EVE Online players from two opposing factions have decided to put their six-month-long war on pause to peacefully celebrate Christmas and the winter holidays. It's an amazing example of collective goodwill, as the game’s community is better known for its unerring dedication to the in-game economy and roleplay (and, at times like this, deception).
The dedicated community is also known for some unique feats that can only be pulled off in the data-minded space sim. Back in September, developer CCP Games alongside the EVE Online community helped to gather over 41 million data samples to help research SARS-CoV-2, the initial viral strain causing the ongoing and deadly coronavirus pandemic. Capsuleers were tasked with tracing the effects that the coronavirus might have on human blood cells using a specially designed. This science project was delivered as a mini-game within EVE Online.
For the past six months, a huge war has been waging in EVE Online between the Goonswarm Federation and TEST Alliance, each of which are composed of the game's biggest corporations. Since EVE is a complex game, battles might last for hours and war is a full-time job for some, so this conflict has been a deep distraction from everyday life for those closely involved. Now, the opposing sides tacitly decided to have a ceasefire for the duration of the Christmas holidays so that players can celebrate in peace. As revealed by angry-mustache on Reddit, leaders of the factions started giving orders to their subordinates and allies to stop any offensive actions that might result in battle encounters on Christmas day. Since nothing has been set in stone, the truce is obviously shaky, so only time will tell if each party keeps its word.
EVE Online’s close-knit community has been recognized many times by the development team at CCP Games. Earlier this year, the studio decided to make the player-made cemetery for fallen capsuleers an official in-game location. The site was originally used by gamers to mourn and immortalize friends and relatives who passed away in real-life. While the purpose of the space cemetery has remained more or less the same, it was redesigned from scratch by CCP in honor of the touching community effort.
The playerbase that keeps EVE Online in the headline has always been a remarkable one, and it frequently goes beyond the mix of developer and player mechanics that drive the in-game economy and organic politics. The decision to call a Christmas truce during an active war is another example of how this community can be thoughtful and caring despite internal tensions. While there's no guarantee the Christmas truce will be upheld, it can be hoped that combatants get a little bit of rest and play outside in the snow before the online fighting resumes.
EVE Online is available on PC.
Source: angry-mustache