CCP Games is preparing to significantly expand access to EVE Frontier, its ambitious survival MMO spin-off from the legendary EVE Online universe. After months of limited testing through a paid Founder program, the space exploration and civilization-building game is transitioning to a fully public alpha phase, marking a crucial milestone in its development journey.
Founder Program Pricing Tiers:
- Tier 1: USD 99.99 (Premium bonuses, exclusive ship skins, subscription time)
- Tier 2: USD 69.99 (Standard bonuses, ship skins, subscription time)
- Tier 3: USD 39.99 (Basic bonuses, limited extras)
Breaking Free from Closed Testing
EVE Frontier represents a bold departure from its predecessor's established formula, positioning itself as a survival-focused experience set in the ruins of a collapsed spacefaring civilization. Players take on the role of Riders, essentially clones dispatched into dangerous cosmic frontiers with the monumental task of rebuilding society from scratch. Unlike EVE Online's established universe with its complex political structures and steep learning curve, Frontier offers a fresh start where resources are scarce and death comes swiftly.
The New Era Initiative Launches
The transition to public access begins with the Founder Access: New Era phase, which removes previous restrictions on sharing gameplay footage and experiences. This strategic move allows current players to freely discuss and showcase the game, providing potential newcomers with authentic insights into the gameplay experience. The change signals CCP's confidence in the current state of development and their readiness to embrace broader community feedback.
Seasonal Progression Through Cycles
A significant addition to the game comes in the form of Cycles, a seasonal progression system designed to maintain long-term player engagement. The inaugural Cycle, titled Promised Land, launches on Wednesday, June 11, introducing new missions and challenges that reward players with Grace points and leaderboard rankings. This system promises to deliver regular content updates throughout EVE Frontier's extended development period, ensuring the game world remains dynamic and engaging.
Key Dates:
- June 11, 2025: "Promised Land" Cycle begins
- June 11, 2025: Transition to public alpha phase
- Ongoing: Founder Access New Era period
Advanced Player Creation Tools
Perhaps the most ambitious aspect of EVE Frontier lies in its Smart Assemblies system, an expansive creation platform that enables players to build complex in-game infrastructure and systems. These tools extend beyond simple base construction, allowing players to create functional elements like interstellar portals for faster travel or even custom competitive game modes. One notable example showcased by CCP demonstrates how players successfully built their own king-of-the-hill multiplayer arena within the game world.
Massive Scale and Blockchain Integration
The game's scope is deliberately vast, launching with 20,000 star systems and plans to expand to over 100,000 systems over time. This enormous playground incorporates blockchain technology to establish what CCP calls digital physics, creating a stable ruleset that allows for extensive player creativity without requiring constant developer intervention. The system aims to support player-driven economies, tournaments, training facilities, and security systems.
Game Scale Specifications:
- Launch: 20,000 star systems
- Future expansion: 100,000+ star systems
- Player capacity: Thousands of concurrent players
- Game type: Survival MMO with blockchain integration
Access Options and Pricing
Currently, players can access EVE Frontier through three Founder program tiers priced at USD 99.99, USD 69.99, and USD 39.99, each offering different bonuses including exclusive ship customizations and future subscription time. Alternatively, interested players can apply for periodic trial access, though without the additional benefits reserved for paying Founders. The upcoming public phase will make the game accessible to a much broader audience without these financial barriers.