Fanfest and Final Deployment of EVE Online: Quantum Rise

[news 28]

Greetings from CCP!

It's been a busy month in our global offices. Here's the quick recap.

 

The second part of our staged release of the ninth free expansion for EVE Online, titled Quantum Rise, hit the servers mid this week. It includes the StacklessIO and EVE64 initiatives, which respectively altered our server software and hardware structures to combat latency issues to tremendous effect. Over 1000 player single-system fleet battles are now a reality and lag has all but disappeared from major market hubs.

More on Quantum Rise and its features are in the below press release.

 

Fanfest

2008, the 5th Annual "Party At The Top Of The World", was held Nov 6-8. We announced the acceleration of our summer expansion to come out well ahead of schedule in March, a distribution partnership with Atari to put EVE in stores in a box by March 10th (currently only available as digital download), the knowledgebase repository of Evelopedia, the social networking structure Cosmos that merges in and out of game connectivity and we showed off a playable demo of Walking in Stations, wherein EVE players can leave their ships and take on a whole new way of social interaction. Videos from the event, keynotes, massive party and much more will be making their way to www.eveonline.com as soon as the 30+ hours are done in post-production.

 

The summer-now-March expansion will include a whole host of improvements and be one of the biggest releases yet. New planetary asteroid rings, epic mission arcs, modular ship designs, Tech 3 items, exploration via wormholes and a refocusing on the new player experience are all currently in the plans.

 

 

As always, any requests for assets or interviews should be made via me at nedcoker ( -at -) ccpgames.com, including access to the electronic press kit where lots of videos, screenshots and information are available.

 

Media contact:

Ned Coker

P.R. Associate for CCP

nedcoker ( -at -) ccpgames.com

404-292-1819x258

 

EVE Online: Quantum Rise Expansion Released in Full CCP delivers last stage of free winter 2008 expansion

 

Reykjavik, Iceland November 12, 2008-CCP, one of the world's leading independent game developers, today fully deployed EVE Online: Quantum Rise, the ninth free expansion for EVE Online. In September, CCP pushed the first staged delivery of Quantum Rise to the servers ahead of schedule-allowing for impressive 1000-player single-system battles and slashing lag in major market hubs and across all aspects of gameplay. Today's release brings the final pieces of Quantum Rise to players and sets the stage for future expansions.

 

Several improvements in Quantum Rise include:

 

-More upgrades to our hardware and software structures as a further implementation of the EVE64 and StacklessIO initiatives

-Certificates provide benchmarks for the skill system, goals for new players, help during corporation recruiting efforts and bragging rights

-A new medal system allows corporations to build and bestow their own custom rewards for whatever achievements they can imagine-anywhere from participation in a major fleet battle to a milestone in corporate allegiance

-UI changes include a moveable HUD, module recharge timers and weapon grouping

-In-game Subscription Services allow players to convert 60-day EVE Time Codes (ETCs) into two 30-day items in game. They can be traded freely through all regular means (via market or contract or directly between players) and can be activated at any time

-The new industrial capital ship, the Orca

-Autopilot avoidance and new routes to bring safer, faster travel in New Eden

 

 

"Quantum Rise is yet another successful iteration on an already great game with a proven track record of delivering a deep, immersive, intelligent experience for one of the most demanding audiences in the MMO industry," says Torfi Frans Olafsson, Senior Producer for EVE Online. "We are proud to be delivering Quantum Rise as a continuation of our vision of building the ultimate science-fiction simulator that we will continue to grow and enhance until Earth will be taken over by extraterrestrial races and we will be forced to put the project on hold while we take up arms and liberate our home planet."

 

A full list of additions for EVE Online: Quantum Risecan be found on the features page: http://www.eve-online.com/features/QuantumRise/

 

CCP is proud to bring Quantum Rise to you just days after EVE Fanfest in Reykjavik, Iceland, where there were several major announcements during the keynote speech for the legions of dedicated fans in attendance. Check in with www.eveonline.com over the coming weeks for more information and a recap of the Fifth Annual Party at the Top of the World.

 

Availability:

EVE Online: Quantum Rise will be available for subscribers as a free download at www.eveonline.com/download/. Non-subscribers should visit the EVE website to sign up for a free 14-day trial account.

 

 

About EVE Online

Set tens of thousands of years in the future, EVE Online is a breathtaking journey to the stars, to an immersive experience filled with adventure, riches, danger and glory. With nearly a quarter of a million subscribers worldwide inhabiting the same virtual universe, EVE features a vast player-run economy where your greatest asset is the starship, designed to accommodate your specific needs, skills and ambitions. EVE offers professions ranging from commodities trader to mercenary, industrial entrepreneur to pirate, mining engineer to battle fleet commander or any combination of these and much more. From brokering business deals to waging war, you will have access to a diverse array of sophisticated tools and interfaces to forge your own destiny in EVE. Learn more and sign up for a free trial at www.eveonline.com.

 

Definition of Subscribers

EVE Online subscribers include individuals who have paid a subscription fee or have an active electronic time code (ETC) to play EVE Online, as well as those who have purchased the game and are within their free month of access. The above definition excludes all players under free promotional subscriptions, expired or cancelled subscriptions and expired ETCs.

 

About CCP

CCP is widely recognized as an industry-leading pioneer of the single-server persistent universe architecture as the developer and publisher of EVE Online, the critically-acclaimed, science fiction-based massively multiplayer online game (MMOG). Utilizing a cross-discipline approach combining cutting-edge technology and artistic excellence, CCP is dedicated to providing vibrant, compelling products that transcend the boundaries of conventional MMOGs and facilitate social networking through virtual worlds. Privately held and founded in Reykjavik, Iceland in 1997, CCP's international reach now spans the globe with offices in Atlanta and Shanghai as well as a base of operations in London. More information about CCP is available at the company's website, www.ccpgames.com.