Originally by: CCP Pann

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The newsletter was not fake. I guess this is how it feels when someone reads your diary, something you hadn't intended anyone else to see. Not to deflect the heat but to explain why what I'm about to say, I wasn't involved with writing it. The only reason I mention that is because I am not going to presume to know the minds of the people who did have comments in there. I am not going to throw people I love under the bus or to the lions or whatever. I can't/won't answer questions about what they said or why they said it.

Our newsletters are written as a means to bring about discussion (that sometimes can even become heated debate) among our coworkers. That's really all I can say about it. I am not a game designer. I'm a mouthpiece. I'll admit it. By the time I get involved, the decisions have been made. Not making excuses for myself, just explaining.

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Originally by: CCP Manifest

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Originally by: Takishu

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Damn, they bring us back the Ancients.

Quote:

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She's not THAT old.

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Originally by: CCP Manifest

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Originally by: Majuan Shuo

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Edited by: Majuan Shuo on 24/06/2011 01:18:12

Originally by: CCP Pann

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Hi, everyone

As I see it, the chief complaint is regarding the high cost of goods in the Nobel Market.

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Then you are blind, go get us someone else.

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You have to admit that some people are vexed about the high cost of the monocle... but not because they would buy one at 3/4 the cost.

I think Pann might have mistyped (as she did with Nobel/Noble) and put that instead of NeX/Microtransaction. That's the chief concern atm, and of course there are the other more immediate ones and of course the longer tail concerns that many of you have mentioned here.

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right now your community thinks you are screwing them over DO NOT MAKE JOKES AND DO NOT MISTYPE!!!!!! YOU CANNOT AFFORD SUCH LUXURIES RIGHT NOW!

Originally by: Kaltor e'Daw

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Originally by: Reed Tiburon

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Originally by: Kaltor e'Daw

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Hi, I am a new player, I signed up about 2 months ago, and I was just starting to like the game. I have been a long time player of MMO's, involved with testing and feedback for probably most of today's main online games.

I always applauded EVE for being one of the only true sandbox type game that exist, and has done so PURELY on the backs of the players that inhabit it's universe. Unlike WoW, EQ2 or other such games, there are dynamic, human-generated 'quests' that exists within corps, and require no GM intervention to make it an epic arc.

And now, I fear that is to be taken away from myself before I even get a chance to experience it.

I know that tomorrow, SOE is to make a huge announcement on the future of Everquest 2. I also am pretty sure it is going to be along the lines of what happened to LOTRO, and I also know that the players there are going to be just as passionate about that decision as everyone here is about the newsletter and Arum decisions.

Both games are ageing. EQ2 is to be superseded by EQ: Next, and it sounds like EVE is to be left by the wayside in favour of CCP's new title. This is sad by itself. But EVE has the huge potential to continue as it has done so for many years; on the backs of the players.

If you truly want the game to die a painful death CCP, by all means introduce your GREED IS GOOD policy. Charge real money for weapons and ships. That's fine. Just don't expect many new players, such as myself, to share in this wonderous new vision. For without new blood being introduced into the game, it will slowly hemorrhage and bleed veteran players until there is nothing left but bots. You think this won't happen? Take a look at SWG sometime, and see what happens to a pretty good game when you eradicate its very soul.

In closing, I paid for a 60 day card. I cannot see me playing EVE much now, and I definitely won't be paying for another 60 days. Not unless this whole issue is resolved in favour of the players. Because they are what count. No players - noone to buy vanity and other Aurum items.

Then, perhaps, you might wish you'd left things well alone.

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Quoting this EXCELLENT post.

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Thank you. I feel it is important for new players like myself to be welcomed and wanted, not just by the established playerbase, but by the company - at the end of the day, a game such as EVE is almost an investment - can you IMAGINE how much real money you guys have spent in PLEX and suchlike?? You probably don't even think about it, such is the manner of the game (personally I think the PLEX is a stroke of marketing genius - probably the only RMT I have ever approved of).

How can players like me WANT to spend money on a game, when it could be the case I have to spend a hell of a lot of $$ to just make it past a frigate?? Are we going to see corps with not tax, but $$ requirements?

(I'm not even in a corp yet!)
*sigh*

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Originally by: NE Bounties CEO

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Edited by: NE Bounties CEO on 24/06/2011 03:16:39
(wrong character, I'm actually Dierdra Vaal - see some posts below)

I feel sad that this has happened - and sad that I need to write this post (not just because it'll probably get buried under 9000 other posts). However, I hope this will be read because I am trying to make a reasonable argument here - not a raging flame post.

As a recurring member of the CSM, whose duty it is to represent the players (something I took very seriously), I went to CCP to discuss the issue of microtransactions. In fact, this topic was discussed several times on CSM summits (both in October and in December). We were assured that microtransactions would be vanity items only.

I was told, to my face, that CCP would not sell anything in their virtual goods store that would not be a vanity item (vanity items being useless fluff, not giving any benefits). Now I read in your newsletter that one of your main game designers is openly argueing to break this promise. I take that as a personal insult and a clear sign of disrespect towards the Eve community as a whole. Shame on you for even considering to break your word!

I'm still subscribed, the but moment CCP will offer anything other than vanity items for PLEX/AURUM/etc is the moment I will cancel my accounts. In going for the 'hobbyist gamer' (casual gamers, even though eve isn't that casual gamer friendly), you seem to have forgotten a large part of your player base. The part that has shaped Eve over the years: the hardcore gamers. We don't come here as a hobby to experience an ultimate sci-fi simulator. We pay a subscription for an all-access pass to this crazy dystopian universe, where what you do, what you become and what you achieve comes down only to your skills and your effort. And because of that, our actions are meaningful.

