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Community Concerns Regarding SOMERblink

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Arrendis
TK Corp
#121 - 2014-08-19 06:11:59 UTC
Ohkewl wrote:
Andski wrote:
Ohkewl wrote:
So all Somer has to do is:
1. everyone buying plex through their site also needs to write an article (lets say min 3 max 20 words)
2. Somer buys these articles for isk and puts them on a websit
3. Markeedragon has a banner on the site and pays Somer for the advertising.

There you go, a legitemate newsite.



except that's not what TMC or other news sites do at all

on the other hand, if TMC offered you ISK for buying yourself a game through their amazon affiliate program, that would most certainly be clear-cut RMT


Minus the plex buying, it is what they do, buy articles for isk, get money from adds.
TMC or Evenews24 doesnt buy just any article from anyone either.


Almost completely untrue!

When an article is written for TMC by a staff writer, that writer is paid in ISK. That much is true. The writer - the person getting the ISK - is under no obligation to look at any ads (note: 'add' is a mathematical operation)*, and certainly not to click through them.

The pageviewers that generate the advertizing (see? only 1 'd') revenue are given no ISK.

As for taking articles from anyone? TMC most certainly does, provided the article meets the site's quality control standards - and if your concept is sound, the editors will help you bring the prose up to spec. All you have to do is send in your submission to staff@themittani.com with the subject line pretty much anything on the order of 'ATTN: Submissions' or the like.

Full disclosure: I'll probably be the one sending you the initial confirmation of receipt.


* - Also, 'website', 'legitimate', and 'news site' (two words). While I realize this is a bit of pedantic nit-picking, the point seems to go hand-in-hand with 'meeting the site's quality control standards'. Spell-check is among them.
Jarnis McPieksu
Aliastra
Gallente Federation
#122 - 2014-08-19 06:12:40 UTC
Thatt Guy wrote:
Turns out that CCP DID authorize this: http://cogdev.net/blink/lisa.txt (unless this is a blatant lie)

So now we're back to CCP allowing this to go on, but only for their special snowflakes.

Don't worry Somer, I'm sure you get some more limited edition ships, or other goodies outta this.


Strictly speaking that is not an authorization for anything - it lacks all the details (it could be referring to wholly another thing than this current scheme, for one)

Still, it does point towards a possibility of "someone at the CCP did not think this through". Lets just hope that the someone was not their legal department because at that point the worst CCP can really do is to tell Somer to stop.
Thatt Guy
Republic Military School
Minmatar Republic
#123 - 2014-08-19 06:14:48 UTC
BTW, why is it that if John Q. Player is suspected of anything, the account is banned pending an investigation. However this is the second time Somer has done this, yet no action has been taken?

Haters gonna hate, Trolls gonna troll.
Arkady Romanov
Whole Squid
#124 - 2014-08-19 06:18:36 UTC

Dinsdale Pirannha wrote:
Qalix wrote:
Blah, blah, blah. Same as last year. An "investigation" that will "take a while" and then... nothing.

Squeeze out those last dollars while you can.


This could have been dealt with in about an hour today.
Hilmar, or some other delegate of CCP, types a statement in this thread stating that CCP has zero-tolerance for RMT, and any scheme to circumvent the EUALA and TOS will not be tolerated. THEN he can make the comment that CCP is dealing with their lawyers about this.

End of story. People would then know that they are coming down like an anvil on Somer-Blink. And if they did not hammer Somer, there will be zero ambiguity in the fact that CCP would then NOT consider this RMT and the floodgates are open for the cartels to do this, as well as anyone else with a ton of ISK, a web page and a affiliation with a plex seller.


I mostly agree with your basic sentiment. Who knew that when the lion lay down with the lamb it would feel so icky?

Thatt Guy wrote:
Turns out that CCP DID authorize this: http://cogdev.net/blink/lisa.txt (unless this is a blatant lie)

So now we're back to CCP allowing this to go on, but only for their special snowflakes.

Don't worry Somer, I'm sure you get some more limited edition ships, or other goodies outta this.


I smell another potential T20. I can't wait till we roll through US and EU prime time. Batten down the hatches, this is going to get ugly.

Whole Squid: Get Inked.
Deka Ekato
Federal Navy Academy
Gallente Federation
#125 - 2014-08-19 06:19:55 UTC  |  Edited by: Deka Ekato
CCP,

You hoped that this RMT issue with Somer would disapear and simply fade away.

