EVE Online is perhaps one of the most ambitions MMORPGs out there right now. Thanks to the game’s massive scale, some incredibly impressive records have been set, including EVE Online hosting the biggest PvP battle in the history of video games.
Recently developer CCP Games has used EVE Online’s dedicated playerbase to aid in the world’s ongoing COVID-19 research. Now, the official EVE Online Twitter account has confirmed that over 200,000 players have participated in the game’s ongoing mini-games designed to help scientists research COVID-19.
CCP Games was a very early proponent of aiding in the ongoing research project aimed at containing and controlling the coronavirus pandemic. In July, CCP Games implemented mini-games designed to help scientists fight the coronavirus by identifying clusters of cells that aid scientists analyzing actual COVID-19 data. Additionally, this mini-game was made readily available in-game, so that after finishing EVE Online’s tutorial, any player had access to it. On top of that, there are in-game rewards that help to incentivize players to participate.
Now, it seems like the accessibility and various in-game incentives have helped a lot of players aid in some invaluable research. EVE Online’s Twitter made the announcement that over 218,000 players have completed 56.9 million mini-games, which amounts to about 36 years of categorizing cells. It can’t be understated just how much those 56 million mini-games will impact scientists' COVID-19 research as they work towards a greater understanding of the virus as well as a vaccine. CCP Games and EVE Online’s playerbase have a lot to be proud of when it comes to the game’s Project Discovery initiative.
On top of this ongoing Project Discovery research, EVE Online’s playerbase has also donated $135,000 to COVID-19 relief efforts. This was made possible by the PLEX for Good program, where players can donate to real-life charity organizations through EVE Online’s in-game currency, PLEX. It’s an amazing program that lets EVE Online players make a real-world difference simply by engaging in the game’s economy. The development team is also constantly impressed by some of the efforts the EVE Online’s community can sometimes go to for good causes.
Back in June, the community hosted a major battle for a player who was re-diagnosed with cancer. The battle was part of a massive birthday celebration for the player, with billions of PLEX worth of material destroyed in the ensuing battle. That story in tandem with EVE Online’s ongoing COVID-19 research aid are just a few of the examples on how CCP Games and its fans have made a positive impact on the world. Hopefully, their efforts to help further COVID-19 research through EVE Online allow scientists to understand the virus more and more with each passing day.
EVE Online is available on PC.