Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Four years of EVE Evolved]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/29/eve-evolved-four-years-of-eve-evolved/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/29/eve-evolved-four-years-of-eve-evolved/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/29/eve-evolved-four-years-of-eve-evolved/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

EVE Evolved title image
On April 27th, 2008, I joined the Massively crew and published the first edition of a new weekly column dedicated to the world of EVE Online. It's hard to believe that the EVE Evolved column is now four years old, spanning nine major expansions and predating CCP Games' transformation into an industry giant with three games in development. Since the column's first crude scribbling about shuttles, I've written over 200 in-depth articles, guides, stories, and opinion pieces. With its free expansions and iterative updates, EVE is a rapidly changing game that provides a constant supply of things to write about.

To celebrate the fourth anniversary of the column, I'm giving away two 30-day Pilot's License EXtensions to two lucky readers. To enter the competition, leave a comment stating which EVE Evolved article from this year is your favourite, and why it's your favorite, and what topic you'd like to see covered in the coming year. You will need an active EVE account to claim the prize, so be sure to include a character name with your comment if you want to be able to win a prize. If you're not comfortable with giving out your character name, use an alternate character or sign up a new trial account. The winners' names will be revealed in next week's column.

In this week's EVE Evolved, I look back at some of the highlights from the column's fourth year.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Four years of EVE Evolved

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Four years of EVE Evolved originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 29 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anniversaryapocryphaccpccp-gamescolumnconsolecontestcrucibledustdust-514eveeve-evolvedeve-onlinefeaturedfour-yearfour-year-anniversaryfour-yearsfpsincarnainfernommofpsnyphurplaystationplaystation-3plexps3sandboxsci-fishooterSun, 29 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Setting the universe on fire]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/26/eve-evolved-setting-the-universe-on-fire/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/26/eve-evolved-setting-the-universe-on-fire/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/26/eve-evolved-setting-the-universe-on-fire/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

EVE Evolved title image
This week CCP Games announced the name and focus of EVE Online's upcoming summer expansion. The Inferno expansion aims to re-invigorate PvP with some long overdue gameplay changes. CONCORD-sanctioned wars will be iterated on for the first time in half a decade, and faction warfare will hopefully be getting the updates it should have received in 2008. Following on from the success of the Crucible expansion with its hundreds of small features and gameplay changes, Inferno will also contain dozens of small gameplay changes, usability fixes, and minor improvements.

We'll hear more about DUST 514 in the coming months as CCP reveals more concrete details of the game's link to EVE Online and the motivations behind planet-bound wars. Incarna fans will apparently also see some movement, with Team Avatar focusing on avatar-based updates for this release. While Inferno is a rather uninspired name and coincidentally would make three of the last four expansions start with the word "in," the expansion's content is genuinely exciting. Fundamental changes are coming to EVE's PvP mechanics for the first time in several years. CCP hasn't revealed the exact changes, but that hasn't stopped players from speculating on what might be heading their way.

In this week's EVE Evolved, I speculate on the changes coming in the upcoming Inferno expansion and what changes I think might be coming to EVE's PvP.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Setting the universe on fire

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Setting the universe on fire originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 26 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apocryphabounty-hunterbounty-huntingccpccp-gamesconsolecrucibledustdust-514empyrean-ageeveeve-evolvedeve-fanfesteve-fanfest-2012eve-onlineexpansionexpansionsfanfestfeaturedfirefpsgame-mechanicsincarnainfernommofpson-fireopinionplaystationplaystation-3ps3pvpsandboxsci-fishooterspeculationsummerwarwardecSun, 26 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Expansions, not excuses]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/11/eve-evolved-expansions-not-excuses/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/11/eve-evolved-expansions-not-excuses/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/11/eve-evolved-expansions-not-excuses/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

EVE Evolved title image
Over the last few months, the phrase "Flying in Space" has been increasingly used by both EVE Online's developers and its players to describe features other than those of Incarna. It seems like a redundant phrase as all of EVE's gameplay currently takes place in space, but the distinction has become necessary when discussing the allocation of development resources. Members of EVE's player-elected Council of Stellar Management have recently spearheaded a wave of new complaints about the level of resources dedicated to EVE's in-space features, claiming that developers have been left without the resources necessary to do a good job.

In the previous three EVE Evolved columns, I discussed the upcoming nullsec revamp scheduled to begin this winter and the incredible new gameplay players might get as part of it. Members of the CSM know exactly how many people will be working on that revamp, and although those numbers haven't been made public, several delegates have gone public with their disapproval. EVE's subscription fees are currently paying for the development of CCP's upcoming fantasy MMO World of Darkness and its ambitious console MMOFPS DUST 514, leaving few resources for new EVE gameplay and content.

In this week's EVE Evolved, I look back at the success of EVE's first blockbuster expansion and ask why development on EVE Online has dramatically decreased over the past two and a half years.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Expansions, not excuses

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Expansions, not excuses originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 11 Sep 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apocryphaccpccp-eveccp-gamescouncil-of-stellar-managementcsmdominioneveeve-ccpeve-evolvedeve-mmorpgeve-onlineexpansionfeaturedflying-in-spaceincarnaincursionmark-heardpeak-concurrent-usersseleenespacesubscription-numbersthe-mittanityrannisSun, 11 Sep 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EON Magazine issue 24 looks back at EVE Online's Apocrypha expansion]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/23/eon-magazine-issue-24-looks-back-at-eve-onlines-apocrypha-expan/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/23/eon-magazine-issue-24-looks-back-at-eve-onlines-apocrypha-expan/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/23/eon-magazine-issue-24-looks-back-at-eve-onlines-apocrypha-expan/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Issue 24 of EVE Online's quarterly official magazine EON hit the shelves this month, bringing a fresh dose of internet spaceships to coffee tables and bathrooms everywhere. Produced by MMM Publishing and written by a growing cast of writers from within the EVE community, EON provides something solid for fans of EVE to hold on to and acts as a snapshot in time or record of the game as it evolves. Recent big news stories and nullsec wars are detailed in each issue, along with editorial pieces, fiction, interviews and guides.

The latest issue is a wormhole special, with a huge focus on 2009's incredibly successful Apocrypha expansion and the hidden wormhole systems it brought to EVE. In addition to the second part of Pottsey's background on the ancient Sleeper race locked away in wormhole systems, the magazine contains testflights of the four strategic cruisers produced from materials discovered in wormhole space. A fantastically insightful article on the making of Apocrypha also delves into the gritty details of how CCP put its entire weight behind one incredible expansion during a time of real world economic turmoil.

Skip past the cut for a breakdown of everything in EON Issue 24 and my impressions from reading through it.

Continue reading EON Magazine issue 24 looks back at EVE Online's Apocrypha expansion

MassivelyEON Magazine issue 24 looks back at EVE Online's Apocrypha expansion originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 23 Jul 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apocryphaccpccp-eveccp-gamese-oneoneveeve-ccpeve-mmorpgeve-onlineexpansionfeaturedissue-24magmagazinenoah-wardreviewreviewsrichie-shoemakersleepersleepersstrategic-cruiserstech-3templar-onetony-gonzaleswormholeszapateroSat, 23 Jul 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Perfect Ten: Most controversial MMO stories of 2010]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/16/the-perfect-ten-most-controversial-mmo-stories-of-2010/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/16/the-perfect-ten-most-controversial-mmo-stories-of-2010/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/16/the-perfect-ten-most-controversial-mmo-stories-of-2010/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Well, this is it, folks. The end of the year. A time of reflection, of massive weight gain and of lists. Man, we like our lists, do we not? Fortunately, at Perfect Ten Industries, we've been excelling in lists for months now. Frankly, we're just getting warmed up!

