Fenris Creations will launch the next three-month cycle in its in-development blockchain MMORPG EVE Frontier on 29th September. Cycle 7: Vestiges introduces a major overhaul of ship movement alongside character progression, physical docking features and a more dynamic and dangerous universe.
As with all cycles, the update will begin with a full universe reset.
The key change for Cycle 7 is greater freedom over how your ship moves through space. Players will be able to strafe, roll and perform more complex manoeuvres, with movement no longer constrained to a fixed flight plane. Fenris describes this as a step towards its goal of manual flight with full freedom of movement.
A new default control scheme, called Aim Flight, will allow players to point their ship towards their destination using the mouse, leaving keyboard controls available for acceleration, deceleration and other actions. Gamepad support is also included. Of course, players will be able to switch between Aim Flight and the existing WASD controls.
Another aspect of these changes is that movement and targeting can now be separated, allowing a ship to travel in one direction while its weapons are aimed elsewhere. An orientation horizon will help players maintain their bearings with ships realigning towards it when left to settle.
The update is also planned to strengthen the relationship between ship construction and handling. Thrusters determine propulsion, while engines influence how efficiently fuel is convered to thrust and how the vessel handles. Different combinations of modular components on your ship will therefore produce different flight characteristics.
Physical docking will change how ships access services. Vessels will attach to ports on structures and other objects in space, remaining present and visible within the universe while doing so.
Continuing an ongoing trend, the Feral Drones in the universe will become more active participants too. Operating under the same knowledge constraints, rules and abilities as players, they will be able to scan, travel, mine, salvage and scavenge. Their activities will put them in competition with players for resources, while player movements and actions will influence nearby Feral activity.
Exploration is being expanded through discoverable signatures within and between systems. Players will build their knowledge of surrounding space, finding new points of interest, ancient constructs and stellar environments. Multi-star systems will introduce combinations of environmental effects that players must contend with.
Taken together, these changes point towards EVE Frontier becoming a more physical and reactive space sandbox. Ship fittings will influence movement, progression will improve capabilities, and exploration will take place among complex NPCs that are pursuing their activities. The intended result is a closer relationship between the decisions players make and the conditions they encounter.
Find out more at the EVE Frontier website. Permanent access starts from $40.
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