-=Eve Online=- Gamespy Interview

Great stuff Coming Look out Im gonna get me a Destroyer

StullozCCP> hi guys
<Hellmar> hi all
<[GSI]WolfBlade> Now with all that said - let's get those questions
going.
<Hellmar> yes, please stop the PMs, there is no way we can keep up..

<[Admin]WolfBlade> *Kazman_UK-gs* Q: Will we see any changes to the
Eve political sectrum in Shiva. Meaning any major war, displacment of
one of the races or re-drawing of the NPC Faction borders
<TomB@CCP> The political status of factions in EVE will always
continue to develop but a war between two factions is not directly
planned for Shiva
<TomB@CCP> There will more ground-braking events happen in the near
future, the crielere labs event for example has not yet ended
<TomB@CCP> All kinds of story related events will take place pre-shiva
and post-shiva
<TomB@CCP> Done

<[Admin]WolfBlade> *^1[RnD]^7$harp$hot-gs* How long did it take you to
make the game?
<Hellmar> Actual full production was 3 years
<Hellmar> full production started in May 2000 after about 2 years of
preproduction
<Hellmar> even though the actuall time is only 3 years, we probably
worked the equelent of 6 in that time
<Hellmar> done

<[Admin]WolfBlade> *mikesnail-gs* can we expect to see more battleship
varients on top of the ones that we currently have ingame?
<SolarisCCP> Yes, work is already underway on new ship classes
<SolarisCCP> There are upcoming Dreadnoughts
<SolarisCCP> these are super-heavy battleships
<SolarisCCP> also in the pipes are Carrier class ships and Destroyers
(between current cruiser class and battleship class)
<SolarisCCP> More details will be released later

<[Admin]WolfBlade> *[=MoV=]ZeuZ[B]-gs* What was the reason that made
you to start eve online?
<Hellmar> and Titans of course :p
<Hellmar> remeber the titans
<SolarisCCP> It was destined to happen. We had dreamt of this type of
a game since playing Elite.
<Hellmar> well we heard that there were a lot of chicks that dig space
MMOs
<Hellmar> that was my main motivation for starting
<Hellmar> j/k
<SolarisCCP> It has been the highest goal in life really for most of
us to make computergames
<SolarisCCP> and when the opportunity showed it self, we made a run
for it
<Hellmar> it also sounded impossible to do, we like a good challenge
<SolarisCCP> Developing computergames is for me the most interesting
field imaginable
<SolarisCCP> apart maybe exploring other planets
<Hellmar> we wanted to inspire the colonization of space

<[Admin]WolfBlade> *GeneralEgon-gs* What changes are we going to see
on missiles and what new skills can we expect?
<Hellmar> and as we are not rocket scientists, but game makers, EVE we
hope will inspire future generations
<TomB@CCP> The missile changes are to make them more sluggish when
trying to take turns at slow speed but high guidance when at maximum
speed
<TomB@CCP> Slow when fired but high accelerating at end
<TomB@CCP> These changes are mostly for the long range-high damaging
missiles
<TomB@CCP> New skills are planned for improved missile speed, agility
etc.
<TomB@CCP> It was what we tried to acchieve before release but seemed
impossible, big missiles will be less effective against fast moving
objects at close range but can hit anything at longer range

<[Admin]WolfBlade> *lucasite-gs* Whats the most significant change in
Shiva going to be? And will players be warned beforehand of
consequences?
<LeKjart> The most significant change is the colonization of space
through player owned structures...
<LeKjart> These will strategize places that have up til now been
completely devoid of any value...
<LeKjart> we are also making improvements in the ways corporations
works, in order to make it easier for them to grow...
<LeKjart> And how big alliances work...
<LeKjart> Furthermore, we have changes in how scenarios work, with the
introduction of dungeon like areas...
<LeKjart> which will make PVE more interesting and challeging...
<LeKjart> But we shouldn't forget that Shiva is also a package around
many smaller improvements..
<LeKjart> that often end up being the main and most exciting features

