EVE Online’s new player teaching tool, EVE Academy, launches today

EVE Academy has been in beta for a bit

EVE Online is incredibly daunting. So much so that over the years I’ve heard countless tales of people quitting because of how overwhelming it is. No one expects the amount of math and dedication EVE requires, after all! Enter EVE Academy.

Announced today at the PC Gaming Show, EVE Academy will be fully rolled out today, beyond the beta version that players could see for the past several weeks. Here’s the gist of what CCP hopes to achieve with the system

• Get Started: With information on character creation, the onboard AI “Aura”, and the available career paths.
• Find a Path: Outlines four distinct career paths, each offering a different experience for Capsuleers.
• Jump into Activities: Whether pilots are looking to get involved in the massive player-vs-player battles, explore New Eden’s 8,000 solar systems, build an industrial corporation, or join one of the NPC empires; Capsuleers have a place to start their journey across the stars.
• Set Goals and Aspirations: A variety of achievable goals to those who are looking for guidance. With EVE Academy, players of all skill levels can explore new paths and quickly master the game’s intricate systems.

CCP has been focused on EVE Online‘s NPE (new player experience) for many, many years. This is just another way the team is aiming to really bring in new players rather than focus entirely on veteran retention. CCP Creative director Bergur Finnbogason had this to say about the change: “It’s no secret that EVE Online is a complex game, and its unmatched freedom has a lot to offer players who are hungry for adventure. We’ve learned that players who have goals they want to accomplish in EVE Online get more enjoyment out of the game. Everyone has to start somewhere, and EVE Academy gives us an opportunity to help new Capsuleers learn the ropes and set their own goals.”