EVE Online war destroys £400,000 in virtual assets

A massive player-driven war in the online game EVE Online resulted in the destruction of hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of in-game assets in 2025. The conflict, known as the War of Ruses, saw the alliance Pandemic Horde defeated and ultimately disbanded after its leader of over a decade departed. Fleet commander James Cunningham, 27, from Ware, Hertfordshire, spent thousands of hours and about £6,000 on the game since 2017. Developer Fenris Creations estimates losses at £400,000, while a player-supplied spreadsheet puts the figure at £700,000. The war culminated a years-long cold war following the 2020 Massacre at M2-XFE, which set a Guinness World Record for costliest video game battle with over £280,000 destroyed. The Imperium alliance transported an estimated £5 million in assets to attack Pandemic Horde. November and December 2025 were the game's highest-revenue months in its 23-year history. Creative director Bergur Finnbogason described the aftermath as a 'reset' with smaller groups flourishing in former Pandemic Horde territory. James lost about £200 of his own assets but now spends less time on the game and has joined a smaller alliance.