COMMENTARY | Depending on what type of gamer you are, you may have either never heard of EVE Online or be sick of this game and its giant fan base — 500,000, to be exact, as this MMORPG just crossed the half a million subscriber threshold. To celebrate that, let’s take a look at how EVE Online has revolutionized the player-driven MMORPG genre in its 10 years of release.
It is interesting to note how science-fiction game developers have tried to incorporate the setting of space into their games more and more in recent times. It is not uncommon to have at least one or two missions in these games where combat or interaction of some form is involved outside of the Earth’s atmosphere. Yet, an entire game — an MMORPG with half a million players, at that — taking place entirely in space, is mind-boggling to say the least.
I could go on about the graphics, audio, or mechanics of the game, but that’s like looking for revolutionary graphics in a Nintendo platform or a unique storyline in a Call of Duty game (zing!). What separates EVE Online from its competitors in the MMORG market is the aspect of realism, which seems a bit far-fetched in a game based on space war. It is clear from the very beginning that the developer, CCP Games, prioritizes realism over playability in most aspects of the game, from the skill system to the economy. Advancing skillsets happens in real-time and is based not on experience points but your own knowledge and equipment in the game. The player-driven base is unlike any other, with a thriving auction market where players can trade with each other.
You may be surprised hearing about these amazing features and wondering why EVE only has half a million subscribers, when other MMORPGs such as RuneScape have almost 10 million. The reason for that is clear: EVE Online is an intimidating game. With a giant setting and community, a real-time component that tests the patience of players, and the realistic fact that you are never safe (as should be expected in a space war theme), players can be overwhelmed at first. That’s where the advantage of such a big community comes in. There were hordes of players willing to help me out when I first began my journey, and I eventually reaped the benefits of sticking it out, with an enjoyable MMORPG experience.
Having recently joined as one of its 500,000 subscribers, sometimes I feel like a speck in the dust playing EVE Online, and for good reason: The universe and community are by far the biggest I’ve ever seen. It is not until you devote time into the game that you realize that this is a blessing and not a curse: there is always something to do in EVE Online. For that reason, I urge anyone with an interest in MMORPGs to pick this gem up and join its fantastic community.
