Massively

EVE Evolved: Fitting the Gallente Talos

Brendan Drain — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, EVE Online, Expansions, Game mechanics, PvP, Opinion, Hands-on, EVE Evolved, Guides, Sandbox

Among the hundreds of changes brought by EVE Online's recent Crucible expansion, the new tier 3 battlecruisers certainly rank as player favourites. Rather than giving each race a bigger, tougher battlecruiser, CCP gave the new ships the ability to fit battleship-class weapons but heavily limited their defensive capabilities. All four tier 3 battlecruisers are turret-based, letting them output massive damage with close-range guns or hit for solid damage at battleship sniping distances.

As with all new ships, it can be difficult to figure out how to fit the new tier 3 battlecruisers to make full use of their unique combination of high damage output and high mobility. Last week I looked at three viable setups for the Caldari Naga, which proved to be an absolute monster with 1,000-1500 DPS when using close-range blaster setups and a terrifying 650 DPS when sniping at 100km-130km. This week I take a similar look at the Gallente Talos, a ship designed specifically for close-range combat. I explore a traditional armour-tanked blaster fitting with dual webs, a shield-based variant that packs a huge 1,500 DPS punch, and two long-range blaster fits that give the Naga a run for its money.

In this week's EVE Evolved, I explore four solid PvP fittings for the Talos, with both shield and armour setups.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Fitting the Gallente Talos

EVE Evolved: Fitting the Gallente Talos originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 25 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

EVE Evolved: Touring a galaxy reborn

Brendan Drain — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Galleries, Screenshots, EVE Online, Culture, Expansions, Game mechanics, Wallpapers, Hands-on, EVE Evolved, Sandbox

EVE Online recently celebrated the release of its incredible Crucible expansion, noted as one of the most feature-heavy expansions in the game's history despite the majority of its features being produced in a period of just a few weeks. Two years' worth of graphical upgrades, features, balance upgrades and quality-of-life fixes hit Tranquility all at once, and the response from players has been incredibly positive.

Last week I rounded up all the information there is to know about the Crucible expansion, but reading articles and news posts is no substitute for hands-on experience. This week I took a tour around parts of New Eden to explore the incredible new graphics Crucible delivered. As I have a background in graphics programming, the graphical upgrades are obviously the most exciting change for me. The astounding background nebulae are even more impressive when you know just how difficult it would be to build a nebula system that looks this incredible from any location.

In this week's EVE Evolved, I explore a reborn galaxy and catalogue my adventures in a massive HD gallery.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Touring a galaxy reborn

EVE Evolved: Touring a galaxy reborn originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 11 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

DUST 514 dev blog shows off guns, lots of guns

Jef Reahard — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Game mechanics, MMO industry, New titles, News items, MMOFPS, DUST 514, Sandbox

First-person shooters are nothing without guns -- lots of 'em -- and CCP's upcoming DUST 514 is no exception. Today the company has released a new PlayStation blog update that zeroes in on a handful of infantry weapons in the far-future sci-fi opus.

Said weapons are broken down into light, heavy, and sidearm classes, with one example of each detailed. Light weapons are the most common, and they fulfill multiple roles for short- and medium-range applications. They also come in four variants, each of which allows gamers to select a playstyle that features a number of trade-offs (lower fire rates for increased accuracy, etc.).

Heavy weapons are more specialized, and are only available to players skilled enough to use heavy dropsuits. Sidearms are generally used as backup weapons, but they're still deadly in the right hands. Finally, today's entry continues the DUST tradition of showing off factional equipment variants, so head to the PlayStation blog to get a glimpse of some Amarr, Gallente, and Caldari weaponry.

DUST 514 dev blog shows off guns, lots of guns originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 08 Dec 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

EVE Evolved: Gallente and hybrid balance

Brendan Drain — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, EVE Online, Expansions, Game mechanics, Patches, PvP, PvE, Opinion, EVE Evolved, Sandbox

It's been another week filled with announcements and positive news for EVE Online, with CCP showing off EVE's new nebulae and revealing the Amarr and Caldari tier 3 battlecruisers. For Gallente pilots, no news was celebrated more than the rebalancing of hybrid weapons and ships that specialise in their use. Short-range blasters can technically deliver the highest damage output of any turret, but their extremely short optimal range means they deal a smaller fraction of their maximum damage in most fights than other ships. Blaster ships have to spend valuable travel time closing into weapons range, and once up close, targets are hard to track.

Although railguns were designed by the Caldari, they're hybrid weapons just like blasters, and so they are the long-range weapon of choice for Gallente sniping and mission-running ships. They have good range and tracking speed but have always suffered from slightly worse damage output and alpha strike than beam lasers and artillery cannons of the same size. Countless suggestions for fixes to blasters and railguns have appeared on the forum over the years, but until now they've remained unchanged. As a Gallente pilot and avid Thorax and Dominix fan, I'm very excited by the hybrid balance changes coming this winter.

In this week's EVE Evolved, I take a break from the new player experience experiment to take a look at the impact of the upcoming hybrid balance patch and why the announced changes are needed.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Gallente and hybrid balance

EVE Evolved: Gallente and hybrid balance originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 06 Nov 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

EVE dev video shows work on engine trails, custom ship skins and more

Brendan Drain — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 19:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Video, EVE Online, Expansions, MMO industry, Patches, News items, Dev Diaries

If you're a fan of EVE Online, I apologise in advance for the funny looks you get when you jump out of your seat yelling "HELL YES!" while watching the latest In Development video. In this second part of CCP Games' new video devblog series, CCP Guard takes a live hand grenade into EVE Online's art department to show us just what's going on behind the scenes. We've already seen the impressive nebula effects and new Raven model due for release in the winter expansion, and today CCP showed off some massive shadow improvements, but those upcoming additions pale in comparison to what's planned for after the winter period.

