CCP's EVE Online has reached a milestone, reporting a record peak of 45,186 concurrent users on its single-shard server.

What a great way to start out 2009--a new PCU (Peak Concurrent User) record of 45,186! While we've made tremendous serverside changes in the EVE Online infrastructure with the EVE64 and StacklessIO initiatives, it is truly a testament to our loyal fans that 5 years into EVE's existence we are still breaking records and more people are flying in New Eden than ever before.

We know we'll be trying to find leftover champagne from New Year's EVE to celebrate. When we do, we'll toast to you!

"It is truly a testament to our loyal fans that 5 years into EVE's existence we are still breaking records and more people are flying in New Eden than ever before," said the company, announcing the record via EVE's official blog.

EVE Online, which launched in 2003, exceeded 240,000 active subscribers earlier in 2008 as it celebrated its fifth anniversary with year-over-year gains in its userbase.

The game now features a player-driven democratic society via its elected Council of Stellar Management, and an elaborate in-game economy watched over by former real-world economist Dr. Eyjolfur Gudmundsson.