Have you ever thought, what if I could have joined EVE Online at the very beginning of it’s current 15 year career? In one of the most unexpected announcements of the on-going EVE Vegas 2018 gathering, you may just get that wish! EVE Echoes, a mobile New Eden, was presented during the Open Ceremony (found at minute 19 in this video). The information went wide in a tweet later in the evening.
EVE Echoes a brand new game from the creators of EVE Online, here’s the official announcement:
CCP Games is excited to formally unveil EVE: Echoes, previously known as EVE: Project Galaxy, a brand-new game set in an alternate universe of New Eden. Developed by NetEase Games in conjunction with CCP Games, EVE: Echoes will arrive on iOS and Android in 2019.
Authentic to the EVE universe that players know and love, EVE: Echoes will let players venture deep into space, to write not only their own history, but that of the galaxy itself. Whether engaging in interstellar combat, trade, or exploration, as well as many other activities across thousands of planetary systems, players will be free to experience hallmark EVE gameplay on their preferred mobile device.
“Working with NetEase, one of the world’s leaders in mobile gaming on our most treasured IP, EVE Online, was something I have been very excited about ever since our discussions started,” said Hilmar Veigar Pétursson, CEO, CCP Games. “I believe mobile is the obvious next step to bring a refined version of our legendary PC experience to an even bigger audience.”
The game will utilize NetEase Games’ proprietary graphics engine, NeoX, in combination with CCP’s game design to realize stunning starry skies, boundless star-fields, majestic planets and unpredictable asteroid belts at unprecedented graphical detail on mobile devices.
“We’re huge fans of EVE Online and when the opportunity arose to challenge ourselves and create something as ambitious as EVE Online but for mobile devices, we were thrilled,” said Frank Xiang, General Manager of Marketing, NetEase. “EVE: Echoes is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible on mobile devices today and with our expertise in mobile game development, we’re confident that fans of the franchise and mobile games in general will be very happy with the final result.”
In addition to retaining EVE’s signature gameplay mechanics, EVE: Echoes will also utilize its social system as part of its overall experience. Players can join and lead corporations, align with others to form even-stronger coalitions, whilst capturing opposing rivals’ territories through enormous fleet battles. A deep and realistic social system is also being developed which will provide players with an interconnected futuristic interstellar lifestyle.
CCP Games is excited to formally unveil EVE: Echoes, a brand-new spaceship sandbox MMO set in an alternate New Eden, the sci-fi universe of EVE Online. Players will be able to experience authentic EVE gameplay on their preferred mobile device and engage in interstellar combat, trade and exploration, as well as many other activities across thousands of star systems.
Developed by NetEase Games in conjunction with CCP Games, EVE: Echoes will arrive on iOS and Android in 2019.
Echoes will be a separate experience from the EVE Online experience (separate game, separate shard). The lore explanation of this separate shard is that it is linked to Caroline’s Star, the cataclysm splitting off a tiny branch reality.
Currently, CCP hasn’t yet disclosed any information monetization of the mobile game. Microtransactions, should they become part of EVE Echoes, need to be balanced or purely cosmetic. Additional question, “Will there be Alpha and Omega clone states, if so what will be the cost difference. Will there be crossover?”
It is great to see EVE Online expanding into other mediums. Silence followed its announcement with CCP Hilmar having to ask for applause, not massive fan excitement. To be honest this might bring newer players into the game (always a good thing). Information is limited at this time, but we will continue to look and keep you updated. Tell us what you think about this mobile development either here or on Twitter, using #EVEEchoes will helps us find it. We’ll keep an eye on this one and I must say, those lunch breaks are about to get veeeerryyy unproductive in the near future.