The latest In Development video shows that CCP is currently working on engine trails, custom ship skins, a new cyno effect, a new warp tunnel, and graphical upgrades for every single ship in the game. It's a tall order, one that's unlikely to be fulfilled in the winter expansion despite developers' recent laser focus on delivering new features. The video gives a sneak peek at the models for the Amarr and Caldari tier 3 battlecruisers, which were selected from fan-submitted entries to last year's design contest in a similar manner to the already revealed Minmatar Tornado and Gallente Talos.

Read on to find out why custom ship skins are more work to implement than most of us realise and to watch the new video in HD.

Continue reading EVE dev video shows work on engine trails, custom ship skins and more

EVE dev video shows work on engine trails, custom ship skins and more originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 01 Nov 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Details of EVE's long-awaited hybrid balance patch revealed

Brendan Drain — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, EVE Online, Expansions, Game mechanics, Patches, PvP, News items, Dev Diaries, Sandbox

Balancing combat in a PvP-centric game like EVE Online is a tricky business. In a sandbox universe that pits fleets of hundreds of ships against each other in a struggle for territorial dominance, balance changes can alter the PvP landscape. Unfortunately, hybrid weapons have always received the short end of the stick in balancing efforts, leaving Gallente turret ships like the Deimos and Megathron behind their Amarr and Minmatar counterparts.

In a new devblog, CCP Tallest adds a major Hybrid weapon rework to the growing list of long-awaited features finally making an appearance in EVE's coming winter expansion. Blasters will be receiving some much-needed CPU and powergrid reductions, a 30% reduction on capacitor usage and a huge 20% bonus to tracking speed. Railguns receive the same CPU, powergrid and capacitor reduction as blasters, in addition to a straight 10% damage increase. All ships typically fit with blasters will also be getting speed bonuses to help them get into blaster range, and tech II ammo for all turrets is due for an update.

Details of EVE's long-awaited hybrid balance patch revealed originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 01 Nov 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

EVE dev blog unveils new Gallente battlecruiser

Jef Reahard — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, EVE Online, Game mechanics, MMO industry, News items, Sandbox

Another day, another piece of good news for EVE Online. Are we sensing a trend here? At any rate, the latest CCP dev blog reveals the Gallente Talos, the newest New Eden internet spaceship that will find its way into the hands of capsuleers everywhere when EVE's winter expansion finally hits.

If the Talos looks strangely familiar, that's probably because you saw it during EVE's Create a Starship contest last spring. Like its recently revealed Minmatar counterpart, the Talos is a battlecruiser, and CCP describes it as an "in your face glass cannon." Warp to the official EVE website for some more pics and the full dev blog.

EVE dev blog unveils new Gallente battlecruiser originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 27 Oct 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

EVE adds more racial captain's quarters to test server

Jef Reahard — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Trailers, Video, EVE Online, Game mechanics, MMO industry, News items, Sandbox

Those of you chafing under the constraints of the Minmatar captain's quarters released earlier this summer as part of EVE Online's Incarna expansion have reason to celebrate. The other three racially themed quarters have just been deployed to Singularity (that's the test server, for you EVE newbs).

When we say racially themed, we don't mean like an Al Sharpton monologue but rather like the Gallente, Caldari, and Amarr races who, along with the Minmatar, make up EVE's four playable factions. A new dev blog hits the highlights of each CQ, and each one boasts a visual aesthetic that mirrors its race.

Gallente quarters, for example, are "are slick and streamlined -- comfort through elegant design. The mirror is also prominent, since the Gallenteans are known to spend a lot of time in front of it." The Minmatar pad has also been tweaked, and you can read all the details at the official EVE website. Before you go, check out the preview video after the cut.

[Update: CCP has also uploaded a video explaining the new time dilation feature.]

Continue reading EVE adds more racial captain's quarters to test server

EVE adds more racial captain's quarters to test server originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 Sep 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

One Shots: That's no moon

Krystalle Voecks — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Screenshots, EVE Online, One Shots

We've seen lots of interesting things when it comes to EVE Online, but this one definitely made us stop and think. Is today's One Shots actually a glitch as contributor Snowflake Tem, CEO of the Order of Symbolic Measures, suspects it might be? Is it a nod to that well-known fully armed and operational battle station many of us know from popular culture? Only CCP's developers likely know for sure. Nonetheless, it makes for a very interesting full-size image to go along with Snowflake Tem's note, in which he suggests another option. "[I] noticed this while plying my routine trade route through Gallentean high-security space. It's probably time to clear out the game client cache, or maybe it's glitched because I'm running the game through Wine on Ubuntu Linux. Anyhow, I like the texture of the barren world shown in the image. Intentional or not, I imagine heavily industrialised worlds and moons will look like that someday."

Have you found an interesting location in your favorite game recently? If so, we'd love to see screenshots of it! Send them in to us here at oneshots@massively.com along with your name, the name of the game, and a description of what we're seeing. Please make sure your image is at least 1024 pixels wide and has no visible UI elements. Also double-check and make sure your image is attached to your email since we can't publish what we don't get! (When in doubt, feel free to put it on Flickr, Picasa, or your own server and send us a link!) Your screenshot could be the next one we feature here on Massively.

