Avon
Caldari
Black Nova Corp
Band of Brothers
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Posted - 2006.08.29 17:38:00 -
[1]
RMT happens.
Now, you can pretend that banning GTC sales will stop it, but self delusion is not the best approach to this issue.
Ultimately the problem with RMT is the creation of $$ from in-game currency sales, because it encourages 'farmers' to join the game to earn a living.
'Farmers' cheapen the game enviroment, and make 'legitimate' gameplay more difficult (eg, mineral devaluation in Eve, or complex farming).
So, how do we resolve the supply & demand situation?
You will not get rid of demand for the purchasing of ISK for $$. Lots of players, in pretty much every MMOG, want to be able to shortcut 'the grind', which in Eve is making ISK.
They have neither the available time, or maybe even the know-how to make lots of ISK, but they do have a few free $$ to burn.
In a classical RMT situation, those players would give $$ to farmers in exchange for goods / game-money.
The buyers are happy, but encourage the sellers, ultimately hurting the game.
The GTC system would be a vast improvement, but for one major flaw.
Let us look first at the advantages of the GTC situation.
It allows players to somwhat level the differences between casual and powergamers. It is important to note that the skill training dynamic is already designed to minimise these differences.
The money they spent goes to CCP, not to the ISK 'seller' (This is where the major flaw shows up, I will address it soon).
The exchange is gametime for ISK, not $$ for ISK (see above caveat).
It is no different than having a second account. A player could take a second subscription to earn ISK faster, or may choose to use that money to help another player who has more time, but less money.
The problem, however, is the sale of ISK bought GTC's for $$.
This needs to be stopped so the advantages of the GTC trade can remain, but without encouraging farmers.
Once a GTC is bought, only the purchaser should be able to use it .. BUT, he should be able to apply that game-time to any player he chooses.
This stops the reverse GTC RMT problem.
There will still undoubtedly be a RMT side-trade for ISK on 3rd party sites, but with a 'legitimate' path in place there would be no excuse for using it.
In such a situation, the penalty for anyone caught selling OR buying ISK from a 3rd party site could carry the harshest possible penalties, with no fear of alienating subscribers.
Personally I don't like RMT, but there is no point pretending is doesn't happen, or it will just stop if GTCs are removed.
I can live with the thought of people using $$ to get some ISK, but ISK for $$ is a very different story. That is the part of RMT which destroys games.
The Battleships is not and should not be a solo pwnmobile - Oveur
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