Schani Kratnorr
x13
Raiden.
1
   |
Posted - 2011.12.11 15:13:00 -
[1] - Quote
Not aimed at anyone in particular. General historical observations on employee participation in MMOs, and EVE in particular. If you are a current player, you may wish to skip this post entirely.
/TLDR: I am better than you because you are all stupid and CCP is ignoring their past and throwing caution to the wind.
I am reminded of the "mining laser2 Scenario"
Polaris frigate is blown up
...and drops a mining laser with stats. "corresponding to tech level 5,"
...which is then picked up by a player,
...who refuses to return it,
...forcing company in charge to compromise,
...by offering trade for a T2 Mining laser BPO,
...creating further problems when player tells rest of community,
...forcing company in charge to admit they gave,
...ANOTHER BPO to someone else, "to make it even."
The above story is shrouded by the opaque veil of history, but I was reminded of it when I first read about CCP deciding to visit their game. My initial thoughts were positive.
By taking part in an official capacity, CCP may score points with the community, learn more about their product, build a stronger team, and so on. The way it is being done is a big risk however. In general terms, GM participation in their own persistent MMO is subject to accusations of bias and favouritism, and should be avoided completely. Hiring "actors," to play NPCs and developing the tools for them is probably better in the long run (see also, COSMOS and incursion mechanics.)
It is also worth noting, that the formation of the Council of Stellar Management (CSM,) was in large part prompted by accusations of cheating by a database administrator. As I recall, he spawned an interdictor BPO for himself, got found out by players, who in turn broke the law when they broke into fellow community members' private forums. This event effectively re-booted the "OMG! Alliance So-and-so is full of GMs"-meme.
I understand why CCP may want to do this as a team building exercise, but its not exactly "playing the game" now is it. Without play being dictated by having to overcome the death penalty (having to spend time getting isk to get new gear,) the whole thing is meaningless and belongs on a test server - this is probably the one thing that always ruins "GM participation," in most persistent worlds.
I just cannot help having a "baaaaad feeling about this..." whenever I see a GM drop juicy gear because the potential for rage is so high.
Also. It is common knowledge that we already have all the developers in the alliance. We also have the "Guldske I" gang warfare module which increases the rate of faction spawns, and so on, and so forth... |