EVE Alliance Tournament Discussion

I can see how some developers are excited at the prospect of all Open teams having more ISK to put on a better show when the tournament begins. Also, the entry of EVE into e-sports is an great step to attract and introduce more users into EVE Online.

However, everyone should remember that every ticket in regular lotteries n Somer Blink has less expected value than what it costs to buy the ticket. Promotions put on by Blink only give back a fraction of the massive profits they make.

Put another way, every player that plays Blink is a loser in the long run.

I'm not sure how encouraging the taking of ISK from a huge number of players, a lot of whom do not know any better, and creating wealth for a single entity is conducive to the health of the player base in EVE Online.

I really don't think this thread is the best place for philosophical discussions on the morality of gambling sites but I will say my piece.

At the end of the day, most acts of apparent selfless kindness are of benefit to the person giving, be it soothing a guilty conscience, a publicity boost or to attempt to cover up a multitude of less than selfless acts.

However none of that really matters, all that matters is that SOMER Blink has really helped some of the teams in the tournament, and will have most definitely helped make this tournament better for everyone involved, the viewers and the competitors. So hats off to them for that, and I hope they do see an increase in site traffic and income so they sponsor the next tournament as well.

Also, a big thanx to Wunder-bet, who have provided a fantastic boost to this tournament with their Spotlight Interviews and a very useful and informative website.

I'm inclined to agree here. It doesn't matter what SOMER's motives are or whatever the case may be. The fact remains that they gave back to the community big time to make sure this tourny goes well for everyone involved. No matter what you may thing of their gambling site, the simple fact remains that SOMER did something great and made it clear that they expect nothing in return. You will not find many corps that do that for teams they have no vested interest in.

You mean like /any/ gambling, of any type ever, that involves a third party holding the money for the people involved?

And maybe that is why it's very common to see various (RL) gambling companies support (equally RL) sporting events?

I might have issues about the Somer Blink involvement in this. But I have the same about their RL versions involvements.

So if anything, they've shown that EvE is becoming real ;)

What a lovely gesture, the Casino that takes all your money gave a tiny bit of it back to players that didnt really need it.

super!

nobody forces nobody to buy tickets, end of story.

regarding Somer move, i think it is really nice of them, tis tournament will really be skilled based now, giving every team it's chance to shine

+1 ♥ for Somer

Anyone who is old enough to have hair in their pubic region knows that a lottery is there to make money for the people doing the lottery. Somer mention they make 20% off every bet. You still end up with a better shot at winning because it's a 1/8; 1/16; 1/32 bet. As far as odds go, I'd say it's worth a shot.

Somer also cannot make people buy a ticket. It is not a captive audience. There is no coercion.

Somer also does not have to give back to the community, even though giving each team 10 billion, to their purse, is trivial. However you slice it they gave each team a level playing field. Whatever the outcome of the tournament is, it's not going to be decided because some team did not have the money to buy the equipment they wanted to put into the field.

Their 'terms' are also the most gracious I've seen: no conditions, no requirements, no 'giving back surplus money'. They give in the best spirit of giving: you either give gladly or not at all.

In EVE, as in real life (that other great fiction), we expect ulterior motive. I don't see Somer's ulterior motive. People spending more money on Somer? They must have made over 40 trillion ISK already. I'm not privy to their traffic, but I'm assuming people enjoy their effort sponsorship or not.

I see it in the spirit of EVE: emerging behavior that drives the community forward. Making sure the tournament gets a chance to have pilots show what they can do when money really is no object. You know: live a little.

Maybe Somer could be the De Medici of New Eden. Providing welcome support to worthwhile causes.

If at some point a political idea might emerge, something altogether a little more sinister, what else can we do, as a community but smile appreciatively at yet another grand ruse played perfectly?

awesome gesture, hopefully will be a tournament for the ages.