Eve Online has entered uncharted space. After only being available for players who pay a monthly subsciption for more than 13 years, CCP Games has launched a the new Ascension expansion that adds a free-to-play option for those wanting to try the game.

The Clone States aspect of the expansion creates two types of "clones." Alpha clones will get free access to the game, but only with skill sets that are "race specific to the character that is training." This also "includes skills for flying tech one frigates, destroyers and cruisers, and for basic access to trading and industry." What that means is that new FTP players get to do it all, but it will take longer to learn skills and they won't be able to access many of the higher level ships.

Omega clones will pay their monthly fee and will continue to have access to all aspects of the game. A dev blog went into an extensive discussion about the change last month, and a reddit thread offers a one-stop shop for players looking for information on the free accounts.

As for the rest of the expansion, new sandbox gameplay features have been added, including the new Industrial Arrays, a new class of player-built structures that further the progress of Citadels first introduced in April. There have also been tactical adjustments to warfare links, changes to the Rorqual industrial capital ship, and more. The official site has all the details.