CCP Games is inviting players to check out EVE Frontier, its latest space survival MMO that’s part experiment, part sandbox, and not your typical space sim. The free trial kicked off on June 27 and runs until July 7, letting curious pilots see what the fuss is about without spending a dime.
Unlike the classic EVE Online that’s been orbiting the MMO scene for over two decades, Frontier acts as CCP’s playground for testing bold ideas and features that might be too wild for the main game. It’s a bit like watching a mad scientist’s workshop, except the science is blockchain and the possibilities are wild.
The game’s backend uses blockchain technology, but don’t roll your eyes just yet. CCP’s experience managing digital economies means this isn’t just another crypto gimmick. The modding system is what sets Frontier apart. Players can create mods that run server-side in real time, affecting everyone in the game world with rules enforced by blockchain—no cheating with god mode or infinite ammo here.
Examples from early access include player-run PvP matchmaking and a meta 4X strategy game inside the main game. It’s a bit mind-bending, and I admit, it might require a PhD in space survival just to keep up. Still, it’s interesting to see a live service MMO embrace user-generated content this deeply. Roblox might come to mind, but Frontier feels more approachable for those who didn’t grow up on blocky avatars and is less focused on aggressive monetization.
Currently, the controls and UI feel closest to the original EVE Online, imagine an RTS with no pause, where you control a single unit. The game is in a state of flux, with multiple server wipes and major gameplay updates planned before a 1.0 launch, which is likely years away. One upcoming feature worth noting is a more cinematic “driving camera” for dogfighting fans, which could add some much-needed punch to the combat.
If you’re the kind of player who likes to peek behind the curtain of MMO development or just want a taste of something truly different, this free trial is a no-risk chance to jump in. Just create an account on the EVE Frontier website, download the client, and blast off.
What do you think? Is this the kind of space survival MMO experiment worth your time? Hit up the comments and let’s talk about it—I’m curious what you all make of this blockchain-backed oddity from CCP.
