EVE Online‘s single-sharded game universe is a dynamic open world where all player activity is unscripted and emergent. However, once a year, the cycle of manufacture and war slows as all eyes turn to the one sector of the New Eden universe no player can reach without an invite (read: “devhax”).
It is there that 64 teams representing EVE’s player alliances will be fighting for the title of Alliance Tournament XI champions in a double-elimination knockout contest. Each match will consist of two teams of up to twelve ships chosen by points value from EVE stable of hundreds of sub-capital vessels.
Then, after a flurry of manoeuvers, weapon fire and explosions, a victor emerges.
Historically, the Alliance Tournaments have always been aimed at the existing playerbase, particularly the large alliance player organisations. But every year, the competitions become more and more polished as the presentation improves, the commentators deliver on-point explanations and CCP Games go to greater lengths to make the experience as accessible as possible.
The stats and overlays have been getting quite slick too and this year I’m hoping for a real step forward on the camera-work, which has always been a challenge to present a three-dimensional space battle in a manner that is entertaining and simultaneously informative.
If you are curious about the tales of EVE’s epic space combat and incredible player organisation, tune in to the CCP Games Alliance Tournament XI Twitch channel on Saturday 20th July for the first day’s action. The opening match is scheduled for 0930 EDT (1330 GMT).
May the best space scoundrels win.
Watch live video from twitchernest on www.twitch.tv
