Hi pilots, it’s me - your friendly neighborhood level designer CCP Starbug here.

I’m particularly excited for this update as I have the honor of introducing perhaps our most ambitious and radically different map to date, ‘Solitude’. There’s also more new maps and modes to fly in our upcoming Wormholes, as well as the addition of official Steam Controller support and some changes to Co-Op gameplay that we think will really improve this feature.

Read on to find out more!

CCP Starbug

NEW! Map: Solitude

A former Minmatar research base set amongst a mountainous, rocky, snow-covered landscape provides the setting for Solitude, Valkyrie’s first land based map. This hidden Schism facility holds a secret beneath its craggy surface - a network of hollowed out tunnels and caverns stretching deep beneath the snow. The burned orange and reds of the fallen Minmatar fleet litter the pristine white planet with shards of solar panels and rusted armor plating.

At one end of the map, the Solitude base itself sits nested into the mountains, providing cover and launch positions for the Schism. A safe distance away, but still in sight of the facility, the Valkyrie Carrier is positioned low above the planet’s surface. Underground, two storage facilities offer cover from the harsh conditions on the open surface, creating some tight, enclosed spaces for close up combat, ideal for dropping mines and Spiderbots. Outside cover is sparse, so you’ll have to utilize the natural landscape’s deep gorges and rocky outcrops for maneuvers, as well as the landing pads and various outlying structures from the research base.

Solitude is also available in Survival and Scout modes so you can get to grips with all the topographical opportunities this exciting new map offers. With its tight tunnels, mountainous terrain, and cavernous underground spaces, Solitude will test the flight skills of even the most seasoned Valkyrie pilots.

NEW! Feature: Wormholes

Returning to that part of space where the rules no longer apply! In Groundrush, we are adding even more chaos into our weekly events. This release sees a selection of new maps, modifiers and variations in the ever-expanding mix of unique game modes to be found behind the bubble of Valkyrie Wormholes.

The community has been a huge part of the Wormhole expansion, contributing to its future by pitching us a mountain of dream game modes and exploring some, well… just… crazy ideas on the EVE: Valkyrie forums.

To thank you for all your incredible contributions, we wanted to add one of your most requested features - Friendly fire. That’s right, the safety will be turned off for selected wormholes so keep that trigger finger under wraps and your aim true, pilots. Team kills will be penalised!

If you would like to get involved with your best Wormhole game mode idea, join the conversation in our ‘Designing the Future’ thread here.

But wait, that’s not all! Groundrush also includes two twisted new maps:

Nightyard

This truly stunning new wormhole map brings with it the most dramatic visual departure to date. Shrouded in darkness and soaked in electric blue, Nightyard is our first map set away of the glare of the sun. The vibrant colour of your ships’ weapons and trails pop against the shipyard under an eclipse, while two Caldari Raven cut pathways with neon red light through the challenging structure. The absence of sunlight results in an eerie and oppressive environment that oozes menace.

Goldenroad

The sun bursts from behind the dusty clouds, bathing the warped scorpion tail of our crossroads control tower in golden light. Heavy gravitational forces have pulled the structures and rock formations into the centre of the wormhole, making for a condensed field of combat for pilots to evade enemy attacks.

NEW! Steam Controller Support for PC

By popular demand, we’ve officially added support for the Steam Controller to EVE: Valkyrie. Our default configuration offers an immediate and accessible experience, but pilots also have the option to dive into the Settings menu and fine tune things to better match their personal preferences.

Feature Improvement: Co-Op

Our Co-Op mode has been expanded to include both Control and Carrier Assault game modes. This Player Versus AI only playlist is the perfect place for pilots looking for a challenge with other pilots, rather than against them. No matter which mode you select, all XP progression and rewards are the same. You play the game how you want to, and be rewarded for it.

Join us again on Monday for more Groundrush content revelations.

Fly safe!