14 DAY TRIAL // It's official MMORPG fans, CCP has just dated the long awaited EVE Online: Trinity expansion for a December 5th release, this year. The expansion doesn't include new quests, or classes (not that the popular MMO needed any), but actually features a next-generation graphics engine. The best part about this expansion however, is that it's going to be absolutely free.
CCP is launching this free, next-gen graphical expansion in light of reaching an important milestone, as far as its userbase is concerned: more than 200,000 players now subscribe to EVE Online, according to an official report. It wasn't easy to come up with it though. CCP had to develop a whole new engine in order to achieve visual goals set by the industry today, and so, by tailoring it to work with for Shader Model 3.0 and above, CCP have set new industry standards themselves. Well, for MMOs anyway. The company even claims this is a mere first step in what they're about to do with EVE Online, graphically.
Basically, as CCP confirms, all ships, stations and stargates have been reconstructed, while advanced lighting techniques and complex surface materials will make these highly detailed models even more realistic.
"EVE Online players always inspire and amaze everyone at CCP, and it is invigorating to see our subscription numbers surpass 200,000 as we prepare for the Trinity release," said Hilmar Veigar Petursson, Chief Executive Officer of CCP. "We're pleased that advances in graphics technology allow us to present the world of EVE as we had always envisioned it. We look forward to sharing the Trinity edition with the fast-growing, dedicated community that shares our passion to remove the barriers that constrain virtual worlds from meeting their full potential."
Click here for more details on the Trinity launch. Leaving aside that this expansion will be free of charge for all EVE Online subscribers, CCP has reportedly included a host of other new features too, although they're not mentioned within today's report. But don't worry, we'll keep you updated as soon as the developer makes an official unveiling.