CCP has announced an upcoming expansion of its EVE Online MMO. Titled 'Trinity', it will incorporate a new graphics engine, CCP's efforts to angle EVE for a market leadership position as its competition also ramps up; just one day previously, Entropia Universe also announced a graphical update.

The new graphics engine uses Shader Model 3.0 technology, and the visual changes include remodeled and retextured ships, stations and stargates. Also new with the upgrade are environmental effects, such as shadows and nebula-based lighting models, tying graphical assets into the different solar systems of EVE Online.

In addition to the graphical tune-up, the Trinity expansion also adds a variety of new content and gameplay modification, including advancements in combat tactics and battlefield management, additional capabilities for the pilot experience and multiple new Tech II class ships. Other combat add-ons include heat damage attenuation and repair while in space, improved drone management capabilities, and the ability to deploy bombs mid-flight along forward trajectories, among others. EVE has also added content for its PvE gameplay, including new kill missions and the re-introduction of mining missions.

“CCP has been on a continuous quest to offer cutting-edge virtual world experiences to engage the most advanced users on the Internet,” said Halldor Guðjónsson, chief technology officer of CCP. “With the launch of our next-generation graphics engine and gameplay improvements, we aim not only to enhance the in-world experience of our dedicated EVE players, but also to capture the interest of new gamers. While EVE Online has been arguably one of the most visually appealing MMOGs, the quality of the images enabled by our advanced graphics engine sets a precedent for visuals that blurs the line between a computer game and a movie.”