EVE Online Will Get New Expansion

Even after the massive graphical update that was Trinity and discussing about creating space stations where players can interact in flesh and blood (virtual flesh and blood, that is) and not only through the comm channels the developers at CCP were talking about, we have yet another expansion to their space MMO EVE Online, one that will push the idea of war in the games universe to the forefront.

CCP designer Matt Woodward talked to mmorpg.com about the upcoming expansion, called The Empyrean Age, saying that it was the first update that will push the backstory of the game forward. Woodward remarked that "Empyrian Age is the first expansion that we've really been building the story into things. We've got who has written us a novel of the same name and it's about four big empires that exist in a kind of uneasy peace for some time. It all comes to a head and it all starts. The whole cluster is extreme and everything is kicking off, so the expansion ties into this".

As the release date nears, players will get hints and information within the game world that something is happening and all the events that lead up to war will be detailed in-game so that the whole move to the expansion feels natural to the universe and does not mean a break with already established gameplay.

When the inter empire war begins, each player will have the option to pick with whom he wants to side with. Most of the players will not go to one side or the other individually, but mainly as big in-game corporations declare allegiance to one side or the other they'll follow their corporation. As a result, a complex web of enemies and friends will develop.

Each side will offer missions that lead to technological and financial gains for those that complete them. Most of these will feature warfare, with raiding and station attacks being the main tasks. But Woodward says that players that don't enjoy combat will also have plenty to do. Such large scale warfare will create a huge need for replacement ships, natural resources and will also create a space where traders and spies can ply their trades. So even if it is combat oriented, Empyrian Age will offer something new for all EVE players.

It seems that the main aim is to create a space where players that keep it safe and out of PvP and players that do PvP can connect with each other. As Woodward puts it, "The step from one to the other is a big step and what we're trying to do is build a bridge so that you can say 'I want to try some PvP in a semi-controlled environment.' It's not safe, obviously. You're going to die a lot because that's what PvP is about. Still, once you get into the mindset of 'I'm going to lose this ship', it's all a lot more fun."

Even if betrayal is at the heart of the EVE universe, it seems that it will be hard to change sides in the middle of the game. As you complete missions in the new expansion, you receive favors from the empire that you chose, while at the same time getting negative reputation with the others (mainly because you seem to be always blowing up their ships, we reckon). So even if betrayal and changing of sides is supported, it could prove to be a disadvantage for the player that does it.

The expansion seems very interesting and will probably add a lot to EVE's already impressive gameplay, but the Empyrean Age is still in development and is not expected to be launched until next year.