You're serious, aren't you?

8 seasons of working to build trust with CCP to the point that we are allowed to see things that warrant an NDA. And you would have us throw away that trust by being 'open and transparent'. Representation is more than being spies to what is coming next. It is telling CCP what will happen if they do this or that. It is bringing concerns of the players to CCP.

We are not your reporters or your pipeline to the 3 or 5 year plans.

I signed an NDA and i have seen things, heard things, that give reason for that document.

m

btw if you think any democracy is totally transparent you live in a utopia far beyond any way for me to reach you with an argument based on rational thought

P.S. And for the love of god, stop witch hunting the CSM on this. Look to Somer and CCP as that is where the problem is. Boycott Somer and demand better of CCP.

An issue arose. Mistakes were made. The community voiced its concerns [in its own uniquely charming way]. Our representatives did a great job representing our views. There was communication between the player base and the publisher of this here awesome content.

CCP have shown themselves amenable to a rightful grievance and is addressing the issue.

It stands to reason for CCP to reward fan sites that are important to many players, as Somer Blink arguably is.

At the same time this -is- a player-run for-profit enterprise. It's really not that smart of CCP to give even the appearance of favoritism.

Here's an alternative: instead of always handing out these legacy/super expensive and rare ships to interested parties, why not give them something else instead? Why not, as a for instance, a clutch of battleships, t1 versions. 2 of each faction to all the people who are entitled to them.

That's still a really nice prize, and they're really only good to be fitted and sent out into space, there eventually to be blown up. It's not so expensive and rare that it hurts our sensitivities, it's also a meaningless prize. These are actual battleships, a lot of them. The prize has value, but nobody's going to start a devious ploy that lasts a year to get hold of these puppies.

CCP may want to consider prizes that are 'good enough', a nod of recognition "Good job, people. Here's some encouragement as a token of appreciation for your hard work." It's the thought that counts. "I was involved in [community experience] and CCP gave all of us a string of [space frame]." If you get a Ford F-150 as a prize, it's not exactly a Ferrari, it's still a car, right?

By handing out the really fancy space candy CCP runs the risk of showing preference, where they really only wanted [or so I presume] to promote community. A clutch of battleship space frames would have worked just as well for that purpose. It's an action that resulted in the exact opposite of what they wanted to achieve.

Maybe they should hire me to offer a voice in these matters. I wouldn't even mind living in Reykjavik [far from it].

An issue arose. Mistakes were made. The community voiced its concerns [in its own uniquely charming way]. Our representatives did a great job representing our views. There was communication between the player base and the publisher of this here awesome content.

CCP are based in Iceland, why should they care about US law? What about Russian law or uk law, Chinese law or any law that is not icelanic law. Why should they pander to one nations law over another?

Still I am glad that it's not going to happen again but I hate the fact that some people seem to think that US law is somehow more worthy than the law of other nations. If it's not legal where you live, don't participate or petition your government to change the law.