A new blog post from EVE Online developer CCP Games says that it hopes the game will "outlive us all." EVE launched 17 years ago today, and has gone through countless changes along with its creators - CCP was acquired by Black Desert developer Pearl Abyss in 2018.
CCP Games is one of the many studios around the world that has been affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The Iceland-based developer recently delayed its upcoming mobile MMO EVE Echoes until late 2020 as an unfortunate result of COVID-19. Perhaps even more unfortunate, however, is the total cancellation of EVE Fanfest 2020 due to the heightened risk of infection. That said, CCP and EVE Online certainly aren't struggling - in fact, the game's situation is quite the opposite.
In a lengthy blog post today, CCP Games CEO Hilmar Veigar Pétursson celebrated EVE's birthday and provided detailed updates on the game, the studio, and their ongoing fundraiser for COVID-19 relief. He noted that both old and new players are flocking to EVE Online, what with "so many people from around the world having to stay physically distant." In light of its growing popularity (especially in China), "the vision is to have EVE outlive us all." To accomplish that, Pétursson said, the team at CCP has laid out a long-term plan for EVE Online in its third decade. The plan includes more improvements to the early game for newcomers (EVE has had a notoriously high entry barrier in the past), altering the EVE ecosystem with foundational changes and challenges, and investing in the technological infrastructure of the game with updates.
Pétursson further discussed CCP's latest "PLEX for GOOD" drive, supporting the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund. EVE players have collectively donated over $100,000 USD, and even Iceland's president has directly thanked and endorsed them. The fundraiser will continue for at least the next two months, and anyone who donates will fittingly receive a Virtual Mask in-game. CCP has held other PLEX for GOOD campaigns for other crises, but this is the longest one by far. Pétursson also confirmed that both of CCP's teams in Iceland and China have avoided any COVID-19 infections.
It's relieving to hear that CCP's preventative measures have helped its studios avoid any COVID-19 cases, and even more encouraging to hear that the EVE community has come together in such a big way. In spite of the delays and cancellations of other games and events in the EVE franchise, EVE Online seems firmly on track to accomplishing its goals for the future. It's not unthinkable that the game could outlive many of us, either.
Source: CCP Games