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Thread Statistics | Show CCP posts - 5 post(s) |
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CCP Whisper
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Posted - 2008.08.29 11:40:00 -
[1]
Purchasing skillpoints for RL currency is one of the many alternative business models we have discussed in the past for Serenity. Note the key word there: DISCUSSED. Not "Decided", "Implemented", "Released", "Done" or any other word which would mean that the system is live. Currently skill training on Serenity works just like it does on Tranquility.
Also I would highly recommend people refrain from attempting to use the informal discussion that takes place in irc channels as rock-solid proof of anything.
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CCP Whisper
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Posted - 2008.08.29 11:52:00 -
[2]
 Originally by: Lord Fitz
Tranquility is the testing ground for what happens over there, there isn't going to be a reversal, their server is behind on patches / expansions also. The whole reason it is a seperate server is because the concept of selling items for $$ was always going to have to be part of their version, and CCP didn't want to impose that on TQ.
Actually we never went into the Chinese market with the aim of modifying EVE to include microtransactions. We want EVE to survive on its own merits. However business is business and if you find your game model is not successful you start considering other ways to attract players. Whether we actually implement any of the ideas we have come up with is debatable, as really you need to include microtransactions in the game from the early design stages. Ramrodding it in at a later point when you have an established playerbase might not make good sense.
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CCP Whisper
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Posted - 2008.08.29 16:43:00 -
[3]
Originally by: Miss Razor
I find it VERY worrying that you would even consider this.
Let me reiterate again with some rephrasing, bolding and underlining: There is a thick line between what I as the producer for EVE China would consider suitable for implementation on Serenity and what I would consider suitable for implementation on Tranquility. The markets served by the two servers are vastly different, and it has been a steep learning curve for me to get my head around the peculiarities of the Chinese MMO market. These peculiarities mean that on occasion I have to adopt a rather mercenary approach towards the business of selling an MMO in order to be able to adequatly discuss and debate new business models in a market with its own unique and heavily entrenched challenges, payment models and game styles. I want EVE Online to be successful as a business venture in China, and therefore I will entertain suggestions for alternative approaches for that market in particular.
The MMO market in China is enormous and I would be doing CCP and EVE Online as a whole a disservice if I did not try anything within the realms of the possible to make EVE a success story in the Chinese market. The separate server allows the EVE China team some leeway in what we can try and modify, but just as with Tranquility we have a committed and enthusiastic core of players on Serenity. They are proud to be able to label themselves as denizens of New Eden and are just as vocal about proposed changes as Tranquility's community can be. So any decisions and plans we make for Serenity must take those players and the time they have invested into the game into consideration.
Long story short: Serenity != Tranquility. Things which happen on Serenity do not affect Tranquility. We have to make some decisions which may run contrary to the "ideals of EVE" in an attempt to make Serenity a success. These decisions will not be made lightly.
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CCP Whisper
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Posted - 2008.08.29 18:24:00 -
[4]
I don't really consider this a waste of my time. Rumour control is an uphill struggle no matter what the subject, but I would be remiss in my duties if I did not at least try. Plus I hope at least some people consider the basic explanation of the differences between our markets informative. The responses go into the dev finder and at some point people who remember that I am the person responsible for EVE China will use that to dig them out and save me the time of typing them all over again. 
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CCP Whisper
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Posted - 2008.08.29 18:45:00 -
[5]
Originally by: Trind2222
Whisper at fist there was alot of player in Serenity was started but number of players going down I wonder what plans do you have to get numbers up?
Have been hard to make the Chinese interested in game?
We're working with Optic, our business partner in China, on improving the marketing for EVE overall. We've tried some different promotions in the past year. Some of them worked, others did not. Optic will be running a colour ad in the October issue of Science Fiction World that looks absolutely stunning (I think EVE graphics with Chinese text just look twice as awesome). That will hopefully get us a boost in trials. I'm also keeping a close eye on the work being done on the New Player Experience for Tranquility. The more we can ease access to information about EVE the better it is.
It has been a slow start, but we are growing and we now have a core of committed and loyal EVE players. I think some of the plans Optic has come with for marketing will also pay off in the near future.
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