EVE Online to get hi-res textures

EVE High Resolution Textures - Apocalypse

EVE Fanfest hasn't been an announcement-per-second whirlwind, but it has seen reveals of some long-awaited EVE Online features. Perhaps the most visually arresting of these is the unveiling of high-resolution textures, due to be implemented into the game later this year.

The textures are made possible thanks to a planned update to the way that EVE's client will handle information. Rather than download the full game, the client will prioritise the data that a player will actually see, and download new textures and assets on-demand as they're encountered.

Players will be able to opt-in to receive all data, and it's this optional process that allows the team to introduce hi-res textures. Only two such screenshots were shown on stage, and you can see them on this page.

The new client system and hi-res textures are due to be introduced sometime in 2015.

Phil has been writing for PC Gamer for nearly a decade, starting out as a freelance writer covering everything from free games to MMOs. He eventually joined full-time as a news writer, before moving to the magazine to review immersive sims, RPGs and Hitman games. Now he leads PC Gamer's UK team, but still sometimes finds the time to write about his ongoing obsessions with Destiny 2, GTA Online and Apex Legends. When he's not levelling up battle passes, he's checking out the latest tactics game or dipping back into Guild Wars 2. He's largely responsible for the whole Tub Geralt thing, but still isn't sorry.