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: glepp

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Ok CCP, since you said you're reading everything in this thread, here goes.

I've cancelled 2/3 accounts, and will be cancelling the last one as well. All run out in sep-nov, so that is the time window for me to get interested in the game again.

Why am i unsubscribing?

1. I don't like being lied to.
You said to the CSM and us a few months back that Microtransactions would only ever be for vanity items. You lied. You are not only discussing it internally, you're implementing it, as confirmed by Scott Holden in your internal newsletter.

2. Microtransactions for non-vanity items will ruin the sandbox.
The PLEX system is good, because it deals with RMT, however game-imbalancing it may be. I can accept that. What i cannot accept is that in a player-driven sandbox, you introduce non-player made items that give an advantage, available for RL money. That goes against the very basis of the Sandbox idea, and will ruin the game for me.

3. Forcing unwanted game elements on your customers because you want them to be Awesome.
Captains Quarters suck. They make it harder for me to use your actual content, internet spaceships. I don't want to watch my characters bum in station, i want to be out flying. You're making that harder. If Incarna and CQ at some point becomes awesome and adds content to the game, then people will use it. Don't force us to watch your stupid space-barbie showcase when it adds no content to the game.


How can you fix this?
1. HTFU and admit that you lied, and apologize so I can believe you.
2. Confirm once and for all that EVE will have no microtransactions for non-vanity items.
3. Make CQ and Incarna optional.


Don't do this and lose your cash cow.
If you don't see the writing on the wall, then you deserve to failcascade and die along with the other failed MMOs.

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Originally by: Shardivh

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WTF... Why would you ban Helicity!?!?
As others have said, very bad move CCP. We're on to censorship now?
Whats next? Deleting the titanothread?

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Originally by: Dierdra Vaal

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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, dedication 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.

Why golf is not the same as eve
Specifically, buying golfclubs isn't the same as buying items in Eve. The equivalent would be if you could pay $100 to get one swing/strike/whatever it's called removed from your record. Instead of making a hole in 5, you could pay $400 and get it listed as a hole in one! Suddenly, your golf stats won't depend on how good you are, but simply on how much money you're willing to spend. Try to suggest that to golfers and see how they like it.

In Eve, just flying a spaceship isn't all there is to the gameplay. The effort to GET that spaceship is part of the game. The fact that it isn't easy to obtain certain things, achieve certain things or do certain things is exactly what makes these things meaningful. Meaningful to me AND to others, who can see what I have achieved. And now some game designer would like to take that away? Bad move CCP.

This illustrates it well:

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Originally by: Horaccio

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I feel a bit like Marcellus Wallace with this funny red ball in his mouth - being f****d not even being able to cry for help.

There's no point in being constructive untill CCP starts at least to give a flying f***

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Originally by: Constantinus Maximus

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Originally by: Kahldor

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Luminaire Titan being attacked!!!! Need more firepower. It CAN be destroyed!!

Vid Feed

Titan

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wd putting the eve-radio feed on that!

LISTEN TO THIS **** IF YOU THINK THIS IS JUST TROLLS!

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Originally by: Kuronaga

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So... does the thread upgrade again once it hits 400 pages?

What's bigger then a Titan? :/

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Originally by: Markus Jome

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Originally by: Kara Kugisa

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CCP have a business and their livelihoods to lose.

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So if they have a to keep a business, why do they try to destroy it?

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Originally by: Deadly Hobbitses

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Originally by: kari bourza

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I too would go to war for 1000 $ pants

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Guess that depends on who you are taking them off of.

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