We're consulted on a lot of things, but not everything. The community only sees the cases where we were not consulted on things we ought to have been consulted on.

As to why the CSM was not consulted on this particular issue, I rather think any public statement about that ought to come from CCP.

So, you don't see a trend developing here? The stuff that really has the potential to ****-off the players and change the nature of the game you guys don't seem to ever be involved with. I do not blame the CSM for this, CCP uses you guys as the PR stunt they intended the CSM to be.

When we have been consulted on stuff that will **** off the players and change the nature of the game, to use your wording, it usually changes or dies on the vine. Those ideas never make it out of skype, internal forums, and the summits, and so the players never even see them to get pissed off. It's quite nice that Trebor posted his letter and CCP Pokecthulu's response here, because it's a chance for the community to see what our process usually looks like when we disagree with CCP actions, although obviously the writing is a bit more formal than normal.

So CCP says that ALL 3rd party sites will benefit from their largesse.
I strongly doubt that.

And as for creating some kind of selection process, that means that CCP is exercising favouritism, as soon as one 3rd party group is selected over another, even though they both meet whatever criteria CCP establishes.

We don't have the balls to turn over a **** decision we made because it would upset SOMER who makes us money via his RMT scheme but rest assure that we will look over the event and build a policy for the next time it will happen.

CSM8: "We weren't told, but that's okay. Let's just say things everyone else has already said and hope CCP will listen."

I'm just curious why they think they HAVE to re-release the unique ships (Gold magnate and Guardian Vexor) and not just make up some ships for this promotion. I would imagine a good portion of the rage over this is because they are re-releasing ships that should NEVER be released agian.


Is it really this hard to grab the skin of a ship already in-game, make up some new better stats/change the paint color, and then use this new ship with ALL these stupid 3rd party giveaways. Done.

I imagine CCP is kinda confused as this isn't the first time they've given prizes to Somer to give away. For Somer's one quadrillion celebration CCP gave them 4 Collectors Editions and some Ishukone Watch Scorpions to give away using this same giveaway mechanic and nobody seemed to care about it then. Is it the large in-game value that makes this different?

However, the requirement that one must be a member of SOMER Blink in order to participate remains, and for a lottery with such significant prizes, is very troubling to us.

First :)

and we are certainly learning from it now.

Eve is a game of ingenuity. Try using your brains and coming up with something clever, special or unique to make isk.

Simply.. the goons didn't care :)

The only reason there has been such a storm is because the goons didn't like it this time round.

This is my main concern with this event.

Or you could just be favored by CCP for sponsoring a massive player event and handed free stuff on a platter to give out to players regardless of which corp/alliance/Coalition they're in.

]That said, we recognize it is imperative for CCP to remain impartial with respect to which 3rd parties receive CCP support for these kinds of activities. To that end, we will develop a clear policy on how we plan to conduct future events, including how we will determine which 3rd parties and which events will receive CCP support, and we will develop that policy in consultation with the CSM.

The event (Eve Vegas - remember, or have you all forgotten in your rage?) is sponsored by SOMER Blink and is open to all.

CCP have given SOMER Blink some prizes (the originals of which were clearly a massive mistake) to support and promote that event.

The only thing I hope for from this is that other equally deserving sites are rewarded for their efforts in the same way.

FTFY

So, you don't see a trend developing here? You are not being involved in the important things.