EVE: Valkyrie

EVE: Valkyrie was a multiplayer first-person space dogfighting shooter game set in the EVE Online universe, notable as an early showpiece for virtual reality (VR) technology. Developed by CCP Games, the game focused primarily on competitive, team-based combat, allowing players to assume the role of elite clone pilots in the lawless regions of space

The core gameplay revolved around fast-paced, 8v8 vehicular combat missions where players piloted various classes of starfighters (fighter, heavy, and support) through detailed environments like asteroid fields and giant space stations. A key feature of the VR experience was the ability to track and aim weapons by simply turning one's head, adding a new dimension to space combat. 

Game modes included:

• Team Deathmatch (or "Furballs") where the goal was to destroy enemy ships.

• Carrier Assault, an objective-based mode where teams had to capture points to lower the enemy capital ship's shields, then fly inside a "trench run" to destroy its core.

• Control/Capture modes. 

Progression involved earning experience to unlock new ships, weapons, and customization options. 

Plot & Setting

Players were recruited into the "Valkyrie," an outlaw band of galactic pirates led by an enigmatic woman named Rán Kavik. The pilots in the game were actually clones whose consciousnesses were illegally captured and re-purposed at the point of death, allowing them to return to battle after being shot down, which tied into the game's mechanics. The single-player content, called "Chronicles," was limited to tutorials and brief exploratory missions that provided a narrative backdrop, but the main focus was always on the multiplayer experience.

Key Features

Virtual Reality Immersion: The game was designed for VR headsets (Oculus Rift, PlayStation VR) to offer a highly immersive cockpit experience.

Team-Based Combat: Emphasis was placed on teamwork and tactical use of different ship classes in battle.

Cross-Platform Play: The game supported cross-platform play between PC and PlayStation users (both VR and non-VR after the Warzone expansion).

Warzone Expansion: A major update in 2017 made VR optional and added new ships, maps, and modes, rebranding the game as EVE: Valkyrie – Warzone.

Note: The online services for EVE: Valkyrie were shut down in August 2022 by CCP Games, rendering the game unplayable, including the single-player portion, as it required a connection to the master server.

This game was available on Steam and PlayStation (PSVR).