But Somer is AGAIN up to it's old tricks, and IMO they ARE RMT.

More articulate people have shown how Somer are achieving this.

I understand that Somer was never punished originally because you see them as a "great business partner", but that must end now.

Your own TOS / EULA are being violated by Somer and you are providing them with preferencial VIP treatment. Is this the direction CCP really want to go ?

CCP, you know that Somer are RMT. If you deceide to come to the conclusion that Somer are not RMT, then , you are being,....,well,..., what can I say,.... Cry

CCP, it's time to punish Somer. That's the right thing to do, and it's a start to how to fix this issue.

CCP, just find some other legitimate and fair way to make money.

By the way -

3rd Party Support - CSM Summit Topic
https://forums.eveonline.com/default.aspx?g=posts&t=310824
Qalix
Long Jump.
#126 - 2014-08-19 06:26:03 UTC
Nevyn Auscent wrote:
Qalix wrote:
Blah, blah, blah. Same as last year. An "investigation" that will "take a while" and then... nothing.

Squeeze out those last dollars while you can.

Last year was actually quite different.
There were two separate issues, or three really.
Firstly, there was Somer manipulating IWS prices, which were given out to about six different community groups, not just Somer. And was just a straight up market manipulation. Shady given it was a community reward, but no worse than anything the Goons have done with their Ice interdictions to give another market manipulation example.

Secondly there was the ships they were given to raffle out, poor choice by CCP, which people complained would devalue the Golden Magnate, so CCP changed them for a totally new ship.

Finally there was the 'RMT scandal'.... except there never was one. There was a change in CCP's policies on third party sellers, of which nearly all were using the same incentive scheme as Somer was. The reason Somer came up was because when the 'cease & desist' was issued as a policy change by CCP, the other schemes all changed asap, while Somer actually increased their scheme running right up until the cut off date with it.

So last year was not a question of actual RMT since the schemes till that time had CCP's approval for 'everyone' to use, not just Somer. Nor was it a question of contract fraud or anything of the sort.
This year there are those real questions.

So, very different case.

It wasn't different. Same ****, different day. Somer and Markee cashing in on the game using dubious tactics, CCP pretending like it doesn't understand what's going on, vague discussions of "investigations" and "looking into it" which will come to nothing. CCP has decided they are going to cash in on the idiots who gamble with ISK (and you're all idiots; srsly who thinks that a private website totally outside your control or audit powers would do anything but rip you off?).

There is no better indicator of the true state of the game than this recurring episode of CCP-endorsed RMT. You wanna turn ISK into cash? Sell PLEX. CCP is obviously desperate for that money.
James Amril-Kesh
Viziam
Amarr Empire
#127 - 2014-08-19 06:28:53 UTC
Thatt Guy wrote:
Turns out that CCP DID authorize this: http://cogdev.net/blink/lisa.txt (unless this is a blatant lie)

So now we're back to CCP allowing this to go on, but only for their special snowflakes.

Don't worry Somer, I'm sure you get some more limited edition ships, or other goodies outta this.

New signature.

Enjoying the rain today? ;)
knobber Jobbler
State War Academy
Caldari State
#128 - 2014-08-19 06:45:36 UTC
Remiel Pollard wrote:
If Somer are in the wrong, then I agree they should face the appropriate measures for bad behaviour. However, when I look down a street and see a swathe of pitchforks and torches, I only hope that whoever pissed them off gets away with it, regardless of what they've done, because that mindless crowd gives humanity a worse name than the perpetrator they are after.


You must be new. CCP has a long history of blundering, then failing to handle problems appropriately and subsequently falling on their sword a second time.

Sometimes it doesn't hurt to whip out the pitchforks. It's not the fault of people like falcon, but those higher up who are completely detatched from the player base. Pitchforks spur them into temporary action as it's disturbing their collective circle jerk latte drinking sessions while coming up with the next concept players will hate or lose CCP millions of dollars.
Enaris Kerle
Deep Core Mining Inc.
Caldari State
#129 - 2014-08-19 06:52:41 UTC
I've come up with a great idea too.
1. For each $19 you send me via PayPal, you get 1 (one) TritCredit.
2. You know how those noobships always have one unit of Tritanium inside? Annoying as hell. Therefore, for every TritCredit you have, you can contract one noobship+trit to me, and I will buy the Tritanium at a slighly above market rate (let's say 1 billion ISK).
3. Since this is just a convenience service for people who don't want to fly their trit to Jita themselves, just like SOMER buying PLEX at an inflated price, it's perfectly above board.

