EVE General Discussion

Taking inspiration from the efforts of sites like Zooniverse, CCP are bringing people-powered research into a computer game (the first effort of its kind, as far as I am aware).

A lot of players are confused about where this feature has come from, and what it is about.

A lot of data sets cannot be assessed accurately or effectively or practically by a computer algorithm, and require a human to observe and record potential anomalies. However, there is usually a tremendous amount of data to process, and that is where efforts like this come into effect. Sites like Zooniverse rely on volunteers to work through the data sets and help laboratories by providing observational results.

This research really does make a difference, and the available research fields range from astronomy, to medicine, to zoology.

However, as successful as sites like Zooniverse have been, unfortunately they present the data in a monotonous format with little reward or succession. By putting this process into a computer game, CCP may be setting a precedent. For maybe the first time, the obsessive and addictive nature of gamers could be put to use on working on real-world issues within their medium.

That promises huge potential.

If you could choose to help scientists in their efforts to analyse, for example, cancer cells in their research effort, all the while playing one of your favourite games and earning rewards in that game, wouldn't that be awesome?

There's already loads of games that do similar. The only real difference with EVE is that it's a bigger title, but the fact that they can put in something like this really speaks more to the lack of activity required to play EVE than to anything else.

Ed: That's not to say it's not a good thing, I'm just not getting overly exited at the prospect of paying to do research for isk and the effect that will have on gaming as a whole.

I see this as a win win endeavor for all concerned. Players who decide to participate, Science community, Medical community, and those who suffer from debilitating diseases. From a purely philosophical standpoint, It's nice to see humanity pursue a collaborative effort to use our intelligence and analytical abilities to help prolong the life of our species rather than looking for ways to end it.

Max

That may very well be true. I personally prefer to drink from a glass half full than drink from the overflowing well of cynicism.

Max

My former gf's reaction to the whole" glass half full / half empty" thing was "whatever ... but no way I am drinking it if the glass is dirty".

If you look at it that way... I guess you are right

Yeah that is pretty cool. I just hate those stupid charities that will only give money if you run around the city or dump something on your head on camera. Seems useless and a waste of time and energy. They could just you know GIVE the money to the charity anyways and stop wasting a lot of time in the process. I don't know if I will resub my account I'm pretty fed up overall.

The project is admirable but amusingly idealistic in the greater scheme of things. Mixing (voluntary) "work" and game creates a dissonance and while the boundries are often blurred for EVE, there is nonetheless still a distinction between those two. The MAJORITY problem solvers will fall under a "for profit" bellcurve, not out of some sense for altruism. Hence, it's short-lived gimmick.

Now, from the marketing aspect, if the project can successfully engage EVE players to subscribe or even generate new subscriptions, then it paves the way for more events/giveaway under a similar framework.
This is what CCP is really after .... which, imo, it should have formed a focus on years ago, while its subscription base was still vivid. The whole concept is nothing new, other MMOs/MOBAs had plenty of head start.

Actually, it is quite the opposite. There is an entire battery of tests, numerous paid consultants, and strict Q&A standards, before anything approaches my lips. All of which must pass the watchful eye of the very woman who rolls my Cuban Cigars on her thighs. Life is good

Max

I don't work for free IRL, but I also don't try and con others to do the same in the name of {insert fad charity of the month here}

I don't think there is anything wrong with people doing this kind of work, or folding or clock cycle donation or whatever, just don't tie it into your video game and claim to be above it all.

FYI, some of these very projects are how certain three letter agencies of our government got into sensitive areas of servers, computers and groups who value anonymity.