By extending the virtual goods sales beyond vanity items you directly attack one of the things that seperates Eve from all the other MMOs out there: that actions are meaningful. If I can just buy faction standing, what meaning is there in doing missions for faction standings? What meaning is there in finally achieving 6.0 standing (for POSs) or 9.0 standing (for COSMOS missions)? And from what I read, that's not even the end of it!

Some people might enjoy spending more money 'on their hobby' like it was golf (an analogy that is inherently flawed, which I'll explain below), but due to the dystopian, merciless nature of Eve you've bred a community that exists for a large part out of hardcore players. People who see Eve as a serious business proving ground - not as a lighthearted diversion. These are the people who have allowed you to get to where you are today. These are the people who stuck by you over the past 8 years - even if they do call themselves "bittervets". To turn your back on those people is at best poor form, and at worst commercial suicide. Because Star Wars Galaxies has shown you can't just trade in one group of customers for another.

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Originally by: Amira Kornova

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Originally by: Che Jin

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Originally by: Red Maiden

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Quote:

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Are you moving beyond VANITY AUR items?

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I have things to do...can you answer please?

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Originally by: CCP Manifest

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Originally by: LordElfa

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Originally by: Zverofaust

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Quote:

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Are you moving beyond VANITY AUR items?

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I was told there was a big obvious yellow message waiting for me later on.

I honestly cannot answer that right now nor should you hear any such answer from me as many have said. As Pann opened this thread, she stated, "I wonÆt be able to answer all of your questions tonight, but I promise weÆll start getting some info out tomorrow."

The reason why I am going through every post and not just skipping to the end unless someone tells me to, is so that I can make sure the nuances of the player responses are condensed, fully represented and then transmitted within CCP to the appropriate people. (Jade Constantine's post is one obvious verbatim one amongst)

Player feedback has diligently been sent from our community and PR team since time immemorial and it is my most solemn and serious duty.

It is more important right now than trying to "solve" things or crusading to answer every single post. That was pretty clear after a short second of introspection following my second or third reply at around page 5.

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Pann has not answered A SINGLE THING AND NEITHER HAVE YOU!

At this point it dose not matter what you guys say, you have to PROVE IT! You can start by either removing MT's or making a big giant sticky that stays on the front page forever stating MT's will not go beyond vanity items. I no longer trust the little MMO company that made great things, at this point you are just another greedy corporation looking for a quick buck.

that dose not mean I have unsubbed yet but the second something in the NEX give an in game advantage and ceases to become useless fluff you will lose my 3 accounts and a lot of other peoples as well.

Make the right decision CCP the game as we all know it hangs in the balance, and so do a lot of your dev's salaries.

Originally by: CCP Manifest

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Originally by: Kallynda Nai

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From CCP_Manifest's twitter:

@Thorvik_EVE Oh, I understand passion. THere's of course a lot of logic people are missing, but that's ok.

Pray tell, what logic is missing here?

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Well, a "lot" is an admitted overstatement. I was thinking specifically at the time though of the fact that _some_ people don't realize that NeX stuff on sale now can be purchased with in game ISK through purchasing PLEX.

if you can buy it in the store even if you can buy it for isk when someone resells it you have crossed a line and betrayed your customer base.

It's a relatively small point, and I probably should have (a) been clearer or (b) not said anything at all.

There is a lot more logic being said here though and a lot of passion as well, and I don't mean to try to diminish that.

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Originally by: CCP Pann

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Edited by: CCP Pann on 24/06/2011 00:50:29

Like I said, I wonÆt be able to answer all of your questions tonight, but I promise weÆll start getting some info out tomorrow.

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Originally by: Tea Ester Elliot

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Originally by: Aineko Macx

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More fuel to the fire:
http://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/CCP-Games-Reviews-E159347.htm

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OH my my my.

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Originally by: Ranka Mei

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Originally by: Leshnikotroshachkata

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So that if CCP Zulu ****s up, Hilmar can still play the "misunderstanding" card.

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No, that's whay they dragged out Pann for already.

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Originally by: Stormchyld

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Originally by: Leon Razor

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Originally by: Aineko Macx

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More fuel to the fire:
http://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/CCP-Games-Reviews-E159347.htm

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This was most troubling to read. I want to believe in the awesome that CCP advertises, but this makes me worry about how much of it is just a facade. You got me really excited about DUST at E3, and I even bought a PS3. I want it to succeed, since maybe then EVE won't bare the financial weight of supporting 2 unreleased projects. Carbon is another thing that sounds awesome, but now I'm worried it's just an excuse to develop for 3 games all at once which ends up diluting EVE. From that link, it sounds like you need to deal with internal management and communication. EVE is a great game that I want to be "forever", but if you make poor choices and the passionate players that make the game amazing leave, expect a rapid fail cascade until there isn't an EVE anymore. I don't want to see this happen. Remember, your a game company, but right now your only "real" product is EVE. Without EVE, there is no CCP.

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...+1 ... that has me very concerned as well. maybe they should shelve WoD for now, if eve can't support all 3. their corporate culture is something they will have to want to change ofc.... hopefully today will show them they need to. if Eve had a cash flow problem before.... how much worse will it be now with so many people unsubbing? but yes, I agree 100% .. that link to eve employees rating their own company is rather poignant

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edited for spelling, sort of anyway
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Originally by: Violenai

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Originally by: Atreus Venom

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ARE YOU MOVING PAST VANITY ITEMS????? SIMPLE QUESTION....... ANYONE SPEAK THEIR LANGUAGE ICELANDIC MAYBE THAT WILL HELP

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Translating your post into something CCP *might* understand:

Herp herp derpaherp derp derp derpy herp herpupu derpa herp monocle?!?!!?!!?

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