This year’s EVE Fanfest was a massive milestone in my journey through New Eden – a rare moment where vision, community, and design aligned. From major expansion reveals to candid developer interviews and a deep dive into EVE’s evolving culture, I covered it all – on the ground, in the bright halls of Harpa, and across five packed days in Reykjavík.
Whether you missed some posts or want a central place to revisit them, here’s the full breakdown.
It All Started with a Signal
Before the show even began, the official announcement set the tone. CCP teased a new kind of event format, hybrid reveals, and hinted at bold steps ahead for both EVE Online and EVE Vanguard. It wasn’t just about what would be shown — but how.
First Impressions: On the Ground
Once the event began, my early first impressions captured the energy: big dev presence, tighter community space, and a surprising amount of cross-game synergy. Vanguard’s announcements and demo felt more stable than expected, and casual hallway conversations hinted at long-term plans far beyond this year’s expansion – The Legion.
165 Questions in 5 Minutes
To break the ice, I opened with one of my favorite formats: 165 rapid-fire questions to 15 CCP devs. Short, chaotic at times, and very human — a snapshot of the people behind the capsuleer curtain. Learn how CCP devs – including their CEO – play the game, their preferred playstyles, and favorite ships.
Deep Dive: The Saga in Reykjavík
The full event recap spans thousands of words and includes photo coverage, crowd reactions, and behind-the-scenes moments. From Hellmar’s stage presence — swinging a very real two-handed sword and reading space sagas — to community showcases, it captures the full scope of the Fanfest experience: not just what was said, but how it felt to be there. The gallery features over 250 photos from the venue, CCP HQ, and the pub crawl — see if you can spot yourself and drop a comment if you’d like a high-resolution version. I’ll gladly share.
Exclusive Interviews
I docked in with six key voices behind New Eden — from CCP and the EVE community. Each interview offers a unique angle, yet together they echo the same overarching theme: EVE Forever™.
- CCP Rattati — On Legion’s design pillars and letting EVE Vanguard stand on its own feet.
- CCP Burger — Sharing what it means to “listen louder” and how community shaped this year’s focus.
- CCP Swift — Talking Alliance Tournament, player-run events, and why he still flies with friends.
- CCP Hellmar — A rare look into the mind of EVE’s Leader – CEO of CCP.
- CCP Collins — On the transformation of Vanguard from an extraction shooter into a true MMO FPS. How grounded world design brings the New Eden universe to life on foot.
- Attila Szantner — The man bridging EVE and science, on citizen research and human insight.
Capsuleer’s Log – Closing Entry
Fanfest this year was all about momentum. For longtime capsuleers, it was proof that even after decades, New Eden still has surprises. For newcomers, it wasn’t just an introduction — it was a handshake, a story, a spark.
Lastly, there is a small video story of a little Rifter:
Bookmark this page, dive into the stories, and if you were at Fanfest too — tell me your favorite moment. I truly love hearing what moved you, what made you laugh, or what reminded you why you undock.
I’ll be back next year — with more questions, more stories, and the same curiosity. Until then, fly safe. o7
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