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EVE Tyrannis expansion due in May

CCP puts a date on planetary control.

CCP has revealed that it will release its next free expansion for sci-fi MMO EVE Online, Tyrannis, on 18th May. The date appears at the end of a YouTube teaser video.

As announced at last year's Fanfest convention, Tyrannis will allow EVE pilots to build on, exploit and control planets for the first time in the game's history.

There's more info on how the system will work in a recent(ish) dev blog on the official website. There will be no planet-side combat at this stage, only exploration, industry and management options, but this side of the game will be developed in future expansions and culminate in the release of console spin-off shooter DUST 514.

"In future expansions you will be able to project military force for attack and defence of planetary installations. That will be where DUST 514 will connect with EVE," reads the blog.

Also coming in Tyrannis is the new web portal and social network called EVE Gate (previously known as COSMOS and New Eden), which was also explained at Fanfest.