EVE Online is a complex space MMORPG that has captivated its fans for years. In early 2019, ban waves against bots caused player numbers to noticeably decline. However, since mid-2019, there has been a positive trend leading to strong numbers. We look at the reasons.
These are the player numbers of EVE Online 2020: The colleagues from PCGamesN spoke with Brand Manager Sæmundur Hermannsson during the EVE Fanfest. He revealed details about the player numbers of EVE Online.
Currently, there are reportedly 40,000 concurrent players logged in on weekends. These numbers were last reached in mid-2016.
The COVID-19 crisis, which led to a boom in many MMORPGs, has also helped EVE. However, according to Hermannsson, there has been a positive trend with increasing player numbers since August/September 2019. This is also reflected in the numbers on Steam (via Steamcharts).
A better experience for newcomers helps
Where does the turnaround come from? On March 30, 2020, there was a blog post by the EVE developers concerning the topic of the ecosystem in the MMO. They revealed that due to the fight against botters, there was a sharp decline in player numbers. In this context, even the names of alliances that had botters in their ranks were mentioned.
This decline in player numbers is said to have been compensated by new players and returnees, and thus by real players instead of bots. The number of bots has reportedly decreased by 80% since then.
New players benefit from many adjustments that CCP has made, especially for the entry into the game.
Free2Play improvement and better entry help EVE
How is EVE for newcomers? The space MMO is considered complex and difficult. However, the developers are constantly working to improve the entry, as Hermannsson revealed:
We have made sure that with every new content, we also invest in new players and the basic technologies of EVE.
Hermannsson at PCGamesN
In 2016, EVE Online became Free2Play with the expansion “Ascension.” At the same time, the entry into the game was somewhat simplified, and tutorials were adjusted. With Aura, an AI was introduced that explains the basic structure of the game, even with voice acting.
However, the adjustments did not stop there. For example, in 2019, a system was introduced to help players when they lose their first ship.
What’s next for EVE? Several updates are planned for the current year 2020. EVE divides the year into quadrants, that is, four sections in which larger updates and corresponding events take place. On April 6, Eclipse, the second quadrant, began.
One part of this is the third and final chapter of the Triglavian invasion. It was released on May 20.
EVE Online is regularly expanded with new content and improvements, and it is significantly more beginner-friendly in 2020 than it was a few years ago.
However, it is also meant to remain complex and difficult, as the loss of ships is part of the game and unites players, as Hilmar Pétursson, the CEO of CCP Games, revealed.
