New EVE Expansion Nears, Possible Mobile Plans 74
As the EVE Online creators ramp things up for the free Apocrypha expansion due out next week, lead designer Noah Ward sat down with MTV's Multiplayer blog to discuss the future of the game and what characteristics continue to keep players interested. Ward says they've considered branching out to consoles, but ended up deciding that the game doesn't really lend itself to console play. He left the door open to using smartphones for "augmenting" gameplay. Ward also mentioned that upcoming space MMOs Jumpgate: Evolution and Star Trek Online are so different from EVE that they're not really worried about direct competition; EVE thrives in part because of the player-generated drama and scandals, which few games pull off as well. Massively has gathered a variety of details about the Apocrypha expansion, which includes the game's first epic mission arc, and they've also posted some screenshots. CCP Games launched a website for the expansion containing concept art and interviews with some of the developers.
Re:Linux (Score:5, Insightful)
Yes, they decided that there will be no more Eve Online for Linux [slashdot.org] and despite that they are expanding their market. I suppose that the the Linux devs are being moved to other platforms. What does that say about Linux marketshare? If we _really_ want to see games on Linux we need to start buying them, not buying the Windows version and running it in Wine (even if it runs better). If we don't encourage the software houses to write the games (encourage==buy) then they won't write them.
Re:Another news about .. (Score:1, Insightful)
Indeed.
What's it with /. and Eve anyway? There are more Eve-related "news" here than on the rest of the net combined :D
Re:Linux (Score:5, Insightful)
When the last expansion was released it introduced a brand new graphics engine. The Transgaming client (Cedega) didn't support it and neither did Wine at first. However within a few weeks Wine got it running whereas Transgaming dragged their heels.
For anyone who hasn't followed the Transgaming story, they forked Wine a long time ago and then went closed source. They developed quite a lot of good directx (shader 1.x/2.x/3.x) code but they have never submitted it back to the Wine project. Wine basically restrict them from using any of their code since Transgaming decided to screw them. The end result is Transgaming's Cedega code base is horrifically out of date in places compared to the Wine code base.
In my opinion they should try and fix those bridges and merge the code. Transgaming still has a decent corporate structure to approach companies like CCP, as well as their successful MacOS range. The Wine developers aren't interested in that, only further improving Wine. Transgaming simply haven't got the balance right.
Re:Linux (Score:2, Insightful)
Alternatively, use an OS that runs the apps you need. If that is not a solution, then write to the devs!
Writing devs doesn't do a darned bit of good. You need to demonstrate that there are enough paying customers on a given platform to defray the costs of developing for and supporting that platform. They tried Linux, and they couldn't make money doing it. The WINE solution is perfectly usable and was superior to the Linux client in performance anyway.
Folks need to understand that supporting a platform is a decision based on economics, not religion, geek street cred, or write-in campaigns. Put your dollars (or euros, or whatever) on the line and you'll get the support you want. If not, don't blame the devs.