CCP Games Announces Eve Frontier: A Blockchain Space Survival Game

TLDR:

• CCP Games announced Eve Frontier, a space survival game set in the Eve universe
• Eve Frontier will utilize blockchain technology and allow players to create content
• The game is being built on Ethereum using the Redstone layer-2 network
• No release date yet, but a playtest begins September 27
• Many existing Eve Online players have reacted negatively to the blockchain elements

Eve Online developer CCP Games has announced Eve Frontier, a new space survival game set in the Eve universe that incorporates blockchain technology.

The game, previously known as Project Awakening, aims to create a player-driven sandbox where survivors must collaborate and create resources to endure in a hostile environment.

Eve Frontier is being built on the Ethereum blockchain, specifically utilizing the Redstone layer-2 network designed for autonomous game worlds.

The game will feature crypto tokens, with the Eve Token serving as a utility token that can be exchanged for external value. CCP Games emphasizes that while blockchain is involved, they are focused on creating a game first rather than simply a vehicle for selling tokens.

A key aspect of Eve Frontier is its use of “Smart Assemblies,” which allow players to create new experiences and features within the game using smart contracts. This could potentially include player-created crypto tokens. CCP’s goal is to provide a toolset that enables the community to continue developing the game over time, with minimal intervention from the original developers.

The game is being developed using CCP’s Carbon engine, which the company plans to open source eventually. Additionally, Eve Frontier will utilize MUD, an on-chain engine built in parallel with Redstone.

In Eve Frontier, players awaken from stasis as the last remnants of humanity in a world where drone swarms and resource scarcity pose constant threats.

The game world, known as the Frontier, is described as a shattered space region filled with dangerous supermassive black holes and exotic wormholes. Players must explore, gather resources, and upgrade their technology to survive in this harsh environment.

While no official release date has been announced, CCP Games has revealed that a playtest for Eve Frontier will begin on September 27.

Interested players can sign up on the official website for a chance to participate. The game is currently slated for release on Windows PC and Mac.

The announcement of Eve Frontier has been met with mixed reactions, particularly from the existing Eve Online community.

Many longtime players have expressed skepticism and concern about the incorporation of blockchain technology into the Eve universe. Some view it as a departure from the traditional gameplay they enjoy, while others worry about potential monetization issues.

CCP Games has responded to these concerns by encouraging players to keep an open mind and experience the game before drawing conclusions. The company maintains that Eve Frontier is designed to be a game first, with blockchain elements serving to enhance player agency and creativity within the game world.

As development progresses, CCP Games faces the challenge of balancing innovation with the expectations of its established player base.

The success of Eve Frontier may depend on the company’s ability to demonstrate the value of blockchain integration while maintaining the core elements that have made Eve Online a long-standing favorite in the MMO genre.