Gallery: One Shots: 2011

One Shots: That's no moon originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 08 Feb 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

New EVE Online novel "The Burning Life" released

Brendan Drain — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, EVE Online, Culture, Lore, News items

Storyline is an important part of any MMO and EVE Online is no exception. New Eden is steeped in story-telling, from the regularly released fictional chronicles to the countless blogs, battle reports and dramatic events recorded by players. EVE is a game that lends itself very well to creating immersive stories, videos and other creative efforts. Back in June of 2008, CCP commissioned author Tony Gonzales to write a novel set in the EVE universe. The novel, titled "Empyrean Age," came at the same time as the expansion of the same name and gave some background story for faction warfare. June 2009 brought the announcement that CCP's own fiction-writer Hjalti Daníelsson had begun work on a second EVE novel entitled "EVE: The Burning Life." Hjalti is better known as CCP Abraxis, the pen behind most of the EVE chronicles and the current driving force behind the game's storyline.

Continue reading New EVE Online novel "The Burning Life" released

New EVE Online novel "The Burning Life" released originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 28 Mar 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

EVE Evolved: Medic ships, part 1: The healers of EVE

Brendan Drain — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, EVE Online, Game mechanics, Guides, Tips and tricks, Grouping, PvE, Hands-on, EVE Evolved

The holy trinity of tank, healer and damage-dealer is present in every MMO, including EVE Online. While most MMOs dedicate these roles to specific classes, ships in EVE can do all three at the same time. When running missions solo, for example, a ship will need to tank incoming damage, repair it and deal damage themselves. Setting up a ship for solo PvE becomes a balancing act between the three roles. Too little tank and you'll find yourself in trouble, but too little damage and you'll take forever to kill NPCs.

As part of a gang, however, remote armour repair and shield transfer modules allow pilots to specialise into a traditional healer role. Rather than having each player repair their own damage, it can be much more effective to have a dedicated medic ship to repair anyone that gets shot at. There are even specialised ships for would-be healers in EVE, from entry-level cruisers to advanced Tech 2 Logistics ships and massive capital ships. Medic ships can be an effective part of any gang, whether you're tackling a tough level 4 or 5 mission or engaging in large-scale gang PvP.

In this first part of a two-part look into dedicated healers in EVE Online, I look at the more affordable ships and modules available and the best strategy for healing in PvE.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Medic ships, part 1: The healers of EVE

EVE Evolved: Medic ships, part 1: The healers of EVE originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 21 Mar 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

EVE Evolved: Trade hubs of New Eden - Amarr and Gallente

Brendan Drain — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: At a glance, Sci-fi, EVE Online, Culture, Economy, Guides, Lore, EVE Evolved

Last week, I took a look at a few of the biggest Caldari and Minmatar trade hubs in EVE Online and how to best put them to use. I examined the phenomenon that is Jita and how Motsu persists as a trade hub due to the presence of mission-runners. I went on to look at Hek and Rens, trade hubs which service the two most populated Minmatar regions and provide a handy trade route for pilots to make a profit on. This week, I complete the picture with a look at four of the biggest Gallente and Amarr trade hubs.

Knowing all of the major trading stations can be of benefit to any pilot, whether you're just looking for a good deal on a new ship or trying to forge profitable trade routes. For traders, listing products in an alternate hub needn't take much extra time or effort. With good trade skills, you can adjust market orders remotely from several jumps away. You can make a short autopilot route that goes close enough to each station you're trading in and adjust your prices frequently.

In this final part of a two-part series on EVE's biggest trade hubs, I look at the biggest Amarr and Gallente trade hubs, what can be found there and how to use them to your advantage as a trader.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Trade hubs of New Eden - Amarr and Gallente

EVE Evolved: Trade hubs of New Eden - Amarr and Gallente originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 31 Jan 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

EVE's animated hangar backgrounds available as high-def downloads

James Egan — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 23:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Video, EVE Online

EVE Online players who were fortunate enough to attend Fanfest in 2009 kept raving about a collection of animated video backgrounds that were running on screens during panels and presentations. Players were so taken with these that they'd been pressing CCP Games to make them available for download. CCP delivered on their promise this week, making these sweeping tours of the Gallente, Caldari, Amarr, and Minmatar space station interiors available for download in HD.

Once you see them, you'll probably understand why the EVE Fanfest attendees have been wanting them ever since. Those are some fairly hefty file sizes though, so for a quick look you can also see all four of the hangars and a nice selection of each race's ships in HD on YouTube. Stick with us past the jump for a look within an Amarr hangar which shows off the theocratic race's golden fleet.

Continue reading EVE's animated hangar backgrounds available as high-def downloads

EVE's animated hangar backgrounds available as high-def downloads originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 19 Jan 2010 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Changes and improvements to Epic Mission Arcs in EVE Online

James Egan — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, EVE Online, Expansions, Game mechanics, PvE

When EVE Online players think of what's changed in the game with the recent Dominion expansion release, the game's PvE content may not be the first thing that comes to mind. (Although Dominion introduced Epic Mission Arcs -- branching storylines -- for both the Guristas and Angel Cartel pirate factions.) The Atlanta-based content team at CCP Games has put a lot of work into Epic Mission Arcs for this expansion, though, which is the subject of the latest EVE dev blog. Developer CCP Big Dumb Object walks readers through the changes in game mechanics with the Epic Arcs and gives a breakdown of their adjusted rewards (plus the introduction of faction standings rewards), while paying homage to Led Zeppelin throughout the blog.

New mission content is also beginning to reflect how player actions in factional warfare affect the game's setting, specifically the Caldari militia's overwhelming victory over the Gallente. CCP Big Dumb Object mentions two new Gallente storyline missions, adding that "each mission stems from the past year's Faction Warfare results, Heth's resultant sale of key Gallente systems to the Caldari megacorps, and the Federation's reaction."

