EVE Online is a player-driven space MMORPG that has run since May 2003. The official site describes more than 7,000 star systems shared with hundreds of thousands of other players, and professions including war, politics, piracy, trading and exploration. The developer, based in Reykjavik, now operates as Fenris Creations; it says it mostly operated as CCP Games before. EVE suits patient players who enjoy economics, politics and long-term goals as much as combat.
Official downloads
- eveonline.com: the official download page installs the EVE launcher for Windows or macOS.
- Steam: free, listed for Windows and macOS.
- winget:
winget install CCPGames.EVEOnlineinstalls the launcher.
EVE Online is not available on phones. The developer points mobile players to separate games, EVE Echoes and EVE Galaxy Conquest.
Free Alpha versus paid Omega
Every account can play free as an Alpha clone. According to EVE’s support article, Alpha characters can fly frigates, destroyers, cruisers, battlecruisers, battleships, haulers and a mining frigate, can use a set of skills worth about 20 million skill points, and train normally up to 5 million skill points. They can accept missions up to level 3 and pay an extra 2% tax on industry jobs. An Alpha user can run only one Alpha account at a time.
Omega is the paid state: all ships and skills, and twice the training speed. Steam lists Omega at $20.00 a month, with longer plans from $48.00 for three months to $264.00 for 24 months. Game time can also come from PLEX, according to EVE Support.
System requirements
| Windows minimum | macOS minimum | |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 64-bit | macOS Monterey (12) |
| CPU | Dual core at 2.0 GHz | Intel i5 at 2.5 GHz or Apple M1 |
| Memory | 4 GB or more | 4 GB |
| Graphics | AMD Radeon 5450 or NVIDIA GeForce 420 or better, 1024 MB VRAM | Intel HD 4000 |
All platforms need a 64-bit CPU and OS, a DirectX 11-capable GPU and 23 GB of free space.
Ratings and safety
Steam shows ESRB T (Teen) and PEGI 12. EVE’s player-run economy makes it a target for currency sellers and account scams. Buying in-game currency from third parties or using bots breaks the publisher’s rules and can get the account banned.
Questions
Can I play EVE Online for free forever?
Yes, as an Alpha clone, with the limits described above.
Is there a Mac version?
Yes. The developer lists macOS 12 as the minimum, with support for Apple M1.
Is EVE Online on mobile?
No. EVE Echoes and EVE Galaxy Conquest are separate mobile games.
