Tuesday, August 22nd, players of the hit MMORPG title EVE Online can expect quite a bit of server downtime and quite some technical changes as CCP deploys their updated code base, “Dragon” in anticipation of the upcoming Kali expansion. The patch will include numerous enhancements to security and encryption, as well as small improvements and optimizations, one of which includes the multiple-language framework, as localized version of EVE are beginning to be released. The trade off to these enhancements will be the dropping of OS support for Microsoft’s Windows 98 and ME operating systems, as Microsoft itself begins dropping extended support for the same out-dated systems. This basically means that after Tuesday, the minimum OS requirement in order to play EVE Online will be Windows 2000 SP2 (sorry SP1 fans) due to the encryption changes being implemented during the patch. Now where’s that OS X version CCP!?

CCP’s announcement after the jump:

On Tuesday, 22 August, we will deploy our latest code base, “Dragon”, to Tranquility. This codebase includes numerous improvements, optimizations, the multiple language framework, enhanced security and encryption.

As with any major update to older code, there are going to be some growing pains associated with it. Since this is the first big step in preparation for the Path to Kali, there are more growing pains with this update than there have been in the past. In this patch, we are going to be removing some obsolete code.

Due to the changes this update is going to bring to the server and client code, we are going to need more testing effort than before. If you have the opportunity, please take some time to log in to Singularity to assist the QA team with bug hunting. The more community support we have for testing, the fewer bugs the code will have upon deployment.

The “old” agent mission system will be disabled in lieu of the replacement missions in the new system deployed in the last patch. This is the reason some missions have two different types of encounters and this was done in an effort to ease the transition. New missions will be deployed in upcoming patches following the deployment of Dragon.

Microsoft has ended their extended support of Windows 98, Windows 98SE and Windows ME, which means we must follow their lead and cannot continue to support these OSes ourselves. Additionally, our new security and encryption require at least Windows 2000 Service Pack 2 or Windows XP to work.

Patch deployment should take about 9 hours, from 08:00 to 17:00 GMT.

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Read more: EVE Online | 14-day Free EVE Online trial

Iceland-based MMORPG creator CCP has launched a new feature for members of Eve-Online, called, EVE TV, a scheduled video-cast featuring live coverage of in-game events, mixed with commentary and analysis from PVP experts. Broadcasts are all live, straight from CCP headquarters to your Windows Media Player and also feature exclusive interviews with Dev and GM teams, for a behind-the-scenes look into one of the largest and most visually stunning massive multiplayers out there. Coverage is between 1500 and 2100 GMT, June 14th, 15th and 16th wtih another set of shows happening on July 21st, 22nd, and 23rd.

[Eve TV | Eve-Online]

CCP, the makers of online MMORPG Eve-Online, have opened their pre-order site for their upcoming collectable card game, Eve: The Second Genesis. Pre-orders are estimated to ship towards the end of July, meaning those placing their orders now will receive their card sets a full 8 weeks before they are released publically. The storyline of the game takes place in the current Eve timeline, with the player taking the role of the CEO of a new and aspiring corporation, struggling for market domination. A complete rulebook is also available in .PDF form directly from the site, for early-adopters to get into the mood as early as possible.

When the game begins, you control a single starbase, a steady income, and access to a market from which you
can buy anything in supply. The “ace up your sleeve” is the secret knowledge of valuable outer regions which can yield the fortune required to build up your corporate empire and defeat the opposition. Your greatest weapon is absolute control over your employees and other corporation assets. Plan the progress of your corporation well by constructing your deck of cards carefully. Rest assured that your opponents – the CEOs of rival corporations – have their strategy planned. In EVE, business is war, and the only thing that matters is winning.

[Eve: Second Genesis | Eve-Online]