While 2010 may not have been much to write home about in terms of newly launched MMOs, there was more than enough controversy to keep the discussion brewing for months. MMOs are big business, and when every move you make is closely scrutinized by millions of gamers, there's no room to slip up unless you like forum hyenas pouncing all over you, snapping and snarling at your faulty flesh.

So let's take a jaunt down our top 10 list of the most controversial stories of 2010 on Massively, keeping in mind that it was devilishly hard just to keep this list to 10 at all. What's a week without being riled up about pixels and polygons, after all?

Continue reading The Perfect Ten: Most controversial MMO stories of 2010

MassivelyThe Perfect Ten: Most controversial MMO stories of 2010 originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 16 Dec 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advisory-councilalganonallodsallods-onlineapocryphaAtaribethesdaBethesda-Softworksc-storeccpCCP-GamescodemasterscontroversyCraig-Zinkievichcrypticcryptic-studiosdavid-allenddoddo-offer-walldelayderek-smartdungeons-and-dragons-onlineeaea-lousElectronic-Artsend-of-the-year-2010europeeuropean-games-awardseveeve-onlinefeaturedfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivgpotatointerplaylaglawsuitlegallord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromythicMythic-Entertainmentoffer-wallragequitsquare-enixstar-trek-onlinestar-wars-the-old-republicstostockstockholderswtorthe-old-republictorturbinewarWarhammer-OnlineThu, 16 Dec 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: The EVE Online that could be]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/05/eve-evolved-the-eve-online-that-could-be/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/05/eve-evolved-the-eve-online-that-could-be/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/05/eve-evolved-the-eve-online-that-could-be/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Each of us has a different idea of the perfect game, whether it's an existing game with a few tweaks or something completely new. Game designers work tirelessly to make their own vision of the perfect game a reality, but there's no telling what players will think of a feature until it's finished. In the process of transforming a feature from a gleam in the game designer's eye to a finished product, something is unfortunately often lost in translation. Limitations in the technology being used or the manpower available can render the ideal implementation infeasible.

As players, we don't really see that full development process. That doesn't stop us from painting our perfect vision of an upcoming or potential feature and how awesome it could be. In the coming years, the EVE Online developers will be going through the process of making some of their most incredible visions a reality. Ideas like walking in stations and integrating the upcoming MMOFPS Dust 514 with EVE's planetary interaction feature will be put through a potentially brutal development process. We can only hope that as little as possible of those visions we've heard from EVE's developers gets lost in translation.

In this speculative opinion piece, I look at a few areas in which EVE is sure to be expanded in the coming years and discuss what I'd consider to be the ideal way they could be implemented or handled.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: The EVE Online that could be

MassivelyEVE Evolved: The EVE Online that could be originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 05 Sep 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apocryphaccpccp-eveccp-gamesdominioneoheoh-pokereveeve-ccpeve-evolvedeve-mmorpgeve-onlineexpansionexpansionsfeaturedincarnaiterationmini-gamesMinigamesopinionplanetplanetary-interactionpokersleepersovereigntyspreadsheets-in-spacestationstyranniswormholewormhole-explorationwormholesSun, 05 Sep 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Planet Risk podcast explains tactics for EVE's high level wormholes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/29/planet-risk-podcast-explains-tactics-for-eves-high-level-wormho/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/29/planet-risk-podcast-explains-tactics-for-eves-high-level-wormho/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/29/planet-risk-podcast-explains-tactics-for-eves-high-level-wormho/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

The EVE Online-focused Planet Risk Show returned this week after a planned holiday hiatus. For those who've never heard of Planet Risk, it's a live weekly Split Infinity Radio program that's also released as a podcast. Planet Risk differs from most EVE podcasts in that it's largely focused on wormhole colonization, which only became possible after the Apocrypha expansion was released, allowing players to pull back the curtain of known space and head into uncharted expanses. Hosts Luminus Aardokay and Quivering Palm spend most of their EVE time in wormhole space, so they're fast becoming experts on the subject. Indeed, they broadcast The Planet Risk Show from within their colonized wormhole system, which is a rather unique one in the game.

Their home is one of the most hostile types of wormholes in New Eden -- a Class 6 -- where the Sleeper NPCs are especially deadly. The ship setups and tactics used against the Sleepers in such a solar system differ greatly from how it's done in lower class wormholes. They explain some of the tricks that allow them to overcome the Sleepers in their Class 6 wormhole this week in Episode 13 -- right around the 1 hour 11 second mark. It's a good listen, particularly as there isn't a great deal of information available on such high level encounters in the game.

Continue reading Planet Risk podcast explains tactics for EVE's high level wormholes

MassivelyPlanet Risk podcast explains tactics for EVE's high level wormholes originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 29 Jan 2010 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apocryphaccpccp-gamesclass-5class-6eveeve-onlineexplorationgame-mechanicsluminus-aardokayplanet-riskpodcastspvequivering-palmsci-fisleepersthe-planet-risk-showtips-and-tricksw-spacewormholesFri, 29 Jan 2010 23:59:00 EST<![CDATA[CCP releases first video tutorial for exploration in EVE Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/18/ccp-releases-first-video-tutorial-for-exploration-in-eve-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/18/ccp-releases-first-video-tutorial-for-exploration-in-eve-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/18/ccp-releases-first-video-tutorial-for-exploration-in-eve-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Exploration is one of the more rewarding mini-professions a player can have in EVE Online. With the right skills you can scan down all types of hidden content, such as harvestable gas clouds, hidden asteroid belts, and combat encounters that take advantage of an explorer's skills like Archaeology and Hacking. The new exploration system that became part of EVE with the Apocrypha expansion last winter also made it possible for players to discover wormholes leading to uncharted space. However, exploration is also something a number of new players feel daunted by. (Truth be told though, the drag and drop system of manually guiding probes on a map and adjusting scan ranges is *far* easier than what many of the older players will remember from exploration pre-Apocrypha.)

EVE Online currently has four different exploration tutorials in-game to help players get a handle on the profession, but sometimes it's easier to just sit back and watch how it's done. CCP has now released a video tutorial for exploration that teaches players how to scan down the hidden content. The EVE Online: Scanning Guide Tutorial is a tag team effort from EVE TV's CCP Charlie who goes through the steps while Stevie SG narrates. They show the viewer how it's possible to find a wormhole in just a few minutes. The video tutorial coincides with the free Zephyr exploration ship that players are receiving as a holiday gift from CCP Games. Stay with us after the jump for a video embed of the official Scanning Guide Tutorial for EVE Online.