<[Admin]WolfBlade> *Gotchy3000-gs* Q: Is it possible to rent Billboard
s with the shiva update...?
<Hellmar> yes, that is the plan
<Hellmar> with the onslaught of spam containers, it has become obvious
that players want to advertice...
<Hellmar> now that we have banned the anchoring of new containers, we
are going to open up for player billboard ads..
<Hellmar> BTW we are going to start applying damage to the existing
containers in >=0.8 space, so please clean up your mess...
<Hellmar> or risk some player exploding them when their hp has reduced
far enough for it to be viable, spilling your goods into space

<[Admin]WolfBlade> *Naht-gs* It's a pain to switch between low, medium
and high slots on the current HUD. It also make it difficult to see
which modules are active in the heat of battle. Will the HUD ever be
imporved? Binding actions to keys only help so much, but you still
can't see which modules are active at the same time.
<SolarisCCP> This is a known issue, and we have often put this into
plans
<SolarisCCP> but as more important features have made higher in the UI
priority list, this has frequently been put on the backburner
<SolarisCCP> however
<SolarisCCP> With the introduction of dreadnoughts and carriers,
changes to the HUD are vital
<SolarisCCP> and implementation of this will start right after Shiva
launch
<SolarisCCP> design is already underway, and we hereby advertise for
ideas and feedback from the community on this

<[Admin]WolfBlade> *sgtseb-gs* are there graphical enhancements in
shiva? even though its already pretty =)
<Hellmar> We have been experimenting with shadows
<Hellmar> but doubt we will risk delaying Shiva for that
<Hellmar> Shiva should contain a fix for the dreaded z-buffer
flickering on stations and stargates
<Hellmar> the solution involves a mixture of 24 bit depth buffering
and the use of w-buffering on HW that supports that
<Hellmar> we have also found a way to use zbias correctly so that it
works on both NVIDIA and ATI cards, making the Amarr stations and
mining outposts not flicker
<Hellmar> the main focus in shiva is more content
<Hellmar> there are a lot of new models and textures and 2 whole new
bloodlines with both genters, 4 new heads
<Hellmar> so zbuffer fix and content is the order for shiva
<Hellmar> shadows will not make it in untill Kali or later

<[Admin]WolfBlade> *^1[RnD]^7$harp$hot-gs* As game developers, how do
you think the actual game turned out? Has it been the best yet?
<Hellmar> well given that I am playing 2 accounts while doing this
chat..
<Hellmar> I would say that it turned out alright :p
<Hellmar> I actually never expected to get hooked
<Hellmar> then during my first vacation in years, I started playing
<Hellmar> joined a corp. and got hooked as hell
<Hellmar> then my corp dissolved and I lost interest
<Hellmar> then we started what we call "EVE Hour" at CCP and I got
hooked again, playing from begining
<LeKjart> Overall
<LeKjart> I think that the way the game developement is going right
now...
<LeKjart> the game is genetically evolving with the player base
<Hellmar> we are now improving the game a lot based on the results of
said "EVE Hour" (were _everyone_ at CCP plays EVE for "one" hour
during the work week (most play a lot more))
<LeKjart> and I can't imagine anything else than it will just keep
getting better and better adapted to its hosts

<[Admin]WolfBlade> *Felsin-gs* will we see any types of alternate
entertainment with Shiva and beyond, such as casinos, chess, or maybe
event gladiator type events hosted regularly?
<LeKjart> Well we have some casino icons ready...
<LeKjart> as some people might have noticed. It was always the idea of
introducing some kind of gambling with ISK in-game
<LeKjart> and we are especially keen on introducing poker rooms...
<LeKjart> as we like poker a lot...
<LeKjart> we might start with some simpler games though, but we think
gambling with ISK is an interesting side activity to have in such an
environment...
<LeKjart> We have scheduled this for post-Shiva though.

