In something of an unusual occurrence, Microsoft Excel made a major appearance at a video game event over the weekend as EvE Online announced Excel Integrations for this space faring MMORPG.
Spreadsheet simulator is a joke hat gets thrown at EvE Online a lot, and the mem has it’s origins in the massively complex resource management involved in running large scale operations in the sandbox MMO. This tends to facilitate a lot of number crunching for the biggest in game Corps, and a huge barrier for entry to small groups of players who want to do more than simply wander the wastes of Null-Sec looking for adventure. Eve developer CCP and Microsoft are looking to make things a little easier on start-ups in space, with the news that Eve Online will get a JavaScript API that will allow players to “seamlessly export data from Eve Online”.
The new interaction between EvE data and Microsoft’s spreadsheet platform was announced during this weekend’s Eve Fanfest event, and a technical demonstration of it was warmly received by the crowds in Reykjavik, but it won’t be immediately available. While a press release confirmed that the final goal will “help players access and calculate everything from profit margins to battle strategy”, it is still in its early phase. Capsuleers should expect more as the year progresses.
This wasn’t the only thing announced over the weekend. We also know that in game, EvE is set to see audio and visual overhauls, including high-resolution nebulae, increased Levels of Detail (LOD) on all in-game models, and improved particle VFX. Players are going to get enhancements to the new player experience, while veterans will get to watch the Quadrants initiative develop into a multi-year journey. We didn’t hear much about EvE Echoes, the recently launched mobile version of EvE, but there’s still plenty to take home from Fanfest.
For everything EvE Fanfest and more number crunching, check out the EvE Online website now and jump into this massive sci-fi MMORPG with your calculator at the ready.