Please don't do it. Can think of no other reason why those strong boxes were introduced for this years gifts. It looks like a tech demo for unwanted things to come. Its cheap, tacky and copy cat. 13 years of EvE being something different, lets not fully depress that flush handle just yet. K?

I've been away and only came back for alpha, and even I know the random loot crates aren't new. They were introduced as a method to sell an exploration site AFTER you complete it but before you find out what the reward was. Even though it stinks like the worst MMOs out there, it's an approach that's far more EVEish. They don't require a key

I got four skins in my loot box.

Try not to say that out loud.

The serpentis event also had prize boxes, so it is not new.

"Introduced" was obviously a poor choice of words as they did already exist. And I'm certainly grateful for the gifts and effort they put into events. It wasnt all that long ago however that everyone said eve would never go free to play yet here we are. I'm not saying that's a bad thing particularly given the system thats been utilized so far. The point is though that the mechanic for purchasable rng boxes is certainly in place and makes sense as a logical progression that many other mmos that went free to play have followed and its not one I'd personally like to see follow.

First we see f2p w restrictions.
Followed by an increase in "fluff" items available for cash to help cover profits.
Then a removal a f2p restrictions putting them on par with paid accounts.
Then paid accounts recieve months "gifts" like sp and rng boxes for their monthly fee. (And in eve's case something like the abity to multi-box)
Somewhere along that line mechanics get simplified to attract more casual players.
Then eve is truly f2p.

Seen it happen exactly like that in other mmo's. Next thing you know we've got school girl outfits and panda backpacks for our toons and every ship and weapons platform is "balanced" to perform exactly the same with cosmetic differences. So while rng boxes are just one rung on the ladder its one that I hope ccp dont climb onto.

I'm so waiting for the day when CCP goes like "F*** it, we can't please the players anyway so let's skip the gifts this year".

The outcry here will be hilarious.

What's about a little bit of gratitude instead of making up strange suspicions?

@OP I wouldn't say your fears are completely unsubstantiated, I would however take solace in the fact that times have changed.
We as players have seen these patterns being repeated ad nauseam, but so does CCP. And by now it has become obvious that they don't necessarily lead to success, let alone longevity. So even if CCP's decision making was purely based on analyzing the competition, that stuff might not be much more attractive to them than it is to us. I'd like to point to dailies as an example, which were scrubbed pretty quickly.

That being said, on to the specific topic of lockboxes. After my initial reaction of feeling insulted when being confronted with the concept for the first time, I have developed a mild fascination for it. A quick google search for "lockboxes gaming" reveals a list of big titles that apparently don't even have to iterate on the name. I recall reading somewhere that one game also had a competition among its players as to who would open the most of them on a specific weekend. I'm beginning to wonder if you could nest those things and if, how many recursion levels you could go down and still get people to follow you. The mileage you get on your developer hours would have to be quite spectacular.

First we see f2p w restrictions.

Please don't do it. Can think of no other reason why those strong boxes were introduced for this years gifts. It looks like a tech demo for unwanted things to come. Its cheap, tacky and copy cat. 13 years of EvE being something different, lets not fully depress that flush handle just yet. K?

No, what you're actually seeing is an F2P allowance, ie, they're letting you play a significant portion of the game for free. I guess your attitude determines your perspective - you think you're being ripped off despite not paying a cent, I see you being given very generous access to a game that's been subscription-only for thirteen years.

The only thing I see wrong with a limited-run RNG-determined cosmetic gift series for Christmas is that it breeds more entitlement in the form of more expectation of even more free stuff next year.

If youd have been around long enough the f2p issue for Christmas gifts was NEVER a thing. In fact CCP has been giving away Christmas gifts for as long as I can remember and Ive been here since the beginning. All this doom and gloom when its a freaking Christmas gift like ALL the rest of the years is sad and pathetic. Grow up man!!

Since the beginning huh? Tell me all about that. If ONLY I'd been around long enough to understand...
Another fine example of the point going cleanly over someone's head.

Firstly, I'm guessing you failed to notice I'm an omega playing since 2003.

Secondly. F2P w restrictions isn't a perspective, it's a fact. You are "allowed" to play with restrictions on sp, ships and skills. Another fine example of poor reading comprehension.

Third and finally, the topic has absolutely nothing to do with the actual christmas gifts. Which btw are not even RNG and they come every year and have for many years so there's really not an expectation problem concerning "next year." Again, another fine example of reading poor reading comprehension.

Rant rant something rant rant

Your fear mongering and stating an opinion that may or may never occur. If you are a 03er than you should know that CCP has given out gifts in various NEW ways for years. Stop being so niave that it means THISISTHEEND!!OMGOMG!!!RUNFORTHEHILLS!!!

Come with some hard evidence or just stop posting like chicken little. Youre an 03er arent you?!!? Sly isnt falling unless we make it fall on noobs heads!!