EVE ONLINE is a new breed of computer games. Played online with thousands of other players, EVE draws people into what is essentially an alternate universe set some time far in the future in a place one can only dream of.

"We at CCP are very excited about entering the third phase of beta testing for EVE: The Second Genesis." said Reynir Hardarsson Art Director / Founder of CCP. "We have implemented important gameplay features and finished major technological milestones. One small step for man..."

Cool New Features Added into Beta Stage 3

CCP, developer of EVE ONLINE will be implementing some unique features into this stage of the beta test. To name a few:

• Extensive agent system -- Receive missions, loans, and information from Agents. Looking for a particular player to put the hit on for a Bounty Hunter mission? Use the Agents to help locate your victim
• 3-D map -- Fully rotate and scalable map of the known universe. An extremely amazing addition, this will help players navigate through the EVE universe
• Combat Drones -- This new combat mechanism allows players to launch small fighter-craft against enemy ships

DEVELOPER CHAT

EVE ONLINE fans will have an opportunity to chat with CCP about this stage of development on November 22. The chat will be hosted by the fan site Eve
Gate. Time and IRC channel will be announced soon.

BECOMING A BETA TESTER

Gamers who would like to become an EVE ONLINE beta tester can sign up via the EVE ONLINE web site. To date more than 85,000 gamers have signed up.

BACKSTORY

EVE is a world far away from mankind's original habitat, planet Earth. How far away, and where, no one knows. Humans got there through a natural wormhole, and gazing upon a sky never before seen, were completely unable to determine the whereabouts of this new world. From the system of New Eden, where the gate of EVE that once led to the old world lies, humans expanded in all directions at a great pace, exploring and colonizing.

Then, seemingly out of the blue, the EVE gate collapsed in an apocalyptic catastrophe of a scale never before witnessed by the human race, ruining the New Eden system in the process. Thousands of small colonies were left in isolation to fend for themselves. For many millennia they endured on the brink of extinction and only a handful survived.

Of those surviving colonies, five were to rise up and become the major empires that hold between them the balance of power in the world of EVE today. These are: the Amarr Empire, the Gallente Federation, the Caldari State, the Minmatar Republic and the Jovian Empire, plus several small independent factions and states.

For more than a century the five empires have lived together in relative peace. They've strived hard to maintain this peace, as each of them realizes only too well the grave consequences of a massive inter-stellar war. Recent technological breakthroughs in FTL travel, and the ensuing increase in space travelers, has shaken, but not broken the fragile peace - at least not yet.

GAMEPLAY

Players begin EVE ONLINE by developing a character to control in this massive world. They can choose to be one of four races:

• Amarr - The largest of the empires in the world of EVE, Amarr spans 40% of the inhabited solar systems.
• Caldari - A state built off corporate capitalism, the Caldari State is run by a few mega-corporations which divide the state between them, controlling and ruling every aspect of society.
• Minmatar - A tough, no nonsense race, the Minmatars are a determined and independent people. Their home planet on Matar is a natural paradise, although centuries of abuse have taken much from its beauty.
• Gallente - The Gallenteans are self-righteous, meddling, pompous and tiresome, or virile libertarians and defenders of the free world. Love them or hate them, you simply can't ignore them.
• Jove - The most mysterious and elusive of all the races of EVE, the Jovians number only a fraction of any of their neighbors, but their technological superiority makes them powerful beyond all proportion. (note: players have the potential of "unlocking" the Jovinan race as time progresses in Eve)

Additional details on each race can be found at the EVE ONLINE web site

Once a race is chosen, players select a profession (which vary by race). Professions range from bounty hunters, to pirates, space traders and the military. Each one provides a basic skill set from which to build a character's personality. Better players earn more money, and go further in the EVE universe.

Players can fully customize the look of their characters - all the way down to the tattoos they wear.

GAMING ON A MASSIVE SCALE

EVE ONLINE is an ever-changing universe. Even after a player logs off the online world will continue to evolve and change as players from around the world are actively conducting business and fighting battles.

While playing online, gamers can converse with one another through an elaborate communications network including e-mail , instant messenger, and message boards. This communications system will also allow players to leave messages for those off-line via this unique e-mail system so that when they return to EVE, they will receive the message.

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE CASH

Just like in the real world, money will be the commodity of choice. Players can earn cash by accepting work from Non-Player Characters (NPCs) who will reward gamers with cash which can be traded for goods or other items.

Also, gamers can earn money by working for a "corporation." These corporations are comprised of gamers who have pooled their resources and are working together to dominate the universe. A solo gamer can approach the head of a corporation for a job and can be paid in cash.

EVE ONLINE will have a unique "stock exchange" in which gamers will be able to purchase stock in corporations. The stock exchange will go up and down
as trades occur, just like the real world.

To date there are more than 200 corporations already established - even though EVE ONLINE has not yet been published. These corporations have elaborate web pages detailing infrastructure, location, business models, and mission statements.

NEWS FLASH!

Space is a busy place, and gamers will be able to keep tabs on events throughout their universe with a news update. Major events and business updates are provided on an regular basis. The news will be available on-demand by clicking a button on the display.

EVE ONLINE WEB SITE

For very detailed information on EVE ONLINE: THE SECOND GENESIS, please visit the web site

AVAILABLITY

EVE ONLINE: THE SECOND GENESIS will be available in Q1 2003 and will ship simultaneously in North America and Europe.