First we would like to officially thank you for participating in the EVE Online beta test, without your help and support EVE would not be where it is today – A fast growing world with tens of thousands of active players.
Since the Beta Test numerous things have happened and the game has not only grown in stability, but many new features have been implemented that have transformed EVE to what we all hoped it could be.
As a token of our appreciation, we are offering you an exclusive 14-day access pass so you can explore the world you took part in creating.
Complete information about the access pass is detailed below, and again – thank you for your help.
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Some of the recent happenings in the world of EVE
- Exclusive 14 Day Access Pass to Beta testers
- World Record - 8867 Simultaneous Players
- World Events - Amarr Championship and Crielere
- Player Owned Conquerable Stations
- Smuggler Gates add Alternative Routes to Outer Regions
- Tech Level 2 Arrives Bringing New Items and Ships
- Agents get a Makeover and Bring Greater Rewards
- Market Improved
- Auto-Cloaking Protects Stargate Patrons
- Crime Fighting: Bigger Risk, More Rewarding
- Engineering Breakthroughs Enhance Ship Technology
- Turret Changes May Affect Combat Encounters
- Soct Offers Continuing Education Opportunities
- Upcoming EVE expansion: codename Shiva
- EVE Store Opens with t-shirts, posters and accessories
As metioned above this letter contains a special invitation to all beta testers of EVE Online that
have not visited EVE since beta. This CD Key allows you to create an EVE account and play for 14 days without
any hassle, you can then after the 14 days upgrade the account to a paying account to continue with your character.
Last Sunday evening (2004.04.28) at 21:05 GMT, 8.867 played EVE Online at the same time! We
here at CCP are quite confident in declaring this a world record for the highest number of players
together, at the same time, in the same 3D world.
Another major event spanning since the release of EVE is the Crielere situation. Since players helped out
with the construction of the site in July, to the technological achievements that poured out of it in December,
and the consequent siege and destruction of it at the start of February.
Once again the world of EVE is introduced to this feature in the form of player conquerable stations.
Sixty-nine stations have been discovered in the outer regions, all for the region alliances to fight over.
This puts the alliances in direct conflict both within and with each other, creating news and excitement
for the rest of us.
The outer regions have become too placid over the last few weeks, stemming from being good mining
territories and easily blockaded by the player alliances. The Smuggler highway adds alternative routes
within the outer regions, allowing for both easier access to the new stations residing there and more
pathways for alliance warfare. This should prove particularly tempting for new corporations to join or
usurp the existing alliances.
Tech Level 2 (TL2) has been introduced, bringing exciting new manufacturing and research possibilities
into the world of EVE. TL2 items are generally more complex than TL1 items, requiring manufacturing
components beyond simple minerals. Player characters using TL2 blueprints -available through a new class
of Research Agents - may create these items.
The agent feature has been revamped, making it easier than before to get new and better
quality agents and missions that bring greater rewards. A standing-based system is implemented
whereby a network of high level agents can be established as a player’s standings improve with the
various agents, factions and NPC corporations.
Changes to the market system in EVE include: enhanced interface and options, more accurate order
prices, NPC price fluctuations to reflect supply and demand fluctuations, fines for insufficient
funds and much more. These changes will not only increase market performance and, in turn, the game
world economy, but also should put the quietus on inappropriate use of the system that had been
possible in the past.
Pilots across the EVE galaxy are finding that the use of stargates is safer than ever
thanks to a design upgrade that is now standard for all ship types. An auto-cloaking
feature has been added that temporarily envelops ships in a shimmery camouflage field,
obscuring them from view. The effect is engaged as a pilot enters a stargate and dissipates
moments after arrival at the chosen destination.
As an answer to the deployment of cruisers and battleships by underworld
figureheads, CONCORD quickly sprang into action. Increased pay-outs to bounty
hunters, protective shielding to render sentry guns impervious to damage at stations
and stargates, and improved response to reduce friendly fire incidents by sentry guns are
among the long list of advancements. Pilots are advised that these new criminal elements are
armed and dangerous and should be engaged with extreme caution.
Advancements in ship features that were introduced this week by major manufacturers
throughout the galaxy are getting a hardy reception. In many ship styles, increased mass
and/or available module slots have been implemented, along with increased cargo capacity,
capacitor recharging rates, and ECCM Projector I duration. Improvements to large hybrid weapon
volume make it possible to fit certain railgun styles with additional ammunition. The reaction
from pilots has been favorable as they reacquaint themselves with their ships. Said one enthusiastic
pilot, sliding back into his cockpit after the upgrades were installed, “It’s like falling in love again.”
The Equipment Certification and Anomaly Investigation Division (ECAID) has issued a statement
regarding their inspection of CONCORD-sanctioned changes to turrets and other weaponry. According to
ECAID findings, incidents of missile to missile collisions have been eliminated (with the exception of
defender missiles.) Other notable discoveries include: area range for splash damage has decreased; low-end
projectile and hybrid ammunition has increased synchronization with crystals and better range; hybrid railgun
turrets shoot more slowly, but hit harder; and optimal range, fall off and tracking speed for all hybrid Blaster
turrets has increased. CONCORD has also begun to include more information in its reports to combat casualty victims,
providing details about the perpetrator who issued the killing shot, information about his ship, the weaponry
used and his corporation affiliation.
The Society of Conscious Thought has introduced a number of new education programs this week. Available through
major retailers everywhere, these skill packs will enhance scholars’ knowledge in subjects such as ore refining,
weapon upgrades and drone management. Interested parties are encouraged to purchase their packs early while
supplies last.
The next major release of EVE Online, codenamed Shiva, will bring even more improvements and
content than 
As an added service to the EVE community, players can now acquire t-shirts, posters, mugs and other items from the
newly opened EVE Store. This is one of many new projects the newly created marketing department has instigated
following the acquisition of the EVE Online publishing rights. The store has enjoyed immediate and surprising
success, and illustrates how enthusiastic the EVE community is