Today at the EVE Fanfest Opening Ceremony, CCP Hellmar took to the stage to talk about the future of the EVE universe, but most importantly the future of Project Nova. He assured that the project is going well under the direction of CCP Rattati and is “shaping up to be a unique first person shooter with an innovative multiplayer game play, and an authentic New Eden experience”. CCP is taking their time with the game’s development so that it is released when it’s ready, and made to meet the players’ expectations.
Hellmar continued on to talk about a recent survey that went out to EVE and veteran DUST players — remarking that they received over 10,000 replies, and that it confirmed that players understand the need for a strong shooter foundation in Project Nova. Because of this, their primary focus will be on making sure that Nova is strong enough to stand on its own, and will not have a connection to EVE Online at launch. However, he did remark that CCP is still committed to the “One Universe // One War” dream and that a connection between Project Nova and EVE Online will be a long term goal. First, they will connect the games on a social basis, and later connect them on an economic one. It’s unclear how they will choose to connect the games beyond that, but their ultimate goal is to achieve the dream of a unified gaming universe.
He went on to explain to show a screenshot of the in-game timeline as well as give a brief teaser regarding the backstory of the game:
“The age of the Warlords of Molden Heath is over, and the survivors are in exile.
A few went into hiding, some have sought refuge in Avalon, but most have been killed.
A new threat, an old enemy.
It’s time to rise again.”
“Space will be your domain. The majestic space ships of EVE Online your playground.
Have you every wonders what it’s like to run around on the surface of a battleship? To hear its guns roar?
Soon you will find out.”
Finally he confirmed that the game will be in player hands within months and not years, and if all goes well the game will be playable in 2018. Players can also go to www.ccpgames.com/projectnova and sign up for a newsletter to start receiving more information on Project Nova as we move closer to a release date.