Continue reading Changes and improvements to Epic Mission Arcs in EVE Online

Changes and improvements to Epic Mission Arcs in EVE Online originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 26 Dec 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

EVE Evolved: The faction warfare mission debacle, page 3

Brendan Drain — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 20:00:00 EST

Continue reading EVE Evolved: The faction warfare mission debacle, page 3

EVE Evolved: The faction warfare mission debacle, page 3 originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 06 Dec 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

EVE Evolved: The faction warfare mission debacle, page 2

Brendan Drain — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 20:00:00 EST

Continue reading EVE Evolved: The faction warfare mission debacle, page 2

EVE Evolved: The faction warfare mission debacle, page 2 originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 06 Dec 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

EVE Evolved: The faction warfare mission debacle

Brendan Drain — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, EVE Online, Expansions, Exploits, Forums, Game mechanics, Professions, PvP, Making money, Opinion, Hands-on, EVE Evolved

When faction warfare went live with EVE Online's Empyrean Age expansion back in the summer of 2008, It was a magnificent success. It was intended as a way for newer players to get into PvP and as a stepping stone from the safe haven of empire to full-on sovereignty warfare. It wasn't long before large fleets were duking it out in low security space and for a time, it was great. Eventually, problems began to come to light that demanded developer attention. Capturing exploits and a lack of rewards were causing players to leave the war and after a year with no development, faction warfare was looking abandoned.

Rewards were eventually implemented in an attempt to revitalise the ageing faction warfare system and promote PvP. With the Dominion expansion came the most anticipated of those rewards - new tier 1 navy battleships available only from the faction warfare loyalty point store. Since the announcement that they were coming, mission-runners have been farming faction warfare missions like crazy for loyalty points. The promise of unique rewards from the missions was intended to revitalise the game and give pilots something to fight over. But did the rewards really improve faction warfare and promote PvP or was it a huge mistake?

In this three page exposé, I run down the history of faction warfare missions, from the development mistakes to the EVE corp that made almost enough ISK to build a titan. Did the mission buff revitalise faction warfare or did it put the final nail in its coffin? And just how did mission-runners make billions of ISK?

Continue reading EVE Evolved: The faction warfare mission debacle

EVE Evolved: The faction warfare mission debacle originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 06 Dec 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

CCP Games drops more details on EVE's new mission arcs for pirate factions

James Egan — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, EVE Online, Game mechanics, Quests, PvE

We recently wrote a bit about the new PvE content coming to EVE Online in the Dominion expansion -- Epic Mission Arcs for the Angel Cartel and Guristas pirate factions where your speed will help you survive. Now CCP Games has dropped more info on these branching pirate missions; the Guristas arc is called "Smash and Grab" while the Angel Cartel arc is "Angel Sound". A dev blog written by CCP Jasonitas walks readers through the standings requirements -- if your Angel Cartel standings are horrible but you have decent standings with either the Minmatar or Amarr, you can still run the Angel arc. Likewise with the Guristas, your Caldari or Gallente faction standings will let you embark on the Guristas pirate arc.

In some respects, these arcs will open up pirate faction mission running for many players, given that completion of an arc will impart a 30% standings gain towards that faction. Players have long wanted a way to repair their negative standings towards New Eden's pirate factions and this seems to be the first step towards that. Still, that standings gain won't benefit players who are particularly loathed by a given pirate faction unless the arcs can be repeated some months down the line as with standard Epic Mission Arcs.

Continue reading CCP Games drops more details on EVE's new mission arcs for pirate factions

CCP Games drops more details on EVE's new mission arcs for pirate factions originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

DUST 514 trailer released

James Egan — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, MMO industry, Consoles, MMOFPS, DUST 514

EVE Online creators CCP Games made quite a stir when they announced the console title DUST 514 in August. It's one of the more ambitious game concepts we've heard about in quite a while. A ground based console MMO that ties in with EVE Online? Two separate games, one setting and one community? (The game's tagline is "ONE UNIVERSE // ONE WAR".) There are so many questions that remain unanswered about how DUST mercenaries will interact with and affect EVE's capsuleers, but a more immediate question is, "How does it look so far?"

Unless you were actually in Cologne to see CCP's DUST 514 reveal at GDC Europe, it's likely all you've had to base your impressions off of was a somewhat blurry video capture of the presentation. That is, until now. CCP's released the GDC Europe DUST 514 trailer and it's good to see a crisp version of that footage. The trailer shows how the conflict between EVE's Caldari and Gallente races plays out on the ground on the Gallente planet Intaki V. It gives us a look at War Barge interiors, Mobile Command Centers (MCC) floating over what is now a war-torn Intaki homeworld, and some of the ground and air vehicles that DUST 514 players will put to use.

We've got an embed of that video, so stick with us after the jump for a look at DUST 514.

Continue reading DUST 514 trailer released

DUST 514 trailer released originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 09 Oct 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

EVE Evolved: Mission-running ship design

Brendan Drain — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, EVE Online, Game mechanics, Guides, Professions, Making money, PvE, EVE Evolved

In last week's first instalment of this guide, I explained the basics of mission-running in EVE Online and how to find your best agent. In this second part of the guide, I get into the nitty gritty details of essential ship designs for mission-runners. Choosing an appropriate ship and fitting it adequately are arguably the two most important factors in mission-running. While having a weak mission strategy and poor support skills can cause a lot of bother, a poorly designed ship is almost guaranteed death on some of the tougher missions. With the advice in this guide, a little research and a good deal of practice, you'll be well on your way to becoming a mission guru.

