My gamer buddies and I have been looking for a new online game to play for a few weeks now. EVE Online is one of the games that we've considered. EVE Online is a massively multiplayer space simulation that combines aspects of role playing, space combat, economics and empire building into a huge, highly complex game. EVE's universe features 5,000 distinct star systems, each of which contains a number of planets, moons, asteroid fields, space stations, and/or featured locations populated by numerous player and NPC (non-player character) ships, both good and bad. All of this fits into a single environment where everyone is playing in the same universe.

Although this game was initially released in 2003 (which makes it relatively ancient in terms of online games), it continues to innovate. EVETV features live online coverage of in-game events mixed in with commentary and analysis from PVP experts. Live coverage will be, uh, televised July 14th-16th and July 21st-23rd between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM local time (central daylight).

I've been watching for more than an hour now (yes, I'm a complete geek and I'm OK with that ), and the level of professionalism (for lack of a better word) in the commentary and studio segments is impressive. Of course, it doesn't hurt that it's a gorgeous game, graphically speaking. It seems like a great way for the developers to drum up interest in an existing game.

UPDATE...

We took the plunge and signed up for the 14-day free trial... FIVE HOURS AGO!!! It's now approximately 1:15 AM and there's still quite a bit left to do in the game tutorial! However, I'm happy to report that so far IT'S FREAKIN' AWESOME!

The portrait above is of "Boogey Mann", one of the newest pilots in the Caldari fleet. Don't wanna go to bed. Wish we would've done this a couple nights ago...