New players will receive a $5 discount for the first month. Like many MMOs, EVE subscriptions run $14.99/month, with discounts when purchasing multiple months. Pricing information for the purchase of the game itself is not yet available on Steam, but CCP sells it online for $19.99, which is likely to be the price point used.

EVE Online has some 220,000 subscribers worldwide, a number that is dwarfed by more convention MMOs such as World of Warcraft but which has given the niche game a dedicated player base and made it a considerable success for its developer.

Previously CCP had offered gamers a 14-day trial, but in an interview with Shacknews, community manager Mike Read expressed doubt as to whether that was long enough to get a good feel for the game. "There's just so much to it that people need to explore and see to really understand why it's been so successful and why it's taken such time to build up," he said.

"Steam has been the leading online distribution platform for a long time and home to some of the most dedicated gamers around, so we couldn't think of a better fit for EVE Online," said CCP sales VP Magnus Bergsson.

To be tantalized by the intricate, player-driven world of EVE, check out our own Nick Breckon's looks at in-game intercorporate espionage and Russian resolve.