Read after the cut for a race-by-race break-down of EVE's most popular and effective mission-running ships, complete with links to some further reading and popular mission fittings.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Mission-running ship design

EVE Evolved: Mission-running ship design originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 05 Jul 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

CCP Games addresses player concerns in EVE Online Q&A

James Egan — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, EVE Online

The first Q&A between EVE Online developers CCP Games and the Council of Stellar Management (CSM) -- a group of players (elected by fellow EVE gamers) that represents the collective interests of the subscribers -- was released this past week. It addresses a few concerns the players have had, for instance the delays with EVE's 'Quarterly Economic Newsletters', what is intended to be a regularly released overview of the game's ever-shifting economy. (CCP says they're on track to release the QEN's on schedule moving forward.) The Q&A also addresses a major question that has arisen for factional warfare participants, which began with the Empyrean Age expansion and its all-out war between the game's four races. Players fighting for the Caldari race's militia have, essentially, won the war. They've captured all of Gallente space. So where will (Caldari-Gallente) factional warfare go from here?

CCP responded: "We plan the NPC timeline for events leading up to expansions, coordinating the release of news and integrating the high level plot with chronicles, video, and everything else we can. This year, our storyline theme was to try and 'cross the streams' more, meaning that we were going to look for ways to weave the exploits of capsuleers into the NPC canon. The Caldari sweep of contestable Federation space gave us the perfect context to do just that."

Continue reading CCP Games addresses player concerns in EVE Online Q&A

CCP Games addresses player concerns in EVE Online Q&A originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Eve dev blog on PvP ship losses

Jon Shute — Thu, 28 May 2009 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, EVE Online, PvP

The latest dev blog for EVE Online is from CCP Diagoras and contains some numbers and information about ship losses through PvP over the last year from April 2008 to April 2009. Firstly there are some very specific subscriber numbers. At the end of April 2008 the game had 234,314 active paying accounts, which had grown to 299,064 by the end of April 2009, which fits nicely with their statement a few days later that the game had passed 300,000 paying subscribers. Using these numbers and the number of ship losses which involved another player attacking he comes up with the information that in April 2008 there were 0.61 ship losses per subscriber in that month. By April 2009 this had raised to 0.67.

The blog then follows up with a series of graphs that show more specific PvP ship losses per month. Some interesting highlights include how dreadnaught losses fluctuate over time compared to the number of each capital ship type destroyed per month which reflects the pattern of big battles over that time, and the numbers of Battleships and Interceptors destroyed which show the preference players have for Caldari and Gallente ships.

Eve dev blog on PvP ship losses originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 28 May 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

EVE Evolved: Has faction warfare been abandoned?

Brendan Drain — Mon, 18 May 2009 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, EVE Online, Culture, Events, in-game, Expansions, Game mechanics, Professions, PvP, Raiding, Grouping, Opinion, Hands-on, EVE Evolved

EVE Online's Faction Warfare system was released almost one year ago with the Empyrean Age expansion and was initially a complete success. It provided a stage on which thousands of players waged war. From fleets of over a hundred players to gangs as small as two or three pilots, everyone found their own place in the conflict. After the initial wave of success, questions began to arise on the lack of rewards to offset the cost of losing ships in PvP. In addition, while the point of faction warfare initially revolved around capturing systems, holding an enemy system provided no benefits beyond bragging rights. Almost a year on from its initial release, faction warfare has barely changed, prompting very real concerns from players that EVE's developers CCP have entirely abandoned it. These issues have even made it as far as the Council of Stellar Management.

In this article, I take a retrospective look at how faction warfare has (or hasn't) progressed in this past year and ask the question "Has Faction Warfare been abandoned?".

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Has faction warfare been abandoned?

EVE Evolved: Has faction warfare been abandoned? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 18 May 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

One Shots: New to New Eden

Krystalle Voecks — Sun, 10 May 2009 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Screenshots, EVE Online, One Shots

There's nobody on staff here that will tell you that starting out in EVE Online is easy. While it certainly is easier than it used to be, sandbox MMOs take time and patience to get the hang of - and finding a group of friends to play with really helps the most. The good news is that while New Eden can be terribly unforgiving to a new capsuleer, it certainly isn't hard on the eyes! Today's One Shots comes to us from regular contributor Johanis, who apparently decided to pop over and check EVE out. He writes: Here is a newly created character in EVE Online (like you don't get enough pics of this stunning game). Draymir is of the Gallente race and while he's still very wet behind the ears, he's learning very quickly how to survive (fighting and mining).

Are you trying to get your foothold in a new game? If so, we'd love to see what some of your favorite moments from that new (to you) world are. Just email them to us here at oneshots AT massively DOT com along with your name, the game, and a brief description. We'll share it with everyone and give you the credit.

Gallery: One Shots

One Shots: New to New Eden originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 10 May 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Fan made EVE video Day of Darkness II blows away players and devs alike

James Egan — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Video, EVE Online, Lore, Machinima

A well-crafted science fiction story can deal with powerful themes. Fans of television shows like Battlestar Galactica know very well that a story of humanity's struggle for survival has a particularly strong emotional pull. The creators of EVE Online recognized this long ago, creating an extensive body of lore about the races of New Eden and their clashes with one another on a galactic scale. Their long history of conflicts creates endless ripples of discord felt by later generations, resulting in the subjugation of entire races countered by the will to be free of such tyranny.

The struggle to survive in the face of a great threat is central to the EVE Online machinima "Day of Darkness II", which is nothing short of exceptional. It's a short film created in-game by EVE player Dire Lauthris and a retelling of a key bit of EVE's lore. In fact, Lauthris drew upon one of the actual Chronicles called "The Breakout". Day of Darkness II focuses on the strife between the Caldari and Gallente races of New Eden, turning back the clock to a historic battle 200 years ago between the Caldari State and the Gallente Federation.

