EVE General Discussion

But really, the ship isn't any good...

or alternatively the gifts shouldn't have any impact upon the game.

free gametime, a title on their character's "show info" pannel, an in game medal thingy, a golden pod (those things aren't sellable right?).

nobody would care if the people at somer got those even if it was under the table because at the end of the day the guys at somer put a lot of work in to what they do and it does generate a lot of stuff for a lot of people however handing them a fist full of isk in a hush hush fashion is really not the way to reward them. also, if it was any of the above suggestions they wouldn't have had to keep it quiet.

the whole situation is setting a precedent that people are clearly uncomfortable with. i mean, the scorpions themselves, or the isk, really isn't the issue. it's the path ccp are choosing to walk down.

Totally agree

How many GTC sales have you generated?

Why would the GTC sales matter?, the only reason people buy game time through somer, and not directly from ccp, is that bonus isk you get from somer. I'm guessing that ccp lose money, compared to people buying directly from them, every time someone uses somer to buy game time.

I can't see how somer directly is doing anything to get new people to subscribe to the game, they are basically just making monkey of the people who are already playing the game, people who would have used ccp directly if somer didn't exist.

I mean the more I stare at this SOMERblink website it becomes clear how ridiculous this all was.

This website offers me no services, no information, it is nothing other than an isk making tool for the people who run the lottery.


For CCP Navigator to extol their virtues in absurd to say the least. It's like rewarding the guy who stocks the most markets in EVE for stocking the most markets.

They created a web interface that allows them to make isk with more efficiency than they could without it. Big deal.

Anwyay I've posted too much on this - just too much time today. But I've thought it over and basically this comes down to these four things:

1) SOMERblink is not the contributor to the EVE community that CCP seems to think it is. They are good, and provide gambling content, but that is it. They are no different than EOH or other gambling sites. And their website is just designed to make it easier to give them isk, it is not a fansite or even a community site. Look to Chribba's as well as other people's work for that.

2) CCP should handle giving out high value prizes itself. They shouldn't endorse a third party site that is designed purely for in game profit making, with no out of game presence or recourse to give away these things. Not everyone puts equal faith in these third party sites - and it is especially true when it is basically an "in game" only site, with restrictions that would make the prize distribution potentially unfair. As good an idea as using third parties to give out prizes and promos may have seemed, it is not. Especially when the company chosen is an in-game company. Use Ten Ton Hammer, Battleclinic, or some other out of game site that has no role in the EVE economy.

3) CCP, it is your right to reward people you think contribute to the game. We the players find it a little odd that you view making isk a contribution, but hey its your show. But don't give away items of high in game value, in fact the only way to do this well is not give away in game items at all. Artwork, ship models, etc., would recognize people who helped - but not affect the in game economy in any way.

4) CCP needs to think closely about who they partner with for out of game give-a-ways and whom they reward with ships and other promos. They should keep in mind that even the perception of impropriety is a problem and avoid it at all costs. Partnering with entities who's primary purpose is to make in game isk is not in congruence with this principle and should be avoided.

Somer is not the issue, its the fact that CCP are giving away gifts which can have an effect in game in secret.

Also CCP will point to the 100 of billions of isk Somer have spent sponsoring events such as 320bil for the NEO.

Yes, that was entirely altruistic. They didn't stand to gain anything from the increased exposure of such a move.

No i don't get it, how is it they are effectually providing ccp with a larger profit?

They are selling at lower prices, Europeans can pay the lower dollar price, and they are most likely getting some retailer bonus when selling a GTC, which just makes ccp's profit less then if they would have sold the GTC them self.

I fail to see how they are directly generating new customers, so how exactly would the GTC be relevant?

They still did more good for the game and provided more content then you will ever do...

CCP gave them the ship, their hand was not forced.