I don't know anyone at CCP so somebody please call their pals and tell me how much of a bribe cut I'll have to offer to get this scheme signed off on.

Gallente born and raised, and tutored as a pleasure slave and courtesan to the exotic tastes of the Amarri court. Jade's career veered violently off course when a diplomatic envoy's transport was blown to pieces in mysterious circumstances and she was rescued from the escape pods by the enigmatic genetic mastermind Athule Snanm.
Dilligafmofo
3WAYFOUNDATIONS
New Miner's Union
#130 - 2014-08-19 06:58:25 UTC
I don't see how so many are getting their knickers in a twist over this.

It has been sanctioned, what possible difference does it make to anyone making tears in this and other threads?

I really just don't get the whines.
KaRa DaVuT
Federal Navy Academy
Gallente Federation
#131 - 2014-08-19 07:03:21 UTC
After all these years, T20 incidents and all, Its sad to see that, that some things never change...

:CCP:

PS: I put you in a different spot than the rotten eggs though CCP Falcon. Your dedication and opennes is unique.

I will await your further updates mate.

Holiness is in right action and courage on behalf of those who cannot defend themselves, and goodness. What God desires is in your heart and on your mind... And what you decide to do every day, makes you - not your race - a good man - or not.
Enaris Kerle
Deep Core Mining Inc.
Caldari State
#132 - 2014-08-19 07:05:52 UTC
Dilligafmofo wrote:
It has been sanctioned, what possible difference does it make to anyone making tears in this and other threads?

I really just don't get the whines.

I just want to get CCP to approve my turn-ISK-into-IRL-money scheme too.

Gallente born and raised, and tutored as a pleasure slave and courtesan to the exotic tastes of the Amarri court. Jade's career veered violently off course when a diplomatic envoy's transport was blown to pieces in mysterious circumstances and she was rescued from the escape pods by the enigmatic genetic mastermind Athule Snanm.
Themanfromdalmontee
EVE RADIO ARMY
#133 - 2014-08-19 07:09:03 UTC
Mr Epeen wrote:
Except for Chribba's brief remarks, I see that most web hosts are strangely quiet on this. And for good reason.

If the more mouth frothing anger management deficient among you get your way and CCP decides you are right that any income is RMT, say goodbye to your kill boards, news sites, blogs, market sites and character sheets. Anything that relies on click-throughs and affiliates to cover hosting costs. Be careful what you wish for, people. You might just get it.

Mr Epeen Cool


This is the argument I gave at the first mob attack on Somerblink and I still think its right this time.

This foaming at the mouth by people and burning pitch torches really does get my back up.

Thousands of people enjoy the site.

However is there was proper RMT out the back (as in isk being sold directly for money and not a plex incentive) then I will join the mob to shut it down.
Dilligafmofo
3WAYFOUNDATIONS
New Miner's Union
#134 - 2014-08-19 07:13:42 UTC
Enaris Kerle wrote:
Dilligafmofo wrote:
It has been sanctioned, what possible difference does it make to anyone making tears in this and other threads?

I really just don't get the whines.

I just want to get CCP to approve my turn-ISK-into-IRL-money scheme too.



Have the brains and ability and you could. Wouldn't bother me in the slightest buddy, good luck to you and anyone else that can.
Anya Klibor
Native Freshfood
Minmatar Republic
#135 - 2014-08-19 07:17:55 UTC
Themanfromdalmontee wrote:
Mr Epeen wrote:
Except for Chribba's brief remarks, I see that most web hosts are strangely quiet on this. And for good reason.

If the more mouth frothing anger management deficient among you get your way and CCP decides you are right that any income is RMT, say goodbye to your kill boards, news sites, blogs, market sites and character sheets. Anything that relies on click-throughs and affiliates to cover hosting costs. Be careful what you wish for, people. You might just get it.

Mr Epeen Cool


This is the argument I gave at the first mob attack on Somerblink and I still think its right this time.

This foaming at the mouth by people and burning pitch torches really does get my back up.

Thousands of people enjoy the site.

However is there was proper RMT out the back (as in isk being sold directly for money and not a plex incentive) then I will join the mob to shut it down.


