EVE Online: Cradle of War launches June 9 on PC and brings a new player onboarding system with it

Fenris Creations has unveiled the next major expansion for EVE Online, with Cradle of War launching on June 9 and introducing a sweeping overhaul focused on large-scale empire warfare, new player onboarding and expanded fleet combat across New Eden.

The expansion marks the beginning of “Theatres of War,” a planned three-expansion storyline arc designed around escalating faction conflict. Central to the update is a new Military Campaigns system that structures EVE’s famously player-driven wars into coordinated, multi-front conflicts with progression systems and persistent outcomes shaped by player activity.

“Conflict in EVE has always been driven by players, but now its impact drives the next level of warfare,” said Bergur Finnbogason, Creative Director for EVE Online. “Military campaigns connect player actions into persistent, multi-front wars. Players still decide how conflict unfolds, but now those decisions shape the future of the empires.”

Fenris says the new campaign system is intended to open up large-scale warfare to more players without sacrificing the complexity veteran pilots expect from EVE’s sandbox.

“Cradle of War makes large-scale conflict more accessible without reducing its depth,” said Snorri Árnason, Executive Producer for EVE Online. “Players can step into the war effort earlier and have their impact meaningfully – whether through combat, logistics, industry, or intelligence.”

To support the wider war effort, Cradle of War introduces eight new ships, including Navy Destroyers aimed at faction warfare fleets and four Tech II command carriers focused on fleet support, battlefield control and coordination.

There’s also a major push to improve onboarding for new players. The expansion adds a brand-new non-PvP starter region where rookie capsuleers can train alongside one another before entering the wider galaxy. Fenris says the goal is to ease players into EVE’s notoriously harsh universe while still preparing them for the massive wars and political conflicts the MMO is known for.

New Epic Arc missions will also let players relive major moments from New Eden history, including the Caldari Prime Breakout, Battle of Pator and Liberation of Intaki. Meanwhile, a new Titles and Achievements system will track player progression and visibly display reputations, accomplishments and playstyles across the game world.

That makes Cradle of War the first major EVE expansion announced since CCP Games returned to independence under its new Fenris Creations name. The studio was bought back from Pearl Abyss by its management team in a $120 million deal earlier this month, with Fenris now operating as a standalone company in control of its own strategy, operations, and creative direction. Pearl Abyss originally acquired CCP in 2018 for around $425 million, so the sale marks a dramatic reset for the Icelandic developer.

For EVE’s hugely loyal playerbase, though, the key point is far simpler: the people making EVE now own EVE again. Fenris says the transition will not bring layoffs or major organisational changes, but it does give the studio direct control over the long-term future of New Eden.

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