Can you picture what the world might look like at the close of another Trump presidency? Honestly, it’s tough to say. Will the gaming landscape even be recognizable by then? There’s a possibility that the decision-makers might just let everyone go, leaving us to indulge in AI-generated content. Imagine something like Ready Player One, but with an even darker twist.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves; for now, there are developers like CCP Games, the Icelandic indie studio, that are charting a path away from such dystopian views. They’ve been around for over two decades, proudly holding onto their independent status, and they’re cooking up some intriguing plans for 2028. I got a sneak peek at their UK offices, and it’s pretty exciting.
Of course, there’s EVE Online, a project they’ve been passionately developing for a whopping 21 years. But there’s a new contender on the horizon: EVE: Vanguard. This MMOFPS is not just another game; it’s aiming to reshape our perspectives on both MMOs and FPS games. It’s a daring endeavor, but CCP seems ready to tackle it head-on.
Now, let’s talk about Vanguard’s release timeline, which CCP is rolling out with cautious optimism. During a media day, Emily Akland, the senior brand manager for EVE Vanguard, and Scott Davis, lead product manager at CCP London, shared their phased launch schedule:
- 2024: Founder’s access
- 2025: Early access
- 2027: Global launch
- 2028: Console rollout
This plan isn’t just a mere illustration; it’s got weight behind it. The fact that CCP shared these insights openly with journalists indicates they’re pretty committed to this timeline. With over two years of development already invested, they’re moving forward with determination.
“I’ve been part of every shooter that we tried to make,” shared Snorri Árnaso, CCP’s game director for EVE Online, who also contributes to other CCP projects. When I queried why they chose to reveal these details now, Snorri explained it was about experience and confidence. From Dust 514 to various prototypes, the journey hasn’t always been smooth. But those experiences paved the way for Vanguard, which they’re backing with unprecedented confidence.
Their past projects, while visionary, didn’t match the ambition and graphical standards of Vanguard. They had smaller teams back then and learned valuable lessons about sticking true to the essence of EVE.
CCP’s focus now is to involve the community early and start testing the waters. The goal? By the time of the full-scale rollout, players across different platforms – be it Xbox, PlayStation, or a potential future Nintendo Switch – will be ready to dive into this ambitious shared world shooter.
In the interim, if you’re itching for a hands-on experience with Vanguard, here’s a tidbit from the media day. Early alpha testers have been giving Vanguard a whirl on the Steam Deck. Even during this initial phase, it’s holding its own on Valve’s portable device, and the developers are keenly tuning it further.
EVE: Vanguard is currently available to Founders, with Early Access coming in 2025 and a global PC launch slated for 2027. From November 28 to December 9, a special event is happening. If you’re eager to participate, hop over to the EVE Vanguard Discord to snag an access code.
