EVE Frontier Enters Closed Alpha Today

My predictions for Project Awakening in 2024, now known as EVE Frontier, were a little off. I did not expect Thursday's press release announcing the Closed Alpha for the blockchain game. The text is short enough to post the main part of the press release below.

CCP Games Announces Founder Access for EVE Frontier

REYKJAVÍK, Iceland – December 5, 2024 – Today, CCP Games announced Founder Access for EVE Frontier, giving players the opportunity to shape the future of the space survival simulation and access its in-development build on a continuous basis. Starting Tuesday December 10, Founder Access holders can join an exclusive, always-on server in Closed Alpha, where they will leave their mark on the galaxy of the Frontier as it evolves.

EVE Frontier is an online survival sandbox with an open server, economy and ecosystem: able to be modified through configurable and programmable components, currencies and features. Today’s ‘First Look’ showcases CCP Games’ vision for a merciless space survival experience that will reward player skill, awareness and mastery over the environment. As an awakened husk you will be cast into the long dark to explore, survive and build anew across over 100,000 star systems filled with death and opportunity.

Founder Access marks the next phase in EVE Frontier's development journey, offering permanent pre-launch access to players. Starting with Closed Alpha, Founder Access holders will be able to play, give feedback and experience the future of EVE Frontier as new features and content are added continuously. Founder Access packs offer additional benefits such as name reservation, cosmetics, Discord roles, access to CCP Games developer streams and more. Founders will also be able to redeem included premium subscription time when EVE Frontier launches as free-to-play in the future.

"In EVE Frontier we are deepening the contribution and connection players have over a living galaxy. A virtual world where developers and players are equals, where the rules apply to all." said CCP Games CEO, Hilmar Veigar Pétursson. "Our long-term vision is to create an open ecosystem built, operated and governed by the Frontier's inhabitants themselves. Founder Access is the start of a new and exciting phase in this development, giving players the chance to be a foundational part of our collaborative approach in a meaningful way."

While CCP describes the game as an "online survival sandbox with an open server, economy and ecosystem," I would describe the game as a full-loot PvP sandbox blockchain MMORPG. Or, as the crew over at MassivelyOP would say, a gankbox. As such, those who do not like non-consensual PvP should stop reading and forget the game even exists.

Also, if the presence of blockchain technology in a game makes one pause, also stop reading and put the credit card away. Especially if one is concerned about losing real world assets to in-game (and real world) PvP. The game will draw people collectively known as "cryptobros" and the sub-set known as "crypto-wolves." When these types of people are circling a video game, the odds are that the only way to win is not to play the game.

With those mandatory warnings out of the way, I should add that access to the Closed Alpha is currently available at the EVE Frontier website under "Founder's Access".

Starting Alpha Packages

Oh, and I should add those buying and entering the game are under an NDA until further notice. From the FAQ.

Yes, players in Founder Access will be subject to a Non-Disclosure Agreement as EVE Frontier enters Closed Alpha on 10 December. This means that while players can access the game, they cannot share gameplay publicly. We aim to lift NDAs in the future when we move out of Closed Alpha and as we continue to harden the core experience of our space survival simulation.

I already was coming into the game with a little trepidation. I did choose the Awakened account because I figure I wanted an account I could easily throw away at launch. I should also add that while the developers are boasting of the lack of information available through the UI, they did make telling the high-rollers apart from the cheapskates. Also, for the wolves out there, you want to go after those with the early access time. Also note I'm not one of those players.

At this point I should add that CCP plans to use blockchain technology to add sand to the sandbox. The developers partially accomplish the feat through the use of smart assemblies. The current FAQ describes these as:

Players can construct infrastructure such as storage facilities, trading posts, defenses and more. Think of it as enhanced base-building. Through each structure having a programmable layer, EVE Frontier allows for greater moddability and player expression on top of each "base item". Constructing infrastructure and deploying it on the Frontier does not require it to be programmed.

For example, a Smart Storage Unit (SSU) is a structure anchored in space, which acts as smart storage, holding and dispensing any form of inventory players choose to load it with (currencies, items etc.). With Smart Assemblies, this structure can be coded to serve as a marketplace, a quest giver, a bounty hunter system, an arcade machine etc. The programmable interface can be coded to be anything that results in an in-game output relevant to each piece of infrastructure.

For those wanting more details about the blockchain technology.

As an open environment, players can edit components of the game world and game server in real-time; giving the community the power to add their own functionality through Smart Assemblies, a feature that lets players program and configure in-game components and structures.

Smart Assemblies utilizes MUD, a framework for building on-chain applications: MUD | Framework and Redstone, a L2 blockchain designed for permissionless, open software: Redstone | Cost-effective chain for MUD apps, games, and worlds.

Combined with Carbon, these tools are at the foundation of our persistent and programmable game server at universe-scale: one server, one universe, evolving through players forever.

In addition, EVE Frontier features a player-driven, open economic sandbox using cryptographic standards. Create your own currencies, establish markets, and trade assets, services, and reputation for real-world value in a truly unrestricted environment.

Now, I'm not sure about using blockchain technology. My understanding is blockchains are slower than databases, for instance. From my limited knowledge, the big advantage is making the real world monetization process easier for the game publisher. But I'm sure I'll be wrong.

While this post I think is rather negative in tone, I have played EVE Online for 15 years. What are the two big rules in EVE?

1. Don't fly what you cannot afford to lose.
2. Trust no one.

I'm taking those rules with me into EVE Frontier. Especially since I know a lot of people will play the game to make real world cash.