CCP Games just issued an update, Ascension, for “Eve Online” which represents the biggest change in the company’s 13 years. The update made the $15 fee unnecessary since the game became free-to-play.
The sci-fi adventure was created as a place of freedom but with in-game consequences loosely administered by the developer, CCP Games, which hardly stepped in to mandate direction. Before the update, players subscribed to “Eve Online” by paying $15 a month or in-game trading to earn their fee.
New Class Of Player
The developer introduces in Ascension a new class of "Eve Online" player called “Alpha Clones” who could sign up without paying the monthly subscription fee but get a more limited account. Paying players have been renamed “Omega Clones,” The Guardian reported.
As “Alpha Clones,” they could participate in every activity available to subscribers but have limited choices of ships. They could accrue new abilities through “Eve Online” time-based skill system. But they could be upgraded to an Omega State who train faster and get full access to the many ships in the "Eve Online" game.
"Eve Online" gamers who stop their monthly subscription could keep playing “Eve Online” with their Alpha Clone, however, it could no access skills learned during Omega mode. The skills are still there, but the Alpha Clone lack the capacity to access the skills, CCP Game Executive Producer Andie Nordgren explained.
Response To Market Changes
CCP Games initiated the changes in response to gaming market changes wherein mobile gaming is now dominated by free-to-play games, causing revenue based on subscription to dry up. The free-to-play mode of “Eve Online” comes with a scripted tutorial designed to appeal to gamers who could possibly be baffled by the game, according to Polygon.
When Ascension rolled out on Nov. 15, it offered a two-to-give hour opening story designed to familiarize players with the systems but within the confines of a fairly standard video game tutorial. Stay tuned to GamenGuide for more "Eve Online" news and updates!