Continue reading Fan made EVE video Day of Darkness II blows away players and devs alike

Fan made EVE video Day of Darkness II blows away players and devs alike originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 03 Apr 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

One Shots: More new ship hotness

Krystalle Voecks — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Screenshots, EVE Online, One Shots

With the promise of upcoming Tech 3 ships, so many EVE Online players just can't wait for Apocrypha to come out. Packed with all manner of new features for EVE players to look forward to, it's going to prove to be a lot of fun. Today's one Shots comes to us from Farrellus who has been so kind as to report back from the test servers for us, with some images of the new ships players can look forward to soon. He writes in: Here's a strategic cruiser I put together on the test server. It's one variation of a Gallente Proteus.

Have you got some beta (non-NDA-breaking, please) or test server screenshots you'd like to send in? We love to hear from our front-line 'reporters' who send in images of some of the cool things coming to MMOs. If you'd like to join our regulars, just email your screenshots of hot newness 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 showing it off!

Gallery: One Shots

One Shots: More new ship hotness originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 Feb 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

One Shots: Cruising the stars

Krystalle Voecks — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Screenshots, EVE Online, One Shots

Another day, another salvaging mission in EVE Online. Let a friend or two jump and make sure it's clear, then head on through with the rest of your group. Today's One Shots comes to us from Sered Woolahra, who sent in this great image. Sered writes: Approaching a stargate in a Catalyst, a destroyer class Gallente vessel. It is definitely a nice early ship, chock full of high-level slots for tractor beams and salvaging - just be sure you've got someone watching your back!

One Shots is in need of your screenshots - from New Eden and beyond! Send them to us here at oneshots AT massively DOT com? Add your name, the game it's from (guild, server and description welcome too) and you're set! It couldn't be any easier unless we snapped them for you.

Gallery: One Shots

One Shots: Cruising the stars originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 Feb 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

One Shots: Just passing through

Krystalle Voecks — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Screenshots, EVE Online, One Shots

If you want to get from here to there and have to fly through some dangerous low-sec space to do so, shuttles are the way to go. Well, that and making sure your clone is up to date, but I'll leave that to our resident EVE Online fiends to explain. Today's EVE Online One Shots comes to us from Sered Woolahra, who took this great shot of a Gallente shuttle zooming past a decrepit-looking station and sent it in to us after seeing the recent EVE screenshot showing off a ruined complex.

We love danger - battle, bosses, low-sec, you name it! If you've got screenshots of some dangerous moments, we'd love to see them. Just send them to us here at oneshots AT massively DOT com along with your name, game and locale. (Descriptions welcome but not required.) We'll post them here for everyone to check out and give you the credit for surviving long enough to get the screenshot.

Gallery: One Shots

One Shots: Just passing through originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Jan 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

EVE's Quantum Rise trailer depicts escalating conflict

James Egan — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Video, EVE Online, Events, in-game, Expansions, Races, Roleplaying

With all of the announcements and events that have taken place this week at EVE Fanfest 2008, it's a safe bet that the forthcoming video footage related to the title should be interesting. CCP Games is kicking off the November 11th release of the Quantum Rise expansion with a video, depicting how the game's storyline is moving forward. As they did previously with the Empyrean Age release, rather than simply making a video that shows off a new game mechanic or ship, CCP's Quantum Rise trailer is presented as 'in-world' breaking news footage from "The Scope" -- New Eden's galactic news network.

Where the Empyrean Age trailer showed viewers a suicide attack on a peace summit that triggered war between the Caldari and Gallente races, the newest Quantum Rise video depicts an escalation of hostilities in New Eden. The Gallente Federation now finds itself mired in a two-front war, fending off the nationalistic Caldari while having to face the golden Amarr fleets as well, as seen in the footage. The Quantum Rise trailer is just the newest one shown on the CCP Games YouTube page. For those looking for higher res downloads, the Quantum Rise trailer should be up on the official site's video section soon. But for now, you can see video footage from 'The Scope' as the conflict unfolds below the cut.

Continue reading EVE's Quantum Rise trailer depicts escalating conflict

EVE's Quantum Rise trailer depicts escalating conflict originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 09 Nov 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

New EVE Online video advances backstory

James Egan — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Video, EVE Online, Lore, Races

Fans of EVE Online's backstory will want to see CCP's latest video tied into the game's lore. The two previous videos CCP Games released were linked to the events that unfolded in The Empyrean Age novel, as broadcast by The Scope news agency: 'Alexander Noir's' suicide attack obliterating hopes for peace between the Gallente and Caldari races, and the unified showing of Minmatar strength that served as a threat to those who would hinder their race's pursuit of freedom.

The latest video, from Amarr Certified News, shows the full might of the Amarr Imperial Domain Fleet, with a multitude of Avatar titans and Revelation dreadnaughts arrayed in elaborate formation, heralding the arrival of their newly coronated Empress, Jamyl Sarum. Having successfully navigated her way to the top while usurping her formidable adversaries, Empress Jamyl Sarum's rise to prominence establishes her as, quite possibly, the most powerful individual in New Eden. All of New Eden witnesses her broadcast, and hears her proclaim, "I am the harbinger of hope. I am the sword of the righteous. And to all who hear my words, I say this: What you give to this Empire, I shall give back unto you." While the theocratic Amarr will operate under some new guiding principles through her rule, it's clear that the Reclamation will proceed, and world after world will come under her control as she 'saves all those wayward children, from themselves.' You can view the video footage of Empress Jamyl Sarum's coronation speech after the cut, as she ushers in a new age for the Amarr race, and for New Eden itself.

Continue reading New EVE Online video advances backstory

New EVE Online video advances backstory originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 11 Oct 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

EVE Visual Guide: The Birth of New Eden

James Egan — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, EVE Online, Lore, PvP, PvE, Races

The backstory of EVE Online is one of the game's major strengths. Not all players immerse themselves in the setting, which is a shame as the backstory -- built up over years -- is rich. No epic science fiction tale is without a grand struggle, and the story of EVE is one of the corrupting interplay of high technology and the power it brings, generation upon generation.