Continue reading CCP releases first video tutorial for exploration in EVE Online

MassivelyCCP releases first video tutorial for exploration in EVE Online originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 Dec 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apocryphaarchaeologyccpccp-charlieccp-gamesdeadspace-complexeveeve-onlineexplorationladarmagnetometricmini-professionsplexesprofessionsradarscanningsci-fistevie-sgtutorialsvideowormholesFri, 18 Dec 2009 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New starry backgrounds in EVE Online spotted]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/15/new-starry-backgrounds-in-eve-online-spotted/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/15/new-starry-backgrounds-in-eve-online-spotted/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/15/new-starry-backgrounds-in-eve-online-spotted/#commentsFiled under: , ,


CCP Games has been rolling out some major graphical improvements to EVE Online since the Trinity expansion launched, bringing with it a new graphics engine and an updated look to the game's setting through the premium client. The first iteration of graphics enhancements added a shiny new veneer to EVE's ships, but those changes weren't skin deep. The models themselves were recreated through months of effort by the game's art team, and the look of the ships is now much improved. Later space stations (both inside and out) and stargates were given a facelift with much greater detail and shadows. The Apocrypha expansion brought new effects for electronic warfare modules and weapons, but it also introduced something else to the aesthetics of EVE -- those gorgeous backdrops found in the uncharted expanses of wormhole space.

By comparison, some players feel that the nebula-laced appearance of mapped solar systems is starting to look dated. While EVE's nebulas aren't likely to change anytime soon, players on the Singularity test server are posting screenshots of starry backgrounds which have made an appearance this week. You can check out the shots taken by various players at Scrapheap Challenge and in these threads on the official EVE forums. Whether these new starry backdrops will make their way into the Dominion expansion release in December isn't certain, but combining this look with the swirling clouds on New Eden's planets would certainly kick EVE's aesthetics up another notch or two.

Continue reading New starry backgrounds in EVE Online spotted

MassivelyNew starry backgrounds in EVE Online spotted originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 15 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apocryphaccpccp-gamesdominioneveeve-onlineexpansionsgraphicsnew-edenpremium-graphicssingularityskyboxskydomestarstest-servertrinityThu, 15 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Tech 3 Strategic Cruisers]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/06/eve-evolved-tech-3-strategic-cruisers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/06/eve-evolved-tech-3-strategic-cruisers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/06/eve-evolved-tech-3-strategic-cruisers/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,


With EVE Online's Apocrypha expansion came an entire new class of ship. Tech 3 Strategic Cruisers represent a new wave of technology in EVE. Rather than being simply improved versions of the existing Tech 2 ships, Strategic Cruisers are modular ships reverse engineered from ancient Sleeper and Talocan components. They allow players to design their own ship from a base hull and a set of five subsystems. Each subsystem has four options, with a fifth possibly in the works. Original designs called for the ship to improve as it was used, but this was replaced with a set of rank 1 skills and you lose a level of one of them if your ship is destroyed. A fully fit Tech 3 ship originally would have cost you upwards of two billion isk but prices have since dropped to around the 600 million mark and they're still falling. As these ships have become more affordable, I've had a chance to see some of them in action and see first hand what they can do.

Join me in this visual gallery article where I dish out some information on Strategic Cruisers and then examine a few of the different ways these ships can be fit to fulfill different roles. If you have a particularly inventive setup, feel free to post it as a comment.

Gallery: EVE Strategic Cruisers

4096 combinationsTech 3 productionSkill lossConcept artTalocan Cruiser

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Tech 3 Strategic Cruisers originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 06 Sep 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apocryphaccpccp-gameseveeve-evolvedeve-onlinefeaturedlegionlokiopinionproteussleeperstrategic-cruiserssubsystemtalocantech-3tenguSun, 06 Sep 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Online mini expansion Apocrypha 1.5 deploys Thursday, Aug 20th]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/19/eve-online-mini-expansion-apocrypha-1-5-deploys-thursday-aug-20/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/19/eve-online-mini-expansion-apocrypha-1-5-deploys-thursday-aug-20/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/19/eve-online-mini-expansion-apocrypha-1-5-deploys-thursday-aug-20/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Tomorrow, EVE Online will launch Apocrypha 1.5, which CCP Games has dubbed a "mini-expansion." The Apocrypha expansion was released in March and introduced a slew of new features to the game, but there were more changes in the works that didn't make it into that first release. The 1.5 changes slated to roll out tomorrow are numerous and will introduce a few new aspects to EVE Online, more than a typical patch would, but cannot be considered a full expansion release either.

[UPDATED]: The maintenance window has been extended "due to delays earlier in the deployment process" per CCP. Tranquility is expected to come online at 16:30 GMT (12:30 PM Eastern).

Read on for Massively's highlights of what Apocrypha 1.5 will bring.

Continue reading EVE Online mini expansion Apocrypha 1.5 deploys Thursday, Aug 20th

MassivelyEVE Online mini expansion Apocrypha 1.5 deploys Thursday, Aug 20th originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 19 Aug 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apocryphaapocrypha-1.5bug-fixesbugsccp-gamesepic-mission-arcseve-onlineexpansionsexploitsfactional-warfaregame-mechanicsmini-expansionmissionspatchesquestsrigssci-fispecialized-cargo-holdsWed, 19 Aug 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Untangling the mystery of the Sleepers]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/19/eve-evolved-untangling-the-mystery-of-the-sleepers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/19/eve-evolved-untangling-the-mystery-of-the-sleepers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/19/eve-evolved-untangling-the-mystery-of-the-sleepers/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,


When EVE Online's Apocrypha expansion was released, details on how wormholes and the 2500 new systems that came with them worked were sketchy. The advanced Sleeper AI found protecting these systems were a force to be feared, unknown and mysterious. There were no guides, no stories of encounters on the forums and anyone that had mounted a successful expedition was keeping their closely guarded secrets to themselves and raking in the ISK.

My corporation (Pillowsoft) were among the first to launch their expedition, having previously prepared an Orca with a medium POS, fuel, equipment and everything else we thought we'd need. We set up in an unknown system and explored this new frontier with a cautious optimism. Over the months that followed, we learned a great deal about EVE's new wormhole systems and the Sleepers that lived in them. After striking gold many times and making each of our expedition members over a billion ISK richer, we began telling our story and giving up those secrets we had been so careful to protect. Today, a great deal is now known about the "unknown" wormhole systems and with ever more corporations launching their own expeditions, it's now more important than ever to research the Sleeper menace before venturing into the abyss.

Join me for this extensive three-page article where I dole out the fruits of my research on wormholes and begin to untangle the mystery of the Sleepers.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Untangling the mystery of the Sleepers

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Untangling the mystery of the Sleepers originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 19 Jul 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pilots in EVE Online can do a lot to optimize their ship loadouts for specific purposes. Many ship hulls in the game can be quite versatile depending upon which modules you choose, allowing a pilot to excel in a particular pursuit or task in EVE. Another layer of ship customization is the use of rigs, essentially devices that impart specific bonuses to a ship. These add-ons allow you to do anything from perma-running your Level 4 mission tank to pinpointing hidden exploration content. But the high costs and fact that rigs can't be removed without destroying them have ensured they're used almost exclusively on large ship classes, namely battleships, given their substantial tanks and survivability.

Pilots who prefer to fly smaller ships like frigates and cruisers will soon have more cost-effective options for tricking out their ships using small and medium rigs, to be introduced with Apocrypha 1.5 in August. Small rigs will be used on frigates, destroyers, interceptors, and interdictors, priced between 100k - 1 million ISK. Medium rigs will be installed on cruisers, industrials, and battlecruisers, at a cost between 600k ISK and 5 million ISK. These are substantially reduced prices from the game's current offerings, but these smaller rigs won't have watered down bonuses. They will provide the same benefits (and drawbacks) as the larger rigs in terms of percentages.

