EVE Frontier Blockchain Survival Game Embarks on 10-Day Free Trial
The highly anticipated survival MMO, spun off from CCP Games’ flagship Eve Online, opens its doors to thousands with a substantial 10-day free trial period, leveraging Ethereum blockchain technology.
In brief
- Ethereum-powered space survival game Eve Frontier is running a free trial period for 10 days.
- Users can earn “Grace” for their actions, which is converted to Eve Points that are tracked on a leaderboard.
- Eve Frontier is spun off from Eve Online, a hardcore space game that has endured for over 20 years.
An ambitious 10-day free trial commences June 27, granting players immediate access to Eve Frontier across PC and Mac platforms. CCP Games, the developer behind the iconic Eve Online franchise (first launched in 2003), describes the trial offering as allowing anyone to explore its challenging space survival frontier.
Speaking about the unforgiving nature of the game, CCP Games founder and CEO Hilmar Veigar Pétursson commented, “literally wants to kill you.” The free access period, running until July 7, is designed not only for exploration but also to let players harvest resources, build bases, and engage in survival activities within the cosmic expanse.
A key gameplay mechanism during the trial is earning “Grace,” described as in-game tokens awarded for player actions. CCP Games states that these temporary points get converted into permanent Eve Points, tracking a player’s legacy during the trial cycle.
Fresh Beginnings and Open Feedback
The launch follows CCP Games’ initiation of the “New Era” Founders Access program, which notably removed the longstanding non-disclosure agreement (NDA) preventing public discussion of game details. CCP Community Developer Ben Sisson explained the shift:
“We have been on the game development journey under NDA with the Founders Access community for some time now. As we move into the New Era and begin the cycles program, it is a perfect time to open the game so that more new players can experience life in the Frontier.”
Blockchain and the Economy
The free trial marks an important step as Eve Frontier continues its evolution. CCP Games first opened closed alpha access in December, selling Founders Access passes priced from $30-90, offering early entry benefits. Since then, the studio has conducted extensive community feedback sessions and focused on developing the complex in-game economy.
In an indication of its commitment to robust economic simulation, CCP Games recently hired a former central bank economist to advise on economic design.
Tracking Progress
- Cycles function as in-game seasons, resetting progress periodically. According to CCP, “your impact endures as you build toward long-term rewards.”
- CCP opted for a 10-day trial period, citing time needed for new players to adapt to the game’s demanding nature.
- Eve Frontier will feature multiple currencies – the Ethereum-based utility token Eve, tradable outside the game, and LUX, an internal in-game token. Earlier this year, CCP also confirmed the presence of several currencies.
Cutting-Edge Growth and Community Bind
CCP Games secured a $40 million funding round in 2023 to support the development and launch of Eve Frontier. As the NDA lifted and players flood in via the free trial, the community provides crucial insight into game balance and mechanics.
Community developer Ben Sisson discussed initial development hurdles:
“Early on, we faced challenges with the way the universe was distributing resources that required updates. But despite this, our players were constantly finding new and creative ways to overcome issues and progress deeper into the universe than we expected.”
Spinning Off Success
Eve Frontier represents a distinct yet connected offering within CCP Games’ diverse portfolio. While born from the established Eve Online universe, it’s clearly targeting a new player demographic:
“Eve Frontier targets a different player type from the die-hard Eve Online players. We are seeing great interest from Eve Online players who have taken a break, attracted by the new gameplay focus.”
Building on the Ethereum-based Redstone gaming network, the game underscores the increasing integration of blockchain technology within mainstream entertainment, with CCP Games CEO Pétursson stating the goal is enabling features CCP believes blockchain enables.