EVE's backstory is a departure from the established notions of 'good vs. evil'; even its villains can become heroes in the gritty setting of New Eden. As the empires created by EVE's pilots rise and fall with relentless alliance warfare in 0.0 space, as they lend their strength to causes in the factional warfare of the Empyrean Age, they take the concepts established in the backstory and run with them -- in some respects, making the game into what they want it to be. The Birth of New Eden is a visual tour of the backstory of EVE, from humanity's first steps beyond the EVE Gate into the unknown, to the sweeping conflict of The Empyrean Age.

Witness the Birth of New Eden >>

Gallery: The Birth of New Eden

EVE Visual Guide: The Birth of New Eden originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 29 Aug 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Official EVE Flickr images show Ambulation concept art

James Egan — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Galleries, EVE Online, Expansions, Previews, News items, Races

Ambulation, or 'Walking in Stations,' is a hot topic among EVE Online players, but for opposing reasons. Some are excited about the prospect of being able to get out of their capsules and ships and finally interact on an avatar level with one another. Other players feel that Ambulation offers little that will benefit the game as it's played by EVE's pilots.

Regardless of what detractors from Ambulation are saying, CCP Games has been moving ahead with the project. Players will decide for themselves whether or not this is a positive addition to EVE Online when they get to try it out at Fanfest 2008 in November. Until then, CCP has provided a few images on their Flickr account that give EVE players a glimpse at how their avatars are going to look later this year, and what the station environments will be like.

[Via CrazyKinux]

Gallery: Early Ambulation Concept Art

Official EVE Flickr images show Ambulation concept art originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 18 Aug 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

EVE alliance circumvents factional warfare restrictions

James Egan — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, EVE Online, Events, in-game, Expansions, Game mechanics, PvP, News items, Races, Roleplaying

Factional warfare became a part of EVE Online in the Empyrean Age expansion, which ushered in a time of backstory-driven militia conflict for players aligned with one of the four races of New Eden. What promised to be a new avenue for EVE's roleplaying community ended up being inaccessible to roleplaying alliances. CCP stipulated that alliances cannot enlist with factional militias, as their sheer numbers could streamroll their opposition and create overwhelming odds for the disadvantaged side in the conflict.

The only recourse EVE's alliances have is to form splinter corporations outside of the alliance, for the sole purpose of allying with a given racial faction. That is, until recently. An article from ISD Magnus Balteus, one of EVE Online's in-game reporters, states the Star Fraction alliance "has openly declared war on corporations that have joined the Caldari milita; the State Protectorate. For over a month, Star Fraction has been selectively targeting the corporations of fleet commanders in the Caldari militia."

Continue reading EVE alliance circumvents factional warfare restrictions

EVE alliance circumvents factional warfare restrictions originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 14 Aug 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

EVE Community Spotlight: Jade Constantine

James Egan — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, EVE Online, Interviews, Lore, Opinion, Politics, Roleplaying

Jade Constantine is a veteran player of EVE Online, long known for having a forceful personality and a flair for writing. As the CEO of Jericho Fraction and the head of The Star Fraction alliance, Jade has become a pioneer in EVE roleplay, upholding ideologies of freedom that run counter to some of the very systems that define the game.

Along the way, Jade has made some enemies, but clearly some allies as well, having garnered the most votes in the Council of Stellar Management (CSM) election. As Chairman of the CSM, Jade Constantine is a magnet for controversy, but as an elected delegate, is also in a unique position to deal directly with CCP Games and potentially change EVE. Massively recently spoke with Jade on the state of roleplaying in EVE Online, the challenges that the CSM faces, and what it's like to be under the magnifying glass.

Continue reading EVE Community Spotlight: Jade Constantine

EVE Community Spotlight: Jade Constantine originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 13 Aug 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

CCP Games releases faction overview for EVE Online

James Egan — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, EVE Online, Events, in-game, Expansions, Guilds, Lore, PvP, Races, Roleplaying

For participants in EVE Online's factional warfare in the Empyrean Age expansion, it's common knowledge that there are four races embroiled in conflict. However, CCP Games has decided to add some more variety to the roles that EVE players can assume. To that end, EVE dev Matthew Woodward (aka CCP Greyscale) created a political overview for those who wish to immerse themselves a bit more in the backstory, or for those who wish to assume roles in the factional struggle beyond what is currently known about the key races in EVE's setting of New Eden.

The cruel yet devoutly religious Amarr bring worlds and systems under their heel to 'save them from themselves.' They're opposed by the fractious Minmatar, a group of tribes resisting Amarr tyranny -- many of whom are chemically enslaved by a tailored virus and regular fixes of its narcotic treatment, ensuring their continued servitude to the Amarr.

Continue reading CCP Games releases faction overview for EVE Online

CCP Games releases faction overview for EVE Online originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 02 Aug 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Passes on sale for The Party at the Top of the World

Krystalle Voecks — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, EVE Online, Events, real-world, News items

CCP has finally opened their war declaration on boring game conventions, opening up the sales for the much-anticipated passes to the EVE Online Fan Fest. Also known as "The Party at the Top of the World", this year's Fan Fest looks to be a continuation of the excitement and fun of years past!

Events scheduled for this year include all the regular events that EVE Online fans have come to love, such as PvP tournaments, lots of different presentations and panels, the Jita meetup and a silent auction. Additionally, this year players will get a chance to check out a special hands-on demo of the incoming Ambulation technology, which will allow players to finally break free of their pods! (You know, without the use of someone else's weaponry.)

Passes are on sale for $75 USD, which nets you a confirmation code to bring to the event for badge pickup. Spouse passes aren't available yet, but will only be available if you've already purchased a regular EVEnt pass. Also, if you need travel and hotel there are still some spots open in Icelandair's group packages, so be sure to book soon before they all run out!