Continue reading EVE dev blog explains tricking out your ships with new rigs

MassivelyEVE dev blog explains tricking out your ships with new rigs originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 06 Jul 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apocryphaapocrypha-1.5ccp-chronotiscraftingcustomizationdev-blogdev-blogseveeve-onlinegame-mechanicsmedium-rigsmini-professionspatchesprofessionsrigssalvagersalvagingsci-fismall-rigsMon, 06 Jul 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[CCP Games reveals next major Apocrypha update for EVE Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/30/ccp-games-reveals-next-major-apocrypha-update-for-eve-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/30/ccp-games-reveals-next-major-apocrypha-update-for-eve-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/30/ccp-games-reveals-next-major-apocrypha-update-for-eve-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


EVE Online senior producer CCP t0rfifrans just published a dev blog about the next major update to the game, Apocrypha 1.5. This is not a completely new expansion, just a significant update they will release in August before EVE's (as-yet-unnamed) winter expansion. While CCP hasn't released the complete rundown of Apocrypha 1.5's features and changes, they have announced a few highlights:

  • Perhaps the biggest changes in 1.5 will be factional warfare improvements. Beyond responding to the lag issues many players have been reporting with factional warfare, CCP is going to introduce Loyalty Points (LP) for kills and captures, and each militia will have its own LP store where militia players can cash in for items unique to that faction.
  • Several Level 4 epic mission arcs will be introduced, tied to specific races in New Eden. CCP t0rfifrans writes: "These captivating stories deal with moral ambiguity, intrigue, honor, and some people's lack of it. This should come as no surprise to those who know EVE and what we are about. As before with the epic arc that was released with Apocrypha, they provide a deep, interesting story, where your choices influence the outcome."
  • One of the long awaited buffs for Black Ops battleships will arrive: specialized cargo holds. The first use of this system will be to give Black Ops ships fuel bays, but this feature paves the way for similar additions to other ship classes in the future. For instance, some ships may one day be given ammo bays, freeing up valuable cargo space.
  • Rigs will be offered in different sizes, with frigate and cruiser sized rigs introduced to the game. These new small and medium rigs will be cheaper to buy or manufacture, and thus provide a lower cost way for players to trick out their ships.
CCP t0rfifrans also dropped a few hints about the forthcoming winter expansion, which will *not* be Walking in Stations. He writes: "All I can say, is that it is focused on sovereignty and you will not be able to walk in it."

We'll keep our eyes open for more about Apocrypha 1.5 as information becomes available.

MassivelyCCP Games reveals next major Apocrypha update for EVE Online originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apocryphaapocrypha-1.5black-opsbreakingccp-gamesccp-t0rfifransdev-blogdev-blogsempyrean-ageepic-mission-arcseveeve-onlinefactional-warfarefuel-bayfuel-baysgame-mechanicsloyalty-pointslpmissionspatchespvprigssci-fisenior-producersovereigntyspecialized-cargo-holdstorfi-frans-olafssonwalking-in-stationsTue, 30 Jun 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Apocrypha 1.3 improvements and Tech III changes coming to EVE on Monday June 29]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/26/apocrypha-1.3-improvements-and-tech-iii-changes-coming-to-eve-on-monday/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/26/apocrypha-1.3-improvements-and-tech-iii-changes-coming-to-eve-on-monday/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/26/apocrypha-1.3-improvements-and-tech-iii-changes-coming-to-eve-on-monday/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


EVE Online patch Apocrypha 1.3 is slated for a Monday June 29 deployment. CCP Games is pushing ahead with their Need for Speed initiative, which aims to streamline the game's performance and provide a better play experience. They're making some database changes with the next Apocrypha patch that should improve what you experience in your game client with inventory management, but beyond addressing "The Jita Problem" there will be a fair number of changes in the next patch.

On that topic of speed, players should notice a huge change with starbase deployment (or hasty tear downs): players will be able to anchor, online, or unanchor offensive and defensive starbase structures in half the time it took previously. (Ninja POS deployment?) Perhaps more significant to some players than others, station reprocessing will be much faster -- apparently refining stacks of items will be up to 25 times faster than before. Also, some of those changes to Tech III production we've mentioned before are going into effect on Monday, and should ultimately be a boost for Tech III. Apocrypha 1.3's changes extend far beyond what is mentioned here; players heavily invested in wormhole exploration and the production it fuels should look closely at the patch notes to see how CCP's changes to the game might affect them.

Continue reading Apocrypha 1.3 improvements and Tech III changes coming to EVE on Monday June 29

MassivelyApocrypha 1.3 improvements and Tech III changes coming to EVE on Monday June 29 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 26 Jun 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apocryphaccp-gameseveeve-onlinegame-mechanicsjitaneed-for-speedpatch-notespatchesperformancepossci-fisleepersleepersstarbasetech-3tech-iiiwormhole-explorationwormholesFri, 26 Jun 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Next EVE Online patch will boost Tech III production]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/09/next-eve-online-patch-will-boost-tech-iii-production/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/09/next-eve-online-patch-will-boost-tech-iii-production/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/09/next-eve-online-patch-will-boost-tech-iii-production/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


The Apocrypha expansion for EVE Online introduced wormhole exploration to the game and with it, the potential to reverse engineer advanced technology from the Sleeper NPC race. The goal for many such explorers is ultimately to produce the next iteration of ship technology in the game; these Tech III strategic cruisers feature modular designs that can accomplish some impressive things. This, coupled with their rarity and sky high prices make Tech III ships into everybody's favorite multi-billion ISK gankmagnets, and it's that scarcity that EVE game designer CCP Chronotis addresses in his latest dev blog.

He writes that CCP Games will make some changes in the next Apocrypha patch that will affect the supply of Tech III materials. Specifically, they're going to boost reverse engineering while also balancing out the types of salvage gained from Sleeper NPC wrecks, and increase the availability of Tech III production materials in general. If you're involved in wormhole exploration or Tech III production, consider this dev blog from CCP Chronotis a heads up as to the changes on the way.

MassivelyNext EVE Online patch will boost Tech III production originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 09 Jun 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apocryphaccp-chronotisccp-gamescraftingdev-blogeconomyeve-onlineexpansionsgame-mechanicsgankmagnetiskpatchessalvagesci-fisleepersstrategic-cruiserstech-3tech-iiiwormhole-explorationTue, 09 Jun 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[An angle on EVE's New Player Experience and the game's harsh realities]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/27/an-angle-on-eves-new-player-experience-and-the-games-harsh-rea/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/27/an-angle-on-eves-new-player-experience-and-the-games-harsh-rea/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/27/an-angle-on-eves-new-player-experience-and-the-games-harsh-rea/#commentsFiled under: , ,


There are few MMOs on the market today that can seem as intimidating to a new player as EVE Online. Some of this comes from the infamous things people have heard about the game, tales of deception and betrayal, but there is a fair amount of complexity to EVE as well and no shortage of digital villains prowling New Eden's thousands of solar systems injecting risk into the game.

