EVE Online Offers Training to New Players

In a move that is aimed at giving newcomers to the harsh universe of EVE Online a foot up its fabled Learning Cliff, CCP Games will be giving live in-game New Player Training Sessions with monthly themes. The first theme is Player Versus Player Combat.

The sessions will be conducted via the in-game channel, New Player Training Sessions, and will each last an hour. EVE’s chat channel interface supports voice communications via the EVE client and this will presumably be utilised, at least so players can listen in.

It is an interesting initiative which, if delivered well, and could span the gap between first log in and the rookie player figuring out how to sign up to a rookie-friendly player-run training corporation. There is so much information to absorb, it can be overwhelming.

Reinventing the Wheel?

This exceptionally hands-on approach to the New Player Experience should be applauded, however there are some potential pitfalls for CCP.  There are a number of respected player-run institutions which have been providing a similar service for a number of years and whose existence is the very essence of the kind of emergent gameplay the New Eden sandbox is renowned for. CCP must be careful not to put them out of business, eroding the sandbox. But, done right, this process could bolster such organisations.

By way of explanation to the existing player-base, CCP Eterne, the community dev who is amongst those for whom this will become a full-time vocation, wrote:

“But why are we doing this? The simple fact is a lot of players come into the game and are overwhelmed by what they find. Teaching them in a structured fashion like this can help them get into New Eden more quickly and get them out there interacting with other players. Your corporations and alliances will benefit, either by having better-trained recruits, more informed customers, or even targets more willing to come out and fight you.”

Here are the main details for new players who want the personal touch to their first few days in EVE:

Here is the initial schedule of sessions we are planning to run. New players can participate by joining the “New Player Training Sessions” channel in-game at the listed times. We will also be advertising the sessions in the rookie corporations and Rookie Help Chat channel during the event times.

Track: Player vs Player Combat

October 15, 17:00 UTC – Modules
October 17, 17:00 UTC – Fitting Your Ship
October 22, 17:00 UTC – Earning ISK
October 24, 17:00 UTC – The Overview and UI
October 29, 17:00 UTC – Piloting Your Ship
October 31, 17:00 UTC – Skills
November 5, 17:00 UTC – Crimewatch (Featuring live demonstrations)
November 7, 17:00 UTC – Combat Basics
November 12, 17:00 UTC – Teamwork
November 16, 17:00 UTC – PVP Fleet
November 18, 17:00 UTC – Progression: What’s Next?