<[Admin]WolfBlade> *Sw0rDFuRy{BOS}X.hs-gs* Will the game be cheat free
for multiplayer or will you have to make up-to-date patches?
<Hellmar> both
<SolarisCCP> its already launched
<Hellmar> and already patched up, happens automatically

<[Admin]WolfBlade> *MadPingster-gs* Are CCP looking to sort out the
Ore Distrubution and move more of the choice ores away from Curse and
into other 0.0 areas?
<TomB@CCP> we are looking at possibilities to make changes to the ore
distribution logics
<TomB@CCP> that will enable us to degrade ores in various sectors,
appear at others and back and again
<TomB@CCP> asteroids is something that we would really like to have
more flexible in the distribution
<TomB@CCP> allowing players from time to time to hit gold pots for
example
<TomB@CCP> gold mines more like it

<[Admin]WolfBlade> *|RES|WhiteFang|SCTmp-gs* Q: These new ship
classes, will they have any special features? Such as cloaking,
wormhole generation?
<TomB@CCP> Interceptors were the first to get released
<TomB@CCP> and cloaking is what has been delaying the next generation
of specialized ships
<TomB@CCP> covert ops will be the next to be researched into EVE
<Hellmar> ... wormhole genertion, now there's an idea....
<TomB@CCP> specializing in cloaking/scouting
<TomB@CCP> but in general, all ships will have something above other
ship classes to make them special
<TomB@CCP> as said before, destroyers, carriers, bomers, covert ops
etc.

<[Admin]WolfBlade> *MagnusFaustus-gs* One of my most interesting
thoughts towards EVE is the interaction between ships. So far this is
limited to cargo containers, and weaponsfire. Will this be changed in
Shiva? And will certain ships be able to interact like mid-range
service stations? eg. Can I refit a ship, industry class probably, to
use as a base of operations for a wing of my friends?
<Hellmar> Titans are planned to be mobile stations, where you can dock
and refit for example
<Hellmar> they are how ever pushed to post shiva terrictory
<Hellmar> shiva has so much already that we have to start cutting to
get it released...
<Hellmar> but Titans can do all what you mention.
<LeKjart> In many ways, player owned structures can fulfill those
functions up to a point
<LeKjart> and that will be available in Shiva

<[Admin]WolfBlade> *Adrielle-gs* What changes can we expect to see
with drones in the future? What new skills will there be and how will
they affect the usage of drones in a battle environment?
<TomB@CCP> Skills the increase current performance of drones
<TomB@CCP> new drone types for new actions
<TomB@CCP> stasis webifying drones, energy draining drones etc.

<[Admin]WolfBlade> *TyronBlackleaf-gs* Will there be any changes to
the agent system in Shiva including activation of the Concord/Jovian
agents?
<Hellmar> There are various UI improvments planned for agetns in shiva
<Hellmar> the mission journal will me much much much better and more
new player friendly
<Hellmar> the agents will also interact with the new "layered
scenarios" that Shiva brings
<Hellmar> also are planned some new agent services, along with special
story line missions, which are missions that span many steps...
<Hellmar> and can take many days to completed..
<Hellmar> the first story line missions will be low level, to help
ease new players into eve...
<Hellmar> but gratually we will release high level epic, story line
missions, spanning tens of steps, each step involving a variant of
existing missions and the new layered scenario types..
<Hellmar> taking many days to complete and bring in excellent and
unique rewards
<LeKjart> we also expect to release a strategy guide for the agent
system
<LeKjart> as with a better UI, there are many 'hidden' options with
agents that will become more visible
<Hellmar> the agents will also give access to a "black market" kind of
"special price for you amigo"
<LeKjart> and we suspect that many players have not had any idea about
<Hellmar> were, given good standing you can buy and sell contraband
and unique stuff