Except this is not how it happens, at all. The owners of the killboards and the like are not paying you to use their out-of-game service with in-game assets, especially if you buy a PLEX/GTC through their "reseller". In fact, the killboard groups I know of require a monthly fee of ISK (not real-life currency) to maintain a personal, corporartion, or alliance killboard, and odn't offer any incentives for purchasing a GTC at a reseller they are buddy-buddy with. So your argument (both of you) is false simply because of a false dichotomy, at best, and outright inability to read at worst.

Leadership is something you learn. Maybe one day, you'll learn that.
Jori McKie
Hedion University
Amarr Empire
#136 - 2014-08-19 07:18:33 UTC  |  Edited by: Jori McKie
I said it the last time when Somer did it's first stunt and i will say it again.
CCP can't allow this kind of scheme at all.


Lets see what would happen IF:
- CCP allows only Somer to run this scheme and no other player is allowed too.
The summer of rage and shooting the monument will look like a fresh summer breeze.

- CCP allows everyone to run this scheme.
Welcome to EVE CASH online. There is so much ISK in the game, so much in alliance and in private hands it is not even funny.


Both options are really really bad for CCP, they have again no other choice to shut the Somer scheme down.
Question of the day is:
Is Somer going to face consequences or not?

"It's easy to speak for the silent majority. They rarely object to what you put into their mouths." - Abrazzar
Lucas Kell
Solitude Trading
S.N.O.T.
#137 - 2014-08-19 07:20:55 UTC
Ah. Now that Somer have posted the agreement they supposed had signed off, it's a little clearer what went on. Looks like Somer basically made up some bullcrap about not giving over isk for cash.

Quote:
Proposal: If you buy an ETC from the Blink affiliate link, you turn it into PLEX. Blink will buy the PLEX from you at a published rate that is the same for all ETC buyers-- just contract the PLEX to Blink for the agreed-on price. You can only sell 2 PLEX at this rate for each ETC you purchased (so you can't just go buy PLEX in Jita and resell them to Blink for more than you paid)
Justification: Blink provides no extra ISK or bonus Blink credit for buying through the link. Instead, we make it easy to sell your PLEX and get your ISK quickly, no matter where you are-- no Jita alt required. This is a service, in keeping with CCP's new guidelines that ETC affiliate link rewards should be service-oriented.
The first line of the justification suggests that there is no bonus isk, which is clearly a lie. We can see from the price they are buying at that it's extra. If this is what CCP signed off, I would hope to see Somer vanish very rapidly, especially with this being the 2nd time they've tried to wiggle around RMT rules. Don't give them a chance to do it a third time.

The Indecisive Noob - EVE fan blog.

Wholesale Trading - The new bulk trading mailing list.
Mike Azariah
The Scope
Gallente Federation
#138 - 2014-08-19 07:22:27 UTC
To some of you . . . thank you for the input and the opinions.

To others, get a room and a argue the minutia of word meaning while grabbing your own dictionaries.

Trust me, neither CSM nor CCP is sitting back waiting for this to 'blow over'.

m

Mike Azariah  ┬──┬ ¯|(ツ)/¯
Completely Unaligned
Federal Navy Academy
Gallente Federation
#139 - 2014-08-19 07:23:33 UTC
So, you are all ganging up on Somer, nowhere do I see Eve-bet or Iwantisk.com mentioned. So many people are going to be affected by this witch hunt, Somer sponsors many groups with both isk and items.
I don't believe that thousands of $ are being made as mentioned, personally I don't have a problem with a few bucks to pay expenses being made. Isn't the real world full of enough haters for you, can't you leave it out of our games.
I joined Eve to have fun and get away from real life problems for a couple of hours a day, so thanks for merging the two worlds so very successfully. Bravo haters of the world.
Sentient Blade
Crisis Atmosphere
Coalition of the Unfortunate
#140 - 2014-08-19 07:25:22 UTC
Pitchforks, PITTTCHHHFOORRRKSSS!

This is quite simple and has only 3 outcomes:

1. CCP Legal were contacted about this and approved of it. In which case Somer deserves no penalties, even if the program is then stopped.

2. CCP Legal were contacted about this, refused permission, and they did it anyway. Somer will be shut down.

3. CCP Legal were not contacted. Somer gets hit for making false accusations of legal approval.

If CCP does allow it, then fair enough, just make it a level playing field.