Norrin Ellis
Venture Racing
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Posted - 2011.06.24 06:00:00 -
[1]
I recently came back to EVE after roughly 9 months away. I had biomassed for the sake of RL, but my RL plans changed. I sent a note to CCP to ask if my dead character could be restored, so that I wouldn't have to play for two years just to get back to where I was when I left. The GM was very kind, and as I had offered in my petition, I immediately resubscribed to EVE Online. I paid for a whole year. I've been telling everyone how wonderfully the folks at CCP take care of their customers.
Admittedly, I come to EVE for the people. I love 'em. I miss 'em when I'm away. I don't spend my time worrying about how to maximize my ISK production, and although I've been playing on and off since late '04 or early '05, I probably couldn't tell someone how to do most of the stuff that's available to players in EVE. I'm a one trick, mission-grinding pony, and I mostly roll with the developers' punches because I am indeed so out of touch with all the nuances of the game.
This development, however, seems even to me a great disservice to those of us who play the game to earn what we have. The inevitable availability of beneficial items through your real-money store--you cannot convince any of us, most likely, that you won't introduce extremely beneficial items for those with the cash--cheapens the game experience. I once saw a review of EVE that called it "a game that begs not to be played," and I think that would be an incredibly apt description if those with deep real-world pockets can simply buy their way to superiority. I'm not a wealthy man, so I certainly won't ever be buying any items from the Noble Exchange, vanity or otherwise, and while I don't really care much about other players (or shoppers) having an advantage over me, I have always held as a matter of principle that games require at their core a level playing field for those involved, or at least the perception of such. Showing a bias toward people who hand over cash for instant superiority over loyal customers who enjoy actually playing the game will simply drive away the latter, who may only be able to afford the cost of subscription.
I really don't know what to think of the change or how it will impact the game. I do know that I came back to EVE because I thought well of CCP and that bit of grace extended to me as a player. If the truth of the matter is that I'm not a valuable customer because I can't invest extra money rather than simply playing and loving the game, then I shall have to be another company's customer when my year's subscription ends.
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CEO, Venture Racing
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