Passes on sale for The Party at the Top of the World originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 26 Jul 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Divinity and malevolence personified in latest EVE Chronicle

James Egan — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, EVE Online, Lore

CCP Games has been giving us a glimpse into the lives and motivations of the four leaders of the warring races in EVE Online, through a series of weekly Chronicles. Thus far we've seen the weight of years of struggle carried by the Minmatar leader, Sanmatar Maleatu Shakor, and the Gallente President Souro Foiritan forced to make horrific compromises to ensure the future of his people. We've also seen the questionable background of Tibus Heth, the head of the Caldari State. But it seems that CCP saved the best for last: Jamyl Sarum, Empress of the Amarr Empire, is by far the most forceful personality among the four -- a feared and loved ruler of billions.

And rightly so, we've witnessed how grandiose her actions tend to be in the Empyrean Age trailer; she commanded the battleship which obliterated a vastly superior Minmatar fleet which included a Ragnarok-class titan. This time, in "All These Wayward Children," it's her words that speak louder than her actions. The viewing platform of an Amarrian starship, bearing the newly-coronated Empress, is the setting for the final of the weekly Chronicles. "All These Wayward Children" shows her extreme beliefs about the divine imperative to conquer other civilizations and how she doesn't simply punish perceived wrongs; she exacts sadistic retribution upon her enemies, political and otherwise... her "Benediction."

Continue reading Divinity and malevolence personified in latest EVE Chronicle

Divinity and malevolence personified in latest EVE Chronicle originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 21 Jul 2008 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

EVE Chronicle puts players at the center of factional warfare

James Egan — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, EVE Online, Lore, PvP, Roleplaying

The latest EVE Chronicle is called "The Dark End of Space." This installment connects the events seen in the full Empyrean Age trailer (namely, Jamyl Sarum's utter obliteration of a greater Minmatar fleet) with the lowsec militia conflicts and missions that have embroiled EVE Online's players in factional warfare. Indeed, "The Dark End of Space" focuses on how each of the four races -- despite having conflicting goals and ideologies -- view the capsuleers... the actual players in EVE Online: "A group of people so powerful they're practically a faction unto themselves. Immortal, fearless and wealthy beyond imagining. Born of all four empires but beholden, in truth, to no one but themselves. And utterly untapped, in this little skirmish of ours."

"The Dark End of Space" shows how each of the races face similar difficulties, and how the players of EVE are thought by each faction to be the solution to their problems. EVE dev CCP Abraxas says of the newest Chronicle: "... this one breaks rank and instead focuses on the capsuleers. It explains how we went from the end of the novel to the onset of factional warfare, and how you guys got pulled into it." This could get very interesting if factional propaganda enters into the game, with each race's militia trying to further sway the capsuleers to their cause and tip the balance of power in the Empyrean Age. But for the time being, the Empyrean Age novel, the trailer, and the Chronicles are intertwined, and it seems that EVE's players are firmly at the center of what is to come.

EVE Chronicle puts players at the center of factional warfare originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 07 Jul 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Latest EVE Chronicle a look into Gallente moral erosion

James Egan — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, EVE Online, Forums, Lore, Roleplaying

EVE Online is running a series of Chronicles focusing on the leadership of the four races in the Empyrean Age, now locked into war in a galaxy divided. The latest EVE Chronicle, "The Paths They Chose," focuses on the Gallente race and is set in a blend of futuristic crystalline cityscape and natural scenery. The story shows the measures taken by leaders of the Gallente Federation to ensure their way of life continues. Holographic technology, advanced eavesdropping countermeasures, and an artificially cultivated environment merge in several acres of selectively grown flora and woodland; serenity and privacy for Federation officials and visiting diplomats is assured in the sanctum beneath a vast transparent dome.

But the beauty of this place is juxtaposed with the inhuman actions taken within. A traitor to the Gallente people is grotesquely crucified upon a metallic 'dead man's needle,' which suspends the captive by his vertebrae while pumping him full of sedatives. The captive is abused like this by order of the President of the Gallente Federation, Souro Foiritan. Like the illusion of transparency of the eco-dome surrounding the characters, the moral high ground of the Gallente Federation is shown to be equally ephemeral, as President Foiritan reveals a new -- and dark -- direction that the Gallente will take in New Eden. Read "The Paths They Chose" to see Foiritan's descent into becoming "a leader cruel enough to do what needed to be done, and compassionate enough to understand why it needed doing." The story has struck a chord with some of EVE's players, who are discussing the sudden change and what this might do for the game's backstory.

Latest EVE Chronicle a look into Gallente moral erosion originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 06 Jul 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

BattleClinic's exclusive Factional Warfare guide by CCP Games

James Egan — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, EVE Online, Expansions, Game mechanics, Guides, News items

BattleClinic, a popular EVE Online web resource run by players, now has another thing going in its favor. Matthew Woodward, a Game Designer from CCP Games, has put together an in-character factional warfare guide, which is exclusive to the site. Woodward writes under the guise of one 'Sergeant-Major Illivia', and tries to whip the reader into shape as if they were a new recruit in Boot Camp.

Sergeant-Major Illivia's ranting introduction to factional warfare in the Empyrean Age walks you through militia enlistment, battlefield intelligence, your objectives in the war, and most importantly -- how to stay alive in EVE. It's a clever way of conveying what's involved in factional conflict to a prospective recruit, although Woodward/Illivia does make you feel like a whelp at times. Check out the "Faction Warfare Enlistment Debrief" at BattleClinic for fiction with practical applications.

BattleClinic's exclusive Factional Warfare guide by CCP Games originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 01 Jul 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments