Eve Fanfest 2013 adds guest talks in new 'Make Eve Real' speaker track

This year's Eve Fanfest, the annual gathering of Eve Online players held in Iceland, will add a new "Make Eve Real" speaker track featuring guest talks by veterans of the scientific field, developer CCP Games announced today.

Pioneers in science will host discussions on ways our world is "advancing towards what we now consider science-fiction" and exploring new technologies and space-bound initiatives. These talks aim to explore how the science and technology featured in Eve Online could become a reality in our world.

The first announced speaker for "Make Eve Real" is Michael Laine, president of LiftPort Group, a privately-held space commercialization company focused on building an elevator from the Earth's surface into space. Laine will discuss the future of humankind in space and how the "space elevator" could assist our endeavors. LiftPort launched a successful Kickstarter campaign last summer to raise money for the elevator's research, making nearly 14 times their initial funding goal of $8,000.

CCP has promised to announce more speakers for the "Make Eve Real" talks in the weeks leading up to the convention.

The Icelandic Symphony Orchestra will hold a concert the night prior to Fanfest's opening, and will perform orchestrated versions of select songs from the Eve Online soundtrack. Icelandic Mixed Martial Arts fighter Gunnar "Gunni" Nelson will also be in attendance to "take part in a completely unique spectacle" that will emulate battles fought on the ground by the mercenaries of Eve tie-in title Dust 514.

CCP notes that tickets for the event are nearly sold out and several of the convention's extra events are already at capacity.

Eve Fanfest 2013 will take place from April 25 to 27 at the Harpa Conference Center in Reykjavik, Iceland.