Eve Online

EVE Online is a persistent world multiplayer online game set in space. It is developed by CCP Games and was published from May to December 2003 by Simon & Schuster Interactive, after which CCP purchased the rights back and began a digital distribution scheme. more...

Players are spaceship pilots in craft of varied style and purpose.

Background

• EVE online's background page

The fictional background story that fuels the ongoing plot for EVE Online begins grimly, explaining that long ago mankind had used up all but the very last of the Earth's resources, and was on the verge of extinction. As a means of survival, mankind devised a method of space travel using stargates. This allowed humans to reach previously unthinkable distances, and find other planets within the galaxy to inhabit and flourish on. This plan worked well for a great deal of time, and humanity was restored to its former status, were it not for one unfortunate event: the construction and expansion of the stargates provided man a sort of distraction from the primal urges to wage war and seek power. Mankind, having reached the edge of the galaxy, could build no further and once again waged war on itself.

The story goes on to tell of two horrific wars, although the length and times of which are not particularly detailed. The story does state, however, that mankind was once more brought to the very cusp of nonexistance, and may have indeed been extinguished entirely were it not for a miraculous event: a natural wormhole opened within the galaxy. The initial flights through the wormhole confirmed that it was indeed a universal method of transportation. Mankind was suddenly able to expand once more, putting an end to the suffering of millions due to lack of basic resources. They named this wormhole "EVE" and the subsequent galaxy it led to "New Eden", and it was revered by many as a sort of god; a savior of all humankind.

Colonists migrated by the hundreds of thousands to the newly discovered galaxy, and over time humanity once more flourished and expanded. However one day, quite suddenly and without warning, the wormhole leading back to the Milky Way galaxy collapsed, trapping the residents of New Eden inside seemingly forever. With no route for supplies, mankind quickly dwindled a third time. Over time, space flight was lost as common knowledge and New Eden entered a dark age.

Read more at Wikipedia.org