrecks, stealing from enemy jetcans or just outright destroying the opposing team are all within the rules."
There will be 32 teams competing in the PvP tournament. Team registrations for the tournament will be done online, beginning on September 4th (Thursday) and ending on September 24th. Teams are registered by captains. Only the first 16 teams are guaranteed a tournament slot on a first-come-first-served basis. Be sure to check out the EVE Fanfest 2008 PvP Tournament rules that CCP has posted, which will fully explain:
- Signup & Registration
- Rules Enforcement
- Tournament Format
- Victory Conditions
- Arena
- Pre-game and Game Rules
- Ships & Fitting
- Post-Game
