Duality

General information

Duality is a semi-public test server for EVE Online that is used by both CCP developers and EVE players to test changes and new features before they are released to the Tranquility server. Test servers have a very strict set of rules.

Duality differs from Singularity in that it is an event server, meaning that it is focused on organized events like mass tests and playtests coordinated by CCP. Only during this events is Duality available to players, the rest of the time it will be in VIP mode and only CCP developers and ISD BH volunteers will be able to access it.

Its primary function is to provide a test environment as close as possible to the live environment of Tranquility. For this purpose, the Tranquility database is "mirrored" (copied) over to the Singularity server once every few months (or more often, if needed by the CCP Quality Assurance department).

Accessing Duality

In order to access the Duality server you need to have an active account on Tranquility. The account needs to have been active at the time when the current mirror was taken, this date is usually mentioned in the Test Server Feedback forum. For example, if your account expired on August 15th and the database mirror is taken 3 days later, your account will be inactive on Duality, even if you reactivate it on Tranquility afterwards.

Windows: DualityClient Installation

Follow these steps to create a new Duality client:

1. Create a separate folder for your test client ( i.e "C:\eve\duality")
2. Copy everything from your original EVE folder (by default located at "C:\Program Files\CCP" ) to the new ("C:\eve\duality").

   This step is important, since patching the test client will render it incompatible with the Tranquility server.

3. Create a shortcut for the new eve.exe file inside C:\eve\duality
4. Right click on the shortcut and select properties, then select the shortcut tab
5. Add /server:87.237.38.60 and press OK (Make sure to add a space before the backslash)

   The final look of the Target line would look something like this:

   "C:\eve\duality\eve.exe" /server:87.237.38.60

6. Then double click on the shortcut

   The EVE launcher will start and patch your client if necessary

7. Press "Play" to start the client and log in

Windows: Patch Client

1. Double click your shortcut, which includes /server:87.237.38.60 (see above if you don't have a shortcut)
2. The EVE Launcher will start and patch your client if necessary
3. Press "Play" to start the client and log in

Windows: Using Sisi Launcher Tool (no longer supported)

The Sisi Launcher Tool on Windows is no longer supported, as it is being replaced by the Launcher. At the moment it is still working to repair the Duality client and it will start the Launcher. More details can be found at the Sisi Launcher page

Mac: Duality Client Installation

1. Download the Tranquility client: http://www.eveonline.com/download/ (If you have already installed the EVE Client, skip to step 3 )
2. Install the Tranquility client
3. Rename your install to "EVE Online TQ" or something of your choice
   • Using Finder go to Applications > EVE Online > More Info OR Applications > EVE Online (right click) Get Info
   • In the Name & Extensions Tab, enter the name of your choice. Example: EVE Online Tranquility.app
4. Install another copy of EVE Online (download the client here http://www.eveonline.com/download/)
5. Rename that to "EVE Online Duality" or something of your choice
   • Using Finder go to Applications > EVE Online > More Info OR Applications > EVE Online (right click) Get Info
   • In the Name & Extensions Tab, enter the name of your choice. Example: EVE Online Duality.app
6. Open a Terminal window
   • easiest way to do this is to use Spotlight (cmd + space) and type terminal into the search field
7. In the Terminal window type 'open', then drag and drop your Duality client into it and add ' --args /server:87.237.38.60'
   • should look similar to this: "open /Applications/EVE Duality.app --args /server:87.237.38.60"

Getting help

The petition system is unavailable on Duality and Game Masters will not be able to address issues related to Duality.

Ingame

There is an ingame channel named Duality where players on the event test server exchange information. You may also find volunteers and developers there.

IRC-channel #eve-chaos

Testers are also invited to join the #eve-chaos channel on the Coldfront IRC server. Visitors of #eve-chaos are asked not to use identifying tags, such as corporation tickers, though you will see some names in the user list that do include tags. These are CCP employees and EVE volunteers who can provide you with information or assistance, when you are on the Duality server. [BH] tags identify the special group of volunteer bughunters, who are part of our volunteer program.

Forums

For several issues it is also a good idea to check the Test Server Feedback Forum. There you can also discuss new changes on the test server or possible problems.

Technical details

The Duality server runs on a cluster - that is a group of linked computers that work together. This makes it a multi-node server with multiple proxy servers. The number of nodes may vary, as the development team will add or remove hardware resources from the cluster depending on testing requirements. The setup is similar to Tranquility or Singularity, but with lower numbers.

Uptime

The Duality server is an event server, which means that it will be open to players only during the course of events organized by CCP. The rest of the time it will be in VIP mode and only accessible by CCP developers and ISD BH volunteers.

Mirroring

The process of "mirroring" consists of taking an exact copy of the Tranquility database, including character and account data, like a snapshot. This copy is then processed by the CCP Deployment team and all starbases are removed, in order to prevent players from spying on their positions and then using this information on the live server. All moon minerals are available in all moons, to help testing and prevent moon scouting on the test server. All accounts are edited so they don't expire. Agent memory (both standing and loyalty points) are removed. S&I jobs are removed (because jobs in starbases would get stuck). The market is seeded so that all market items cost 100 ISK and are in plentiful supply. At least one station per constellation is market seeded like this. In addition there are some other internal adjustments. This entire process can take several days.

After a mirroring process, the Tranquility and Duality databases are separate and distinct and no synchronization between them will occur until the next mirror is taken from Tranquility and deployed on Duality. Character progression on Duality will be independent of Tranquility - players can effectively train two different sets of skills on the same character, if they so wish. Actions taken on the Duality server will not affect your account or character on the Tranquility server.

Related links

• Rules of conduct on Duality - Test Server Rules