EVE General Discussion

you can verify things?

what about ccp's endorsement of a similar player run service, can you beat that

This is where it gets interesting. It can only be 'out of control' if there is something problematic about it in the first place. Clearly, CCP's own rhetoric on the subject of RMT opposes it in principle in all its forms (except, you know, PLEX ...). RMTers are bad people and RMT is bad for the game. Now, if they do decide that it's out of control when everyone starts doing it, and everyone will, then that will be an implicit admission that they permitted unacceptable behaviour by Somer that breaches the principles they subscribe to. So, option 1 of banning the whole practice will look bad for CCP.

Unfortunately, they are caught between a rock and a hard place because option 2, allowing the practice, will also make them look bad. It is clear to everyone that this behaviour is a breach of the principles CCP have supported, even if it might be argued that a technical loophole has been found in the rules. But finding such a loophole is normally meaningless in eve because CCP can do what they want and will penalise people for exploiting loopholes if the exploitation breaches their principles. If they now permit this kind of transfer, not only will they be rolling back their entire stance of opposing isk for cash transactions but they will appear to be doing so in order to protect the operations of a golden child. Indeed, appearances aside, this very likely will be the reason, as it is obvious that CCP does not really want people doing these things (if they did they would have nudged the playerbase in that direction long ago rather than body-blocking them away). So, option 2 looks bad as well.

The third option(s): continue to permit Somer to pursue this model but deny the right to anyone else will likely lead to responses that make the Incarna riots look like a visit to the petting zoo. However, CCP may be tempted to get creative and invent a system that will allow Somer to continue doing what he is doing within a framework that will technically allow others to do the same but will be so narrow in reality that the majority of players will be excluded in effect. My money is on this last option, which is perhaps the sneakiest and most underhand of all because it is the only option that doesn't involve CCP's reputation definitely being dragged through the mud. Whether this works or not, though, will depend on the receptiveness of the player base and their willingness to be placated. If the players can be persuaded that this is reasonable then everything may die down. If they don't buy it, and every day of delay makes that more likely, the responses are likely to be worse than they would be to either of the first two more decisive options.

Personally, what I would like to see is a mea culpa and an admission that they screwed up big time in allowing Somer to use this technique. If they own the mistake then they will look bad, for sure, for allowing it in the first place but they will make a decisive break with their error and will be able to put the whole thing to bed and return to the status quo ante. While I would personally prefer the consequences of the second option (I would LOVE to be able to make a living playing eve) I suspect that this would be far less popular among most players and would leave CCP in uncharted waters and bearing a huge 'hypocrite' tag for the rest of their existence. It would be very difficult to trust them and their 'principle statements' ever again if suddenly this stuff was ok. Even as someone who wouldn't mind if it did become acceptable it would add another very large nail in the coffin of my respect for the company if they were to make such a decision in this particular context.

CCP hath spoken.

Now we get to see how they deal with the question of why this now forbidden practice was allowed in the first place.

All of this ultimately because some dev got a little overzealous with tossing around free ships. I'm sure Somer would happily give them back if it meant keeping his cash-cow under wraps. Still though, good for him for getting paid while the getting was good.

You can't make this **** up.

Also, this still leaves the issue of TMC paying for non-eve articles with ISK (if they're still doing that), which, if we're getting all technical and indignant, is also a violation.

And a Ishukone Scorpion

Does this mean somer blink cant give bonus stuff out now for getting GTC through there link?

I am curious to see if that letter went out to ALL their resellers.

Would be nice if everything was back to a level playing field.

Yes, although SOMER still has the link up.

We'll all hold our breath for now.

There is no NDA signed about it ? So feel free to link it..

He only mentioned it once, I think we got away with it.