EVE Online‘s latest expansion HAVOC launched today, unleashing chaos and new opportunities for players in the long-running sci-fi MMO. First announced at this year’s EVE Fanfest, HAVOC introduces the ability for players to join two infamous pirate factions, the Angel Cartel and Guristas, for the first time in EVE‘s 20-year history. These ruthless groups have settled in the newly discovered Zarzakh system, controlled by an enigmatic figure called The Deathless.
Players can spread corruption and dissent in faction warfare zones by aligning themselves with the pirates, disrupting the power balance between empires. They’ll gain access to exclusive faction stores and blueprints to build pirate ships like the long-coveted Azariel-class Angel Cartel titan. Players will have to choose whether to defend their empire against the growing pirate threat or give in to personal gain and fight for the outlaws.
HAVOC brings new tools to stir up trouble on the frontlines through the corruption and suppression system. Corrupting star systems in insurgency zones unlocks rewards for pirate faction members. Suppressing criminal activity boosts the standing of the honourable empire militia. This fuels the ongoing war between players in New Eden.
The expansion also adds threats like Guristas and Angel battlecruisers and destroyers. HAVOC introduces the interconnected FPS experience EVE Vanguard, which is currently in early development. Vanguard lets players impact EVE Online directly at launch through frontline corruption.
“With HAVOC, this is what we know for certain: capsules have some tough decisions to make, and even more dynamic and complex war zones will erupt into the cosmos of New Eden,” explained EVE Online‘s Creative Director Bergur Finnbogason. “Adding official space piracy fulfils a long-held player ambition and brings EVE Online ever closer to our vision of the ultimate sci-fi experience.”
HAVOC enhances corporations by making it easier to manage projects and new opportunities. It also expands customization through corporation emblems on the new ships. The expansion makes it easier for new players to jump in and contribute from day one.
EVE Online is a long-running MMO known for its intricate player-driven stories emerging from a massive sci-fi sandbox. HAVOC leans into the game’s reputation for chaos, giving players more tools to disrupt and control the universe. The pirate factions and new corruption system seem poised to fuel the complex wars between EVE’s player alliances. We’ll have to wait and see how capsuleers reshape the stars yet again when HAVOC‘s mayhem is fully unleashed, but players looking to jump in on the action can download EVE Online and try it for themselves.