<[Admin]WolfBlade> *Cabadrin-gs* What is the projected time when all
of the Tech 2 Blueprints will be released? or will this continue
throughout the Shiva Process?
<LeKjart> Blueprint distribution will go on throughout this year
<Hellmar> yes it took me like 3 days of intense datamining of Papa
Smurfs head to fully utilize the agent system to it fullers (Im not
talking mining agent exploit here :p)
<LeKjart> with an increasing rate as more stuff comes into play
<LeKjart> we also are thinking
<LeKjart> of adding a new type of research result
<LeKjart> called a 'breakthrough' that can be converted to a blueprint
through a manufacturing like process
<LeKjart> and also allow players to see upcoming blueprints
<LeKjart> and target research to specific types

<[Admin]WolfBlade> *KIAPieman-gs* are there any plans to change the UI
in any way as the current one is a massive drain on resources, but you
cant see all the info you want wiht it turned off, is there the
possibilty of more options for what is onscreen at the same time
(neocom etc)
<Hellmar> yes, we had a meeting on this exact issue today
<Hellmar> there is an action plan in place and a taskforce to
implement it
<Hellmar> we have identified the biggest part of the problem, and it
will be eliminated

<[Admin]WolfBlade> *Demon69Gold-gs* warping sounds good, has there
been any thought about using this or another method to cover huge
distances in system or to jump from one system to another several
jumpgates away making travel quicker?
<Hellmar> BTW if you are having problems running 2 clients at the same
time, go to settings and turn off "sun occlution", that fixes many
hardware combatability issues with running 2 clients
<Hellmar> onboard jump drives are planned
<Hellmar> but they interact so heavily with the startegic elements of
shiva
<Hellmar> that we will not venture releasing them untill we have fully
experienced shiva dynamics

<[Admin]WolfBlade> *WiseMan_Ari-gs* will there be specialized skills
with shiva, like the refiners got ore specific refining skills with
castor, will there be special mining skills?
<TomB@CCP> lots of skills are coming in shiva
<TomB@CCP> missile and drone skills already stated
<TomB@CCP> but more skills will join that are not as combat oriented
<TomB@CCP> transportation skills, mining skills and lots of advanced
skills

<[Admin]WolfBlade> *[=MoV=]ZeuZ[B]-gs* which one of you is the main
brains behind EVE? i am guessing Hellmar ?
<LeKjart> the greatest brain behind EVE are the players
<LeKjart> they have put in about 12000 man years of work in these last
12 months
<LeKjart> or even more depending on how you calculate it
<LeKjart> and you just can't beat that as a masssively connected
wetware organic hive mind
<LeKjart> and we certainly hope that this organism will continue
growing
<LeKjart> until it reaches self-consciousness and declares reality as
being a pure figment of our imagination

<LeKjart> thanks to all, and to those that worked on bringing you this
dev chat
<[GSI]WolfBlade> Excellent questions everyone! I appologize if I did
get to your questions as there were many!
<[GSI]WolfBlade> Any last advice or tips that you'd like to share with
the fans? or are we all finished?
<LeKjart> http://eve.skjalfti.is/tmp/deployables.jpg
<LeKjart> a little peek at what is coming for Shiva
<[GSI]WolfBlade> nice!
<SolarisCCP> I just like to thank everyone for coming
<[GSI]WolfBlade> A HUGE thanks to the Eve Devlopment Team for dropping
by. Great to have you!
<[GSI]WolfBlade> Another BIG thanks goes out to everyone who came by
to participate. Great questions, folks.
<Hellmar> yes, excellent chat
<[GSI]WolfBlade> Grab the Eve Online 10-day trial from FilePlanet
here: http://www.fileplanet.com/files/130000/138317.shtml
<Hellmar> good, pace
<[GSI]WolfBlade> awesome!
....
....
<Adrielle> more than html 1.0 would be useful, heheh
<LeKjart> HTML 3.2 coming up LeKjart can you guys PLEASE add a toggle
for the UI lighting...that lighting contributes to lag

Jim