Episode VII: Revenge of The Alliance Tournament

Ladies, Gentlemen and Mentlegen...

It's time again to put the wheels in motion for the Seventh Alliance Tournament.  Starting in early September this year, you can all look forward to three weekends of mayhem and explosive action on the greatest stage in EVE.

We have some pretty exciting ideas for improvements this year to the whole show, and there will be a full blog on the tournament itself in a couple of weeks.  That will be when we announce the instructions on how to sign up, full rules, tournament format and all the rest.

For those who missed the last one - all the matches from Alliance Tournament VI are available on CCP's YouTube channel.

The most important thing we want to announce today is that we will once again be opening up the application process for players who would like to be PVP Experts - who would fly to Iceland for the tournament finals and fill the roles of commentors for the qualifying weekends.

As an Expert you'll be on the set discussing the tournament, tactics, teams and talking with developers about EVE live on air. You'll also take shifts in the commentary booth providing live commentary on the matches themselves. You need to know your PvP and you need to know how to keep on talking!

You'll also be commenting on the two qualifying weekends from your own home. You'll be given special access to the tournament arena so you can give your view on the action which then will be relayed over EVE Voice and through partner radio stations!

But the final weekend is where the fun is**. You'll be flown out to Reykjavik, Iceland to join the team here at CCP HQ** to help us run the show during the live broadcast of the final weekend. Flights (from all Icelandair destinations) and accommodation are supplied by us. All you need is a little spending money.

So you're interested? Next step is to check this short list and make sure you match what we're looking for!

• Can you come out and play? Selected experts will need to hold a valid passport (we will require scans to confirm this at a later stage) and be available to fly to Iceland on the 16th and back on the 21st of September.

• Available to commentate live from their home on the non video broadcast qualifiers on the 5^th & 6^th as well as the** 12^th** & 13^th of September (the two weekends prior to the live show), a good microphone and reliable internet connection is required.

• A sense of humor is a must: Experts will need to be sharp-witted, knowledgeable, presentable and comfortable with talking on camera and into a microphone. To greater the chances of getting through, we highly recommend submitting any pre-made or purpose filmed video you have of yourself (link to a YouTube clip!) as part of your application.

• You need to know your PvP: We don't despise industrialists, mission-runners and miners but as this is a PvP tournament, you need to be well versed.

• You must be 21+ in order to apply: This is both for legal reasons and to avoid any problems if the group is out in Reykjavik (a lot of bars are 21+).

If you are interested in taking part, please email us at evetv@ccpgames.com by 23:59 GMT (Eve Time) on Sunday the 14th of June with the following information. Those lucky enough to be selected for the second round of eliminations must be available to attend voice chat interviews on Saturday the 20th of June. The chosen experts will be announced by the 24th of June.

• Character and real name.

• Date of birth.

• Nationality and current country of residence.

• Tell us about yourself, both in game and out. Remember what your applying for and sell yourself to that effect.

• Confirm you are available between the 16th and 21st of September to fly to Iceland. If you need to book time off work / school please don't do it until we accept you but please check that it is possible, if there is any doubt here please let us know.

• Remember your applying to be on TV! Include any multimedia you think shows you off, all of the experts chosen for the last Tournament had sent in video clips/links to youtube!

Remember applications close on the 14th of June! So get mailing!

A final note: The Tournament from the perspective of an Expert is an amazing experience. You get to take part in an unique production, fly to Iceland, get a tour around the CCP office and chat to developers like almost no other players will ever get the chance to. But with great power comes great responsibility, attending and taking part in all qualifier weekends, radio or televised is a must. Planning and promotional shows take place during the weeks up to the final show and you may not be asked to fly to Iceland if you fail to take part, or become unavailable during this time!