The gaming world has been abuzz with the recent launch of EVE Galaxy Conquest, a free-to-play multiplayer 4X strategy game set in the beloved EVE Online universe. Developed by CCP Shanghai, this mobile offering promises to captivate both seasoned EVE veterans and newcomers alike, with its seasonal format and strategic depth. In an exclusive interview, the game's key developers shed light on the journey, the challenges, and the exciting future that lies ahead for this ambitious project.

Unlocking the Secrets of EVE Galaxy Conquest: A Seasonal Odyssey Begins

Embracing the EVE Legacy: Crafting a Unique Mobile Experience

The decision to create EVE Galaxy Conquest was driven by a desire to expand the EVE universe in a fresh and innovative way. As Bing Xi, the Executive Producer and CCP Shanghai General Manager, explains, "We wanted to build something that's vastly different from what we already have because if we want to build the same game, we already have EVE Online. Why would we do that?" The team recognized the need to offer a distinct experience that would complement the long-standing persistence of EVE Online, while still capturing the essence of the franchise.

The seasonal format of EVE Galaxy Conquest is a key differentiator, as it introduces a sense of urgency and competition that sets it apart from the open-ended nature of its PC counterpart. "While EVE Online has offered a persistent universe, we wanted to add something to the EVE IP in a very different way," Bing Xi elaborates. "If you like long persistency, then EVE Online is definitely your choice. But if you want things to shake up very rapidly and you wanted to see an end into the three months, now we offer that with Galaxy Conquest."

This seasonal approach not only creates a distinct gameplay experience but also allows the development team to continuously evolve the game based on player feedback. As Michael Lee, the Brand Director, notes, "We will be building the game based on talking to our community learning from what they want to see in the future." This commitment to player engagement and responsive development ensures that EVE Galaxy Conquest will continue to grow and adapt to the needs of its community.

Navigating the Challenges: Balancing Familiarity and Innovation

Transitioning the rich lore and strategic depth of EVE Online to a mobile platform presented its own set of challenges for the CCP Shanghai team. As Michael Lee explains, "EVE has a ton of lore, right? 20 years of lore. It's a facet of the game that I would say is not necessarily a big thing for many EVE players. You've got so many different types of EVE players, but there are some lore enthusiasts out there. And for the most part, a lot of these commanders have never been visualized. We've had that opportunity to do that, so that's pretty cool."

Striking the right balance between familiarity and innovation was crucial. Leo Cui, the Galaxy Conquest Product Manager, notes, "EVE Galaxy Conquest is essentially abstracting the battle strategy aspect from EVE Online. EVE Online is a very complicated game, and it's attracting players from different game genres. It's an RPG. It's a simulation game, and it's a strategy game for different player cohorts. And we're basically delivering the essence of the strategy side of EVE Online."

This focus on distilling the strategic core of EVE Online while adapting it for a mobile audience has been a driving force behind the development process. The team's commitment to soft-launching the game and gathering player feedback has been instrumental in shaping the final product, ensuring that it resonates with both seasoned EVE fans and newcomers alike.

Currencies and Progression: Empowering Players in the EVE Galaxy

At the heart of EVE Galaxy Conquest's gameplay are the various in-game currencies and progression systems that allow players to customize and strengthen their factions. Leo Cui delves into the intricacies of these systems, explaining the roles of ISK and Nova Credits.

ISK, the primary in-game currency, is earned through a variety of activities, such as upgrading home bases, capturing strategic grids, and engaging in other gameplay mechanics. This currency can then be used to further enhance a player's capabilities, unlocking new upgrades and optimizing their faction's efficiency.

Nova Credits, on the other hand, serve a more specialized purpose. Primarily obtained through in-game events, daily login rewards, and battle pass progression, these credits can be used to recruit new commanders and ships, as well as boost home base upgrades. This dual-currency system allows players to strategically allocate their resources to gain an edge in the galactic competition.

The seamless integration of these currencies and progression systems is designed to keep players engaged and invested in the long-term success of their factions. As the seasons progress, the team plans to introduce new strategic elements and gameplay features to further enhance the depth and replayability of EVE Galaxy Conquest.

Embracing the EVE Community: Fostering Engagement and Collaboration

Engaging with the passionate EVE community has been a crucial aspect of the development process for EVE Galaxy Conquest. The team has been actively seeking feedback and ideas from players, recognizing the wealth of knowledge and dedication within the existing player base.

As Michael Lee shares, "We realized this game is not necessarily for all EVE players. It's a different platform, it's a different type of game. But we've done a lot of testing in soft launch regions, and almost all the players that have played our game are aware or are currently playing EVE or have played EVE in the past. So the awareness is incredibly high."

The team has been impressed by the level of dedication and engagement from the EVE community, with players providing valuable bug reports, feedback, and even creative ideas for future content. "We had one guy who'd send us 30 bug reports every week, and he would just go ham on bugs and be very vigilant with his documentation. It was honestly very impressive and very helpful to us," Michael Lee recounts.

This collaborative approach has been instrumental in shaping the game's development, as the team seeks to deliver an experience that not only captures the essence of EVE Online but also resonates with the community's unique passions and preferences. By fostering this ongoing dialogue, EVE Galaxy Conquest aims to evolve in tandem with the needs and desires of its players.

Charting the Future: Seasons, Surprises, and Shaking Up the Galactic Landscape

As EVE Galaxy Conquest embarks on its inaugural season, the development team has ambitious plans to continuously expand and evolve the game. Bing Xi emphasizes the importance of maintaining a sense of excitement and freshness, stating, "Even though each season will be largely the same, the meta game will be the same, but you and the players you play with, the real people, have gained what you have learned from the last season. How you play the next season will totally unfold differently."

Beyond the seasonal format, the team is exploring various ways to introduce new strategic elements and gameplay features to keep the experience engaging for both veteran and new players. "We will potentially shake seasons up. We could do some really interesting things. We kicked around some crazy ideas like what happens if you could play as the Pirates or the Cartels instead of the Empire factions, what would that look like?" Michael Lee teases.

The team's commitment to player feedback and collaboration will be crucial in shaping the future of EVE Galaxy Conquest. As Leo Cui notes, "We have all these ideas going on, and we are trying to figure out what's the best options. And of course, we want to hear from players." By continuously incorporating player input and exploring innovative gameplay mechanics, the developers aim to ensure that the game remains a dynamic and captivating experience for the EVE community and beyond.

With the launch of EVE Galaxy Conquest, the EVE universe has expanded its reach, offering a fresh and engaging mobile experience that builds upon the franchise's rich legacy. As players embark on their seasonal journeys to conquer the galaxy, the future holds endless possibilities, with the CCP Shanghai team dedicated to delivering a constantly evolving and thrilling adventure for all who dare to venture into the stars.