Vilnius Zar
Ordo Ardish
103
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Posted - 2012.08.07 14:01:00 -
[1] - Quote
They're working (and have been for years) to make EVE more mainstream, because that attracts more players (the customer pool for "hardcore" pvp focussed players is fairly small compared to other types). Thing is ofcourse that by doing so they also make it more mediocre and generic, so short term this has a positive effect (more influx of new players).
The problems this creates are the following
- EVE is about player created content, generally this is done by people who are invested into the game and it's mostly done in ways that are pvp/combat related. Think of GHSC, the BOB era (which are now replaced by PL/goons in that respect although it's not really the same thing) and similar antics. Without player driven "storylines" EVE loses its magic and shows you what it essentially is: a badly coded spreadsheet borefest. Without conflict on a "personal" level (creating the drive) there's not much to do other than grind PVE till your balls fall off or doing blob stuff frantically trying to convince yourself you're having fun.
The more generic/safe you make this game, the less the "content creators" you'll keep/have as they'll go "pff, why bother" (this is already happening, we need a good feud tbh). So long term that means you lose your loyal player base because at one point more and more are going "**** this ****". The problem is ofcourse that CCP listens to marketing managers and those don't care much for long term effects, all they care about is short term because that's what their bonuses are based on. And in a few short years they'll leave "to find a new challenge" leaving behind a wreck.
- The new type of player that's attracted to the new generic EVE will move on to the next new fad fairly soon. There's a REASON why WOW-clones don't do well, they're generic and are easily replaced by the next generic nonsense, populated by players who rush to the endgame (if any) and then their attention span drops to the floor, eager to find the next new game. The result is that turnover (average time a player sticks to EVE) will be a lot faster, resulting in less and less options to be so invested in the game, have played for so long that you become a content creator. On average we'll get a higher influx but a younger account age before they move on.
This is ofcourse already noticeable in how CCP focuses their effort on newer players, for years you hear the "but what about us vets, when do WE get something cool?". They're actively, but slowly, moving away from the pvp focussed sandbox into a more generic thing that'll attract more people. The problem is that they don't realise that EVE exists and has grown BECAUSE it's rather niche stance, not in spite of it.
In short, OP is correct and I very much understand his stance on the matter. Amat victoria curam. |