This video features a discussion between CCP Okami and CCP Ratati from EVE Online, covering several key topics. They elaborate on the game's update philosophy, differentiating between major updates and expansions, and detail upcoming strategic themes like "Gold Rush." They also discuss the integration of EVE Online with "Vanguard," EVE's upcoming shooter. The conversation touches upon community feedback, planned updates to the in-game map and Neocom interface, rollout timelines, experimental content, and the overall player experience, with a particular focus on the empire systems.
Greetings, Capsuleers!
We recently sat down with CCP Okami and CCP Ratati for a candid Dev Chat, diving deep into the evolving landscape of EVE Online. From clarifying our development cadence to teasing future themes and exploring exciting cross-game integration, this discussion offered a valuable glimpse into what’s on the horizon. For those who couldn't tune in live, here’s a breakdown of the key points.
A recurring theme in community discussions is the rhythm of EVE’s development. We’ve heard your feedback about the need for predictability, especially regarding balance and meta shifts. To address this, we’ve been refining our approach, distinguishing clearly between our major content Expansions and our more frequent Major Updates.
This structured approach aims to provide a more consistent experience, ensuring that both groundbreaking new content and the ongoing health of the EVE universe are meticulously managed.
Beyond specific updates and expansions, we're also looking at longer-term thematic directions to guide our development efforts. One such theme, revealed at FanFest and elaborated upon here, is "Gold Rush."
It's important to clarify that "Gold Rush" is not the title of an upcoming expansion. Instead, it serves as an internal development theme designed to inspire creativity and focus for our teams over the next three years. This theme will manifest in various ways across multiple expansions, painting a picture of a frontier, resource-rich, yet dangerous era in EVE's lore. Expect to see the first tangible expressions of the "Gold Rush" theme in our next major expansion. We're excited to see how this thematic drive shapes the universe and provides new opportunities for capsuleers.
The integration of EVE Online with our upcoming shooter, Vanguard, remains a significant long-term commitment. We're not just building a single connection; we're constructing a web of interactions that will strengthen the EVE Universe across both titles.
Our approach is iterative. The initial steps, such as influencing insurgencies in EVE based on Vanguard player actions, have been carefully calibrated to test the waters without disrupting the core EVE experience. The feedback and data gathered are invaluable as we move towards more robust, evergreen connections. The goal is to create meaningful, asynchronous gameplay links – where actions in one game trigger events or provide benefits in the other, regardless of immediate player overlap.
The current focus is on building these foundational links, with future developments exploring how players can affiliate with EVE Online corporations from within Vanguard, influencing events and potentially spawning dynamic content like convoys in EVE. While the exact implementation is complex and under continuous development, the commitment to a multi-faceted integration is unwavering. We're confident that as Vanguard matures and becomes fully live, these connections will offer compelling new layers to the EVE experience.
We recognize the deep attachment many of you have to the game's interface and fundamental tools. While the recent major update focused on balance and meta, rest assured that work on the in-game map and the Neocom interface is ongoing. These are not just minor tweaks; they represent significant undertakings that require careful consideration and development. We will share more details on these specific updates as soon as we can, but please know they are a priority.
Furthermore, we’re continuously engaging with feedback through channels like Reddit and Discord. Whether it's about ship balancing, economic adjustments, or the overall player experience, your input is crucial. We are actively monitoring these discussions and incorporating them into our development roadmap.
A fascinating aspect of the chat involved discussions around experimental content and player experience research. This includes observing how new players, and even the children of developers, interact with EVE to identify pain points and opportunities for improvement. This deep dive into player behavior helps us craft more intuitive experiences, especially for those new to New Eden. The goal is to balance the depth EVE is known for with accessibility, ensuring that the learning curve is manageable and rewarding.
While our current focus has been on solidifying core gameplay systems, balancing, and thematic integration, we haven't forgotten the importance of narrative and dynamic events. We acknowledge that some of the beloved, more sporadic events have taken a backseat to this strategic focus. However, narrative design is a growing area of focus, with a new narrative designer on board. We are exploring how to weave compelling stories into the fabric of EVE more sustainably, ensuring they are both engaging for players and manageable for our development teams. The concept of "dynamism" – introducing surprise and requiring player ingenuity – is a key element we aim to expand upon, fostering moments of unpredictable excitement alongside the structured content.
The development of EVE Online is a continuous journey, shaped by player feedback and strategic vision. The "Gold Rush" theme, the EVE-Vanguard integration, and the ongoing refinement of our update cadence are all steps towards a richer, more dynamic, and engaging New Eden. We thank you for your continued passion and participation, and we look forward to sharing more as we progress.
Fly safe, and we'll see you in space!
