One of the oldest MMORPGs is getting a graphics update – hopes for new players

EVE Online received an update on June 28th, with which the developers want to give the 19-year-old MMORPG a more up-to-date look. They have improved the graphics, textures and the sound.

The update “EVE Evolved” is a big step towards “EVE Forever”, according to the developers CCP. What this means is that they keep improving EVE Online to keep it up to date with current MMOs. The update only changes small things in the gameplay. Visually, however, some things have changed.

Graphically, CCP have reworked the fog and the career agent areas. The quality of the textures has also been improved and compressed textures have been removed. So your spaceships look much better now.

The sound quality has also been upgraded, so EVE Online now sounds better than before.

What is this game anyway? EVE Online has existed since 2003 and is now one of the oldest MMORPGs still being played. It’s a free space MMO where you travel in space. The game features PvE, PvP, exploration, mining, and a player-controlled economy.

Developers want to attract new players

The graphics update is intended to motivate new players to try EVE Online. “New players dealing with career agents rejoice,” say CCP. They have reworked the areas of the Career Agent missions to offer more visually for beginners.

The dialog window also has a more modern look to make it easier for new players to use.

New players can also purchase packs in the EVE Online Real Money Store to level up faster. You get Omega, skill points, boosters, skins and more – depending on which of the packs you buy.

This is how the community reacts

In the community hub on Steam, many players who are less happy about the update comment. Instead, they are angry that prices have increased in the real money store and that EVE Online is generally focusing on Pay2Win.

Under the post regarding the graphics update, the developers received rather negative feedback:

• Sgt Rakov: “You’re desperately trying to attract new players instead of encouraging the veterans to stay.”
• Antimate: “None of this justifies a 33 percent price increase.”
• Z: “I’ll take N64 graphics too if that means there’s improved gameplay.

Whether the game will attract new players with the update is not yet certain and will become apparent in the next few days. According to SteamDB, 4315 people played EVE Online in the 24-hour peak.

In any case, the veterans don’t seem enthusiastic and prefer lower prices instead of better graphics. CCP have increased the price of Premium Membership over time, so while EVE Online is free, it’s more expensive to subscribe to than FFXIV and WoW.

What do you think of the update? Was it worth it for CCP to beautify the graphics? Have you ever played EVE Online, are you currently playing, or just want to get a taste of it? Write it to us in the comments here on MeinMMO!