Dev Blog: Coming to EVE Online in the Rhea release on December 9th

It seems strange to think we owe the discovery of this system to the capsuleers. Taya admitted as much to me at risk of her vocation, perhaps her life. I don't think we can ignore the role they played. Everything we do here goes back to them one way or the other. Even if they don't know it.
~ Zakari Kovalis, Exploration Vessel Katydid, Personal Journal YC112.09.12
Rhea is a release that expands EVE Online. Here is what's coming to New Eden on December 9^th.

Thera and the hundred other shattered wormholes

A hundred new wormhole systems are revealed in Rhea along with Thera, a huge named wormhole system with four Sisters of EVE stations and a multitude of wormhole connections to known space. Landmarks and mysteries abound. Read all about it in this dev blog from CCP Fozzie: Thera and the shattered wormholes

No clone grades and no skill point loss on pod death

Clone grades, clone upgrade cost and skill point loss when podded (except when losing a Strategic Cruiser) will be removed in Rhea.  Read more about these changes and the reasoning behind them in an upcoming dev blog by CCP Terminus, or watch Episode 2 of the o7 show (13:00 mark) to hear about these changes.

The Confessor – Amarr Tech 3 Tactical Destroyer

The Confessor is the first of four all new Tech 3 Tactical Destroyers with the ability to shift between defensive, speed and sniper modes that confer different sets of bonuses. Due to the efforts of Honorary Fabricator-General Ascentior and other devoted capsuleers, the Amarr Empire was the first to complete the research race to build this new kind of ship. The other 3 tactical destroyers will follow in upcoming releases. Read more about this new ship in an upcoming dev blog.

The Bowhead – ORE Freighter

Move assembled ships in this new freighter from ORE that comes with a large ship maintenance bay. If a Bowhead is destroyed, there is a chance that assembled ships can be found amongst the wreckage. Read about the stats and capabilities of the Bowhead in this forum post.

Sleeper scout drones roaming in known space

A new type of roaming scout drones, seemingly originating from wormhole space Sleeper sites, will be investigating something in known space. Engage them at your own risk. These NPCs and the Artificial Intelligence code that will power them will be highlighted in an upcoming dev blog.

Sleeper Cache High End Exploration Sites and Polarized Weapon Modules

Rhea will bring Standard and Superior versions of the Sleeper Cache high-end exploration sites, where you can find the new Polarized weapons that have some great benefits but reduce your resists to zero. Read about these mysterious sites in this dev blog from CCP SoniClover: Sleeper Cache Exploration Sites & Polarized Weapons

Ship rendering and lighting updated with Physically Based Rendering techniques (PBR)

“Physically Based Rendering” is a term for cutting edge rendering methods that closely model how real light bounces off different surfaces. Rendering ship models and lights using this approach results in materials and surfaces that look more realistic and light that falls and reflects beautifully. With Rhea, all ships except T3 strategic cruisers get rendered with PBR techniques. Upcoming releases will continue to apply these methods to more parts of EVE. Read about the technology and vision in an upcoming dev blog from CCP Mankiller.

New UI look, window transparency options and interface icons

The EVE Online UI gets a big update in Rhea to improve the user experience and make EVE look more modern with new Neocom and window and station service icons, new window skins and faction color themes, and new UI effects.. A number of options and settings will be available to customize the experience. Read more in this dev blog from CCP Optimal: A new look for EVE’s UI – feedback needed!

Opt-In Keyboard Ship Control

In Rhea, you will be able to try keyboard ship control as an opt-in beta feature. No new mechanics or movement options are introduced, just the ability to fly with WASD or arrow keys for the same movements you can do today using double-click. Read more in this dev blog from CCP Nullarbor: Quick, give me manual control!

Opt-in New Star Map

The Star Map has been completely redone to improve readability and usability, and in Rhea you can try this new map as an opt-in beta feature. Read more about what’s new in an upcoming dev blog.

Blackbird, Rook and Falcon Ship Models Redesigned

Tech 2 Hull Variants for the Onyx and Eagle

Incursus, Enyo and Ishkur Ship Models Redesigned

Visual effects updates to asteroid belts

Dust effects, sun rays and rock fragments are added to asteroid belts in Rhea to create a more immersive experience. Early work in progress screen shot:

Special Edition Dreadnoughts

Four new Special Edition Dreadnoughts will be available from the New Eden Store with Rhea: The Interbus Moros, the Sarum Revelation, the Wiyrkomi Phoenix and the Justice Naglfar.

New Pirate Apparel

Pirate faction themed clothing will be added to the New Eden Store.

Kill Report and Contract Notifications

Kill reports and contracts will be available in the new Notification system, fully configurable.

Improvements to Market Sell Order Creation

Following the original release of this feature in Phoebe, Rhea brings better feedback when dragging items to the sell window and a larger entry when selling single items.

Public CREST API Updates for EVE Tool Creators

The entire item type collection from EVE becomes available in Public CREST, along with market orders for items available on the market. Go to developers.eveonline.com for news and updates on APIs and other developer tools for EVE Online.

Old Trial Account Character Names Freed Up

With Rhea, we are freeing over six million character names used on old trial accounts that never became subscribing accounts.

The Rest

Some features we have talked about recently but aren’t listed here may still make it into Rhea, so read the final patch notes for the full list of changes. We are also closely monitoring the results of our Phoebe changes to jump drive travel and working towards the next phase of changes to sovereignty. You can expect further communications on this topic in December.

We really hope you enjoy Rhea , coming to EVE Online on December 9^th.

And do remember to pay attention to in-game news and movements, as this overview blog does not reveal everything happening around Rhea or why things are happening in New Eden!

CCP Seagull

Executive Producer, EVE Online
@ccpseagull
[ Original Dev Blog ]