EVE Online makes free-to-play switch

CCP’s popular MMO space sim EVE Online is dropping its compulsory subscription fees.

The developer describes the move as one of the biggest changes to the EVE universe ever, exponentially and aggressively fuelling the boundless potential of EVE’s greatest game content – its players”.

From November players will be split into two clone states. Firstly, Omega Clones. These paying players will have access to unlimited skill progression and rapid skill training. In other words, maintain your subscription and you’ll be rewarded with in-game perks. Alpha Clones, however, while having free access to the game, will have more limited skill and ship options.

A player’s clone state will be determined by their account status. Those using ships and skills that will be Omega-only after the change but choose not to subscribe will incur penalties.

EVE is a very special game,” CCP said. Our single shard server means that every player truly affects every other, whether through economics, resource gathering, direct combat or bad posting. This in turn means that our universe is more interesting, more exciting and more dangerous with each additional citizen.

Just like you, we’ve known this for a long time and, just like you, we’ve been doing everything we can to bring more people into our spectacular sandbox. Part of our vision for the future of EVE has included more open access for some time, but with the interconnected nature of the game comes vulnerability.

We knew that if the flood gates were opened in the wrong way, we could see anything from server meltdowns to the collapse of the EVE economy. Over time, our hardware has improved, code has been untangled (mostly!) and we’ve found a design we believe in.”