Happy 20th Anniversary EVE 🎂

EVE Online, the massively multiplayer online role-playing game set in space, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Developed by Icelandic studio CCP Games, the game was first released on 6 May 2003 and has since become one of the most iconic games in the history of online gaming.

The game's development began in the late 1990s when a group of Icelandic game developers started working on a space-themed game called "EVE." The project was eventually renamed EVE Online, and it was released in 2003. Since then, the game has gone through numerous updates and expansions, adding new features, ships, weapons, and content to keep players engaged.

EVE is known for its complex gameplay, rich lore, and massive player-driven economy. The game takes place in a fictional universe where players can explore a vast galaxy filled with other players, NPC factions, and dangerous creatures. Players can form alliances, join corporations, and engage in epic space battles that can involve thousands of players at once.

One of the most important features of EVE Online is the player-driven economy, where players can mine resources, build ships, and trade goods with other players. The economy is so complex that it has even attracted the attention of economists and academics who have studied it as a real-world economic system.

Over its 20 years, the game has amassed a large and dedicated player base. Despite its age, the game has over 300,000 active players, and it has generated over $500 million in revenue since its release. The game has also been the subject of numerous documentaries, books, and articles, highlighting its impact on the gaming industry and its dedicated community of players.

One of the most significant events in the game's history was the infamous "Bloodbath of B-R5RB" in 2014. This massive battle involved over 7,000 players and lasted for over 21 hours. It resulted in the destruction of over 75 Titans, the game's largest and most expensive ships, and was estimated to have caused over $300,000 worth of damage.

In addition to the Bloodbath of B-R5RB, EVE Online has also seen some of the most significant virtual heists in gaming history. One of the most notable was the "World War Bee" conflict in 2016, where players managed to steal over $13,000 worth of in-game currency from a rival alliance.

EVE Online has also spawned some of the largest and most powerful player-run organizations in gaming history. The most notable of these is the "Goonswarm Federation," a massive alliance of players that has dominated the game for years. The group is estimated to have over 40,000 members and controls a significant portion of the game's resources and territory.

Finally, EVE Online has some of the most expensive and valuable ships in gaming history. The game's most expensive ship, the "Molok," is valued at over $10,000, making it one of the most expensive virtual items ever sold. The game's largest fleets can also be worth billions of ISK (Interstellar Kredit, the in-game currency) making them highly sought after by players.

EVE Online has come a long way since its release 20 years ago. The game has grown and evolved over the years, adding new features and content that keep players engaged. Its massive player-driven economy, complex gameplay, and rich lore have made it one of the most unique and exciting games in the history of online gaming. Here's to another 20 years of epic space battles and unforgettable experiences in EVE Online!

So, do we have any EVE players amongst the MEW Collective? Are you joining in on the anniversary celebrations?