A couple of days ago an interesting new game was presented at the EVE Fanfest event in Iceland, but it seems to have flown below the radar. EVE is a popular space MMORPG, and the game presented, called WebWars, is based on the EVE universe; however, it has quite a different approach from most MMOs.

First of all, WebWars is web based, which means you play in your browser. It’s based on EVE, which means that you have an EVE character with spaceships, ISK (Interstellar Kredits - EVE currency), EVE skills - basically, most of the EVE traits that players love and recognize. However (and here comes the original part), WebWars will use all this to have players conquer real websites, like Google, Yahoo - any website is game, and the more you have, the more powerful you are.

Details about the actual combat is scarce, but judging from the screenshots below, it will include some sort of tactical combat similar to the combat in the legendary Master of Orion 2, and a whole lot of micromanagement.

The entire idea, however, is interesting because it’s the first time that one MMORPG sort of bleeds into another, and that other MMO game is partly based on the real world. EVE is already known for its extremely complex economy (try trading stocks in EVE, it’s harder than real life trading), and this will only make matters more interesting.

It’s also important to note that WebWars will be published by John Galt Games, and not CCP (EVE’s publisher); hopefully, the two companies have agreed on the terms of usage of elements in EVE universe.

Another interesting fact is that the originator of WebWars is Trey Ratcliff, known to the online world (particularly the Digg crowd) as Stuck In Customs, an expert in HDR photography with quite a number of really stunning photos in his archive. Here’s an interview with Trey, mostly focusing on his experiences with Digg and his photography.

Currently, there’s no set date for WebWars going public, but you can sign up for the private beta program here.

Screenshots below are courtesy of WebWars.