TL;DR
Fenris Creations has open-sourced the Carbon engine behind EVE Online, making it available on GitHub under permissive licenses. The move aims to build community trust and encourage innovation, though security and proprietary elements remain considerations. You can read about how open-source projects like this foster community collaboration in our detailed article.
Fenris Creations, the developer behind EVE Online, has made the Carbon game engine publicly available as open source on GitHub. This move, announced in March 2024, aims to promote transparency, community engagement, and collaborative development within the game ecosystem.
According to Ben Hunter, senior development director for core technology at Fenris Creations, the decision was driven by a desire to increase trust and invite community innovation. The code, mostly under the MIT License with some modules under Apache License 2.0 and Python Software Foundation License, is now accessible for free use, modification, and even for building new games. For insights into the technical aspects, see how open-source engines are developed.
The open-source release includes the entire Carbon engine in multiple modules, but the game’s proprietary economy data remains closed. Hunter emphasized that the goal is not commercial profit but rather fostering community interest and contributions. Early community feedback includes pull requests for security fixes and ideas for new web apps related to EVE Online content.
Fenris Creations has been preparing for this release for several years, gradually increasing team capacity to handle pull requests and security reviews. Learn more about the open-source release of EVE Online’s engine. The company also consulted with open-source projects like Godot to shape governance and security practices for managing the open codebase.
Implications for EVE Online and Game Development
The open-sourcing of the Carbon engine could lead to increased community-driven projects, customizations, and innovations within the EVE Online ecosystem. It also represents a shift toward transparency and collaborative development in a long-standing MMO. However, it raises security considerations and questions about proprietary data, especially related to the game’s complex economy. The move may influence other game developers to adopt similar open practices, fostering broader industry trends.
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Historical Background of EVE Online and Open Source Initiatives
EVE Online launched in 2003 and has built a reputation for its complex in-game economy and large-scale player battles. Over the years, CCP Games (now Fenris Creations) engaged with the community through APIs and transparency efforts. In 2022, the company announced plans to open-source its game engine, aiming to build trust and foster innovation. The recent release marks the culmination of this long-term strategy, with the code now available for public review and contribution.
This move aligns with broader industry trends toward open-source software, exemplified by projects like Godot, which Fenris consulted during development. The decision to open-source parts of the engine reflects a belief that community involvement can enhance the engine’s robustness and adaptability.
“We wanted to get the code out there for inspectability and building trust with the community.”
— Ben Hunter, Fenris Creations
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Unresolved Questions About Security and Proprietary Data
It remains unclear how effectively Fenris Creations will manage security risks associated with open-sourcing a game engine that supports a complex, real-time MMO. While the company has plans for ongoing code review, the proprietary elements, especially related to the in-game economy, will stay closed, raising questions about the potential for community-driven modifications to impact gameplay integrity.
Additionally, how this move will influence the game’s future development or monetization strategies is still uncertain, as the focus appears to be on community building rather than commercial exploitation.
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Next Steps for Community Engagement and Security Oversight
Fenris Creations plans to monitor and review incoming pull requests continuously, with dedicated resources allocated for security assessments. The company expects to see community projects emerge, such as custom tools or game modifications, and will likely release updates based on feedback. The company may also publish further guidelines on governance and contribution standards to ensure code quality and security.
In the coming months, the community will likely test the engine’s capabilities, and Fenris Creations will evaluate how open-source contributions impact the stability and security of the platform.
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Key Questions
Can I use the Carbon engine to build my own game?
Yes, the majority of the Carbon engine is licensed under permissive licenses like MIT, allowing free use, modification, and distribution, including building new games.
Will the proprietary parts of EVE Online’s economy remain closed?
Yes, the in-game economy data and related systems are not included in the open source release to protect the game’s integrity and proprietary information.
What security concerns are associated with open-sourcing the engine?
Open-sourcing introduces potential security risks, but Fenris Creations plans to manage these through ongoing code reviews and community contributions aimed at fixing vulnerabilities.
How might this affect the future development of EVE Online?
The move could foster community-driven modifications and innovations, potentially influencing official updates and the game’s ecosystem, though the core game remains proprietary.
Will Fenris Creations provide support or documentation for developers?
Details are still emerging, but the company has indicated ongoing review processes and may develop guidelines to assist community developers.
Source: Hacker News
