Especially in the online gaming space, few publishers can celebrate the 20th Anniversary milestone for the continuous running of a game. But with the sci-fi game EVE Online, developer CCP Games gets to do that this year – and are doing it by sticking to the long time meme…. and introducing Microsoft Excel integration… and a whole bunch of other things.
CCP Games has confirmed that their 20th Anniversary year will include two new expansions in Q2 and Q4, the annual EVE Fanfest on 21-23 September 2023, the implementation of simplified Chinese language localisation support outside of Mainland China, a range of seasonal events and, in May 2022, a beta testing of Microsoft Excel integration.
As summarised by CCP Games:
ilots can look forward to two robust content expansions in 2023. Building upon the dynamic narrative introduced in the Uprising expansion, upcoming content updates offer fresh storylines, new features, and invigorating events around New Eden. Starting with the Direct Enlistment feature launching in Q1 2023, players can seamlessly join Factional Warfare events without leaving their corporations or alliance mates.
Additional updates to the EVE Evolved initiative and Factional Warfare system will be available in the coming months. In partnership with Microsoft, EVE Online players with an Omega subscription can import data directly from EVE’s API into Microsoft Excel using a native Excel Plugin when the feature launches in May. Revealed at EVE Fanfest 2022, Excel feature compatibility enables players to access and calculate everything from profit margins to battle strategy, making day-to-day EVE operations easier to execute. Eager pilots can apply to participate in the closed beta at the end of January.
2022 was huge for EVE, but 2023 is going to be monumental. As we now enter this majestic third decade of EVE, our roadmap only scratches the surface of what we have in the works. We will continue to evolve the future of war with two expansions arriving later this year, bringing a wealth of new events, content, and features for players and our incredible community to look forward to.
Bergur Finnbogason – Creative Director at CCP Games