The first days and weeks of gameplay experienced by many pilots has led to more than a few descriptions of the experience as an initiation of sorts, conjuring up images of hazings, an analogy that actually holds true in many respects. Anyone who sticks with the game learns through trial and error that the setting of New Eden, by design, can be quite harsh. Even if you're not into PvP, it pervades EVE Online; at the very least players who are to succeed in the game must ultimately learn to adapt and evade the more malevolent players, if not defend themselves from attackers directly.

While EVE will likely never be as easy to get a handle on as some other MMOs out there -- the game's depth and complexity actually being a major draw for its subscribers -- CCP Games has taken steps to better ease new players into New Eden with the New Player Experience (NPE) which was part of the Apocrypha expansion launch. But is EVE's New Player Experience, which does not separate rookie pilots into a safe zone to learn the ropes, the right way to introduce players to the game? This is the focus of a WarCry article by Steven Croop titled "Aura is Aura by Any Other Name".

Continue reading An angle on EVE's New Player Experience and the game's harsh realities

MassivelyAn angle on EVE's New Player Experience and the game's harsh realities originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 27 May 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apocryphaauraccp-gameseveeve-onlinenew-edennew-player-experiencenpeopinionrookierookiessci-fisteven-crooptutorialtutorialswarcryWed, 27 May 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Latest EVE patch changes how hostiles appear in overview]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/14/latest-eve-patch-changes-how-hostiles-appear-in-overview/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/14/latest-eve-patch-changes-how-hostiles-appear-in-overview/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/14/latest-eve-patch-changes-how-hostiles-appear-in-overview/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Massively has pointed out a few highlights of what the Apocrypha 1.2 patch brings to EVE Online, but today's dev blog from CCP Greyscale explains the big changes they've made to the overview. The overview is an essential aspect of the UI which allows players to better understand what's happening around them in three dimensional space, so any major change to how it works or displays threats is something all EVE players really need to be aware of.

When the Apocrypha expansion launched in March, players (finally) gained the ability to freeze the overview by holding down 'control', a useful enhancement which hopefully has led to fewer friendly fire incidents. Today's patch, however, changes how hostiles are displayed in the overview. CCP Greyscale's tl;dr version is "After patch, blinky people on overview = war targets, not outlaws." That said, there's a lot more to this and he details how and why they've made changes to the overview in his dev blog, "Apocrypha 1.2 - Important Overview Indicator Changes". The players are discussing the changes Greyscale outlines in a forum thread connected with the dev blog, so be sure to weigh in there with your views or questions.

MassivelyLatest EVE patch changes how hostiles appear in overview originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 14 May 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CCP Games has announced that EVE Online will be patched to Apocrypha 1.2 on Thursday, May 14, and will require extended server downtime. Downtime is expected to last from 05:00 GMT to 12:00 GMT. The game's official forums will be unavailable for at least part of the downtime, CCP states.

The sheer number of changes being made to EVE Online with this patch -- some minor, others major -- is beyond the scope of this post. However, there are a few significant aspects of Apocrypha 1.2 we'd like to point out for our readers:

Continue reading EVE Online extended Thursday downtime to bring numerous fixes to game

MassivelyEVE Online extended Thursday downtime to bring numerous fixes to game originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 13 May 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The CCP Games art team is behind the latest EVE Online dev blog, one that focuses on the game's newest ship class, the Tech III 'strategic cruisers', as well as the EVE's updated effects. Tech III has brought modular ship designs to the sci-fi title, introducing a new level of flexibility and complexity to the game. EVE developer CCP jBot writes that the hundreds of potential configurations available when the Apocrypha expansion launched has expanded into the thousands (4096 to be precise) with the introduction of the fourth Tech III subsystem.

The versatility of strategic cruisers impressive but presently, as with anything new in EVE, their extreme costs make them a rarity in the game until prices reach something resembling equilibrium. Still, even ISK-challenged capsuleers dare to dream; CCP Games has put together a video that shows off the evolution of Tech III from the design sketches to blockout models, and right through paintovers to the the finished art assets. We've got it embedded for you below, best viewed in fullscreen HD.

Continue reading EVE Online video shows off design evolution of Tech III ships

MassivelyEVE Online video shows off design evolution of Tech III ships originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 25 Apr 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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One of the greatest strengths of EVE Online is its lore, which chronicles generations of struggle between New Eden's races and their continual political and ideological upheavals. Not everyone will agree with that opinion, of course, just as not all players seek out immersion in New Eden. For those who do, EVE has been building up short stories to flesh out the lore over the past six years -- all nicely collected on their site -- gritty tales of New Eden's technological heights and moral depths. It's already led to a novel titled Empyrean Age authored by Tony Gonzales, which will hopefully lead to a follow-up work.

Given all the attention CCP Games has given to adding these dimensions and layers to the game's backstory, the truth is that EVE is as much a virtual setting as it is a game; as such, there's always a need to expand and refine that setting. A solid backstory is important but it's equally important to EVE's players to be able to interact with it, feel like they're really a part of New Eden in some way. Live events and storyline missions (quests) have been used in the past to this end. However, in the case of missions, a player's role in New Eden's story hasn't quite matched up with what many feel it could be. CCP's efforts to make EVE Online's storylines more engaging is the focus of their latest dev blog, titled "Telling Stories: Evolution of the Atlanta Content Team".

Continue reading Telling more engaging stories in EVE Online

MassivelyTelling more engaging stories in EVE Online originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 19 Apr 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apocryphaatlantabackstoryccp-technobabbledev-blogdev-blogsempyrean-ageepic-mission-arcseveeve-onlineexpansionsfictiongame-mechanicsimmersionloremission-runningmissionsnew-edenquestssci-fitony-gonzalesSun, 19 Apr 2009 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Black Rabbits Academy teaches piracy in EVE Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/16/the-black-rabbits-academy-teaches-piracy-in-eve-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/16/the-black-rabbits-academy-teaches-piracy-in-eve-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/16/the-black-rabbits-academy-teaches-piracy-in-eve-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Among all the massively multiplayer online games on the market, EVE Online is perhaps the most complex game running, which is part of the title's appeal. The learning curve has, in the past, dissuaded some MMO gamers from really digging in to EVE, but that curve has been getting a bit less steep as the tutorial improves. The Apocrypha expansion's New Player Experience also aims to make those first weeks in New Eden easier. That said, the best resource available to new EVE players is the game's playerbase itself. It's always best to learn from others and when possible, with others. That's one of the unique things about EVE -- players form corporations for various purposes, one of which is to provide schools or academies where various facets of the game are taught by experienced players. Players can learn alongside others who share similar interests.

You want to learn the ropes of the game? You can join EVE University and take part in their organized classes or listen to speakers on various topics in New Eden. Want to learn how to kick ass in PvP? Take a class at Agony Unleashed and they'll turn you into a killer in no time. But EVE University and the other training-focused corps tend to focus on the more 'legitimate' aspects of the game. But what if you want a training course that lets you learn about and become part of New Eden's criminal society? There are options.

