Exploration finally comes to EVE Echoes

Exploration finally comes to EVE Echoes

In EVE Online, the original PC version of the game scanning uses Scanning Probes: special modules and ammo, which, when deployed into space can pinpoint the location of interesting deadspace pockets, player structures and ships. The process takes a few iterations, where the first scan shows the rough location, and further scans increase the accuracy to a point where you can warp to it. This mechanic opened up a whole new profession of Exploration.

When EVE Echoes was finally deployed on August 13th, 2020, it came out without scanning. The in-game explanation was that some kind of supernova event caused the whole universe to mirror itself, and EVE Echoes happens in this “echo” universe, where certain quantum phenomena caused probe scanners to stop working. Empire Factions and Sisters of EVE have been researching it, and finally, almost ten months later a discovery was made: special neutrinos caused by the supernova explosion can be used to scan things in space.

Two new types of modules starting at Tier 7 were added to the game:

  • Wide Resonance Scanner
  • Narrow Resonance Scanner

These two modules are counterparts of Core Probe Launcher, which launches Core Scanner Probe and Expanded Probe Launcher which can launch Combat Scanner Probes, respectively. Instead of probes, these new modules require fuel, which is mined on planets using Planetery Interaction. When activated, the module will sweep the system and if any signatures are found, a special minigame will appear, where the player is presented with the detected signals and interfering stellar body signals in that system. The players task is to filter out all interference from the detected signal, and if the player manged to do that, the signature becomes warpable.

PVE

Resonance Scanner used for PVE can datect many different signals, including Deadspace anomalies and Nihilus Space gateways. You will need to have the Wide Resonance Scanner fitted, and by activating it in space, you will receive list of signals from the current starsystem. Once the scan is complete, player can tap the information check the scan report and begin the analysis minigame.

PVP

The Resonance Scanner can be used for PVP, just like Combat Probes were used in EVE Online. You have to fit the Narrow Resonance Scanner and activate it in space to receive different signals that show the ships in the current solarsystem. Then you can tap the information and begin the analysis minigame.

Fuel

Resonance Scanners need 200GJ worth of fuel to be present in the ships cargohold for each scan. Different fuels can be used, but each fuel type has different amount of energy in it, so different amount of fuel will be used each time you scan.

Fuel can be mined on planets like any other planetary material, and has to be one of the following:

  • Heavy Water (2GJ, 100 needed)
  • Suspended Plasma (5GJ, 20 needed)
  • Liquid Ozone (13GJ, 16 needed)
  • Ionic Solutions (37GJ, 6 needed)
  • Oxygen Isotopes (83GJ, 3 needed)
  • Plasmoids (196GJ, 2 needed)

EVE: Echoes unvelied during EVE Vegas (formerly Project Galaxy)

EVE: Echoes unvelied during EVE Vegas (formerly Project Galaxy)

On October 19th CCP has unveiled their second mobile game coming to iOS and Android in 2019 – EVE: Echoes.

The name of the upcoming title was known two days prior to EVE Vegas thanks to some smart EVE players, who found out that CCP has registered the trademark for Echoes, but it was unknown at this time for which game this new name will be used.

 

EVE: Echoes (formerly known as Project Galaxy) is supposed to be a scaled down version of actual EVE Online, with all core gameplay elements intact. The game promises an “authentic EVE Online experience for mobile devices”. According to the Apple Keynote earlier this year, the game will also feature AR capabilties on compatible Apple devices.

It isn’t easy to port a game as big and as broad as EVE Online into mobile world, but if CCP and NetEase stuck to the core gameplay elements, it should be possible. I was rambling about a mobile game in New Eden at least since 2013, which was the first time I had to cut back on my PC gaming. Then in 2014 I started playing World of Tanks Blitz, which is an awesome mobile game, ideally fitting those short bursts of free time you have when waiting for something, be it a doc appointment or during your daily commute. Mobile devices at the time already had enough juice (i nterms of GPU power) to run original EVE from 2003.

EVE: Echoes will feature an expansive map with thousands of star systems (judging by the video shown at EVE Vegas it seems to be a copy of the New Eden cluster from EVE Online, at least system names look familiar). Core gameplay elements such as exploration, combat, mining and trading are said to now fit inside your pocket. Players will be able to form corporations and wage wars over territories just like in it’s bigger brother. Developers even expect the same huge fleet battles happening from time to time.

From the technical side, the game will be running on NetEase’s proprietary engine called NeoX (why not Unreal 4? CCP has recently chosen to use Unreal Engine for all their upcoming projects). EVE: Echoes will be released on iOS and Android in 2019, but no information about minimum requirements regarding CPU/GPU or screen size have been announced yet. From Apple perspective, AR mode will require at least an iPad Pro or iPhone 6s.

Speculation and hints for CCP

  • I hope it will be possible to link EVE: Echoes to EVE Online in some way, namely use the same name and avatar we had for EVE Online.
  • Speaking of which, I hope for cross-game promotions
  • I hope it will be free to play with similar Alpha-Omega modes as EVE Online
  • I hope there will be an API for the new game, so I can use it with LMeve
  • I hope there will be data dumps, so we can make fansites 🙂
  • It would be awesome if the game was eventually released for touch-enabled x86/x64 devices like Microsoft Surface or my Asus Transformer 2 in 1 tablet.