Playing the numbers game with EVE Online
by Eliot Lefebvre 
Oct 9th 2009 at 1:00PM
Filed under: At a glance, Sci-fi, EVE Online, MMO industry, Academic
MMORPGs, at their heart, are usually games all about numbers -- stats, levels, enemies to fight, and so forth. And EVE Online focuses in even more on numbers, where players worry not only about the amount of damage their ship's main gun can put out, but what the value of ore on the open market is and whether or not the cost of an attack on a mining facility would be worth the profit. But there are other numbers involved in the game, which were highlighted on MMORPG.com in a piece about the numbers behind the game discussed at the recent 2009 Fanfest.
Among the more interesting statistics is the stated goal to have EVE's total population exceed that of its country of origin, Iceland -- a goal that the game has either nearly reached or exceeded if you count in the game's trial accounts, which are a bit of a revolving door but add a significant number of players to the total. The article also discusses the game's overall economy, player retention, and other interesting figures in relation to the game. Take a look if you'd like a peek behind the scenes of one of the most unique MMOs on the market right now.
[ via MMORPG.com ]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Myria said on 2:05PM 10-09-2009
The population number is disingenuous at absolute best. 300K accounts is believable (albeit CCP's own numbers released during the last election call that into question), but anyone familiar with the game knows that having multiple accounts is not only helpful and encouraged, it's nigh unto required.
Dividing that 300K number in half is would give a grossly generous estimate, by a third would likely yield a more realistic guess of the actual number of individual players.
As for counting the trial accounts? I do hope they're kidding. Log into newbie chat for a while. See all those isk spammers -- and they are legion? Think they're using paid accounts?
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Pedro said on 3:03PM 10-09-2009
I wouldn't give a rat's ass if my 300k accounts came from 150k individuals or from 300k individuals. The money coming in would be the same.
You seem like a EVE hater. I don't care mmuch about this game but i hate game haters. :P
Myria said on 5:51PM 10-09-2009
We're talking population, not money, or did you miss that part?
And, honestly, if you think you can tell jack diddly about me from that post, or, frankly, that I do or should give a rat's rectum what you think, you are sadly delusional.
GaaaaaH said on 8:32PM 10-09-2009
Nebalee, thats 43k on at one time. 300k is total subs
Wensbane said on 2:35PM 10-09-2009
I've played EVE, on and off, since 2003, and have never felt the need to have more than one account.
Just to make it perfectly clear for all those considering trying this game, it is obviously NOT mandatory, nor required, to buy a second account. In fact, most of my "in-game friends" only have one account, and they all seem to be doing quite well.
EVE is a great game, perhaps the only one on the current market that actually lives up to that first M in MMORPG (50000 people in a single shard is definitely impressive).
I'm really glad to see this game doing so well in terms of population (even if you ignore the 30/40k trial accounts, it's still a pretty large playerbase).
CCP definitely deserves it, for thinking outside the box and constantly updating and improving their products, for free.
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Tyranor said on 2:43PM 10-09-2009
Same here. 04 character, 1 account.
Nebalee said on 4:21PM 10-09-2009
according to http://eve-offline.net/?server=tranquility they rarely peak out at 43k
Malachi said on 11:54AM 10-13-2009
Just about every weekend.
Dag said on 3:13PM 10-09-2009
It took me two years with pvp before concidering a second account.
Eventually, a second account came in handy for when hauling among other things.
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Chris said on 4:02PM 10-09-2009
gotta agree, the second account is nice to have i just opted for it because im in a smaller corp, and we dont always have a hauler present so i figured i'd help out and sponsor the hauler alt :)
Like i said its not a requirement but the alt really is nice to have, but for a long time i easily saw 1 account as enough, and to be honest if you go with a big alliance/corp that you fit well with (mining or pvp etc) it will make the alt less useful because in a corp or alliance big enough you'll probably have enough people to fill all the needed positions.
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Dblade said on 5:14PM 10-09-2009
An interesting stat is that 95% of EVE players are male, according to the interview. Usually MMOs have a much higher percentage of female players, and I wonder if you can draw a relationship between a pvp focus and that.
The alt account issue only comes up I think because CCP actually marketed towards people interested in it, as opposed to it being the usual gray area. Even if it isn't required, that shows to me multiple accounts are a good percentage of the total.
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Nebalee said on 9:38PM 10-09-2009
yeah i know, i was refering to what Wensbane wrote.
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nickers.nick said on 12:41AM 10-10-2009
Hey Myria.... shhhhhh...don't say anything bad about EVE. Eve fans are notorious for being jerks, especially if you have a differing opinion or one that doesn't make them feel all shiny.
P.S.- And never mention actual player numbers, they get uppity about not even being in the top ten of MMO's population-wise.
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Sobach said on 3:07AM 10-10-2009
heh, using ad hominen attacks to accuse others of using ad hominen attacks... irony much?
eve online said on 1:12AM 10-15-2009
In the real world people do not work with such persistence and obsession in online games.
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eve online review
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