Continue reading The Black Rabbits Academy teaches piracy in EVE Online

MassivelyThe Black Rabbits Academy teaches piracy in EVE Online originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 16 Apr 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>academiesacademyagony-unleashedapocryphaeve-onlineeve-universityh-lecterinterstellar-correspondentsisdisd-deacon-yorknew-edennew-player-experiencenpeoutlawspiracypiratespvp-schoolteachingthe-black-rabbits-academythe-guristas-associatesveto-corpThu, 16 Apr 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Apocrypha 1.1 patch brings a host of changes to EVE Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/15/apocrypha-1-1-patch-brings-a-host-of-changes-to-eve-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/15/apocrypha-1-1-patch-brings-a-host-of-changes-to-eve-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/15/apocrypha-1-1-patch-brings-a-host-of-changes-to-eve-online/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


EVE Online's next iteration of the Apocrypha expansion, version 1.1, is slated to deploy on April 16th, bringing with it some major changes and a host of smaller fixes and adjustments. The patch notes are exhaustive, but this isn't a complaint. It's good that CCP Games has been thorough and not stealth-introduced these changes, many of which have been discussed on the forums already such as the ECM and stealth bomber changes. That said, some of the patch notes we've seen for EVE could be released in volumes, or at least as condensed books. The Apocrypha 1.1 patch notes are rather detailed as well; if you have a look you'll see what we mean.

Apocrypha 1.1 represents some significant changes that EVE Online's players will no doubt have some strong opinions about. With that in mind, let's have a moment of silence for the mighty Falcon; even in death your strength provokes e-rage. Its ECM effectiveness at long range has sparked no small amount of outcry from its victims while endearing itself to many Caldari recon ship pilots. From the comments connected with Apocrypha 1.1, it looks like the Falcon's death is as hotly debated as its life. Some will miss it while others are happy that CCP is changing the ship's bonuses.

More changes might be listed or adjustments made before tomorrow's downtime, and as always with the EVE Online patch notes, updated info will appear in green text.

MassivelyApocrypha 1.1 patch brings a host of changes to EVE Online originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 15 Apr 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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When it was released back in 2003, EVE Online was one of the most visually impressive games on the market. Over the coming years, the graphics aged gracefully next to competitors on the market and all seemed well. Nonetheless, CCP were not content to let their flagship game's graphics eventually go out of date. In true CCP style, they developed a long-term staged delivery plan for the complete overhaul of the game's graphics. The first stage of delivery came with the Trinity expansion, in which a premium client was launched with incredible high resolution ship models. This was just the first stage in a plan to keep EVE graphically ahead of any competitors.

In this technical article, I look at the science of making EVE beautiful and examine CCP's plans for the future.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Making EVE beautiful

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Making EVE beautiful originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 12 Apr 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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I was dreading having to manually enter that long API string linked to my EVE account, but Capsuleer's system made it quite easy. Can you tell me about the Import Control System?

Roc: The Import Control System was Sam's brainchild. Nobody wants to manually enter that string, myself included, but I also don't like applications "scraping" my game login data from the EVE Online website. The entire point of an API is to be able to access it without using your game login credentials. Since the iPhone doesn't do copy/paste (prior to OS 3.0), Sam came up with this method for effortlessly and securely importing your data to your device.

Sam: As Roc said, the API is all about security. CCP introduced it so that 3rd party applications didn't need your username and password anymore. It's a secure and simple way to provide access to a limited subset of data without exposing the credentials needed to log into your account. My initial prototype had you typing in the big long API key, and man I don't think I got it right more than twice in a row. I knew that we needed a better alternative. That's when I came up with the Import Control System. We have been foiled a bit by a few email clients that don't like the evechar:// url syntax that we use (they try to validate it and can't because they don't recognize the prefix), but with 2.0 we have an alternative http:// based url that can be used as well, so that should hopefully clear up the issues that people ran into.

Continue reading Massively looks at Capsuleer 2.0, an iPhone app for EVE Online part 2

MassivelyMassively looks at Capsuleer 2.0, an iPhone app for EVE Online part 2 originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 09 Apr 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apiapocryphaapp-storeccp-gameschris-whitefordeveeve-apieve-onlinefactional-warfareimport-control-systemiphoneiskmacmacintoshmarcus-dickinsonmilitiapvppyjamasamroc-wielerskill-queueskill-trainingskillpointsskillsThu, 09 Apr 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Online developers discuss Apocrypha expansion's impact on the game]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/07/eve-online-developers-discuss-apocrypha-expansions-impact-on-th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/07/eve-online-developers-discuss-apocrypha-expansions-impact-on-th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/07/eve-online-developers-discuss-apocrypha-expansions-impact-on-th/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


EVE Online's recent deployment of the Apocrypha expansion brought major changes to the game. Apocrypha is the largest expansion they've released to date, incorporating wormhole exploration and modular ship designs, in addition to a new NPC race into the fabric of the game as we know it.

BattleClinic, a site best known for its player-built tools, guides, and as a hub for sharing and commenting upon ship setups, caught up with CCP Games at GDC 2009. They spoke with Halldór Fannar Guðjónsson, CTO at CCP Games, and Gabe Mahoney, VP of Engineering. Given how significant Apocrypha has been from the standpoint of the players and CCP alike, the interview focuses on the expansion.

Continue reading EVE Online developers discuss Apocrypha expansion's impact on the game

MassivelyEVE Online developers discuss Apocrypha expansion's impact on the game originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 07 Apr 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wormhole exploration is perhaps the key feature that came to EVE Online with the Apocrypha expansion. Its 'true exploration' of thousands of uncharted solar systems can bring great rewards but also entails equally great risks. The Sleepers are the strongest NPCs that players can face in the game's setting of New Eden, adding to the challenge of taking them on is the fact that you may be hunted down by players at the same time. The delayed local channel in wormhole space ("w-space") means you won't know if you're really alone in the uncharted solar system until you find yourself being targeted and fired upon by a roving gang of hostiles.

Wormholes can also have tactical environments which affect how well your ship operates in that solar system, sometimes imposing penalties. Then factor in that wormholes are inherently unstable and can collapse once enough ships have passed through, and you've got a fair amount of unpredictability injected into your gameplay. Wormhole collapses have led to a number of EVE's capsuleers being stranded in unknown regions and unable to find a way back into known space ("k-space"), much less navigate their way home again. That's where "Wormhole Rescue Service" and its founder Astro Glyde can help.

Continue reading EVE Online's wormhole exploration leads to new 'rescue' profession

MassivelyEVE Online's wormhole exploration leads to new 'rescue' profession originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 04 Apr 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>0.0apocryphaastro-glydeccp-gameseveeve-onlineexplorationfreeform-professionsgame-mechanicsk-spacenew-edenprofessionsrescuerescue-servicesci-fisleepersstrandedtactical-environmentstrue-explorationw-spacewormhole-explorationwormhole-rescue-serviceSat, 04 Apr 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Online Apocrypha patch notes detail a host of improvements]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/25/eve-online-apocrypha-patch-notes-detail-a-host-of-improvements/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/25/eve-online-apocrypha-patch-notes-detail-a-host-of-improvements/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/25/eve-online-apocrypha-patch-notes-detail-a-host-of-improvements/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


EVE Online's latest expansion had a fairly smooth deployment, particularly considering how many radical changes were made to the game. Premium graphics were extended to all celestial objects, with entirely new models for asteroids. The Apocrypha expansion also introduced a new, extremely deadly NPC race with an AI far more advanced than what's been experienced pre-Apocrypha. However, this huge list of new features has also led to a number of smaller issues that CCP Games will patch this week.

