An Uninspiring Directors' Chat For EVE Online

Perhaps playing Final Fantasy XIV has spoiled me and raised my expectations to unrealistic levels. But I get the feeling that with these presentations, EVE Online's director chats are just checking off some boxes in a game promotion checklist. Or in other words, CCP Rattani is no Yoshi-P, even if you let CCP Berger handle all the cosplay work.

Look, I get the concept. Having a reliable release schedule works wonders for FFXIV. Every four months we get a major point patch with every two months various types of content in a point 5 patch. But I already knew the above release cycle for content in EVE Online. I even like the schedule, although the developers really need to think about some type of seasonal event to run in Q1 and Q3 in order to boost sales. Why act like Cloud Imperium and load everything in the fourth quarter with the second biggest quarter the second? Seems like someone at CCP is copying from the Masters of Marketing in Manchester.

Watching the stream, I thought the presentation felt like an excuse to issue a press release. Sure enough, when I visited the CCP Games corporate website I found a press release. Using my editorial discretion I'll post most of the press release below for those who don't want to watch an hour long video.

REYKJAVÍK, Iceland -- January 28, 2024 -- Today, CCP Games shared an ambitious 2025 roadmap for the iconic space MMO EVE Online, during a special Directors' Stream. The year promises two major expansions along with the return of fan-favorite in-game events, as well as the long-awaited reunion at EVE Fanfest 2025, to be held May 1--3 at Reykjavík's iconic Harpa Concert Hall. Watch the Directors' Stream on the official CCP Games Twitch and YouTube channels.

As the Revenant narrative arc continues to unfold, the rising tension between the Deathless and the Drifters will lead to the next expansion for EVE Online, arriving in Summer 2025. Focusing on empowering players within the sandbox, it will offer enhanced tools for customizing player-owned sovereign space, enabling capsuleers to set their own agendas and create content for their communities. These upgrades are being designed to give corporations a higher degree of agency, deepening the dynamic and player-driven emergent gameplay within the universe of New Eden.

The introduction of Freelance Projects will open the door to new levels of cooperation where pilots can craft and complete missions created by fellow capsuleers. From mercenary contracts to collaborative ventures, this new system will create new emergent opportunities for storytelling, conflict, exploration, and relationship-building within EVE Online. With new ships, tactical objectives, and tools for all fleet sizes, the future of war will continue to be reshaped. These additions will offer fertile ground for small and large fleets to thrive, pushing EVE's signature sandbox to new heights.

"This year, we're putting even more power in the hands of our capsuleers," said Snorri Árnason, Game Director for EVE Online. "From customizing sovereign space to crafting missions that spark new alliances, the 2025 roadmap is all about letting players create and shape their own moments, their own stories and ultimately being part of the history books of New Eden itself. EVE Online has always been a living universe driven by its community, and with the new tools and systems we're introducing, the potential for creativity and collaboration has never been greater."

"2025 will be monumental for EVE Online," said Bergur Finnbogason, EVE Online's Creative Director. "We've listened to player feedback to refine our development process and create high-quality expansions that empower capsuleers. Join us in New Eden to experience a year filled with characters to meet, alliances to forge---or break---and thrilling stories to uncover. It's a year you don't want to miss!"

Fan-favorite events, including Capsuleer Day, Crimson Harvest, and Winter Nexus, will also return in 2025, along with the Alliance Tournament, promising fierce competition among New Eden's finest fleets. Later this year, the second expansion will arrive in Winter 2025.

Tickets for EVE Fanfest 2025 are nearly sold out. Capsuleers looking to attend can purchase tickets now at Eventbrite starting at $35 USD. Those eager to experience the full Fanfest experience can purchase the Festival Pass for $295 USD, which includes access to the legendary Party at the Top of the World, exclusive EVE Online in-game content, an EVE Fanfest 2025 t-shirt, and a goodie bag.

I don't think a lot of excitement surrounds the corporate projects feature, although I do use projects in order to distribute money amongst my alts to pay for things like planetary interaction fees. The Freelance Projects feature seems more targeted to the factional warfare militias or NPSI groups like Bombers' Bar. I'm also pretty sure Johnny Splunk could have used Freelance Projects to pay out players not in Signal Cartel for mapping wormholes leading into Thera.

If I want excitement, I'll follow Yoshi-P's producer live letters for FFXIV. Even for the ones not translated on the stream, following the unofficial translations is a lot more exciting than what I watched. Which is a pity since I would like to at least get a little hyped up for the next expansion.