Reykjavik, Iceland, CCP, one of the world's leading independent game developers, today announced the launch of the eighth free expansion for EVE Online, its popular massively multi-player online game (MMOG). EVE Isk: Empyrean Age destroys the peace of New Eden as long suppressed political tensions between the four major Empires of EVE Isk boil over into direct conflict. Stalwart starship pilots join the newly mustered militias and make solitary strikes deep within enemy territory. By choosing sides in this epic war, players have the power to direct the course of the conflict. New players can quickly immerse themselves in the EVE Isk universe by diving into large-scale factional battles.

The events leading to the outbreak of war in the expansion are based on the science-fiction novel, EVE: The Empyrean Age, utilizing a rare and dynamic creative style where an MMO and traditional literature mirror each other's development. Written by EVE novelist Tony Gonzales, EVE: The Empyrean Age will be released in the UK by ORION Books on June 19, 2008 with worldwide distribution to follow.

"Factional Warfare has been on the wish list for a while and we're excited to be able to introduce it in this expansion, giving players a new framework to engage in roleplaying and PvP," said Noah Ward, lead designer for CCP. "The focus is on accessibility and fun. The features in Empyrean Age will appeal to players on many different levels: a tightly integrated storyline, social camaraderie, focused combat and battle statistics."

The dawn of the Empyrean Age entails the following new features:

1. Factional Militias and Ranks: The militias serve to organize each government's war effort. All militia members will share a chat channel to allow them to quickly coordinate strategy. The ranking system rewards talented pilots by granting titles and recognition within their chosen militia.

2. Factional Warfare Agents: More than 260 new militia agents coordinate the activities of militia pilots and assign missions inside enemy territory.