In Brief
EVE Online Introduces AI Tool: A new AI tool called Aura Guidance is designed to help novice players understand and navigate the complexities of EVE Online.Data-Driven
Development: Aura Guidance was created after analyzing over 5.8 million help messages from new players, identifying key queries and needs.
Seamless Integration: The tool operates within the game’s interface, providing real-time assistance that does not disrupt gameplay.
EVE Online Implements AI Assistance for New Players
CCP Games has launched Aura Guidance, an artificial intelligence tool aimed at supporting newcomers to EVE Online. This tool is intended to simplify the onboarding process, helping players adapt to the game’s detailed systems by offering immediate assistance.
Development and Functionality
Analyzing over 5.8 million help messages collected over nine months, CCP discovered that new players frequently asked over 700,000 legitimate questions. Based on these findings, Aura Guidance was developed to address a wide range of inquiries, ensuring that new players can confidently seek help directly within the game’s interface.
Aura Guidance was deployed as part of a controlled experiment. Initially available to only half of the new players with the option to opt-out, this approach allows CCP Games to monitor its impact on player retention and engagement compared to traditional methods.
Community and Cost Considerations
CCP Games is mindful of potential concerns from the gaming community regarding the use of AI and asserts that Aura Guidance complements rather than replaces human interaction or creative content within the game. Snorri Árnason, the executive producer at CCP Games, emphasized, “Aura Guidance has been carefully designed by our team and is grounded in existing player support data to supplement Rookie Chat, not supersede it.”
Additionally, the operational cost of Aura Guidance is relatively low, akin to the annual energy usage of a small European household—minor in comparison to the energy consumed by the game servers.
Closing Thoughts from the Creative Director
Bergur Finnbogason, the creative director at CCP Games, highlighted the potential benefits of Aura Guidance for new players. “Aura Guidance is an opportunity to drastically improve the way players find information and reduce friction for new capsuleers taking their first jumps into New Eden,” said Finnbogason. This AI tool enables players to receive prompt, precise responses to their questions, smoothing their entry into EVE Online’s expansive world.