This week CCP Games introduced Incarna, a massive new free expansion for its space-based MMO EVE Online, available for Mac and Windows. All EVE Online gamers will get the update when they log in to EVE Online.

[ad#Google Adsense 300×250 in story]With the last expansion, Incursion, players were introduced to a new avatar generation system that enabled them to create intricately detailed portraits for their in-game characters using very sophisticated 3D modeling software.

It was the first step towards taking players out of their spaceships – a first for the long-running game, which up to now has focused specifically on interstellar flight, trading and combat, but never on the humans behind that effort.

For now, players are relegated to their “Captain’s Quarters” – areas on space stations where their avatars can get more information about what’s going on in the game. But with future free expansion packs, EVE Online will let gamers commingle in common areas and more.

Other enhancements in Incarna 1.0 include the new Noble Exchange, a place where players can customize their characters, ships and surroundings with custom content.

A new and dramatically revamped tutorial system has been added, along with a new “agent” finder so you can improve experience (and your wallet) with non-player character-based missions and new corporation recruitment tools.

Full patch notes have been posted online.