The patch was originally slated for today but considering the laundry list of fixes CCP plans to make, patch 1.0.2 will deploy on Thursday instead, with a slightly extended downtime. Downtime should last from 11:00 GMT to 12:30 GMT, and will fix issues with Epic Mission Arcs, the Skill Queue, and many other fixes are on the way, as detailed in the patch notes. Players into exploration (or hunting down other players) who've been taking advantage of the strength of Deep Space Scanner Probes should note that they've already been nerfed; tomorrow's patch will reduce their strength. Given that there are quite a number of minor changes being made, EVE players may want to skim over the patch notes before the end of Thursday's downtime.

MassivelyEVE Online Apocrypha patch notes detail a host of improvements originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 25 Mar 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A major strength of the sci-fi massively multiplayer online game EVE Online is that there are no classes and certainly no professions that a player is locked into. EVE's professions are freeform, but this can lead to new players being unsure about what to do (or be) in the game. The title's developer CCP Games is attempting to remedy this. One of the resources that complements EVE Online's New Player Experience in the Apocrypha expansion is the "EVE Careers Guide", which introduces new players to the gameplay possibilities in New Eden. It's largely put together by Benilopax of Warp Drive Active: Industry podcast fame and Richie Shoemaker (aka "Zapatero"), the Editor of E-ON -- the official magazine of EVE Online -- who we've interviewed at Massively in the past. The EVE Careers Guide is a PDF file with interactive links throughout to navigate between sections, providing a comprehensive look at the game for rookie pilots.

Zapatero welcomes new players to EVE Online, explaining the game in broad terms: "Many have found their own path in EVE by taking turns that are wildly divergent from what its makers envisaged. EVE is about relationships, prejudices, trust, greed and creativity more than it's about spaceships, trade and combat. New Eden is a very human universe, and with almost 300,000 people making up the population, it's a very dynamic one. Yes, it's harsh and uncompromising, frustrating and callous, but it's also illuminating in scope, vast in stature and utterly unique."

Continue reading EVE Careers Guide available as free download

MassivelyEVE Careers Guide available as free download originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 20 Mar 2009 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apocryphabenilopaxbreakingccp-gamese-oneoneveeve-careers-guideeve-onlineexpansionsfreeformfreeform-professionsguidesisdmmm-publishingnew-edennew-player-experiencenpepdfprofessionsrichie-shoemakerroleplayingrookierookiessci-fiwarp-drive-activewda-industryzapateroFri, 20 Mar 2009 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Wormhole exploration hearkens back to EVE Online's early days]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/19/wormhole-exploration-hearkens-back-to-eve-onlines-early-days/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/19/wormhole-exploration-hearkens-back-to-eve-onlines-early-days/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/19/wormhole-exploration-hearkens-back-to-eve-onlines-early-days/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


EVE Online's latest Apocrypha expansion has elevated the exploration profession to new heights. The addition of roughly 2500 new and uncharted solar systems, expanding the game's galaxy of New Eden to over 7500 solar systems in total, brings what can honestly be called 'true exploration' to the sci-fi MMO.

Territoriality is a major aspect of EVE and wormholes allow players to emerge in far flung regions of New Eden -- sometimes places they're not supposed to be -- leading to all sorts of unexpected near-death experiences. Players have already reported emerging from wormholes and finding themselves hunted by the local territorial powers (player alliances claiming those regions of the galaxy) or by the NPC authorities, in those cases where players are involved in factional warfare. Some pilots have found themselves deep within enemy faction territory, leading to all kinds of insane chases across the galaxy.

Continue reading Wormhole exploration hearkens back to EVE Online's early days

MassivelyWormhole exploration hearkens back to EVE Online's early days originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 Mar 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apocryphaccp-gameseveeve-onlineexpansionsfactional-warfaregame-mechanicsnew-edenopinionrewardsriskriskssci-fisovereigntysteven-croopterritorial-controltrue-explorationwarcrywormholewormhole-explorationwormholesThu, 19 Mar 2009 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[CCP honored with two awards for innovation]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/17/ccp-honored-with-two-awards-for-innovation/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/17/ccp-honored-with-two-awards-for-innovation/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/17/ccp-honored-with-two-awards-for-innovation/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


While the latest EVE Online expansion, Apocrypha, has hit the main server and the retail boxes for EVE have reappeared on game store shelves, CCP has been busy winning awards for all of their work with EVE.

CCP's awards include the Icelandic Innovation and Knowledge Award from the Association of Businessmen and Economists in Iceland as well as the 2009 Top 10 Innovative Technology Companies award from the Technology Association of Georgia.

Both of these awards come from industry peers, a high honor for a company. CCP isn't going to be resting on their laurels, however, as they have pledged a heavy presence at this year's GDC in San Francisco.

MassivelyCCP honored with two awards for innovation originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 Mar 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The sci-fi massively multiplayer online game EVE Online has long been known for its harsh setting but also for its (almost) equally unforgiving learning curve. That is, until the Apocrypha expansion launched, bringing EVE's New Player Experience (NPE) with it. CCP Games aims to slowly ease new players into what is a rather complex game, giving them a feel for what they can already do and what they want to do in New Eden over time.

So how well does the New Player Experience for EVE Online tackle the difficulties of learning how to play one of the most complex MMOs on the market? Writing for Eurogamer, both Jim Rossignol and Oli Welsh write about the New Player Experience. Rossignol, from the viewpoint of a veteran player, and Welsh from the fresh perspective of a rookie. The end result is an overview of how EVE has changed, including a revamped tutorial and Neural Remapping (attribute respecs), as well as Epic Mission Arcs that allow players to make choices in how EVE's mission storylines progress.

Continue reading Varying perspectives on EVE Online's new player experience

MassivelyVarying perspectives on EVE Online's new player experience originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 Mar 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apocryphaattribute-respecsccp-gamescriticismepic-mission-arcseurogamereveeve-onlineexpansionsgame-mechanicsjim-rossignollearning-curveneural-remappingnew-player-experienceoli-welshopinionpraiserespecreviewsrookiesci-fitutorialuiuser-interfaceTue, 17 Mar 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: A guide to probing in Apocrypha]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/16/eve-evolved-a-guide-to-probing-in-apocrypha/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/16/eve-evolved-a-guide-to-probing-in-apocrypha/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/16/eve-evolved-a-guide-to-probing-in-apocrypha/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Several years ago, CCP released a new upgrade for EVE Online's standard system scanner. Scanner probes were deployable tools that could be used to find ships, drones and a few hidden complexes lost in the vastness of space. The system was later expanded to provide an awesome exploration experience - combat encounters, dungeons and rich asteroid belts were strewn throughout space for some lucky explorer to find.

With EVE's latest expansion, the exploration system received a complete overhaul. A new scanning system was devised, complete with new probes and probe launchers. As if that wasn't enough, a new "True Exploration" mechanic was introduced with the appearance of wormholes all throughout space. Many wormholes lead to one of the 2500 new star systems that aren't on the main system map, each of which contains lucrative but dangerous sleeper NPCs that drop components for tech 3 ship production.

