CCP, the developer of EVE Online, plans to create a medieval-style book of epic verses, inscribed with players' blood, as a symbol of the game's history: "It appears, for preserving data, writing in blood on calfskin is a highly effective method."
Let's Talk About EVE's Bizarre New Project
Hilmar Veigar Pétursson, CEO of CCP Games, shocked the EVE Online community during this year's Fanfest with an unexpected announcement: an epic poem in the style of ancient Icelandic sagas, penned on genuine vellum using the blood of EVE Online enthusiasts. And guess what? You can get your hands on a piece of this gory literature!
"We're fixated on the concept of 'foreverness,'" said Pétursson. "It turns out, writing information on blood-stained calfskin is an excellent method. People in Iceland have been doing this for a thousand years, and these books are still intact."
CCP's new endeavor, famously known as the "Foundational Poem," aims to capture the heart and soul of EVE's player-driven history. Icelandic author Andri Snær Magnason, who will be working alongside a global network of poets, will orchestrate this literary masterpiece.
During the closing ceremony, Pétursson elaborated on the limited editions of this medieval-style manuscript, remarking, "We're going to commission an undetermined number of these books through an expert in the process. Before, they worked for the Pope and the British empire, but now they'll be working for us."
The tome will find its permanent resting place in Iceland's Arnastofnun manuscript museum alongside the sagas. And who knows, maybe it'll end up in the depths of the Pyramids or the hallowed Library of Congress.
While you can't buy one of the exclusive manuscripts, you can certainly contribute to this historical document by donating blood at the next Fanfest. Don't worry, they'll be collaborating with the Blood Bank of Iceland to ensure everyone leaves with a piece of the action.
EVE's next Fanfest is scheduled for May 2026, so get ready to stay healthy, maintain your iron levels, and stay clear of any pesky illnesses if you'd like your essence to grace the pages of EVE's Foundational Poem.
CCP has a history of commemorating the game and its community with grand gestures. For instance, they erected a monument at Reykjavik's harbor with the names of every EVE player inscribed upon it and dedicated a section for new players every five years.
On the horizon, CCP is also developing a sister FPS called Vanguard, which might sound familiar considering it's the second iteration of CCP's ambitions for its less fortunate, PlayStation 3-exclusive shooter, Dust 514. Additionally, they're working on EVE Frontier, an experimental space game focused on player modding.
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Ted LitchfieldI've been a PC gaming enthusiast, annoying anyone who would listen with my thoughts on them, since booting up my sister's copy of Neverwinter Nights. My undying obsession with all things CRPG and CRPG-adjacent led me to reporting on esports, modding, and rare game collectibles. When I'm not playing or writing about games, you can find me lifting weights on my back porch.
- This year's Fanfest unveiled a surprising project by CCP Games - an epic poem reminiscent of ancient Icelandic sagas, to be written on blood-stained calfskin.
- You can own a piece of this historical document if you donate blood at the next Fanfest, but the exclusive manuscripts are limited in number.
- The poem, known as the "Foundational Poem," aims to capture EVE's player-driven history and will be created through collaboration with global poets, led by Icelandic author Andri Snær Magnason.
- Those involved in creating the manuscript include experts who have previously worked for the Pope and the British empire.
- Once completed, the manuscript will be housed in Iceland's Arnastofnun manuscript museum and may also find its way to other notable institutions like the Pyramids or the Library of Congress.
- CCP Games is not only focusing on this unusual literary project; they are also working on Vanguard, a sister FPS game set to be their second attempt at a Fornite-style game for PlayStation gadgets.
- Additionally, they are developing EVE Frontier, an experimental space game focused on player modding that could revolutionize the gaming industry in 2025.
- This new project is just another example of CCP's history of commemorating their game and community with grand gestures, as they have already erected a monument at Reykjavik's harbor bearing the names of every EVE player.
- With EVE's next Fanfest scheduled for May 2026, fans are eagerly awaiting the chance to contribute to the game's history and perhaps be immortalized in the Foundational Poem.
- As we approach the future of gaming and entertainment, it's exciting to imagine the innovative projects that may come from studios like CCP Games, particularly as they navigate the world of smartphones, social media, football, and European leagues.