In this article, I delve into the new probing system with complete strategies that have been proven to work. Read on to get an edge on wormhole exploration.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: A guide to probing in Apocrypha

MassivelyEVE Evolved: A guide to probing in Apocrypha originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 16 Mar 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apocryphaccpccp-gameseveeve-evolvedeve-onlinefeaturedjoystiqfeaturesprobeprobingpvescansleepertrue-explorationwormholewormhole-explorationwormholesMon, 16 Mar 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Call for candidates in EVE Online's player-elected Council of Stellar Management]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/16/call-for-candidates-in-eve-onlines-player-elected-council-of-st/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/16/call-for-candidates-in-eve-onlines-player-elected-council-of-st/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/16/call-for-candidates-in-eve-onlines-player-elected-council-of-st/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Lost in the blitz of info about the Apocrypha expansion for EVE Online was the fact that CCP Games announced a call for candidates for the 3rd Council of Stellar Management (CSM). The CSM is a council of representatives of the playerbase, elected by the players themselves, who work with CCP Games to ensure that the development pipeline reflects the interests of the subscribers.

Being a CSM delegate can be both time-consuming and stressful, as past and present reps Jade Constantine and LaVista Vista have told us. Still, it offers players a chance at helping to shape the game they love, something which few other MMO developers would ever allow. Already on the CSM's radar for the next group of delegates is reworking (lawless) 0.0 space and its entrenched system of sovereignty, which is no small task.

Continue reading Call for candidates in EVE Online's player-elected Council of Stellar Management

MassivelyCall for candidates in EVE Online's player-elected Council of Stellar Management originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 16 Mar 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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E-ON, the official magazine of EVE Online, is running a contest where your best screenshots could net you 100 million ISK for each shot they publish in the April issue. E-ON editor Zapatero, who we interviewed in November, said what he's looking for on the E-ON blog, 'Postings from the Edge':

"What we're after are your screenshots. They can be of ships mining, travelling or fighting. They can be pilots tending to starbases, searching for wormholes or epic battles against Sleeper ships. In fact they can be of anything from inside New Eden, they just have to be good-looking images. The very best that we receive will be published in the edition of EON that's out next month."

Continue reading E-ON offers 100 million ISK reward for your best EVE Online screenshots

MassivelyE-ON offers 100 million ISK reward for your best EVE Online screenshots originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 14 Mar 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The latest expansion for EVE Online is Apocrypha, which has added numerous exploration-intensive elements to the sci-fi game. Apocrypha brought drag-and-drop to the exploration system, making the discovery of hidden encounters (and now wormholes) a more visual process than the old system. However, for those players who are accustomed to the old methods of exploration, Apocrypha's revamped system can take some getting used to. EVE Online developer CCP Greyscale posted a dev blog earlier in the week which is a visual tutorial explaining how to find all that hidden content in the game. It's pretty much essential reading for any would-be explorers in New Eden.

We also came across a player-created video tutorial showing how it's done, by Espoir from TridentGuild. The video covers everything from exploration probe placement to how to focus in on the signatures you discover. We've got the YouTube embed of the Apocrypha exploration tutorial for you below the cut:

Continue reading Video tutorial explains EVE Online's new exploration system

MassivelyVideo tutorial explains EVE Online's new exploration system originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 13 Mar 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Massively Speaking Episode 46 brings a special guest as Shawn is joined by Jonathan of The Online Gamer's Anthology podcast. Shawn and Jonathan talk about everything from Darkfall to Free Realms to EVE Online's newest expansion.

Have a comment for the podcasters? Shoot us an email to podcast AT massively DOT com. Maybe we'll read your letter on the air!

Get the podcast:
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Read below the cut for the full show notes.

Continue reading Massively Speaking Podcast Episode 46

MassivelyMassively Speaking Podcast Episode 46 originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Mar 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apocryphadarkfalleve-onlinefree-realmsmassively-speakingpodcastingpodcastsWed, 11 Mar 2009 13:30:00 ESTMassively Speaking Episode 46Massively.com Staff49:26podcasts<![CDATA[One Shots: Beware the wormholes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/10/one-shots-beware-the-wormholes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/10/one-shots-beware-the-wormholes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/10/one-shots-beware-the-wormholes/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


With today's patch on the download for so many, we thought we'd take a quick look at something that's popped up on the EVE Online test servers - wormholes! Today's EVE Online One Shots comes to us from Faraelle Brightman, who writes in: It's vast, it's unknown and it's pretty. From "Uncharted Planet III" in a wormhole system on EVE's test server with a view of both the system primary star and a blue pulsar (something you won't see in known space) against the new hi-res backgrounds. Looks sweet.

Screenshots from all genres are welcome! Just email those in to us at oneshots AT massively DOT com along with your name, the game it's from, and a quick note about what we're seeing. We'll post it here and give you the credit for sending it in.

Gallery: One Shots


MassivelyOne Shots: Beware the wormholes originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 10 Mar 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apocryphaccpeveeve-onlineFaraelle-Brightmanone-shotsscreenshotscreenshotswormholeTue, 10 Mar 2009 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Will you be picking up the EVE Online retail box?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/10/the-daily-grind-will-you-be-picking-up-the-eve-online-retail-bo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/10/the-daily-grind-will-you-be-picking-up-the-eve-online-retail-bo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/10/the-daily-grind-will-you-be-picking-up-the-eve-online-retail-bo/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


It's been a while coming, but EVE Online's new expansion, Apocrypha, is here - and the 13 hours of downtime that goes with it, as James noted last night. Of course, along with this enormous chunk of new expansion content, EVE players in North America also have the option of picking up a special copy of EVE Online from their favorite retailer. It comes with all updates including Apocrypha, a special ship specifically for the retail box, and two months of free game time as opposed to the normal month most games come with. (Apparently, Europe & Asia Pacific will get theirs on the 12th.)

Our question this morning is for all the die-hard fans, as well as those curious and thinking about trying it; will you be picking up a copy of the shiny EVE Online retail box? Are you picking it up just for the sake of two free months and a cool ship? Or are you totally new to EVE and it seemed like a good time to jump in and try it out?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Will you be picking up the EVE Online retail box? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 10 Mar 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2-free-monthsapocryphaatariccpeveeve-onlineexpansionretail-boxretail-releasespecial-shipTue, 10 Mar 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Apocrypha expansion for EVE Online launches Tuesday, March 10th]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/09/apocrypha-expansion-for-eve-online-launches-tuesday-march-10th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/09/apocrypha-expansion-for-eve-online-launches-tuesday-march-10th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/09/apocrypha-expansion-for-eve-online-launches-tuesday-march-10th/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


As CCP Games rolls out the most significant expansion for EVE Online to date, Apocrypha, players should prepare themselves for an extended 13-hour downtime, lasting from 03:00 GMT to (est.) 16:00 GMT on Tuesday, March 10th. Storyline updates in the form of news reports will continue throughout downtime, kicking off the backstory of the Apocrypha expansion. Massively has a solid overview of Apocrypha for you, most recently a visual tour of the expansion and a hands-on with the developers, explaining EVE's new features.

Patch Notes for this 10th EVE expansion are up as well. Updates to the patch notes will be made in green, and you can follow the highlighted links to all of the relevant dev blogs explaining the various facets of Apocrypha. We've covered much of this content at Massively, but two recent dev blogs from CCP explain how the new exploration system will work and what exactly makes the Sleeper NPC race's AI so formidable.

Continue reading Apocrypha expansion for EVE Online launches Tuesday, March 10th

MassivelyApocrypha expansion for EVE Online launches Tuesday, March 10th originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 09 Mar 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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